Patrol Leader Handbook?

[bnelon44]

Kudu,

 

I agree with all you wrote except the insurance issue. It isn't a myth

 

 

[TAHAWK]

I can find no statement in BSA publications on insurance through B.S.A. that state any precondition whatsoever on coverage if you are a covered person, such as a registered Scouter or chartered organization.

 

Lacking such a statement, it seems perfectly fair to call any claim that compliance with Two-deep Leadership is a precondition for coverage a "myth."

 

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss10.aspx

 

However, recognize that failure to comply with GTSS makes a plaintiff's lawyer's job easier in proving "negligence." In most jurisdictions failure to comply with "safety standards" is admissible as proof of negligence.

 

BSA insurance provides no coverage for intentional or criminal wrongdoing, and most state's law prohibits insurance for such acts.

[bnelon44]

The Boy Scouts of America general liability policy provides coverage for a bodily injury or property damage claim that is made and arises out of an Official Scouting Activity. The Guide to Safe Scouting contains a listing of Unauthorized and Restricted Activities. Unauthorized activities are not considered Official Scouting Activities. Volunteers (registered and unregistered), Units, Chartered Organizations and Local Councils are jeopardizing insurance coverage for themselves and their organization by engaging in unauthorized activities. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK.

 

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/HealthandSafety/Alerts/Insurance.aspx

[qwazse]

I'm sorry, but unlike "Pistols" and "Muzzle Loading" I don't see "Overnight Patrol Camping" on the list of unauthorized activities.

 

Once again we are confusing youth protection with general health and safety. A well-prepared patrol is no more likely to suffer injury with adults vs. without adults on an overnight.

 

Do you know of a case where there was an injury on a patrol overnight and the insurance did not cover it?

 

Moreover, if liability were an issue, your injury is more likely to occur on the G2SS explicitly approved patrol day-hike, than on a camp-out.

[TAHAWK]

"Unauthorized and Restricted Activities

 

The following activities have been declared unauthorized and restricted by the Boy Scouts of America:

 

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are banned from program use. ATVs are defined as motorized recreational cycles with three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains.

 

Boxing, karate, and related martial artsexcept judo, aikido, and Tai Chiare not authorized activities.

 

Chainsaws and mechanical log splitters may be authorized for use only by trained individuals over the age of 18, using proper protective gear in accordance with local laws.

 

Exploration of abandoned mines is an unauthorized activity.

 

Varsity football teams and interscholastic or club football competition and activities are unauthorized activities.

 

Fireworks secured, used, or displayed in conjunction with program and activities is unauthorized except where the fireworks display is conducted under the auspices of a certified or licensed fireworks control expert.

 

The selling of fireworks as a fund-raising or moneyearning activity by any group acting for or on behalf of members, units, or districts may not be authorized by councils.

 

Flying in hang gliders, ultralights, experimental class aircraft, or hot-air balloons (whether or not they are tethered); parachuting; and flying in aircraft as part of a search and rescue mission are unauthorized activities.

 

Motorized go-carts and motorbike activities are unauthorized for Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. All motorized speed events, including motorcycles, boats, drag racing, demolition derbies, and related events, are not authorized activities for any program level.

 

Participation in amateur or professional rodeo events and council or district sponsorship of rodeos are not authorized.

 

Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized. Scout units may plan or participate in paintball, laser tag or similar events where participants shoot at targets that are neither living nor human representations. Units with council approval may participate in formally organized historical reenactment events, where firearms are used and intentionally aimed over the heads of the reenactment participants. The use of paintball guns, laser guns or similar devices may be utilized in target shooting events with council approval and following the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety. Council approval means the approval of the Scout Executive or his designee on a tour permit specifically outlining details of the event. (However, law enforcement departments and agencies using firearms in standard officer/agent training may use their training agenda when accompanied with appropriate safety equipment in the Law Enforcement Exploring program.)

 

Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum.

(The purpose of this policy is to restrict chartered packs, troops, and teams from conducting hunting trips. However, this policy does not restrict Venturing crews from conducting hunting trips or special adult hunting expeditions provided that adequate safety procedures are followed and that all participants have obtained necessary permits and/or licenses from either state or federal agencies. While hunter safety education might not be required prior to obtaining a hunting license, successful completion of the respective state voluntary program is required before participating in the activity.)

 

Motorized personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis, are not authorized for use in Scouting aquatics, and their use should not be permitted in or near BSA program areas.

 

Except for (1) law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, and (2) circumstances within the scope of the BSA hunting policy statement, firearms should not be in the possession of any person engaged in camping, hiking, backpacking, or any other Scouting activity other than those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a certified firearms instructor. (Among the purposes of this policy is to prohibit adult leaders from bringing firearms on BSA camping and hiking activities or to unit meetings.)

 

Parasailing, or any activity in which a person is carried aloft by a parachute, parasail, kite, or other device towed by a motorboat, including a tube, or by any other means, is unauthorized.

 

All activities related to bungee cord jumping (sometimes called shock cord jumping) are unauthorized.

 

Technical tree-climbing with ropes or harnesses is not authorized as an activity.

 

Water chugging and related activities are not authorized for any program level."

 

 

So still looking for a statement that two-deep leadership is a precondition of coverage. Until then, still a "myth."

 

[boomerscout]

Tahawk:

I thought Jet-Skis and ATVs were now allowed

[TAHAWK]

If so, the BSA website doesn't know it.

[Eagle92]

PWC and ATVs are experimental programs on the council level. if memory serves, my council had to jump through some hurdles with national to be part of the experiment. there is a process involved.

[BartHumphries]

Jet skis and ATV's are allowed only at Council-run summer camps, if the particular camp has applied and been accepted to the National program, etc.

 

It's like chainsaws. To some people they're incredibly dangerous and no youth should ever use them (to be fair, they are incredibly dangerous). To some other people, when the family needs firewood, it might be expected of a youth that he goes and cuts some wood. This is fine and you can even have multiple youth cutting wood together as long as it's clear that it's not a Scout activity -- this is families doing this on their own time and it has nothing to do with Scouts.

 

Some people think jet skis and ATV's are incredibly dangerous and no youth should ever use them (to be fair, etc.). To some other people, we might live sandwiched between a large recreational lake and the national forest and using those might be a normal part of life.

 

In my opinion, I would rather see people "properly trained" before they were turned loose on chainsaws and jet skis and ATV's, but because some people view these things as "too dangerous for youth, ever" we basically can't properly train our youth, it's just parents teaching things the way those parents were taught (which may or may not be the safe way of doing things). For instance, eye protection while using a chainsaw. I can't hold a Boy Scout "chainsaw safety" class and teach the boys that the Boy Scouts say they need to be wearing protection, the way I can teach what's safe and what's not safe with the Totin' Chip cards. And if it's not something that the Boy Scouts are demanding of the kid, and it's not something that the parents are demanding of the kid, why would a kid listen to me?

 

Anyway, I should get off my soapbox now and just say that jet skis and ATV's are only allowed at Council-run summer camps if those camps have gone through all of National's hoops.