The Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting community expresses its heartfelt sympathy and concern to all families and friends of the Boy Scouts who were killed or injured in a tornado on Wednesday at the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Iowa. All are encouraged to keep these people in thought and prayer today and in the days ahead.

 

Scout leaders should always help their Scouts to be prepared for all types of weather. The National Council offers an online weather training called, "Are You Weather Smart?" Click on this link or the icon to go to the Online Learning Center to learn about preparing for severe weateher or begin other training regarding health and safety matters. Floods, lightning, high winds and many other threats are reviewed. Leaders are encouraged to always review weather forecasts before heading outdoors for activities.

 

Severe weather cannot be prevented, but Scouts and leaders can be adequately prepared for most situations in the outdoors. The council's summer camp staff and directors of Cub Adventure Camp receive training on severe weather procedures. At Boy Scout summer camp, a weekly fire drill is conducted to help prepare all campers for possible emergencies. The health and safety of all youth members and adult volunteer leaders is the council's highest priority.