The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The twelfth point of the Sweet 16 is Safety Permit and Notices (see below).

Basically, this means if you need a permit, get one. When our troop has a fire in the fire ring at our local city park, we are required to get a fire permit from the city. Would anyone say anything if we just built the fire? Probably not, but the permit is required by ordinance so we always get one.

This also refers to BSA tour plans. Not every outing requires a tour plan, but many do. If you are not familiar with the tour plan and when it is required, you can read more about tour plans on Scouting.org.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
12. PERMIT AND NOTICES
BSA tour permits, council office registration, government or landowner authorization, and any similar formalities are the supervisor’s responsibility when such are required. Appropriate notification should be directed to parents, enforcement authorities, landowners, and others as needed, before and after the activity.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The eighth point of the Sweet 16 is Skill Level Limits (see below).

The most familiar application of this point is the swim tests which are administered at summer camp. But there are other examples as well. Perhaps you are considering a canoe trip this summer. When choosing the river, you have to consider what skill is required to navigate the river safely in a canoe. If you are going out with novice paddlers, the safe option is to select a calm river rather than a whitewater adventure.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
8. SKILL LEVEL LIMITS
There is a minimum skill level requirement for every activity, and the supervisor must identify and recognize this minimum skill level and be sure that none are put at risk by attempting activity beyond their ability. A good example of skill levels in Scouting is the venerable “swim test” which defines conditions for safe swimming based on individual ability.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The seventh point of the Sweet 16 is Safety Procedures and Policies (see below).

Some of the things we do with our Scouts, especially our older Scouts, can be hazardous if you don’t follow the safety rules. For example, our troop is going rock climbing and rappelling in a few weeks.  This isn’t something you want to do haphazardly. One of the Scouter in our troop is finishing up his training as a climbing and rappelling instructor. The bulk of this training is learning the rules to do this activity safely.  It is important not to cut corners when doing activities. There is usually a good reason for the rules.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
7. SAFETY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
For most activities there are common sense procedures and standards that can greatly reduce the risk. These should be known and appreciated by all participants, and the supervisor must ensure compliance.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The sixth point of the Sweet 16 is Personal Safety Equipment (see below).

This one goes hand in hand with the fifth point – Equipment Selection and Maintenance. Some participants in an activity might resist wearing the helmet or PFD, but it really doesn’t matter if they want to wear the equipment or not. Either they comply or they don’t participate. Surprisingly, it is not always the youth members objecting. But parents out on Scout activities need to realize that they must set the good example.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
6. PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The supervisor must ensure that every participant has and uses the appropriate personal safety equipment. For example, activity afloat requires a PFD properly worn by each participant; bikers, horseback riders, and whitewater kayakers need helmets for certain activity; skaters may need protective gear; and all need to be dressed for warmth and utility depending on the circumstances.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The fifth point of the Sweet 16 is a Equipment Selection and Maintenance (see below).

Equipment selection and maintenance covers a lot of different things. You have to make sure the equipment is meant to be used for what you are using it for.  For personal gear, like a helmet when biking or skiing or a PFD when boating, the equipment must fit properly. And for gear like camp stoves, you much check it regularly to verify that it is still in working order.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
5. EQUIPMENT SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Most activity requires some specialized equipment. The equipment should be selected to suit the participant and the activity and to include appropriate safety and program features. The supervisor should also check equipment to determine that it is in good condition for the activity and is properly maintained while in use.

The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The fourth point of the Sweet 16 is a Safe Area or Course (see below).

I think this is just something we need to keep in our heads when we are out with our Scouts. Of course, if an area looks unsafe, we wouldn’t let them go there. But we also need to actively look for hazards, like the dead branch that might fall on a tent or the area of the creek that looks OK at first glance but actually has a very deep spot.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:

4. SAFE AREA OR COURSE

A key part of the supervisor’s responsibility is to know the area or course for the activity and to determine that it is well-suited and free of hazards.

Keeping our Scouts safe is our number one priority as Scouters. The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety describe the measures we should use at all Scouting activities. The first point of the Sweet 16 is Qualified Supervision (see below).

A couple of years ago, a Scout from our troop was working on a service project. He was building some shelves and wanted to get some guys from the troop together to help him. His dad had said he would be “keeping an eye on things”.  Since saws and tools were involved, the Committee sent him a copy of the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety, and he didn’t get any further than the first point. He said he didn’t really think he could provide “qualified supervision” for the group. So alternate plans were made.

So I guess the lesson is that we need not only need to be aware of the Sweet 16, but we need to educate the other parents in our units about them also.

From the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety on the Scouting.org website:
1. QUALIFIED SUPERVISION
Every BSA activity should be supervised by a conscientious adult who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of the children and youth in his or her care. The supervisor should be sufficiently trained, experienced and skilled in the activity to be confident of his/her ability to lead and to teach the necessary skills and to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. Field knowledge of all applicable BSA standards and a commitment to implement and follow BSA policy and procedures are essential parts of the supervisor’s qualifications.