Dear Scouting Family:

It is with great disappointment that the Mayflower Council announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not allow resident camp programs to be conducted before the summer of 2021. As we stated from the initial decision to move forward, we would only do so if we could conduct a safe program, within the guidelines of national, state, and local authorities. Based on this latest information, we will not be able to provide a resident camp experience to our Scouts this summer.

We appreciate your continued patience and understanding over the past 7 weeks, as we pursued all available options and program modifications to offer a safe resident camp experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff was looking forward to greeting you and bringing you another year of fun, but this will have to wait until next year. All along, our first priority has been the health and safety of our Scouts, their parents, our leaders, staff and all their extended families and communities.

While this news is disappointing, we are providing a Scouts BSA virtual camp option offering each Scout the opportunity to choose up to 5 merit badges or programs from 45 different options.  Plus, we will ship you a box of everything that you’ll need for the week including camp swag, program materials, and more to be ready for the action! Click here for all the information and to sign-up.

We will be issuing full refunds to each troop by the end of the month and there is no need to contact the council service center for the refund of the camp fees paid. We ask for your patience as we work through processing all of the refunds. Check our council COVID-19 website for additional updates.

This decision by the Commonwealth does not affect our ability to operate our Cub Scout Adventure Day Camp at Camp Resolute. We are continuing with our plans to offer that program for our Cub Scouts.

We know you are eager to get back to our camps, which is why we have already begun planning bigger and better resident camp programs for next year.

Take care and be well,

Mike Rotar
Council President

Joshua Paulin
Council Commissioner

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

Dear Scouting Families,

Families today have many options, but Scouting continues to stand out as a safe and fun atmosphere where a kid can be a kid all while preparing them to become an even better adult.

As we look toward the future of Scouting, the Mayflower Council is committed to providing a  wholesome and cost-effective Scouting experience.

Our activity fee is being increased out of necessity to support critical safety components of our organization like youth protection resources, criminal background checks, technology upgrades and insurance coverage rates which have risen substantially over the past few years.

The Mayflower Council staff and board volunteers have worked tirelessly to keep the cost of Scouting as low as possible for our families. Our council is fiscally sound; however, it is crucial that we continuously review our financial structure in order to guarantee the longevity of our local programs.

Over the past three years, our council has maintained the activity fee and subsidized rising core costs – the greatest being insurance coverage – to keep fees as low as possible. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to subsidize these costs at past levels.

Additionally, COVID-19 coupled with the challenges created by a National BSA bankruptcy, has required our council to consider how these external factors will impact Scouting in the MetroWest and South Shore.

As a result, the Mayflower Council has been forced to make dramatic changes to expenses because of the decreases in our traditional revenue sources.

ACTIONS & TRENDS

• Family participation in our annual Investment in Character fundraising campaign has fallen from 16% to only 5%.
• Due to COVID-19 camp restrictions we have absorbed $406,000 in camp loss of revenue
• We have reduced our expenses by 31%
• The Mayflower Council Staff has been reduced by 10%

The decision to increase our activity fee was not made lightly, but it is necessary to fulfill our promise and continue to offer the level of Scouting our families are accustomed to without any decline in service. Many factors went into increasing the council activity fee and it was imperative that the information was conveyed in a timely manner to our units and families.

The activity fee will allow the Mayflower Council to provide:

• Medical and accident insurance coverage as well as local liability insurance for all registered members.
• Free tent camping at Camp Resolute, Camp Squanto and Nobscot Scout Reservation.
• Camp fees that are as low as possible while enhancing camp properties.
• Free required training course for adult leaders.

For a comprehensive list of how the Mayflower Council supports units and Scouting families click here.

After careful consideration, and approval by the Mayflower Council Executive Board, beginning on August 1, 2020, the activity fee will be increased from $30 to $36 per youth member (50 cents per month) in Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Exploring. (the previous activity fee excluded Lions, 18 – 21 year old Venturers and Explorers.) The fee will not apply to adult members and will be prorated on a monthly basis. The new fee will not apply to existing members until their unit recharters for 2021.

One hundred percent of the recently increased annual National registration fee goes to the National Boy Scouts of America Council to support Scouting for you. Including: Scoutbook; Youth Protection Training; liability insurance; program development and much more.

If you have questions on the council activity fee or the National BSA membership fee, please do not hesitate to reach out to your district executive or email us at communication@mayflowerbsa.org.

We thank you for your commitment to Scouting in the Mayflower Council and urge you to continue to be an advocate for Scouting as our programs are preparing thousands of youth across the MetroWest and the South Shore of Massachusetts, for life.

Yours in Scouting,

Mike Rotar
Council President

Josh Paulin
Council Commissioner

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

That’s right! We’re happy to announce the New England Scout Shop in the Brickyard Square Plaza located in Southborough has reopened with modified operating hours to help further your Scouting adventure! Over the last several weeks, we have been working hard to implement enhanced safety measures that make yours and our team members safety the top priority!

Effective today, you’ll notice the following changes upon entering our location:

• Hand sanitizer is available for customer use in all Scout Shops.
• We’ve implemented rigorous cleaning routines throughout the day and have temporarily closed fitting rooms.
• Prior to beginning every shift, all team members must complete an Employee Health Screening to ensure they are ready and able to work safely.
• Every team member is provided with facial coverings to use during their shifts and are asked to frequently wash their hands.
• Social distancing markers are placed in every Scout Shop.
• All product returns are being disinfected or quarantined for five business days before returning to the salesfloor.
• We have updated our payment systems to need fewer signatures and to accept contactless pay to include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
• Plexiglass sneeze guards are installed at checkout points, in areas of the country where required.
• Limited occupancy regulations will be in place in compliance with state and local requirements.

While not mandatory in every Scout Shop, we respectfully request you to follow social distancing and safety protocols recommended by public health officials, including wearing a facial covering when visiting our stores to help protect yourself and our team members.

Now that we have re-opened, we are very excited to announce that we’ve redesigned our in-store shopping experience with your safety and convenience as our main goal.

Effective today, you can purchase any of our 600 Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA Advancement related products online, and have the order gathered, bagged, and set aside for you to either pickup in-store, contactless curbside, or have the items shipped directly to you!

Click on the image below to check it out.

Looking ahead, we will continue to evaluate and modify our safety measures and in-store experience with you and our team members in mind. In the meantime, we’re taking this seriously so we can get it right. We cannot wait to welcome you and our Scouting community back to our Scout Shop!

Remember, every purchase made in our store supports the future of local Scouting.

Come celebrate Mayflower Council’s Class of 2019 Eagles Scouts

Thursday, June 18, 7:00pm!

This event is an opportunity to recognize all of our 2019 Eagle Scout’s achievement along with other fellow Eagles. Parents, family & friends are welcome to attend.   Join us tonight at 7:00 pm for the first ever virtual Eagle Scout recognition. We will also congratulate our Outstanding Eagle’s, VFW Scholarship winner, and announce the Glenn & Melinda Adams National Eagle Scout Association award winner. You can view us live on the the Mayflower Council facebook page or on the Mayflower Council YouTube channel.

Click on the image below to down load the event program book.

Join the National Recruiting Webinars happening this summer. These regular, one-hour sessions will cover topics important to recruiting in 2020, including geofencing, BeAScout.org, Zoom 101, online registration, and much more. Plus, the hosts will answer your questions. Mark your calendars.

Register today!

Schedule:

June 24 – 8:00 pm:  National Recruiting Webinar – Virtual Recruitment Events, Working with Schools

July 9 – 8:00 pm: National Recruiting Webinar, Tech Edition – BeAScout.org, Invitation Manager

July 16 – 8:00 pm: National Recruiting Webinar – Scoutbook 101, “Who’s Zooming Who?”

July 23 – 8:00 pm: National Recruiting Webinar – Geofencing, Search, Social Media, Peer-to-Peer Recruiting

August 6 – 8:00 pm: National Recruiting Webinar – Local PR How-to’s Print, Digital, Video

August 20 – 8:00 pm: National Recruiting Webinar – It’s Not Too Late: Five Things You Should be Doing Now

The Mayflower Council has secured merit badge councelors to teach a few merit badges virtually.  Scouts can now sign up for the following virtual merit badge offerings.

Space is limited, please sign up as soon as possible.  Each course is only $10.00.

Click on the merit badge you are interested in to sign up.

Genealogy – Do you know your family tree? Do you know how to trace your heritage and family ancestry? Join us for a remote and virtual merit badge experience to earn your Genealogy Merit Badge!  Wednesday’s, June 17, June 24, and July 1 from 6:30 – 7:30pm.

Electricity – Do you know how your house get’s power? Do you know how to wire a circuit? Do you know the first aid for electric shock? Join us for a remote and virtual class of Electricity Merit Badge! Wednesday’s, June 10, June 17, and June 24 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

Citizenship In The Community – Now is an important time to take Citizenship in the Community. Continue your trail to Eagle Scout by taking this required merit badge that explores doing your duty as a good citizen in your neighborhood and town. Tuesday’s June 9, June 16, June 23, and June 30 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.

Sustainability – Are you interested in the sustainability of our planet? Do you know about renewable energy and upcycling by products? Take Sustainability Merit Badge, an Eagle Scout required alternative badge to Environmental Science that explores how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle to help our planet. Monday’s, June 8, June 15, June 22, and June 29 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.

Public Health  – There is no better time to be learning about public health than right now. Everyone has learned a lot about infectious diseases and their effects on our communities and nation. Learn from the real-world example of Covid-19 as we teach you about how Scouts can help our communities in the Public Health Merit Badge. Monday’s,  June 15, June 22, June 29, and July 6.

Session A – 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Session B – 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Emergency Prep – Scouting it built on our motto, Be Prepared! Every Scout should be prepared for any situation that could occur such as medical emergencies, home emergencies, search and rescue emergencies or natural disasters. This merit badge explores what you can do today to start preparing with your family, home, troop and community. Continue your journey to Be Prepared with the Eagle required merit badge, Emergency Prepareness! Thursday’s, June 11, June 18, and June 25 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Dear Scouting Family,

Today the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America announced an increase to the annual membership fees. These increases are a result of rising operational costs and COVID-19, which has created a substantial unplanned loss of revenue due to mandated Scout Shop closures and shortened high adventure base seasons.

Locally, our council is also facing financial challenges and we are doing our best to address the impact of three months of office closure, activity cancellations, diminished fundraising campaigns, and the loss of some of our summer camp season. We know, however, that our staff and volunteers will continue to do their best to offer high-quality Scouting experiences during these challenging times.

We understand many of our Scouting families are also dealing with similar financial issues. We do not want finances to be a barrier to participation in Scouting, and will do our best to assist families who need it, to the fullest extent possible.

We are aware some of our members may have heard about these fee changes this weekend via social media. The Mayflower Council did not share this information previously because the National Council requested that all councils wait until June 1st before distributing this news. Some councils, unfortunately, chose to share the information prematurely, which may have spawned some confusion. The Mayflower Council apologizes for any inconvenience this action may have caused.

Please review the infographic below. Click here to view the frequently asked questions about the fee increase. As more information is released, we will share the most up to date information here.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our Scouts. As Scouting navigates these turbulent times, we stand together to achieve our shared mission: helping young people in our community learn, grow, and thrive.

If you have specific questions regarding these changes, please contact your district executive or email us.

Yours in Scouting,

Mike Rotar
Council President

Josh Paulin
Council Commissioner

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

This is the one spot where you will find the most up to date answers to your frequently asked questions regarding our Mayflower Council resident camp.

Click here to download as a PDF