New Program Helps Scouts and Their Families Prepare for Emergencies

EMO has partnered with Scouts Canada to help their 100,000 members “Be Prepared”.

This exciting program introduces a new badge in scouting and teaches important emergency preparedness messages. This program focuses on: how to make an emergency survival kit, preparing a family emergency plan, considerations for assisting those with disabilities/special needs, and emergency planning for pets.

Through a variety of activities, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will learn about natural disasters, enhance their emergency preparedness and acquire skills that could help save lives in a community.

For Beavers (ages 5-7) there is a “Jumpstart” program that will introduce emergency preparedness. As is the standard for Beavers, there will be no award or badge. Cubs (ages 8-10) will earn an award for the program that recognizes broad and increased knowledge on the topic of emergency preparedness and Scouts (ages 11-14) will earn a badge that represents increased knowledge and skills in a specific subject area in emergency preparedness.

The program curriculum is now being distributed to all Scouting Leaders across Canada.

This emergency preparedness program is consistent with EMO efforts to promote family emergency preparedness as a means to enhance disaster resiliency in Ontario. By educating youth about personal and family preparedness we are also empowering youth to be emergency preparedness leaders within their families and social networks.

For more information on the emergency preparedness program including curriculum, resources and award/badge requirements, please visit the Scouts Canada website.

The Scouts’ program is similar to the Ontario-wide emergency preparedness “Challenge” launched by EMO and the Girl Guides of Canada (Ontario Council) in 2006. Since that rollout, thousands of girls have earned their crests. For more information on the Girl Guides’ Emergency Preparedness program, please click here.