Tamanend District Scouts Attend First Aid O Ree at Washington Crossing Historic Park

“Be prepared” is the motto of the Boy Scouts. One way scouts put their motto into action is ongoing training in first aid skills which prepares them to help others whether at home, in the community or when camping at great distances from medical care.

Twenty-two units from Tamanend District held their annual First Aid O Ree at Washington Crossing Historic Park the weekend of April 1 and 2. Cub scouts, boy scouts and venturers rotated through 12 stations that allowed them to learn and practice a specific first aid technique.

In addition to learning a specific first aid skill, each station gave the cubs and scouts a chance to work toward rank advancement or merit badges. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts earned their Emergency Preparedness Activity Pin with the assistance of Explorer Post 125 from the Central Bucks Ambulance. Also assisting with training was Troop 168 Amy Amodei from Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad who spent the day teaching CPR.

Troop 168 Scoutmaster Sonnie, who has organized the event for seven years and grown it from an evening in the gym to a weekend of camping, said “Camping makes more sense because it gives the scouts a chance to practice their first aid skills in the place where they are most likely to use them.”

Troop 3 Quartermaster Reilly Gileo, who was leading his patrol through the stations, said “This is a fun camp out. I already have my First Aid Merit Badge but having all the stations keeps me challenged to remember what I’ve learned.”