(Valid for 12 calendar months)
Policy on Use of the Annual Health and Medical Record
In order to provide better care for its members and to assist them in better understanding their own physical capabilities, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting event have an annual medical evaluation by a certified and licensed health-care provider—a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Providing your medical information on this four-part form will help ensure you meet the minimum standards for participation in various activities. Note that unit leaders must always protect the privacy of unit participants by protecting their medical information.
Parts A and B are to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events. This health history, parental/guardian informed consent and hold harmless/release agreement, and talent release statement is to be completed by the participant and parents/guardians. Every Scout and Adult member needs to complete this upon joining Troop 88 and updated on an annual basis as the forms are only good for 12 months. This applies to ALL participants—in basic Scouting activities such as local tours and weekend camping trips less than 72 hours in duration.
Part C is the physical exam that is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, for all high-adventure base participants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding. Service projects or work weekends may fit this description. Part C is to be completed and signed by a certified and licensed health-care provider—physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is important to note that the height/weight limits must be strictly adhered to when the event will take the unit more than 30 minutes away from an emergency vehicle, accessible roadway, or when the program requires it, such as backpacking trips, high-adventure activities, and conservation projects in remote areas. See the FAQs for when this does not apply. While our weekend activities do not usually exceed 72 hours, Troop 88 Scouts are required to have Part C completed as soon as possible and will not be able to attend summer camp without an valid Part C form. We consider our weekend activities to potentially be “strenuous or demanding” and therefore it is in our best interests to have this completed by a health care professional.
Part D is required to be reviewed by all participants of a high-adventure program at one of the national high-adventure bases and shared with the examining health-care provider before completing Part C.
Philmont Scout Ranch. Participants and guests for Philmont activities that are conducted with limited access to the backcountry, including most Philmont Training Center conferences and family programs, will not require completion of Part C. However, participants should review Part D to understand potential risks inherent at 6,700 feet in elevation in a dry Southwest environment. Please review specific registration information for the activity or event.
Northern Tier National High Adventure Base.
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. The PADI medical form is also required if scuba diving at this base.
Risk Factors
Based on the vast experience of the medical community, the BSA has identified the following risk factors that may limit your participation in various outdoor adventures.
- Excessive body weight
- Heart disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- Seizures
- Lack of appropriate immunizations
- Asthma
- Allergies/anaphylaxis
- Muscular/skeletal injuries
- Psychiatric/psychological and emotional difficulties
Prescriptions
The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual’s parent or guardian. A leader, after obtaining all the necessary information, can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a youth takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time, but BSA does not mandate or necessarily encourage the leader to do so. Also, if state laws are more limiting, they must be followed.
BSA Annual Health and Medical Record Web Site
Annual Health and Medical Form Download:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Lots of great questions and answers. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources/MedicalFormFAQs.aspx
Information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may be found at http://www.hipaa.org.
Philmont Scout Ranch: http://www.philmontscoutranch.org or 575-376-2281
Northern Tier National High Adventure Base: http://www.ntier.org or 218-365-4811
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base: www.bsaseabase.org or 305-664-5612
National Scout Jamboree: www.bsajamboree.org