May 18, 2020
Hello Scouting Families,
As you’ve proven over the last few weeks, our Scouting communities are resilient, prepared, and able to adapt to any situation. Now, as we look ahead to the 2020 camping season, the question on everyone’s mind is, “What is Adventure Day Camp going to look like and is it safe to attend?”
To alleviate some concerns, we thought it would be helpful to share with you our current decisions as well as modifications to our pre-camp preparations and to the camp experiences offered this summer.
First and foremost, the health and safety of our Scouting families, volunteers and staff remains our number one priority as we continue to adapt to this unprecedented situation. Our council continues to develop new plans and review existing procedures that will keep our Scouts and volunteers safe.
The decision to operate our council camps will be based on our ability to operate safely within the CDC’s summer camp guidelines, in addition to recommendations from local, state and BSA authorities. Rest assured that the council will only conduct camp if it is legal, safe, and practical to do so.
This summer may not look like all the summers that have come before or any of the summers that will come after. What we do know is that camp plays a vital role in the lives of our Scouts and Scouters. At this time, we are taking steps to determine how we can best serve our Scouting community this summer.
As of today, May 18, 2020, we are announcing the following decisions:
The following Cub Scout camps and activities have been cancelled for 2020.
- Adventure Overnight Week: August 2 – 5
- Adventure Overnight Week Plus: August 6 – 7
- Camp Norse Day Camp: Cancelled by the Narragansett Council
The Adventure Day Camp has been postponed to later in the summer. The modified schedule is as follows:
- July 13 – 17
- July 20 – 24
- July 27 – 31
- August 3 – 7
- August 10 – 14
The following Adventure Day Camp modifications will be made:
- Weekly attendance will be limited to 36 participants
- There will be no bus service to/from day camp
For those that had signed up for any of these events, you will receive an additional email with steps regarding refunds, transfers, and additional information about the event. For any event cancelled, you will receive a 100% refund. If you are interested in signing up for Adventure Day Camp we suggest doing so soon, as we anticipate camp selling out given the reduced capacity.
So what can you expect this summer?
Just because some of our planned outdoor experiences cannot happen as expected, we are still committed to helping you and other families experience camp in a safe environment. We understand the importance of an outdoor in-person experience, and we will find ways to help your family experience the fun of camp this summer. It will look different from a traditional camp and that is ok. In the coming days you will see us roll out the opportunity to participate in a virtual day camp this summer, for those not comfortable with the in-person experience.
Allow us to share a glimpse of some of the additional elements of what “safely operating” our camps in this new environment will entail. While this list is not comprehensive and our review is an ongoing process, you can expect some significant updates to many of the following:
- Check-in Screening – Upon arrival at our camps, staff and participants will be screened and their temperature will be taken. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will not be allowed entry; those who travelled with them will also not be allowed entry.
- Sickness at Camp – Participants presenting symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home.
- Visitors – Will not be allowed into camp.
- Group Size – group size will be reduced from 10-12 participants last year to 5-6 this year
- Family BBQ & Closing Campfire – Will NOT be held this summer.
- Hand Washing – Participants will be directed to wash their hands often. Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available.
- Restrooms – Restrooms will be cleaned 3 times a day.
- Protective Gear – We will be reviewing best methods for use of gloves, masks, etc., while on our properties.
- Camp Equipment – We will properly sanitize all community and reusable program equipment after each use.
- Social Distancing – We will avoid activities where appropriate social distance cannot be maintained.
These items and many more are all under review as part of the comprehensive evaluation now underway of our standards and policies. As we move forward, you can expect a comprehensive list complete with instructions.
We thank you for your continued commitment to Scouting and for helping us prepare and adapt to any situation. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and relay any updates as they become available on our council website and through our social media channels. If you have specific questions please email them to covid19@mayflowerbsa.org and we will respond to them as quickly as possible.
Please stay safe and keep Scouting!
Mike Rotar
Council President
Josh Paulin
Council Commissioner
Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO
