2020 Summer Camp Options

The Covid-19 has led to major grief for all kinds of scouters planning for summer high adventure. In the spirit of Be Prepared - here is a list of possible options.

For all camps the biggest unknown is what county/state health code restrictions will be in place at the start of summer.

1. No Restrictions
2. Facemasks required in all settings
3. Units not allowed to travel out of town (stay at home orders)
4. No visitors allowed
5. Gatherings limited to no more than ten scouts.

Health Risks for Youth

• Many health studies shows that youth in age ranging 0-20 are by far the lowest risk category for dying from Covid-19.
• Those youth with significant health issues seem to be at much higher risk than others. This makes the significantly increases the importance of BSA Medical Form C. If a particular youth would be at high risk in a camp setting - he should stay home.
• Many are still worried that healthy children can be non-symptomatic carriers of Covid-19 and but elderly household members at risk from transmission.

Option 1 : Council Opens Traditional Summer Camp Program

Many councils are optimistically planning for some form of a full summer program, but are not in position to state what there plans are for summer.

• By May 15th - everyone should have a much clearer idea of what to expect.
• Watch carefully the order on "Social Distancing": If in a public area - either keep six feet apart OR wear a facemask if less than six feet.
• Many local councils are planning for one or more of the following scenarios:

1A. Full Camp Program: Some camps can still provide upto 10 weeks of full programming with as little as of 1-3 weeks advance time to hire and train staff and sign contracts with service vendors.

1B. Modified Camp Program:

• • No time to setup tents - bring your own tents
  • Fewer merit badge classes available

1C. Shorten Camp Program: Camp cancels first weeks, starts later in the summer.

1D. Modified for Ban on large gatherings: Where social distancing is required (Quite Probable!)

• • Eliminate the combined assembly and cafeteria meals.
  • Meal service will be delivered to individual "patrol" campsites of no more than 10 boys per patrol.
  • Merit Badge classes require boys to sit six feet park. If not, then they must wear a facemask (sharing a canoe?)

1E. Modified for Facemasks Required: Even when swimming? But will make hiking a lot harder.

1F. Camp outside of Prohibition Area: Find a summer camp with availability where no social distancing rules are in place.

Option 2 : Council Opens Camp Without Program

Many councils are optimistically planning for some form of a full summer program, but are not in position to state what there plans are for summer.

• Many local councils are planning for one or more of the following scenarios:

2A. Summer Camp Opens - Free use of Program Area: Camp is open and some program areas like the aquatics center and shooting ranges have sufficient staff for participation. Visiting troops must provide own merit badge and campfire programs. T

• • No time to setup tents - bring your own tents and own food.

2B. Troops run own Merit Badge program: - See Below

2C. Shorten Camp Program: Camp cancels first weeks, starts later in the summer.

2D. Modified for Ban on large gatherings: Where social distancing is required (Quite Probable!)

• • Eliminate the combined assembly and cafeteria meals.
  • Meal service will be delivered to individual "patrol" campsites of no more than 10 boys per patrol.
  • Merit Badge classes require boys to sit six feet park. If not, then they must wear a facemask (sharing a canoe?)

2E. Modified for Facemasks Required: Even when swimming? But will make hiking a lot harder.

2F. Camp outside of Prohibition Area: Find a summer camp with availability where no social distancing rules are in place.

Option 3 : Troop Run Summer Camp

Doing your own program is much harder with the following challenges:

• Camping Facilities - Use vacant council campground, other "youth" campground or private facility
• Food Service - Planning a week's worth of meals. Some Troops may assign this to an adhoc parent's committee. Coordinate with each patrol to participate in food prep, teach cooking skills.

Option 4 : Troop Run Summer Merit Badge Program

Some troops that run their program may schedule the morning time for merit badge work or service projects and then the afternoon for "open recreation". Actual activity options will vary based on location.

• Activity Program - See our section - Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for more info. The following merit badge offerings - can be fun and easy to do in a "Troop Camp Setting". Remember all MBC must bring up all supplies and worksheets that they need.

• • First Aid - BSA's most popular merit badge
  • Swimming - BSA's 2nd most popular
  • Environmental Science - Eagle required but most often done in the outdoors
  • Forestry -
  • Photography -
  • Art -
  • Visit National Forest Ranger Station - partial credit for Citizenship in the Nation.
  • Astronomy -
  • Summer Hikes - partial credit for Hiking.
  • Summer Backpacking - partial credit for Backpacking.
  • Camping - Did you already bring the tents. Work on several of the related outdoor requirements.
  • Cooking - Plan meals before coming. Pack them with you. Do lots of food prep practice.
  • Pioneering -
  • Weather
  • Geology

See Also

• See also the BryanOnScouting Blog for more Covid-19 Scouting ideas. (Sadly we cannot link to Scouting blogs from here!)
• Scout On Through Covid-19
• 2020 Virtual District Camporee
• ScoutShare - Remote Scouting Tips -
• ScoutingAtHome - San Diego Imperial Council
• Stop Covid-19 P.S.A. - How to safely shop for groceries and take out food during Covid-19 Pandemic. Public Safety Announcement!
• Scout Camps in California