2020 Scout Unit Reopen Plan

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Many scouters are starting to wonder how reopen scouting. While most everyone wants to jump right into full scouting that way it used to be, it is becoming more apparent that many government restrictions and parental concerns are in search of gradual, phase approached incorporating many principals of social distancing and personal safety. Below are some examples of what that looks like

Scout Unit Reopen Plan

"Be Prepared" : Scout Motto

The Scouting can still have a positive daily impact on our youth, families and community but that begins by first preparing a reasonable plan.

What is presented here are suggestions only. Situations may vary by community. Actual reopen plans should comply with directions given by local governmental agencies, national and local scout council, and the most importantly the unit key 3 leaders with support of the families of the unit.

Phase I - Virtual Scouting

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Units Meetings:

  • Dens/Patrols meet online weekly or maybe biweekly (to avoid "zoom burnout")
  • Monthly Pack/Troop Combined virtual meeting
  • Monthly Parent/Leaders meeting

Scout Activities:

  • Scouting at Home - Guidelines from BSA National
  • ScoutingWire TV (YouTube Channel - Check it out - It's really good!)
  • Virtual Games
  • 2020 Virtual District Camporee - regional / national / faith-based
  • Virtual competition between units
  • CyberChip Training
  • At Home Scouting
  • Family Outings - at parks and public trails that are open to the public
  • Video conferences with extended family
  • Book Zone by Boys Life - For more than 100 years, Boys’ Life has featured thousands of great books for boys. Here are the 100 titles we think every boy should read.
  • BoysLife is now Free - See BoysLife Online for more ideas

Scout Service

  • Scout Service From Home - 19 Scouting service projects for the pandemic
  • Family Life Service projects
  • Remote contacts (Zoom, Text, artwork, pen-pals) with notes of appreciation to our elderly, veterans and other shut-ins who are cutoff from regular social contact.
  • Sewing Facemaks

Scout Safety:

  • Scouts Shelter at Home
  • Scouts avoid contact with others except when doing "essential errands"
  • Scouts should stay active (mentally, physically, socially and spiritually) to avoid the negative health impacts of at-home quarantines.

Phase II - Scouting with Social Distancing

Phase II can begin under government guidance reopening small business, school or child-care operations

Unit Meetings:

"Reduced capacity" In-person Meetings (ie Patrol or Den) are held regular a large open area, garage, backyard, parking lot, open park, etc.

Scouting Activities:

  • Family outings to parks, zoos, museums and other attractions opened under social distancing guidelines.
  • Uniform inspection
  • Awards ceremony
  • "No-Contact" scouting games
  • Show and Tell presentations
  • Merit Badge clinics and discussions
  • Safety discussions
  • Talent Show
  • Scoutcraft demonstrations - knot tying

Scouting Service

  • Scouting for Food - does not require face-to-face contact and can be done anytime of the year. Charities are in very dire need of food and other household supplies - especially those hard to find paper good. Scouts deliver flyers announcing their day of curb-side pickup.


Scout Safety / Social Distancing Standards:

  • In-Person meetings/gatherings are limited to 15 people each (Den and Patrol meetings are ideal for this format)
  • Large meetings for the full pack or troop - are still done virtually
  • No Refreshments or "sharing" of products or food
  • Face masks worn at all times
  • All participants should stay six feet apart
  • Any scouts/scouters not feeling well or "displaying symptoms" should stay home.
  • Scouts should stay active (mentally, physically, socially and spiritually) to avoid the negative health impacts of at-home quarantines.

Phase III - Camp Outings with Social Distancing

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Phase III can begin under government guidance reopening small business, school or child-care operations. Many scout camps and public campgrounds are located in remote settings that are ideal for social distancing. Many BSA Council camps may have already canceled their summer programs (to avoid large group gatherings) BUT ARE STILL OPEN for unit based camping and activity.

Unit Meetings:

"Reduced capacity" camp activities (ie Patrol or Den) are held monthly (or even more frequently during summer months).

Scouting Activities:

  • Small scout unit outings to parks, zoos, museums and other attractions opened under social distancing guidelines.
  • Regular outdoor sports and field trip activities - including swimming, camping, cooking, hiking, boating and cycling.
  • Full range of MOST all patrol led Merit badge
  • Cooking, camping and other scouting outdoor recreation
  • Safety discussions

Scouting Service

  • Outdoor conservation

Scout Safety / Social Distancing Standards:

  • Camp activities are limited to 15 people each (Den and Patrol meetings are ideal for this format)
  • Face masks worn at all times (most sporting activities are exempt from this)
  • Any scouts/scouters not feeling well or "displaying symptoms" should stay home.
  • Scouts should stay active (mentally, physically, socially and spiritually) to avoid the negative health impacts of at-home quarantines.

Stage IV- Scout Gatherings

Troop meetings, camporees, jamborees and large campfires can be held when government agencies finally lift restrictions on large assemblies.

Note: Many government agencies are restricting large group events to Stage IV.

See Also

References

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