Health & Medical Records

Policy on Use of the Annual Health and Medical Record

(Valid for 12 Calendar Months)

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, informed consent, release agreement, and authorization is to be completed by the participant and parents/guardians.  Every Scout and Adult member needs to complete this upon joining Troop 314. 

Parts 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.  Some examples can be  backpacking trips, high-adventure activities, and conservation projects in remote areas. While our weekend activities do not usually exceed 72 hours, Troop 314   Scouts are required to have Part C completed as soon as possible.  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.   

If a Scout is planning to attend a High-Adventure program, there are special forms that are 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.

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.

See here for more information on annual health and medical records.