Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Ready & Prepared
June 28, 2005
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

A little while ago, our Senior Patrol Leader showed me a list of requirements for something new called the "BSA Ready and Prepared Award". This award was:

"..developed to encourage and reward Boy Scout troops that incorporate safe practices while enjoying challenging activities. Earning the award helps units focus on areas in which emphasizing risk management can help reduce fatalities and serious injury.".

For you scouts, "risk management" is one of those fancy adult terms which basically means learning how to avoid problems in the first place. I looked at the requirements and saw that both leaders and scouts had to meet quite a few criteria. I said, "Gosh, that looks pretty hard." Erik responded: "It would be challenging but we can do it.".

Last week, Mr. Burns asked me if the Scoutmaster Minute was going to be about the lost Boy Scout in Utah. I said "No, I've prepared something else". Luckily, that scout was found safe and sound. This week, there are reports of yet another lost Boy Scout, Luke Sanburg from Troop 208 in Montana. He has not been found yet. As a parent, I feel their pain. As Scoutmaster, these events have made me realize that of course we MUST be Ready & Prepared, and we SHOULD strive to earn that award.

Over the next few months, Troop 325 will be attempting to earn the BSA Ready & Prepared award. We will need to finish the requirements and apply for it by the end of this year. This past Sunday, we have already taken the first step, and met one of the first requirements, by having several more of our leaders and scouts get trained in CPR and First Aid. We will be asking our leaders to do even more training, and for our drivers to sign a Driver's Pledge. We will be asking parents to help with certain other requirements, like teaching the First Aid and the Traffic Safety merit badges. At least half of our registered scouts must have these badges.

A couple of weeks ago, I told you guys that we would be a successful boy-run troop if no one knew my name or the names of our other leaders. Well, we will be infinitely more successful if Troop 325 never makes the national news stories... because of some tragedy. Let's all pull together and do what we have to, to earn the BSA Ready and Prepared award, in order to have safe and fun activities and outings.

Thank you for listening.