Guide to Safe Scouting

Full guide

Girl Scouts version is Safety-Wise

Winter camping

Need a "leader experienced in cold weather camping ... with strong common sense." Know everyone's capabiltiies and set limits. Do a gear shakedown.

Extra batteries, cold specific stuff. li-ion batteries perform best in the cold. Hi vis clothing.

Participants need to be fit. Take rests, prevent overheating!

snowshoeing is "no more than 5 mi/day" lol?

buddy system: monitor for hypothermia, etc.

Before you go

• set goals
• Assign tasks
• You'll need more time for everything (Setting up camp, etc)
• plan for more food, water, clothing (have spare blankets, hats, gloves, etc)

Use a winter camping checklist and trip plan

Safe area

• No hazards
• No widowmakers
• Avoid ridge tops/open areas
• Check the ice thickness (>= 3")

Lakes are safer than rivers (moving water)

Weather

lake effect

Not just snow, but also tornados and hurricanes (Buffalo, NY is a "low risk zone": 8 recorded since 1930)

Leaders need to have taken Hazardous Weather Training

Check the National Weather Service forecast, have a Go/No Go decision

Understand warning vs watch vs advisory, wind chill

Final rules

No flames in tents, even hot tents

Review everything before leaving for camp.