Summer Camp Updates: June 30, 2021

• Starts before you leave home!
• Cohort size – up to 12 youth
• Adults who cohort with Scouts not count toward Cohort count
• Cohorts share sleeping area, eating area
• Although stable group restrictions have been lifted, it is important to remember that if a COVID-19 positive case occurs, everyone that had exposure should quarantine in accordance with state and local public health authority guidelines. This is why it is so important to minimize contact with people from other groups as much as possible.

• Cub Scouts remain in assigned groups for all activities and meals.
• Packs attending together will be kept together.
• Attend each area as a cohort on a schedule

• Equipment cleaning between cohorts
• Merit badge offerings limited 
• No campwide activities (flag, campfire, games)
• No off-camp outings. (Post-camp activities are allowed.)

• Dining must be done by cohort.
• Food must be served, plated.  No self-service allowed.  (Exception is Coffee pots.)
• Every effort will be made to prevent the mixing of cohorts while eating.
• Cohorts will be separated within the dining area by at least 6 feet
• Masks will be worn at all times indoors unless seated.
• Hand washing is required.
• Food Service staff will remain masked.

On or before March 1: The $10 initial deposit per Scout is non– refundable.

Between March 1 and two weeks prior to camp: The initial deposit and commitment payment are forfeited for each Scout whose reservation is cancelled, for a total of $100 per Scout.

Within two weeks of camp: No refunds are granted unless:

• The Scout’s family moves out of council
• There is a death or serious illness in the Scout’s immediate family that requires his attendance
• The Scout becomes ill and is therefore unable to attend camp

If a refund is granted, the initial deposit and commitment payment will be forfeited (a total of $100) for that Scout.

No pre-arrival tests will be required.  Instead, please follow the following pre-, during- and post-camp procedures:

• Recommended: 14-day reduction exposure to public gatherings.  Campers must declare no contact with exposed individuals or having Covid symptoms for 14 days before arrival.  (Campers must assess health and be symptom free prior to attending Camp.
• Recommended: Those who are not able to quarantine will may arrive healthy being 14 days past last COVID vaccination, or complete a negative COVID test within 48 hours of arrival.
• Temp and screening questions will be conducted upon arrival.  Those who are not healthy, are not vaccinated and been exposed to Covid within the past 10 days must complete a COVID test.
• Daily Screening will be reported to the camp office.

Scouts will sleep head-to-toe without masks within their cohort. (Typically within two-person three-sided adirondacks.) 

Units can also bring their own tents. 

We recommend all units bring a 2-3 tents as backup. #BePrepared

• The sick individual is quarantined until a COVID test may be completed.
• Camp will Provide Rapid Test.
• Individuals in their Cohort will reduce interactions with others and stay masked even when outdoors.
• If COVID test is negative, then Cohort can resume normal functions.
• An individual will remain quarantined until symptoms subside.
• If a COVID test is positive, then follow COVID infection protocols.
  • The County Department of Health will be notified.
  • Infected Individual will be isolated.
  • Based on Department of Health direction, efforts will be made to remove infected individual from camp.
  • Contact tracing will be completed and notification will be made to those who may have had contact.
  • The Cohort will be quarantined & restricted from participating in the program until cleared by the County Department of Health.
  • Follow instructions from Health Dept.

We are preparing for a multitude of options should rules and recommendations change for summer camp including:

• Patrol-based models
• Reduced capacity
• Campsite meals (we prepare, you prepare)
• Adult support of cleaning/program
• Merit badge prerequisites taught online before camp
• Experiential models – i.e. Desert Island scenario…Treasure Island mystery 

• Climbing
• Blacksmithing
• Welding
• Lifesaving Skills
• Adult Training
• Campwide Flag
• Campwide Campfires
• Roaming around camp outside of cohort. (within reason)
• Remote/Off-site Programs: whitewater, windsurfing, etc.

• Aquatics areas: swimming, boating
• Shooting sports
• Horseback riding (Butte Creek & Camp Baldwin)
• Hiking
• Biking (Scouts BSA camps only)
• Cooking
• Compass course
• Games
• Nature
• Trail to First Class
• Woodworking & activities

Plus stargazing, tide pools at the coast, hanging out with friends, competitions and possible adventures like treasure hunts and escape rooms. (More coming soon.)

Nature staff are counselors in a variety of merit badges beyone what we offer. Your cohort may choose additional advancement opportunities. Here’s how it works:

A staff member or members will greet your Cohort.

They will be with you (Socially Distant) the entire time.

Cohort will declare which merit badge(s) they wish to work on. (Pick from a list).

Staff will provide resources to best help Scouts complete the merit badge.

Alternate Activities will be made available.

“Trail to First Class” will happen wherever possible.

Two rotating schedules.

Camp Den will arrive in a program area

Staff will direct the program and adults will help Cubs.

Similar activities will happen as have seen in the past.

Staff must not have close contact with Scouts.

Sign up programs by camp dens may be available during open times.

Campfires and evening activities end in camp sites each night.

 Below is our current working assumption but some may not be available at every camp:

• Archery
• Art
• Astronomy
• Basketry
• Camping
• Communications
• Cooking
• Electricity/Electronics
• Emergency Preparedness
• Environmental Science
• First Aid
• Fish & Wildlife
• Fishing
• Forestry
• Game Design
• Geocaching
• Kayaking
• Leatherwork
• Mammals
• Oceanography
• Orienteering
• Pioneering
• Radio
• Rifle
• Robotics
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Trail to First Class
• Wilderness Survival
• Woodcarving

Remember: advancement is only one of eight important methods of Scouting, troops should prepare to help us deliver on the other seven, especially: the patrol method, participation in outdoor programs, adult association,  leadership development, and personal growth.

1. Scouts are unlikely to earn more than four complete merit badges at camp, but between the cohort’s adult leaders and camp staff will have outstanding support for those advancement experiences and activities that are available.   
2. Merit badge offerings are limited this summer due to smaller staffs and functioning within COVID guidelines.
3. The style of instruction this summer is called “modified open program,” similar to that used by many camps where staff and cohort adults are available in the program areas to coach merit badges and TTFC activities appropriate to the program area.
4. Instead of fixed classes of 30-50 scouts listening to the instructor for one hour a day, 12 or fewer scouts can be coached on their independent work by one counselor and adult leaders. One staff member to a cohort is a much smaller ratio than we normally experience at camp, giving Scouts advantages in personal attention and independence.
5. When your cohort comes to a most program areas (exceptions of bikes, rifle, archery, and waterfront), they will be able to work semi-independently on a short menu of merit badges and TTFC requirements with a counselor coaching their progress, OR participate alternative activities we have prepared.
6. Before and between their two visits to an area, Scouts can work independently to complete requirements so they can demonstrate what they know to their counselor when they visit the area. Cohort adults can and should assist where they are qualified. Scouts can plan ahead by printing and working on merit badge worksheets to guide their work if that is helpful to them.