Perhaps to bring a bit of personal perspective to risk management in Scouting, below is an excerpt from a blog written by a Scout mother regarding her two sons’ experiences at Philmont and Northern Tier, respectively, reinforcing the fact that it is important to recognize reasonably foreseeable risks, particularly potentially catastrophic risks, to avoid having to make “that phone call” (perhaps to your spouse!).
As the blog explains, one of her sons narrowly escaped a lightning event while attending Philmont.
Another of her sons, while attending Northern Tier, was in a canoe that inadvertently was headed to a 12 foot waterfall. Her son (and the other two canoeists) exited the canoe and were swept over the falls. Her son and his companion ended up in a hydraulic at the bottom of the falls for some moments before being rescued, alive but with some injuries. See the story here.
The assistant scoutmaster in attendance, upon arrival home, told her how hard it would have been to make “that phone call” in the event of an unsuccessful rescue of those caught in the hydraulic, including his own son.
The mom concludes that it is a big responsibility being in charge of the welfare of other people’s sons.
Yes, indeed, an important conclusion by this mom.
The takeaway point – there is sometimes a very fine line between a successful trip and catastrophe – know which side of the line your group is on!