Guidance for In-person Scouting Meetings and Activities

 

Guidance for In-person Scouting Meetings and Activities!!! 

Rev 3/2/22

In an effort to continue to mitigate the health risk of spreading COVID-19 to our volunteers, staff, and Scouts, the Greater Niagara Frontier Council is providing the following guidelines. These recommendations are designed to mitigate risk, but all participants need to be aware that any activity puts them at some risk of exposure. Please remember that some who are exposed to COVID-19 could be asymptomatic. If a person becomes infected, they may become asymptomatic carriers and could infect other people unknowingly. Consequently, it is critical that good health and safety practices be followed in all situations.

  • Scouting units are required to follow the masking requirements of their local school district and sponsoring organization (if the policies differ the most stringent policy must be followed).  District and council events and activities will not require masks to be worn but we highly encourage anyone who is unvaccinated or feels more comfortable wearing a mask to do so.
  • It is recommended for Unit Camping that units limit tent sharing between households as much as possible. Remember to follow all BSA tenting Guidelines. If Scouts of different households share a tent it is recommended that they sleep head to foot to allow for maximum space between their heads while sleeping.
  • Some charter organizations are not opening their facilities for meetings or have imposed additional restrictions on group meetings and activities. Rules or guidance from your charter organization must be followed. The Charter Organizations Rules, if more strict, supersede all other rules and guidelines.
  • Individuals at higher risk of severe illness (older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions) should consult their physician prior to participation in any group activities.
  • All participants should review their current health prior to participating in any activity. Individuals with temperatures higher than 100.4 and other symptoms of COVID-19 should not participate.
  • All units should keep a detailed roster of participants for all meetings and activities, so they are prepared in the event that contact tracing is required.
  • All individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 must follow the NYS Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for the general public | LINK (Updated 03/01/2022)
  • Outdoor meetings are highly encouraged.
  • Social distancing, of six feet, is recommended to be kept between yourself and other people who are not from your household.
  • Families/siblings do not need to maintain social distancing for transportation, sleeping, or meetings.
  • Transportation to and from activities should be made within family units. Carpooling should be discouraged. Should a unit decide to permit carpooling to and from Scouting activities, the following best practices are recommended, based on guidelines from the CDC and New York State:
    • Youth protection guidelines must always be followed.
    • To increase air circulation, it is best to open windows or set the air ventilation/air conditioning on non-recirculation mode.
    • Occupants should stay in the same group/vehicle for all portions of the trip, including return trip.
    • Unit leaders should maintain a list of passengers in each vehicle for at least 30 days after a trip, to facilitate contact tracing.
  • Handwashing and sanitation of shared supplies must be done between use.
  • All local, state, and federal safety guidelines should be followed. Please review guidelines for not only your unit’s meeting location, but the location of any camping/activity destination.
  • Ensure all Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection guidelines are adhered to.
  • It is recommended that these guidelines be shared with each member of your unit and posted during all meetings and activities.

Finally, as Scouts, it is important that we demonstrate the principles of the Scout Law now more than ever before. Individuals within your Scout unit may have varying levels of comfort or anxiety. It is our responsibility to be kind while being helpful and friendly and demonstrate empathy and respect to everyone, even if they have beliefs different from ours. As we move forward let’s be cheerful and brave while showing obedience to the rules, regulations and guidance of the CDC, State, Council, chartered organizations and cities/towns.