Dear Scouting Family,
 
We would like to begin by thanking you for your commitment to Scouting and your patience as we have been shifting to address the realities of our COVID-19 world.
 
Two weeks ago, we made the difficult decision to cancel summer camps* for the 2020 season. At that point, we had to shut down all of the planning and infrastructure that goes into making a successful summer camp program and retool for the path forward. We have reconciled our books, and will issue full refunds to all individuals and Scouting units that have made full or partial payments toward summer camp programs.
 
REFUND PLAN
Within the next two weeks, refunds will be issued as follows:

• Individuals that made camp payments by cash or check will be sent a check to the address we have on file.
• Credit card payments will be refunded to the cards they were charged to.
• If a third party (for example, a service club or charter organization) paid a Scout’s camp fee, the payment will be returned to that organization.
• If your Scouting unit collected camp payments for forwarding to the Council office, a check will be issued to the unit. The unit will then be responsible for refunding the camp fee to you. Please follow up with your unit leadership if you have questions about their process for returning funds to you.

In addition, 2020 camp deposits will be refunded to all Scouting units. We expect to have the 2021 camp calendars completed soon, at which time units can make reservations for next year's summer camping programs.
 
FACING FINANCIAL REALITIES
The loss of 2020 summer camping revenue will have a significant impact in Green Mountain Council. The revenue generated from our camping and outdoor programs funds over 40% of the annual operations of our Council. To assist with the year-round expenses associated with our camps, we ask that you consider donating a portion of your camp fees as a gift. With your help, we will be back stronger than ever next year.
 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LATE SUMMER
In recent years, camping programs in Green Mountain Council have experienced tremendous growth and made significant strides forward in programming and improved facilities. We were incredibly excited to continue those positive trends in 2020. Please be assured that despite the loss of our summer camping programs, we remain committed to further development of our camp programs and facilities with an eye toward 2021. 
 
In the meantime, our camping and program staff are putting plans together for outdoor activities later in 2020. These plans will depend on the State and the CDC as well as our ability to implement safe camping practices, but we are excited about the chance and will try our best to have something for you. Keep your eyes peeled for more information over the next month.
 
 
Yours in Scouting,
 
Daniel Richardson
President, Green Mountain Council
 
 
* Camping programs cancelled include Council Camporee, Resident Camp at Mt. Norris and Camp Sunrise, Frontiers Camp, NYLT, Cub Day Camp, Cub Adventure Weekends, Webelos Woods.

​Unit leaders, committee members, and parents are asked to “Zoom” together to brainstorm ideas that could help keep the Scouts engaged over the summer and help them continue to advance while having fun in the outdoors.  Below is an update on some basic reminders and recommendations to consider and/or follow as you look at and revise your summer program calendar.
 
Our guidelines try to mirror those developed by the State of Vermont Health Department.  Before beginning any unit event, please have the latest information available from the state of Vermont, understanding that this can and will change from week to week.  Currently:

• Involve the key leaders of your Chartered Organization to get their input and approval.
• Outdoor activities only for now.
• Anyone who is sick or exhibiting the signs of the coronavirus must stay home. 
• No more than 25 persons in a group.
• Face masks are highly encouraged and, in some locations, required. 
• Determine and decide what guidelines the unit will need to impose before participation is allowed (e.g., face mask options, transportation, size of group(s), feeding options, etc.)
• Be sure you have parent permission for all and any events.
• Have adequate sanitation supplies on hand.
• Be vigilant in ensuring everyone washes their hands thoroughly and maintains physical distancing.
• All BSA Youth Protection guidelines are to be adhered to.

 
Unit level activities are a great alternative to get the youth out of their home confinement and back with friends and fellow Scouts in a controlled and safe environment.  
 
Be safe!  Stay healthy and have fun! 

​With the cancellation of Green Mountain Council summer camping programs, focus needs to go back to the local unit in determining “what now”? 
 
Unit leaders, committee members, and parents are asked to “Zoom” together to brainstorm ideas that could help keep the Scouts engaged over the summer and help them continue to advance while having fun in the outdoors.  Below are some basic reminders and recommendations to consider and/or follow as you look at and revise your summer program calendar.
 
Our guidelines try to mirror those developed by the State of Vermont Health Department.  Before beginning any unit event, please have the latest information available from the state of Vermont, understanding that this can and will change from week to week.  Currently:

• Involve the key leaders of your Chartered Organization to get their input and approval.
• Outdoor activities only for now.
• Anyone who is sick or exhibiting the signs of the coronavirus must stay home. 
• No more than 10 persons in a group.
• Face masks are highly encouraged and, in some locations, required. 
• Determine and decide what guidelines the unit will need to impose before participation is allowed (e.g., face mask options, transportation, size of group(s), feeding options, etc.)
• Be sure you have parent permission for all and any events.
• Have adequate sanitation supplies on hand.
• Be vigilant in ensuring everyone washes their hands thoroughly and maintains physical distancing.
• All BSA Youth Protection guidelines are to be adhered to.

 
While we decided that summer camps were just too much to control, activities at the unit level can be a great alternative to get the youth out of their home confinement and back with friends and fellow Scouts in a controlled and safe environment.  
 
Be safe!  Stay healthy and have fun! 

​Starting Wednesday, May 20th, the Scout Store and Service Center located in Waterbury will open its doors to walk-in customers.  To protect its employees and customers the following guidelines apply:
 

1. All employees in the store must wear a mask
2. Persons entering the store must wear a mask
3. Customers are encouraged to shop alone.
4. If bringing a child, parents need to keep them from touching merchandise that is not being purchased
5. No more than 2 customers in the store at one time.
6. Customers are encouraged to call-in their orders in advance to expedite time spent in the store, otherwise have a list ready and purchase quickly
7. Sanitation of all countertops will be completed after each over the counter sale
8. Hand sanitizer will be easily accessible for everyone.
9. Signs will be posted on entranceways offering guidance to customers.

 
The Council staff continues to encourage mail-orders and/or curb side pickup.
 
For questions related to the opening of the Service Center and store, please call 802-244-5189 or email Office Manager, Laurie Sneed at laurie.sneed@scouting.org or Scout Executive Ed McCollin at edward.mccollin@scouting.org.
 
Thank you for shopping at the Green Mountain Council for your Scouting supplies and helping the Vermont Scouts.  Store hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm. 

Dear Scouters and Green Mountain Council Community,

For the past few weeks our Executive and Camping Committees have been agonizing over whether we can safely operate our resident and day camp programs this year.  This process has involved dozens of hours attending National BSA camp leadership webinars; speaking with State officials, reviewing information from our Council Health Officer, Vermont Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and privately deliberating over what our camp programs would look like in light of the public health limitations.  It is with a heavy heart, we announce that our resident camp programs at Frontiers Camp, Mt. Norris and Camp Sunrise, NYLT, and our Cub Scout Day Camp programs will not open this year.

While we sought at each step of this process to find a way for our camps to open, we were always guided by the fact we need to deliver our camping program in a way that protected the health and safety of our campers, volunteers, and staff.  Ultimately, we concluded such programs were simply not possible.

This decision is not an easy or a wanted one.  For all of us, summer camp is the peak of the Scouting experience.  It is where Scouts put the skills and principles they have studied into practice. It is where life-long friendships are born.  It is where our love of nature and outdoors begins. Our Council camping programs have developed into an incredibly diverse group of Scouts and Scouters from not just Vermont but all over the region, stretching to New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee and the West Coast. Our strength has become this expansive program.

But none of this can outweigh our obligation to do what is right.  We teach our Scouts that doing the right thing often means making hard choices.  We teach them through the Scout Oath and Law, and most importantly we teach them through our example.  Doing what is right is almost never the same as doing what is easy.  But doing what is right will keep our children, our Scouters, our volunteers, and our dedicated camp staff safe.  

This is a difficult time, and we recognize that for many Scouts this decision leaves a hole in their summer plans and Scouting life.  Know that we will reunite around a campfire again and shall quickly renew the bonds that we have forged, which are stronger than this distance.  Scouting has endured for over a hundred years and has seen its flame kept safe in times of war, social and racial strife, and through struggles that threatened the very foundations of their communities.  Now it is our turn.  Now is our time to meet the challenge and to preserve our values and love of Scouting.  We charge you to re-dedicate yourself to Scouting this summer and to keep its flame safe and secure. 

We have already begun the task of establishing a refund process. We ask for your patience as we finalize procedures to work with the almost 800 fees we have collected to date. We will be following up with each family and Scouting unit to ensure that the refund procedures are communicated clearly to you in the next few days.

Let us end on a note of hope.  While our camping programs have been cancelled, the Council leadership and Camp Directors are working hard to develop alternative programs for our Scouts.  Based on emerging guidance from our health authorities, these programs could include webinar-based merit badge courses, virtual campfires, possible family camping, and other offerings designed to help you and your Scouting unit to continue your Scouting journey safely.

Until our paths meet again, we wish you good health and safety and continued success in Scouting.
 
Yours in Scouting,
 
Daniel Richardson                                                      David McAllister
President, Green Mountain Council                           Past-President, Green Mountain Council
 
Ed McCollin                                                               David Sem
Scout Executive                                                          VP of Camping, Frontiers Camp Director
 
Leslie Sanborn                                                            John Dyer
Council Commissioner                                               Camp Sunrise Camp Director
 
Clint Buxton                                                              
Mt. Norris Camp Director                                         
 

The moment you all have been waiting for is here!  The Green Mountain Council Virtual Camporee Guidebook has been completed!  Go here to find out all the information you need to know about the event.  The guidebook covers topics like how to participate, the schedule, activities and more!  If you have any questions feel free to email GrnMtn.Virtual.Events@gmail.com for more information.

The Green Mountain Council is excited to present a Spring Virtual Camporee!

We realize that it is so important to continue presenting a quality program to all our families in these challenging times so we will bring the program to your homes! With the help of modern technology, we can scout together with this free event. We've planned activities, presentations, skits, videos, and of course we'll top the day off with a campfire program live from Camp Sunrise.

This will take place virtually on our council’s Facebook page Green Mountain Council, BSA. 

Click here to download the Messengers of Peace invitation!

More details to come in the next few days. Check Council and District Facebook pages and scoutingvermont.org.