Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge

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Since having a mom step up to be Scoutmaster, the Boy Scout Troop Patrick joined is starting to consistently work on merit badges.  For September, they have been working on the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge.   As part of the requirements, the Troop ran a mock search and rescue with the help of the firefighters and paramedics stationed in Eagle River.

We hiked down the road from the station to a wooded area where the ‘lost Scout’ was last seen.  The boys formed a line to march through the forest looking for him.  One mom (who’s son was the lost Scout) and I attempted to join the search, but were not prepared for the rough, wet terrain.  Instead, we watched from the edge of the woods (once we’d made our way out safely.)

After the search and rescue, the group returned to the fire station for a debriefing and discussion of what went well and what could be improved.  Considering how many remote locations there are for camping trips, it is a very good thing that the boys are preparing for emergencies.

What P and I learned from this experience is that we need to check the phones throughout the day when we are home.  Somehow a phone was not hung up which meant we didn’t get the ‘call’ from his patrol leader Hence, we showed up a little later than we would have and lacked knowledge of what we might need for the drill (namely better shoes for mom to navigate the somewhat rough terrain.)