19 December 2008
New BSA Medicals
Posted by admin under: policies .
Scoutingnews.org has a gigantic scoop about new health forms going into effect, pretty much immediately, but really only being absolutely required in 2010. Biggest change? Medicals need to be redone annually. Girl Scouts already do this with theirs, but it’s a big change for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts who got into the habit of filling it out and forgetting about it for the next couple of years until the Outings or Membership chair bugged them for a new one. I see this becoming part of the recharter process.
The Boy Scouts of America has released a new Annual Health and Medical Record, a new one stop medical record for your use. This new form will replace the former Class 1, 2, and 3 forms, which will be phased out during 2009. The new form, No. 34605, will be required effective January 1, 2010, and for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.
Q. What are the major changes?
A. A health history is still sufficient for typical activities lasting less than 72 hours (Parts A and C of the new form—similar to the old Class 1 form). For activities lasting longer than 72 hours, a medical evaluation by a health-care provider is now required annually (Part B). For high-adventure activities for which medical care may be delayed, restrictions based on standardized height/weight ratios are now mandatory.
Q. When does the Annual Health and Medical Record go into effect?
A. Everyone should begin using the Annual Health and Medical Record immediately. The existing stock of Class 1, 2, and 3 forms can continue to be used while supplies last in 2009. The only supported form effective January 1, 2010, is the Annual Health and Medical Record. Its use will be mandatory for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.
Q. How often will I need to renew/update my Annual Health and Medical Record?
A. This form will need to be updated annually, just as many schools or sporting leagues require an annual update. Many changes can happen throughout a year, including changes in disease processes, medication, address, and insurance.
Dan’s next scoop…
The new Annual Health and Medical Record cites two additional forms:
- Immunization Exemption Request – Request for exemption from tetanus immunization requirement.
- Medical Care Exemption Request – Request for exemption from medical care.
Both of which, according to the Scouting Safely section of the National Council website, will be coming soon.
- BSA Height/Weight Controversy
- Dan is Your Jamboree Man
- Inside the Mind of the Scouting Professional
- National Order of the Arrow Conference Scouting News
- The Whiteside Report
2 Comments so far...
New York OA Trader | Shared Items From Around The Web - December 20, 2008 Says:
20 December 2008 at 10:01 am.
[...] New BSA Medicals [...]
Robin Randall Says:
5 November 2010 at 1:40 pm.
Dear Sirs,
Troop31 (in Silicon Valley) would like to replace our paper Medical file(s) with a DVD/CD and optical reader(s) or worst case a set of Key Drives and USB reader(s) which could be carried in each car. On the outing, a solar powered reader could be used to decipher Key Drives held by each of the scouts.
The question is – How would this “High Tech” version be any worse than the paper version?
I’m getting a lots of flak from the old guard worried about the ramifications. What would it take to move us toward the future if something like this is not acceptable?
