Be Prepared

“Be Prepared” is the Scout motto and emergency preparedness is promoted in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. The founder of the Scouting movement said:

The scouts’ motto is founded on my initials, it is:

BE PREPARED,

which means, you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY;

Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.

Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.

Lord Baden Powell

Scouting teaches youth to be ready to face unexpected situations calmly and to think through their actions rather than just acting out of fear. This allows the Scout to help himself or herself in emergency situations and it helps the Scout give aid to others.

See some examples below of how Scouting helps youth to “Be Prepared”.

First Aid Baseball Game for Scouts BSA and Webelos

First aid baseball is a fun way to review first aid skills with Scouts BSA and Webelos. There are instructions for the game and a set of question cards included in the printable file.

First Aid Demonstration for Cuts

When you are doing first aid instruction, it is best to demonstrate it as much as possible. Here is a way they showed us at a Pow Wow a few years ago. I did this with my previous Webelos den and they really enjoyed it.

Kims Game with Items for a Home First Aid Kit

Kim’s game is a traditional Scouting game which was introduced by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. It is based on a game describe by Rudyard Kipling. This version of the game helps Scouts learn what should be in a home first aid kit.

Emergency Phone Number List

Emergency preparedness is part of every level of Scouting program. For younger Scouts, that primarily means knowing how to get help.

Wolf Den Meeting Plan – Call of the Wild: Safety

At this Wolf den meeting for the Call of the Wild adventure, Wolves prepare for camping by learning about knots, fire, the Outdoor Code, and Leave No Trace.

Fake Wounds for First Aid Demonstrations

If your Webelos or Scouts BSA are working on first aid requirements, you can add in some fun by making a fake wound on a "victim" or two.

First Aid for Tick Bites

Scouts like to get outdoors, but in many areas that brings the danger of tick bites. While most tick bites won't cause more than minor irritation, if treated incorrectly complications can occur.

How To Treat a Knife Cut

What is the best way to treat a knife cut? This article from Boy's Life magazine explains how to stop the bleeding, clean the cut, and dress the wound.

Home Safety Checklist for Cub Scouts

This is a home safety checklist for Cub Scouts to use. It can be used with Wolf Achievement 9 (Be Safe at Home and on the Street).

Fire Drill Time!

Fire drills are encouraged throughout scouting programs, from the Lions to Scouts BSA. Print out a basic plan for conducting a home fire drill.

Wilderness Survival Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The Wilderness Survival program feature helps Scouts learn how to stay safe, warm, and dry when the unexpected happens during an outdoor adventure.

What to Do When Lost or Separated from Your Group (STOP Acronym)

Know how to STOP when you are lost or separated from your group.  Review this acronym with your group before going out on a campout or hike with your group. Being prepared can assist searchers who are looking for a missing person or group.

Firem’n Chit Certification

Scouts BSA are going to build fires. That is pretty much a given. So they should be trained to use fire safely. This BSA certification provides a set of rules which can be used for training with Scouts. A pocket card is also available at your local Scout shop, to indicate that the Scout has completed the training and agrees to the rules.

Emergency Preparedness Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The Emergency Preparedness feature teaches Scouts how to develop the first aid and leadership skills needed to deal with an emergency. Scouts learn to be prepared for accidents and natural disasters and to make informed decisions.

Blister Treatment – First Aid

Blisters are a common injury for outdoor and physical activities. Correct blister treatment can prevent further irritation. Learn blister first aid.

Avoiding Hypothermia During Cold Weather Activities

Avoiding hypothermia is key to a successful outdoor activity in cold weather, be it camping, hiking, skiing, ice skating, or snowman building.

First Aid Program Feature for Scouts BSA Troops

The focus of the First Aid troop program feature is learning to assess an emergency and practical first aid skills.

Hospital Tag

In this game, players pretend they are wounded and go to the hospital to get fixed up.

How to Prevent Chafing at Camp

With all of the first aid information in the various Cub Scout and Scouts BSA handbooks, I never come across much information about the one problem we see most frequently at summer camp

Emergency Preparedness BSA Award (Cub Scouts) Helps and Ideas

Cub Scouts learn to "Be Prepared" for emergency situations by working on the Emergency Preparedness BSA award. There are different age appropriate requirements for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos. (This award is not available for Lions.) The award is a small pin. Cub Scouts who earn the award at multiple levels can wear multiple pins.

How Many Meetings Does It Take to Complete the First Responder Achievement?

A reader asks a question about how many meetings are required to cover First Responder: " I have a parent who’s trying to tell me it can be done in a 1 hr trip to our local fire station. I’m thinking it should take about 5 meetings or a good the better part of a Saturday. " I think the answer might be somewhere in between.

Lifesaving Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to help those in trouble in the water while working on the Lifesaving merit badge. They practice and demonstrate the skills for reaching, throwing , and go rescues. They also find out how to determine which rescue technique to use and how to keep themselves safe while giving assistance to another person.

Safety Merit Badge Helps and Documents

The requirements for the Safety merit badge help Scouts understand how they can prevent accidents and crime. Scouts inspect their home for hazards. They also learn how to be aware of things like fire exits and alert to dangerous situations when they are doing activities elsewhere. Scouts also investigate careers related to safety.

Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to "Be Prepared" while working on the Emergency Preparedness merit badge. They learn how to deal with situations like fires, automobile crashes, natural disasters, home emergencies, water safety, and more. They learn about community readiness plans for emergencies and explore the many careers related to emergency preparedness.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | First Aid Resources

No matter what the situation, you should "Be Prepared" for first aid. Even at den meetings I keep a very small personal first aid kit on hand for dealing with scrapes and small cuts which can occur during games.

Weather Hazards Online Course

Recent tornadoes in our neighborhood remind us more than ever that we must be prepared for unexpected changes in the weather.

Webelos First Responder Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

First Responder is one of the Webelos Adventure Requirements. For this adventure, Webelos learn some basic first aid and emergency preparedness skills. They learn to respond to situations like choking, shock, bites and stings, cuts, cuts, burns, and more.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety – Weather Check

It is important to know the difference between uncomfortable weather and hazardous weather. BSA provides a great online course for learning about hazardous weather.

Bear Paws for Action Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Paws for Action is one of the Bear required adventures. For this adventure, Bears learn about history, law enforcement, and conservation.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | CPR Resource

Why take a chance? Encourage some adults in your unit to learn CPR. It's one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do it could save a life.

First Aid Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to handle a variety of emergency situations while working on the First Aid merit badge: shock, heart attack, cuts, broken bones, hypothermia, bee stings, heatstroke, convulsions, dehydration, pains, cramps, and more. They learn to "be prepared" for many types of illnesses and injuries.

Scouts BSA Tenderfoot First Aid and Nature Requirements Helps and Documents

The first aid requirements for Tenderfoot cover a variety of situations a Scout might encounter on a campout, especially first aid for nature related injuries. The Scout also learns how to avoid these injuries.

Scouts BSA First Class First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 7 is about being ready. Scouts learn to bandage injuries and recognize the signs of a heart attack. They also learn how to respond in case of a fire or other emergency.

Scouts BSA Second Class First Aid Requirements Helps and Documents

Second Class requirement 6 is all about responding to an emergency with the appropriate first aid. Scouts learn how to handle situations from simple wounds to hurry cases. They also learn how to prevent accidents and injuries.

Tiger Safe and Smart Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Safe and Smart is one of the Tiger elective adventures. For this adventure, Tigers and their adult partners how to be safe at home and in emergencies.

Fire Safety Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Fire Safety merit badge, Scouts learn about the best ways to prevent fires in their homes and while outdoors. Scouts will also find out what to do if there is an uncontrolled fire. They visit a fire station and explore fire-safety related careers.

Emergency Preparedness BSA Award (Scouts BSA) Helps and Ideas

Scouts BSA can earn this award by creating an emergency plan, earning the First Aid or Emergency Preparedness merit badge, and completing an online course from the Federal Emergency Management Institute (FEMA).

Scouts BSA First Class Nature Requirements Helps and Documents

First Class requirement 5 is about identifying plants and being aware of the weather. Scouts also learn how to be prepared for hazardous weather.

Search and Rescue Merit Badge Helps and Documents

While doing the requirements for the Search and Rescue merit badge, Scouts learn to safely participate in a SAR mission. They familiarize themselves with the terminology involved and the command structure. Scouts explore the differences between wilderness, urban, and water search and rescue missions. They investigate career opportunities related to SAR activities.

First Aid Ranger Core Requirement Helps and Documents

First Aid is one of the core requirements for the Venturing Ranger award. To earn this award, a Venture must complete an American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course or the equivalent.

Wilderness Survival Ranger Core Requirement Helps and Documents

To complete the Wilderness Survival core requirement for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn and practice outdoor skills.

Emergency Preparedness BSA Award (Venturers) Helps and Ideas

Venturers who prepare themselves for emergencies can earn this award. To complete the requirements for the Emergency Preparedness BSA award, a young man or woman must take a first aid course, participate in emergency preparedness training, and conduct an emergency preparedness event.

First Aid Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the First Aid elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must put together a personal first aid kit and teach others how to put a kit together. They must also take an emergency first aid course, emergency response course, or EMT course.

Emergency Preparedness Ranger Core Requirement Helps and Documents

By completing this requirement, a Venturer is not only prepared to deal with emergencies which he or she encounters, but has also passed this knowledge on to other