The National Council has released a Health and Safety Alert about Winter Sports Safety and Helmets.

This is the complete alert:

While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, we would like to advise you of a change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting,

In the past, Section 3 stated that “Suitable clothing for the activity and environment should be worn at all times, and equipment should include gloves and helmets when appropriate.”

Based upon the review of General Liability claims history, along with a recommendation by the Risk Management Advisory Panel (two Scout executives from each region), and input from the Health and Safety Support Committee, the following change has been made to the Guide to Safe Scouting.

“Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and operation of snowmobiles (full-face helmets).”

You are encouraged to post this on your unit, district and council web sites, put a link to Scouting Safely on your web site, and publish this in your newsletter.

We would like to remind you that when you engage in winter sports, please only use designated areas where rocks, tree stumps, and other potential obstacles have been identified and marked, cleared away, shielded, or buffered in some way.

Source: National Council Scouting Safely

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The Innovation and Strategy Group is exploring the possibility of lifting the ban on a few unauthorized activities.

According to posts on the BSA Innovation Engine:

Recently the Innovation and Strategy Group conducted a survey to determine the level of interest in various high adventure activities. The survey was nationwide in scope and the respondents were 50.3% male and 49.7% female. Those responding to the survey were between the ages of 7 and 19 and lived, in almost equal parts, in each of the regions of the country. The question before them was what activities do you like or would you like to participate in?

Four of the top choices by youth on this survey are currently on the list of unauthorized activities in the, “Guide to Safe Scouting”.

Each of the top four activities are being vetted independently on the BSA Innovation Engine to see what people think about each idea.

See what is being said about looking into the following activities:
– Laser Tag in Scouting
– All Terrain Vehicles in Scouting
– Paintball in Scouting
– Jet Skiing in Scouting

At this time only those with myBSA logins can vote and comment on an idea, so if you feel strongly go track down your friendly neighborhood professional!

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