As stewards of the great outdoors and mentors to young adventurers, BSA Councils have long relied on traditional methods to manage events. While we’ve embraced technology for registration and administrative tasks, applying technology to managing scout health and safety has often been left behind.

Paper forms have been a staple for tracking participant health; however, as you venture further into the digital age, it’s worth exploring the challenges and risks associated with these paper-based systems, and how technology can help chart a safer course.

• Inaccuracy and Illegibility: Handwritten forms are susceptible to errors like illegible handwriting and incomplete information, leading to misunderstandings and incorrect data entry, which can compromise the safety and care of participants.
  
• Challenges During Emergencies: Quick, accurate, and up-to-date information is essential during emergencies. Relying on binder-bound paper forms can hinder the rapid access to crucial medical information necessary for effective emergency responses, putting the safety of the participants at risk.
  
• Loss and Misplacement: Paper forms containing essential information can be easily lost, damaged, or misplaced. This can make critical data such as medical histories and emergency contacts unavailable when most needed, thereby jeopardizing participant safety.
• Inefficient Communication: The dependency on paper forms can lead to inefficiencies and errors in communication among staff, parents, and medical personnel, making coordination for the care and safety of the participants unnecessarily challenging.
• Lack of Timely Updates: Without the ability for real-time updates, changes in medical information might not be promptly reflected to staff, potentially compromising the care and response in critical situations.

Embracing digital solutions can address these challenges and enhance the safety and efficiency of BSA events. Here are some ways that managing participant health and safety with digital solutions can make a difference:

• Efficiency: Digital systems streamline the collection and review of health records, freeing up time for leaders to focus on event delivery.
  
• Accessibility: Health records can be accessed quickly and easily by authorized personnel, ensuring prompt and appropriate responses to emergencies.
• Accuracy: Electronic forms can be designed to require comprehensive and accurate information, reducing the likelihood of errors.
  
• Environmental Sustainability: Moving away from paper reduces our environmental footprint, aligning with the principles of scouting.

Change can be daunting, especially when tradition runs deep. However, adopting technology doesn’t mean abandoning your values. It’s about enhancing your ability to more thoroughly safeguard your scouts and leaders, which allows you to focus even more on preserving the integrity and traditions of your events than ever before.

In line with Roger Krone’s vision for the BSA, embracing technology is key to making BSA the safest youth-serving organization in the country. By leveraging digital tools for health and safety management, you can ensure that your scouting activities are not only enjoyable but also aligned with the highest standards of safety and care.

In conclusion, while BSA Councils have made strides in using technology for administrative tasks, there’s a significant opportunity to extend these digital tools to health and safety management. By embracing technology in this area, you can further safeguard the well-being of your scouts and leaders, ensuring that your activities remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. CampDoc is approved by National as proof of concept of an EMR, trusted as an online medical record solution by BSA councils such as the Narragansett Council, Greater Colorado Council, Patriots Path Councils, and Mayflower Council.