Most outdoor recreation commentators do not consider an activity completed until a “post-activity review” occurs. That is, what did we do, how did we do it, how did it go, and what do we need to change?
Scout units may have the tendency to, once the activity is completed, drop everyone off at home, put the gear away, and move on to the next item on the calendar.
However, a unit can increase the effectiveness of its outdoor program, while raising the risk management bar, by asking the following post-activity questions:
- Were the activity objectives met?
- Were potential risks accurately or fully identified?
- Were the participants comfortable with the risks encountered?
- Does the activity need to be modified based on the risks encountered?
- Were the adult leaders adequately prepared skill-wise for the activity?
- Were the activity policies and procedures effective?
- Was the emergency plan, if needed, effective?
- Was the adult leader/youth ratio adequate for the activity?
- If there were near misses, how can they be avoided in the future?
- If there were any incidents, how can they be avoided in the future?
- Was the activity, as planned, satisfactory, or do changes need to be implemented?
The answers to the above questions are not only cause for reflection for the just-completed activity, but are actually the first step in the planning of the future conduct of that same activity, as well as the unit’s next activity !
Incorporate these questions into the unit’s outdoor activity plan . . . make each event the best it can be.