Rotary Scout Reservation
community safety
No program area in camp better reflects the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared” than the Community Safety program. The Community Safety area began in 2002 as a way to promote first aid and emergency response skills. Scouts can earn merit badges that will make them better prepared for Scouting activities and life in their communities. These badges also provide Scouts with an outstanding opportunity to explore careers in public safety, medicine, and emergency response.
The merit badges offered at Community Safety are Emergency Preparedness, Fingerprinting, Fire Safety, First Aid, Safety and Traffic Safety. Emergency Preparedness and First Aid are Eagle Required Merit Badges, while Fingerprinting is a great merit badge for first year campers. Fingerprinting is offered twice a week as an evening program and introduces Scouts to the study of fingerprinting and basic forensics. For those Scouts taking Fire Safety merit badge, a weekly visit by the Poestenkill Fire Department is a great opportunity to see a fire truck up close and talk with a volunteer in the field.
Community Safety also offers the BSA programs Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit. Designed especially for new Scouts (and anybody that might need a refresher), Totin’ Chip trains participants in the safe handling of knives, saws, and axes, while Firem’n Chit teaches fire safety. Patches are available for purchase at the Trading Post to support positive reinforcement of these essential camping skills.
Be Prepared
Area Merit Badges
(links to requirements)
*Eagle Required
Other Area Programs
Hands to Heart CPR
Rotary Scout Reservation strives to ensure that a Scout has ample opportunity to complete all requirements for his chosen merit badges while at camp. Some merit badges, however, have requirements which are best completed before coming to camp. Links to the complete requirements are on the right. The following merit badges have prerequisites which we recommend completing prior to camp.
Emergency Preparedness
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•Complete requirements 1 and 8a-c
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•Bring completed Emergency Kit for review by your counselor
Fire Safety
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•Complete requirements 6a, 6b, and 11
First Aid
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•Complete requirements 1 and 2d
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•Bring completed First Aid kit for review by your counselor
Safety
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•Complete requirements 1 a-c, 2a-b, 3b and 4
Merit Badge Prerequisites
Twin Rivers Council, BSA
Western Massachusetts Council Partner Camp
New in 2012: Traffic Safety MB!
RSR is pleased to announce that the Community Safety program will now be offering Traffic Safety Merit Badge.
Scouts will learn important knowledge and skills related to vehicle and driver safety. Although this is an ideal badge for older Scouts who are or will soon be driving there is no minimum age and no driving is included in the merit badge.
The requirements for Traffic Safety Merit Badge may be found here. For more information, please visit our Community Safety page.
