Troop 1128: Resuming Outdoor Scouting Safely

While every family has a unique set of considerations in deciding whether to participate in Scout activities during the pandemic, Troop 1128 is developing a phased approach to restarting our Scouting program, and we are currently in Step 3.

The guidelines that have come out thus far from the BSA, NCAC, CDC and the Virginia Department of Health focus on several key components for responsibly restarting Scouting activities:

1. Adequate and frequent health screening and monitoring
2. Social distancing and facial coverings
3. Vigilant hygiene practices
4. Keeping group sizes as small as possible

Our guidelines are an evolving set of practices that considers those key components along with everything we know today.  New information and resources will likely come to light over the coming weeks that could further improve our plans.  If at any time, we feel that we need to suspend troop activities or go back a step, then we will make that call in connection with our sponsoring organization, Andrew Chapel UMC.

As we forge ahead, we will do everything we reasonably can to protect Scouts and Scouters and the communities and families to whom they return after an outing or activity.  However, ultimately, the decision to participate resides with Scout parents and individual Scouters.  Each family will need to decide for itself when it feels comfortable participating in Scouting activities and is prepared to assume the risk of such participation.  Scouts and Scouters will not be penalized for missing outdoor activities during this pandemic.

Additional resources on resuming outdoor Scouting  activities can be found below:

• Step 1 Guidance
• Step 2 Guidance
• Step 3 Guidance
• Screening Questionnaire
• Summary