The BSA has announced a “new” medical form. It’s similar to the old forms we’ve used in the past, but the revisions allow the same form to be used for summer camp, high adventure camp, and regular scouting activities. The form has to be updated by parents annually, and the best time to do so is before the scouts go to summer camp. For summer camp a physician’s exam is required (see Part C below). For the BSA high adventure camps (Philmont, Seabase, Northern Tier), Part D must also be completed.

Any scout (or leader) going to any of our summer outings should make an appointment for a physical exam in order to have the forms completed by June 30.

The form is available at:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx
You can download the form, fill it in, print it, and save an electronic copy for your files.

Parts A and B are required 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.

Part C is to be completed for 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.

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.

The BSA’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources/MedicalFormFAQs.aspx, has been updated to reflect the changes in the form.

The bottom line: call your son’s physician and make an appointment. Print out the form, fill in as much of the form as you can, and take it with you to the appointment.

Every year Troop 24 is rechartered by the DesPlaines Valley Council. In the charter application we list all of our scouts and adult leaders and committee members. To complete that application we need to know which scouts to register. Some families have not yet returned the forms. We have sent an e-mail reminder to those of you who have not turned in forms, and for those who turned in some but not all of the required items.

The original forms were printed on blue paper:

Scout Information Form
Parent Authorization
Photo Release Form

or green paper:

Scout Commitment Form

Also required is a check for $25 made out to Troop 24. If you don’t know whether you’ve turned in the forms, e-mail Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net. Because our chartering documents must be completed in November, October 21 is the last day to turn in your paperwork. If you do not turn in the forms and your scout later wants to “rejoin,” you will have to re-register him with the Council (a more tedious process). Forms can be dropped off to Nancy Hopkins, or brought to the October 21 Court of Honor.