medical form FAQ
The BSA requires us to collect medical forms annually for youth and adults participating in Scouting activities with the troop. Parts A and B are required for every activity, Part C is required for overnight activities lasting longer than 72 hours, even if they are not consecutive. Part D is required for anyone who will be attending events at the BSA High-adventure bases (Summit Bechtel Reserve, Philmont Scout Ranch or Philmont Training Center,Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base).
You can download the medical forms here www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx
It is the responsibility of the scout and his parents to ensure the troop has current contact information and medical forms on file. The troop will often contact the scout or parents if new information is needed, but this is a courtesy, and a lack of contact from the troop does not remove this responsibility from the scout and his parents.
Please note that all scouts and adults must have a current medical form A and B on file with the troop for any activities including weekend camping trips. We try to make this as convenient as possible and will have medical forms available at drop off if anyone needs to fill one out.
Please keep a copy of all medical forms for your records.
For summer camp the rules are very strict and medical forms must be filled out using strict criteria. We generally get all medical forms pre screened before the troop arrives at summer camp so any major problems will be detected before arrival, but that is not a guarantee. Some requirements change from year to year due to State regulations that we are not made aware of until the forms are screened, but if the following rules are followed we shouldn't have many issues.
Please understand, we do not make the rules. These are problems that we have had with medical forms in the past. The camp directors may not allow your Scout to stay at Summer Camp if they believe the medical forms are not complete. They will not refund camp fees for this reason.
---to the best of our knowledge New Your State only requires the signature of one parent
---form must be dated and the "Informed Consent, Release Agreement and Authorization" must be checked or filled out.
---make certain to list any allergies to food or medication
---all medications that are currently taken must be listed with dose, frequency and reason. All medications listed MUST be sent to camp with your Scout. They must be in the original packaging, even if it is an as needed medication. Please be sure medications and prescriptions are not expired. If you want your scout to have access to over the counter medications they must be listed and sent to camp. If your scout will not be taking a particular medication while at camp, please do not have it listed on the form. We have been told by camp staff that in order for medication to be administered while at camp in the state of NY a physician's signature is required as well as the signature of a parent. If your scout uses an epipen or inhaler, Twin Rivers Council asks parents to provide a note from the physician so the scout can self carry and administer the medication.
---A current tetanus vaccine is the only vaccine that we are required to have a current date for. Date must include month and year. Beginning in 2005, the NYS Department of Health requires a record of two additional immunizations, haemophilus influenza type b and hepatitis b. Parents must either indicate the date of immunization on the medical form or indicate on the form that the family has elected not to receive the immunization by indicating "N/A”. The immunization is not required, but the above described record of whether or not the immunization has been received is. Most families get a vaccination printout from their physicians that we attach to the form, that way we can transfer it to the new physical form every year. If you choose not to vaccinate, please speak with me.
---Camp will not accept physicals on any other form. School or sports physical forms are not accepted.
The medical forms are being stored by a troop leader who is a volunteer. Please understand that errors can happen and that we are doing the best we can.
Troop 1 takes the privacy of our scouts, leaders and parents seriously and adhere with the policies of the BSA regarding medical information, including not digitizing forms. If you have any questions about how the medical forms are managed, the Scoutmaster will let you know to whom you should direct your question.
You can download the medical forms here www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx
It is the responsibility of the scout and his parents to ensure the troop has current contact information and medical forms on file. The troop will often contact the scout or parents if new information is needed, but this is a courtesy, and a lack of contact from the troop does not remove this responsibility from the scout and his parents.
Please note that all scouts and adults must have a current medical form A and B on file with the troop for any activities including weekend camping trips. We try to make this as convenient as possible and will have medical forms available at drop off if anyone needs to fill one out.
Please keep a copy of all medical forms for your records.
For summer camp the rules are very strict and medical forms must be filled out using strict criteria. We generally get all medical forms pre screened before the troop arrives at summer camp so any major problems will be detected before arrival, but that is not a guarantee. Some requirements change from year to year due to State regulations that we are not made aware of until the forms are screened, but if the following rules are followed we shouldn't have many issues.
Please understand, we do not make the rules. These are problems that we have had with medical forms in the past. The camp directors may not allow your Scout to stay at Summer Camp if they believe the medical forms are not complete. They will not refund camp fees for this reason.
- Part A
---to the best of our knowledge New Your State only requires the signature of one parent
---form must be dated and the "Informed Consent, Release Agreement and Authorization" must be checked or filled out.
- Part B General Information/Health History
---make certain to list any allergies to food or medication
---all medications that are currently taken must be listed with dose, frequency and reason. All medications listed MUST be sent to camp with your Scout. They must be in the original packaging, even if it is an as needed medication. Please be sure medications and prescriptions are not expired. If you want your scout to have access to over the counter medications they must be listed and sent to camp. If your scout will not be taking a particular medication while at camp, please do not have it listed on the form. We have been told by camp staff that in order for medication to be administered while at camp in the state of NY a physician's signature is required as well as the signature of a parent. If your scout uses an epipen or inhaler, Twin Rivers Council asks parents to provide a note from the physician so the scout can self carry and administer the medication.
---A current tetanus vaccine is the only vaccine that we are required to have a current date for. Date must include month and year. Beginning in 2005, the NYS Department of Health requires a record of two additional immunizations, haemophilus influenza type b and hepatitis b. Parents must either indicate the date of immunization on the medical form or indicate on the form that the family has elected not to receive the immunization by indicating "N/A”. The immunization is not required, but the above described record of whether or not the immunization has been received is. Most families get a vaccination printout from their physicians that we attach to the form, that way we can transfer it to the new physical form every year. If you choose not to vaccinate, please speak with me.
- Part C Pre-Participation Physical
---Camp will not accept physicals on any other form. School or sports physical forms are not accepted.
The medical forms are being stored by a troop leader who is a volunteer. Please understand that errors can happen and that we are doing the best we can.
Troop 1 takes the privacy of our scouts, leaders and parents seriously and adhere with the policies of the BSA regarding medical information, including not digitizing forms. If you have any questions about how the medical forms are managed, the Scoutmaster will let you know to whom you should direct your question.
