Scouts Initiate New Safety Policies and Procedures

([Portland], [Or], [12/19/03])— Due in part to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report issued Thursday, December 18, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Cascade Pacific Council is reviewing every summer camp activity to ensure proper policies and procedures are currently in place. The BSA has extensive National guidelines and procedures for the safe operation of most activities. Some summer camp activities don't currently have National standards. Each will be reviewed and guidelines and policies for these activities will be developed and implemented.

OSHA has investigated the death of Chris Kroker, a 16-year old Camp Meriwether employee. Kroker suffered a severe head injury from a piece of a black powder cannon that exploded during a flag ceremony. The small size cannon was not used extensively and was only operated by staff as part of the Lewis & Clark heritage and black powder programs at Camp Meriwether. Cannons are no longer used in conjunction with Cascade Pacific Council programs.

OSHA representatives described five categories of criticism: lack of supervision over training, unsafe handling of explosives, improper storage of explosives, lack of proper safety guidelines, improper hazard assessment and lack of proper personal protective equipment rules.

The BSA continues to cooperate fully with OSHA, not only in this investigation. The Boy Scouts and OSHA are working jointly to determine risks not previously identified and to implement new safety standards not addressed in National standards.

“We continue to be distressed over the occurrence of this tragedy,” said Scout Executive Ron Garland. “We are doing everything in our power to ensure incidents of this nature are prevented,” he added. “This organization is committed to the safety of volunteer mentors, staff and the Scouts entrusted to us.”

A continuous focus on safety has been implemented by the current Council Executive Board of the Cascade Pacific Council. The Council Executive Committee and Risk Management Committee are providing leadership to the examination of every activity in Scouting to ensure the appropriate standards and procedures are in place and have been approved by the council Risk Management Committee prior to initiation.

The Scouts continue to support the Kroker family. The Chris Kroker Memorial Fund has been set up at US Bank to provide scholarships for two Cascade High School students and one Scout each year (contributions can be made at any branch). A second fund has been established for those who wish to pay tributes to Scouting in the memory Chris Kroker. Contributions for this fund may be sent in care of the Chris Kroker Fund, 2145 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97201. In addition, the Scouts have plans to construct a Fort Clatsop replica as an enduring extension of Chris Kroker's passion for the Lewis & Clark expedition and the heritage program at Camp Meriwether. The Fort will be utilized to host the black powder program at Camp Meriwether.

For 93 years the BSA has had an impressive record of safety in outdoor programs. Every local Scout unit is issued a comprehensive booklet entitled “The Guide to Safe Scouting”. Locally 10,000 youth participate each summer in a wide range of activities and are better prepared to enjoy these activities safely throughout their lives based on continued training.

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The Kroker Family's Current Scouting Involvement - Roy Kroker continues to be a Scoutmaster of troop 476, he is currently a Merit Badge Counselor as well as a Camp Master at camp Meriwether providing program opportunities for the Scouts during the off-season.