I first and foremost hope this message finds everyone of you safe and healthy. Your safety, health, and well being is our top priority. We are all dealing with many changes to our reality as a result of these unprecedented times.
Summer Camp Updates and New Deposit Deadline
Our camping committee met with the Council leadership last week to discuss our summer camping operations. Our camp leadership continues to plan to operate our resident camps (Camp Sunrise, Mt. Norris, Frontier's Camp, and NYLT) and our day camps (Long Trail & Three Rivers) as well as our weekend camping opportunities (Webelos Woods and Cub Scout Family Camp weekends). We recognize with so many youth activities impacted this spring, the opportunity to get to anyone of these exciting programs this summer is a priority. In an attempt to assist all our families with making decisions about summer camp programs, we have extended the deadline for early bird payments and campership applications from April 15th to May 15th, 2020.
Financial Hardship Concerns
If you have already made a full or partial payment for any of camping programs and due to the impacts of COVID-19 are experiencing a financial hardship, please contact Ed McCollin to discuss these circumstances. Our priorities are on our scouts and their families, so we have established a small work group to assist those impacted. You can email Ed at Edward.McCollin@Scouting.org to initiate the discussion. In the unfortunate event our summer camping programs are cancelled due to this COVID-19 pandemic, refunds will be available to scouts and their families.
Virtual Scouting and Scouting at Home Through May 18th
The recommendations from our state and federal authorities is to maintain the stay at home order until the end of April. Everything we have read suggests it is reasonable to think that will be extended. Due to these recommendations we are going to encourage all units to follow those guidelines when coordinating program. We are encouraging units to be creative and continue to organize meetings and events using a virtual platform. There are many suggested programs and ideas on scouting sites in social media and on the National website. We ask scouts and volunteers remember to practice the Youth Protection guidelines for online communication.
The Council is cancelling or postponing all District and/or Council events and activities from now until May 18th. We will revisit the recommendations from our state and local authorities prior to that and issue another communication. We do encourage virtual gatherings and events; I know a virtual Roundtable is being organized for April 14th. Any committee meetings or training will continue to be coordinated by video conference.
New National Guidance for Scouts Working on Eagle Scout Rank
The National Council has issued new practices for Eagle Scouts. Any youth who is approaching the age of eighteen or needs to request an extension on their Eagle Scout project or submission of the application will be granted. There will be more detailed information to follow on this matter.
Scouting is More Important Now Than Ever
A scout commits to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. We encourage everyone to get outside and exercise, enjoy nature, and welcome spring. Please be mindful of the social distancing recommendations when participating.
A scout is helpful, courteous, kind; please consider ways you or your unit can help those around you. Today I learned our family from Mt. Norris Scout Reservation donated N95 masks to Copley Hospital and other masks and gloves to other local non-profits supporting vulnerable populations. You can organize card making, letter writing campaigns to elderly people unable to see their families or our front line medical staff battling this virus in the hospitals. Service to others is a foundation stone of Scouting and at the core of our value system; during this difficult time, be creative and find ways to show our character.
Be Safe, Be Well & Be Prepared
Finally, I just want to acknowledge, there is nothing ideal about any of the circumstances we are facing. Many of our unit fundraisers were cut short this spring due to COVID-19. Our Council FOS campaign and spring fundraisers were also impacted by this virus. I know many of our families and neighbors may be suffering financial distress as a result of this pandemic; I also know many who were struggling prior to this outbreak, and they were relying on those fundraisers and FOS dollars to help with camperships for youth to get to camp. I ask, if you have the means please consider sending contributions to the Council service center earmarked for camperships or speak to unit leaders at your local level and offer to help scouts get to camp.
Thank you for all each of you does to support scouting in Vermont. The old adage, "It takes a village..." is truly representative of our situation. Let's all hope and pray for the safety and health of our citizens and families. We will get through this together; and when we do, I am convinced we will be stronger for it. God Bless you all, and God Bless the Boy Scouts of America.
Yours in Scouting,
Dave McAllister
Council President
Summer Camp Updates and New Deposit Deadline
Our camping committee met with the Council leadership last week to discuss our summer camping operations. Our camp leadership continues to plan to operate our resident camps (Camp Sunrise, Mt. Norris, Frontier's Camp, and NYLT) and our day camps (Long Trail & Three Rivers) as well as our weekend camping opportunities (Webelos Woods and Cub Scout Family Camp weekends). We recognize with so many youth activities impacted this spring, the opportunity to get to anyone of these exciting programs this summer is a priority. In an attempt to assist all our families with making decisions about summer camp programs, we have extended the deadline for early bird payments and campership applications from April 15th to May 15th, 2020.
Financial Hardship Concerns
If you have already made a full or partial payment for any of camping programs and due to the impacts of COVID-19 are experiencing a financial hardship, please contact Ed McCollin to discuss these circumstances. Our priorities are on our scouts and their families, so we have established a small work group to assist those impacted. You can email Ed at Edward.McCollin@Scouting.org to initiate the discussion. In the unfortunate event our summer camping programs are cancelled due to this COVID-19 pandemic, refunds will be available to scouts and their families.
Virtual Scouting and Scouting at Home Through May 18th
The recommendations from our state and federal authorities is to maintain the stay at home order until the end of April. Everything we have read suggests it is reasonable to think that will be extended. Due to these recommendations we are going to encourage all units to follow those guidelines when coordinating program. We are encouraging units to be creative and continue to organize meetings and events using a virtual platform. There are many suggested programs and ideas on scouting sites in social media and on the National website. We ask scouts and volunteers remember to practice the Youth Protection guidelines for online communication.
The Council is cancelling or postponing all District and/or Council events and activities from now until May 18th. We will revisit the recommendations from our state and local authorities prior to that and issue another communication. We do encourage virtual gatherings and events; I know a virtual Roundtable is being organized for April 14th. Any committee meetings or training will continue to be coordinated by video conference.
New National Guidance for Scouts Working on Eagle Scout Rank
The National Council has issued new practices for Eagle Scouts. Any youth who is approaching the age of eighteen or needs to request an extension on their Eagle Scout project or submission of the application will be granted. There will be more detailed information to follow on this matter.
Scouting is More Important Now Than Ever
A scout commits to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. We encourage everyone to get outside and exercise, enjoy nature, and welcome spring. Please be mindful of the social distancing recommendations when participating.
A scout is helpful, courteous, kind; please consider ways you or your unit can help those around you. Today I learned our family from Mt. Norris Scout Reservation donated N95 masks to Copley Hospital and other masks and gloves to other local non-profits supporting vulnerable populations. You can organize card making, letter writing campaigns to elderly people unable to see their families or our front line medical staff battling this virus in the hospitals. Service to others is a foundation stone of Scouting and at the core of our value system; during this difficult time, be creative and find ways to show our character.
Be Safe, Be Well & Be Prepared
Finally, I just want to acknowledge, there is nothing ideal about any of the circumstances we are facing. Many of our unit fundraisers were cut short this spring due to COVID-19. Our Council FOS campaign and spring fundraisers were also impacted by this virus. I know many of our families and neighbors may be suffering financial distress as a result of this pandemic; I also know many who were struggling prior to this outbreak, and they were relying on those fundraisers and FOS dollars to help with camperships for youth to get to camp. I ask, if you have the means please consider sending contributions to the Council service center earmarked for camperships or speak to unit leaders at your local level and offer to help scouts get to camp.
Thank you for all each of you does to support scouting in Vermont. The old adage, "It takes a village..." is truly representative of our situation. Let's all hope and pray for the safety and health of our citizens and families. We will get through this together; and when we do, I am convinced we will be stronger for it. God Bless you all, and God Bless the Boy Scouts of America.
Yours in Scouting,
Dave McAllister
Council President
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