Health and Safety
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Health and Safety Committee has published a number of articles on Scouting Safety. All Scout leaders should take the time to read these articles to help make every Scouting activity a safe and successful one.
- 15-Passenger Vans
Recently the news media have highlighted accidents involving 15-passenger vans. The crashes that received the most attention are single-vehicle rollover crashes. Read more...
- Age Appropriate Activities
These criteria are designed to assist unit leaders in determining what activities are age-appropriate. Activities that do not appear on the chart should be reviewed using these criteria. Read more...
- Be Prepared
When Robert Baden Powell founded the Scouting movement, he advised his scouts to "Be Prepared." When a Scout once asked what it was they should be prepared for, Baden Powell replied "Any old thing." Read more...
- Climb On Safely
Similar to the BSA Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat, Climb On Safely is the basic training required of adult leaders to organize a climbing and rappelling activity for their unit. Read more...
- Cold Weather Camping
Every troop should have a winter wilderness weekend on its calendar. Where is your troop going? If you are having any reservations, remember all of the complications of cold weather camping can happen on a balmy day on a 50-mile hike in any part of the rugged country of California. Be prepared! Read more...
- Leader Liability - Accidents
In order to further protect leaders, and the BSA, from claims and lawsuits, the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council annually purchases Council Accident and Sickness Insurance for each Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturer. This policy covers expenses resulting from accidents and sickness while involved in official scouting activities and while traveling to and from an activity. Read more...
- Leader Liability - Lawsuits
The financial liability of volunteers and chartering organizations when accidents, injuries and sickness occur on scout activities is a concern of many. It may be the one concern that keeps potential volunteers and organizations away from participation in scouting. This is unfortunate because the Boy Scouts of America has an extensive liability insurance program to support both its volunteers and its chartering organizations. Read more...
- Leadership Selection
I don't know that it takes a village to run a Boy Scout Troop or a Venture Crew but I do know that no one can do it alone. Nowhere is the leadership training so apparent as when you are in attendance at a National Eagle Court of Honor. Read more...
- Long Distance Hiking
As we sit at home or in the office bemoaning the winter weather, we eagerly think ahead to that big trip we'll take this summer. Unfortunately, sitting around all winter doesn't get us in shape for such an adventure. Read more...
- Physical Fitness
Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are taking their toll on Americans. Every few days the media tells us of studies that link our nation's lack of physical fitness to cardiovascular disease. This problem is no longer confined to the middle aged. The alarming increase in Type 2 Diabetes among youth has been directly linked to the lack of a healthy diet and exercise regime. Read more...
- Preventing Illness and Injury
The Scout motto is: "Be prepared". Another motto is "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". These phrases underscore the purpose and importance of preventing illnesses and injuries before they happen. If you practice prevention you can save yourself a great deal of pain, misery, sick time and even long term illness or disability. Read more...
- Safety Training
Working to turn around the "Been There - Done That" mind set in scouts is an uphill struggle we might never win. But when it comes to safety training, it is a struggle an adult leader can never give up. Read more...
- Skiing Safety
When I was 15, I nearly killed myself skiing. I compressed a vertebra, cracked three ribs, and was fairly certain I was going to die on that mountain just after I hit the ground. Read more...
- Stoves, Lanterns and Fuel
Is your troop prepared to use stoves, lanterns and fuel safely? Remember the seven elements of a good stove and fuel safety program. Read more...
- Street Smarts
Going on a Hike? How about a hike around town? Or perhaps you and your Scouts are pounding the pavement drumming up Popcorn Sales. Before you know it we'll all be out canvassing the neighborhoods, Scouting for Food. Read more...
- Tour Permits
"What the heck is a tour permit anyway? Why do we need one?" might be the questions a new scout leader may ask. Long-time leaders might know that they have to get one but may not be aware of their importance. Read more...
- Trekking Poles
12 years ago I was on the Tour du Mont Blanc above Chamonix, France and observed young hikers enjoying themselves jumping from rock to rock down talus slopes using what appeared to be expandable ski poles for balance and stability. On the second day of this classic 120-mile trek our guide supplied each of us with such poles for a very steep descent. By the time we reached Courmayeur, Italy I was convinced of the value of these poles and bought a pair. Read more...
- Trail First Aid
So you are planning a 50 miler. Trek leader, SPL, quartermaster, permits, maps - everything is coming together. An "old and trusted" ASM has signed on again as the "medic" for the trek. He is a paramedic in real life. Plans are in great shape. Any need to worry about first aid? You bet! Read more...
- Water Purification
"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink" - Don't put yourselves in the plight of Coleridge's Ancient Mariner by being unable to drink safely because you either don't know how or forgot the necessities to purify your water! Read more...
- Water Safety
Troop 237 was camped on the shores of Cache Creek. Its site was on the inside of a sharp bend in the river. The scouts spotted rapids followed by a deep eddy-hole, and also evidence of a very strong undercurrent about thirty feet offshore. This convinced the troop leaders to be serious about Safe Swim Defense because of the possible dangers that can occur on any water trip. Read more...