The David Thuis Blog

We're fickle about snow. We want less of it in our driveways and more of it at our favorite ski resorts.

But when it comes to snow-related activities, the BSA Health and Safety team's stance doesn't waver: enjoy it, but do so responsibly.

As unit leaders, it's primarily your job to enforce safety in winter sports, but you're not alone in this effort—the BSA has materials to help prepare you.

The simplest step is ensuring that your Scouts wear proper safety equipment. That means helmets, which are recommended for sledding and sliding and required for skiing and snowboarding. Snowmobile users must wear helmets that have a full face shield.

The Health and Safety team has published a list of safety guidelines for sledding, which you can access here. And the guidelines set forth in the Sweet 16 of BSA Safety are applicable in all four seasons, so it would be a great idea to review those, as well.

The Guide to Safe Scouting's section on winter activities includes great info on the importance of leadership, equipment, and physical condition for cold-weather camping.

Winter sports can be a fun way to get your guys outside when temperatures drop, but only after you and your youth leaders have reviewed proper safety procedures.