Doing things safely is fundamental to everything we do in Scouts. First aid and safety skills are included at every level of Scouting. Being prepared in Scouting often means being ready to render first aid.
First Aid Day is an opportunity for Webelos Scouts and Scouts in troops to learn first aid skills and put their knowledge of first aid into action.
During the morning, Webelos Scouts will work on the First Responder Adventure, and Scouts in troops will work on the First Aid Merit Badge.
After lunch, the First Aid Meet is held. Scouts working in patrols are tested on their first aid skills. Patrols work as a team to solve several first-aid scenarios. Scouts in troops can participate all day, or participate in the First Aid Merit Badge class or the First Aid Meet.
There will be an ambulance on site for Scouts to tour.
Registration
Webelos Scouts and Scouts in troops can register individually for the merit badge day workshops. Troop leaders should register patrols for the First Aid Meet.
Before registering, have the name of the Scouts participating.
Registration is completed online with credit card or electronic check. There is no onsite registration (pay online before arriving). Council refund policy.
| Registration Fees: |
| Early bird registration (before 1/14/24) |
$8 |
| Registration |
$13 |
| Late registration (after 1/18/24) |
$18 |
Schedule
| 8:00 am |
Check-in |
| 9:00 am - noon |
First Responder Adventure class (for Webelos Scouts) |
| 9:00 am - noon |
First Aid Merit Badge class (for Scouts in troops) |
| 12:00 pm |
Break for lunch |
| 1:00 - 3:00 pm |
First Aid Meet (for Scouts BSA patrols) |
What to Bring
Webelos Scouts Bring:
• Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for any Scouting event); bring a copy not the original
• Water bottle
• Field uniform (Scout uniform) or activity uniform (any Scouting t-shirt) is encouraged
First Aid Merit Badge Participants Bring:
• Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B for any Scouting event); bring a copy not the original
• Prerequisite: Complete all first aid requirements through First Class rank (refer to #1) before the class
• Complete #5b prior to class.
• First aid kit (refer to #5a)
• First Aid Merit Badge book, read prior to the class (available from the Scout Shop)
• Blue Card (Application for Merit Badges) signed by the unit leader
• Scout Handbook
• Water bottle
• Sack lunch and healthy snacks if attending all-day
• Scouts are encouraged to wear their field uniform
• Prepare utilizing the First Aid Worksheet, optional
First Aid Meet Patrols Bring:
• Annual Health and Medical Record for every participant (Part A & B for any Scouting event); bring a copy not the original
• Water bottle for every participant
• All equipment needed to demonstrate proficiency in first aid problems, including a rescue breathing apparatus; poles, blankets, and other material for making an improvised stretcher; one sleeping bag; a troop/patrol size first aid kit; and patrol flag
• Scouts are encouraged to wear their field uniform
Webelos First Responder Adventure
First Responder is one of the Webelos CORE adventure requirements. This adventure will provide Webelos Scouts with an introduction to the skills and responsibilities of a first responder. Activities will cover essential personal safety and first-aid skills. Learn more about the First Responder Adventure.
First Aid Merit Badge Class
The First Aid Merit Badge class is an advancement opportunity open to any registered Scout in a troop, crew or ship. Scouts are expected to participate fully to receive full credit for the advancements covered during the class. Scouts will not be able to complete all of the entire requirements in just three hours of class.
Scouts are not required to participate in both the Merit Badge class and First Aid Meet. Scouts may attend one, the other, or both. All Scouts participating in the First Aid Meet or encouraged to attend the First Aid Meet Class to prepare for the meet. Practice makes perfect!
Prior to the class: Scouts must have completed all first aid requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class rank (refer to #1) before the class. Scouts are expected to have read the First Aid Merit Badge prior to the class. The book can be purchased at the Scout Shop. Scouts need to bring: #5a (first aid kit) and complete #5b prior to class. Scouts are to be prepared to answer the questions to each of the requirements before the merit badge fair; Scouts can utilize the First Aid Worksheet to help them prepare.
All Scouts are required to bring a blue card signed by their Scoutmaster. The merit badge counselor will fill out the blue card for items completed during the class. Scouts will need to complete the rest of the requirements with a merit badge counselor in their troop. Find a list of merit badge counselors by logging into http://scoutbook.scouting.org with your my.scouting userID and password, click on My Dashboard, Administration, your unit and scroll down the page.
First Aid Meet
Scouts BSA patrols can participate in the First Aid Meet. Every patrol will be presented a problem and will have a set amount of time to solve the problem. At each problem, there will be four performers and one victim (any other patrol member must “sit out.”) Each member must serve as a victim in at least one problem situation. No books or pamphlets are allowed.
- Teams should be from regular existing (natural) patrols. Each team should be composed of a minimum of five members.
- Judging: The judging standard will be the current Scout Handbook and the First Aid Merit Badge pamphlet. Each patrol shall provide an adult to serve as a judge.
- Awards will be given to the top three teams.
- Equipment: Each patrol should provide all equipment needed to demonstrate proficiency in First Aid problems, including a rescue breathing apparatus; poles, blankets, and other material for making an improvised stretcher; one sleeping bag; a troop/patrol size first aid kit; and patrol flag.
- Patrols can also compete in the council First Aid Meet.
About Blue Cards (Application For Merit Badge)
The Application For Merit Badge or Blue Card is a two-sided, tri-section document. It is a perforated trifold card with three distinct parts: the actual application, the applicant’s (Scout’s) record and the counselor’s record. The document serves as a sort of passport while a Scout is working on a badge and then later as a permanent record. Blue cards are an official document that serves as a record of progress toward completion of a merit badge. There are two official ways to complete blue cards: on paper and online utilizing Scoutbook. Scouts must bring a blue card for signed by the Scoutmaster. Learn how to fill out a blue card.
Advancements Completed: The merit badge counselor will document all requirements completed on the blue card and return it to the Scout before the Scout leaves the class; the Scout needs turns the blue card back to the unit leader after the event. If the Scout ends up with a partial and working with more than one counselor, multiple registered counselors can sign the card. Keeping up with the blue card helps the Scout learn personal responsibility.
How to Fill Out a Blue Card Learn More about Blue Cards
Scouting Safely
Scouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting America puts the utmost importance on safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.
Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow youth protection guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:
- Two-deep leadership on all outings is required.
- One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
- The buddy system should be used at all times.
- Discipline must be constructive.
Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in Scout activities, the National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.
*About Medical Record: Scouting America requires all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in ensuring you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals with critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have it with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.
^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.
Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting SAFE Checklist Enterprise Risk Management
Photographs
Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).
Late-Breaking Information
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Contacts
For registration questions, contact the San Jacinto District registrar. For questions about the event, contact the First Aid Day chair or district activities chair.