4. You can vary the rules to make the
activity more challenging: blindfold
one or both team members; allow
no verbal communication; tie legs
together so that one team member
is going forward and one is going
backward.
5. After the activity is over, discuss
questions such as the following:
What were your feelings during the
activity? How did you feel toward
your teammate? What did you learn
that will help you in your life?
Safety
Campsite Safety
Do the following things to help you
be safe in your campsite:
1. Do not camp on high, windy
ridges. Do not camp in a ravine or
dry creek bed that might become
flooded in a rainstorm.
2. Camp away from large trees stand-
ing alone that could be hit by
lightning. A grove that gives wind
protection is preferable.
3. Camp away from the water’s edge
to avoid polluting the waters and
to avoid rapidly rising water, high
tide, or wind-driven waves.
4. Camp away from anthills and
poisonous plants.
5. Camp away from unstable hillsides
or dirt slide areas.
6. Camp away from low ground or
swampy areas to avoid mosquitoes
and protect camping gear from
dampness.
7. If there are natural hazards such as
cliffs, swamps, mine shafts, or
dead trees, place them off-limits.
8. Stress safety on hikes and other
activities outside of camp.
9. Check with local authorities to see
if permits are required to build
fires. Follow all fire regulations.
10. Remember that a stove leaves no
trace. Use a campfire infrequently
and only when there is abundant
dead wood on the ground.
11. Do not allow flammable rubbish
to accumulate.
12. Never use kerosene or other flam-
mable substances to light a fire.
Adults must supervise the use of
gasoline and chemical fuels for
cooking, heating, lighting, or
operation of cars or motors. Keep
these fuels in clearly marked
containers and store them in an
unoccupied area away from
program and sleeping areas.
13. Extinguish all outdoor fires before
leaving them. If fire hoses and
extinguishers are in camp, keep
them in good repair. Make sure
that the water supply and pressure
are adequate.
14. Do not pour water on flaming
grease. Throw salt or baking soda
on the flame, or cover it with a
metal lid.
15. Be extremely careful when using
lanterns in sleeping quarters
because of danger of fire and
carbon monoxide poisoning. The
use of flashlights is preferred.
16. If space heaters, charcoal burners,
or similar devices are used in tents
or buildings, adequate ventilation
must be provided to avoid carbon
monoxide poisoning. Adults
should supervise the use of these
devices.
Plans for Disasters
Check with local authorities and
become familiar with the actions to be
taken in case of natural disasters com-
mon to your area such as earthquakes,
fires, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
Make plans ahead of time for dealing
with such emergencies. Plan escape
routes from buildings or the campsite.
Determine a central location in which
campers can meet in case of an emer-
gency. Establish the responsibilities
of leaders in an emergency, and deter-
mine a way to account for all campers.
In case of electrical storms, take the
following precautions:
1. Seek shelter in a dense wood, grove
of trees (avoid isolated tall trees),
cave, depression in the ground,
deep valley or canyon, or the foot
of a steep cliff. Avoid areas that may
be dangerous during a flash flood.
2. Sit or lie down, especially if you are
on a ridge or high place.
3. Get under a steel bridge, but do
not touch the steel or sit on damp
ground.
4. Get in an automobile, one of the
safest places you can be during an
electrical storm.
5. If you have a choice of buildings for
shelter, choose in this order:
• Large metal or metal-frame build-
ings. (Don’t allow body contact
with walls or metal parts.)
• Buildings with lightning
protection.
• Large unprotected buildings.
• Small unprotected buildings.
6. Avoid tops of ridges, ledges, out-
croppings of rocks, sheds, and
exposed locations.
7. Keep away from wire fences,
telephone lines, and metal tools.
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Safety