Beyond camping, a number of cold-weather activities present challenges to Scouts and leaders, such as alpine or cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Essential ingredients for fun include skill training and an awareness of the hazards unique to these activities. 

Here are a few key points that can help you safely have fun during your winter activities outdoors.

• Activities should be supervised by mature and conscientious adults.
• Participants should be aware of the potential dangers of any winter sport, and leaders should stress incident prevention by emphasizing proper technique.
• Help participants understand the need for using appropriate personal protective equipment such as helmets for sledding, snowboarding, and skiing.
• Winter sports are more physically demanding. Leaders and youth should be physically fit and capable to participate.
• Be sure equipment fits each person properly.
• During sledding, make sure the hill is safe and free of obstacles. Keep sledding paths and participant return paths separate from each other.
• Talk about and gain support for the basic rules for the activity … before it begins.

RESOURCES

• Guide to Safe Scouting