Medical Information

Medical Policies: All persons attending camp must use an official BSA medical form, signed by a medical practitioner. All campers under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian’s signature. The Class 2 medical form is for all campers under the age of 39. The medical certificates are valid for 36 months. Class 3 certification, for those over 39, must be renewed every year. The medical officer will hold adult and youth medical forms during your unit’s stay in camp. The council suggests you bring a photocopy of your records, not the original.

The Health Officer will check for current, signed medical forms upon the Unit’s arrival in camp. The Health Officer will issue buddy tags for swimming to those campers with properly signed medical forms. Adults and youths staying in camp less then 72 hours must have the “Health History” portion of the medical form on file with the Health Officer.

All campers currently under a doctor’s care are required to notify the Health Officer regarding the ailment and provide a written course of treatment by his or her doctor. All prescription drugs must be turned over to the Health Officer who will provide locked storage and/or refrigeration if necessary (inhalers and bee sting kits are exceptions). Prescription drugs must be in the original container listing the: medication, doctor's orders, dosage, doctor's name and the patient's name.

The Health Lodge is staffed 24 hours a day by a certified first aid provider. It is the Health Officer’s responsibility to determine if any illness or injury is serious enough to require medical attention over and above normal first aid. Special arrangements have been made with the Sonora Community Hospital to treat injuries or illness. The camp reserves the right to send participants to the hospital for treatment. Whenever possible, an effort will be made to notify the parents or guardian before such action is taken. The Greater Yosemite Council carries secondary limited accident insurance on all registered youth and adults. All additional costs incurred for such hospitalization, diagnosis, or treatment is the responsibility of the youth’s or individual's personal medical insurance.

Out of Council Units: need to provide a certificate of insurance from their council or unit provider, or individual insurance policies and the appropriate claim forms.

Youth Protection/Hazing Policy: Please share with all the members of your unit the BSA’s “Guide To Safe Scouting” and the BSA's policies on youth protection and hazing.

Reporting Deaths or Serious Injury
The following procedures apply to adult leadership at the scene of a serious injury or fatality.

First and foremost, care of the injured and prevent further injuries. Call 911 for help and provide immediate first aid. If the accident occurs at camp immediately notify the Camp Director or Camp Ranger. If the accident occurs at a location other than a council camp notify unit leader or other adult leadership. If injury is life-threatening always call 911 first.

Adult leaders are responsible for informing their council Scout executive or designee, as soon as possible, of a death or serious injury or illness. A serious injury or illness is defined as:

1. Any period of unconsciousness;
2. Any hospital inpatient admission; or
3. Any surgical intervention other than suturing of the skin or setting of simple fractures.

Leaders should be prepared to give specific facts of:

Who? Name of subject, age; name and complete address of parent(s) or next of kin
When? Date, time of day
Where? Location and community
What? Nature of illness or accident
How? If known, e.g., swimming, boating, hiking

Prompt and accurate reporting to the news media is most important. The local council has a crisis communications plan, and the Scout executive will designate one spokesperson in order to avoid conflicting reports. Parents or next of kin will be informed by personal contact before any release is made to the public.

Once proper authorities, parents and Scouting officials have been notified gather factual information at the scene including statements of witnesses, leaders and members of the group. These reports can be supported by photographs and/or diagrams.

Non serious injuries need not be reported to the council office. It is recommended that a report be prepared regarding each such incident and maintained by the unit for future reference.