Should OA lodges collect permission slips and/or Medical authorization forms for events? I am thinking more of things like Conclaves than ordeal or fellowship weekends. In either case, since the lodge member usually will not have a parent along, shouldn't the lodge require permission forms/and authorization for medical treatment.

 

Is our lodge the only one that doesn't collect these? Or is OA somehow outside of BSA and G2SS regulations?

 

I don't like to be an alarmist, but it scares me terribly to see these adults (that I don't know well) taking boys hundreds of miles away without a form. I would hate for my son to trip, break his arm, and then wait in pain for me to be contacted, while the hospital won't even give him a tylenol (because they don't have authorization and he isn't 18 yet.)

 

Our Lodge requires permission slips for all overnight outings just like a unit would require. I don't see how they would be exempt from any of the regs applying to units.

 

I would certainly call the adult advisors to task on this. I certainly agree with you and wouldn't send my son.

I know that my lodge/section require medical forms to be on file for ordeals and conclave (I can't remember if they want Class I or Class II). I agree, check with your lodge advisor/staff advisor.

Our lodge required medical authorization forms for anyone under 18. If you were 18 or older, the forms weren't considered neccessary because you are legally able to consent to medical treatment without parental permission at that age.

 

Calico

Our lodge requires a Class I at the minimum for all lodge events from all lodge members.

My lodge also requires a medical form for everyone in attendance.

Our lodge also requires medical forms for anyone in attendance.

 

But I don't think permission slips are generally required. Our unit doesn't require them. Our lawyers tell us that they aren't helpful from a liability point of view anyway.

Our Lodge expects unit leader to have current BSA Class II / III (as appropriate) on hand for each Scout/Scouter participating.

 

Where individuals participate, Lodge expects him/her to have the right physical with his "stuff."

For the W4C conclave, units taking scouts had to submit a tour permit and such. That is, this fell under the purvue of the visiting unit. I don't know how individual scouts attending conclave on their own were handled.

Permission Slips are pretty pointless with the exception of the updated emergency contact information...

 

Medical forms on the other hand are a necessity. This is a big problem throughout many lodges. Some don't collect anything, others expect everyone to bring it but don't check. Very few collect and keep available the medical forms.

 

I've probably heard almost every excuse about how its not practical to require and collect them... I haven't heard one that made it worth the risk.

 

Wouldn't you want to know and be prepared just in case you had a diabetic going through the ordeal? Who's run across a hornets nest at their camp, know anyone that is allergic? Food allergies are a nightmare by themselves. Splinter in the eye? What about that Scouter on heart medication who is going to help get camp ready by moving firewood.

 

Yes, I know the Scout/Scouter should make known any potential problems, but how many actually do? Maybe they are embarrassed, maybe they think they can look after themselves, maybe they don't know what they are getting themselves into?

 

I'm a firm believer that every Scouting event needs to have someone prepared to handle medical situations. They should know where every health form is, have a unit roster, and be available to respond. Its not just enough to have a lot of people trained in first aid which is becoming a common answer.

 

While I know some lodges will never collect health forms, they should at least start doing a quick mini health check to see if there are any concerns that someone needs to be aware of.

 

How many lodges make sure they have access to medical supplies? I love the weekend events that use our council camp that are amazed to find the health office locked and empty of supplies when they are looking for that band aid or rubbing alcohol during the off season.

 

What ever happened to "Be Prepared?"

 

@Scouter&mom - As a first responder who has taken Scouts to the Emergency room before, I have never had a problem getting treatment when the parents couldn't be contacted right away. The two times that stick out in my head, the Scout was getting treated, and after I had answered all the nurse/doctors questions, I was asked to fill out the paperwork with the admin staff. One of those cases the parents answered right away (cell phone number on the health form), the other one it took us about 2 hours to track down the Aunt, because the parents were out of town.

 

If you are concerned about your son I would suggest you find an adult who attends these events that you can trust. Often times there are groups that hang out together at OA events. See if your son can latch on to whatever group that adult is in.

 

If I give a ride to a Scout I make sure that they kept a copy of their health form on them at all times, and another copy is kept by me. I feel they are my responsibility for the weekend if I am providing the transportation.

FWIW,

 

Our Lodge the past several years has had the Reservation Health Lodge open (usually getting ITS spring cleaning) during OA events, and has typically 3 staffers (physician, the Reservation nurse, and a youth member (18-20) EMT.

 

Now, the flip side is our Reservation Ranger is a Captain in the area volunteer fire department, and when he calls into County dispatch, there are no questions asked.

 

It's a good news/bad news thing: One of our reservations is basically an island of true wilderness in suburbia now.