I just have to ask what the Scout rules are in terms of safety on trips such as this? Maybe the ratio of kids to Scout leaders isn't up to par? It saddens me to read stories like this. Hopefully the Boy scouts can revise what is already on the books for guidelines and come up with more strict rules for outings and camping. God Bless this boy and his family. I had a friend of mine who drowned in a lake. His family waited a month for his body to be found. It was awful. Prayers for all involved.
It doesnt matter what the ratio is if the scout leader wont jump in and save the child. What if the kids to scout leaders ratio was 1-20? who cares if 20 leaders wont go in the water?
All I know is: that I am not going to let my grandkids go scouting with these scout leaders.
The basic rules are posted in a document called "Guide to Safe Scouting", and it's posted on www.scouting.org. If you print it out, it's about 70 pages. There are also specific guides for aquatic activities, rock climbing, etc., and unit leaders involved in them must read them and take training courses in order to lead such activities.
But no training, experience, equipment, low Scout/Scouter ratio; in fact, no rules can overcome willful stupidity. Rules exist. But they have to be followed, and determined kids will generally succeed in violating the rules no matter how many leaders you have along.
I know that sounds harsh. I'd guess that the leaders told the kids, "Stay away from the river," and they didn't listen. And messing about with logs at the river bank, as was posted above, violates a few different principles of Scouting.
There's a reason why "A Scout is Obedient" is the 7th point of the Scout Law. I have to remind kids of that from time to time. Parents, too ....