Return to Scouting Camp
July 10, 11, & 12, 2020, Kensington Metropark Group Camp, Camp Leader: Chuck Williams

At this, our first post Covid camp our plans are to chiefly just go camping. Everything will be done in small Patrol sized groups. We will socially distance as best as we can. We will be testing many of the Covid fighting procedures to see if they need tweaking going forward. The new Scouts will work on requirements for Second Class. Traditional Scouts will continue to meet with counselors on the Merit Badges they have been working on for the past few meetings. The cost for this weekend is the usual $40.00 per Scout or Venturer.

At Troop Meetings and Gatherings - To return to Scouting meetings we will have a few new features. Upon arriving each person will be asked to have the Covid Current Health Questioner with them and they will have their temperature taken, there will be hand sanitizer present and each person will be required to use it as they come into the meeting area. Scouts and Leaders should social distance from one another while at the meeting, leaders should be watching the youth at all times to keep their distance. Masks will be required even though we are outside, however you can remove your mask when you are more than six feet from anyone else. While we may all be meeting at the church all program will be patrol based and there will be a large distance of space from one patrol to the other. All in-person meetings are scheduled to be outdoors until at least September.

While Camping -

• Transportation: Car pooling is not recommended at this time so Scouts will need to arrive and leave camps with a parent (preferably the same parent), we are hopeful that this will change by Summer Camp, but it is the current rule we have.
• Health Testing: Arriving at an overnight activity is much the same as arriving at a meeting. You will be given specified times to arrive at the camp where you will first have a health check screening consisting of each person turning in the Covid Current Health Questioner and they will have their temperature taken, there will be hand sanitizer present and each person will be required to use while entering. Parents are asked to stay in their cars until their Scout is released (if our health staff says a Scout can't be released you may need to take them home with you). Once the Scout is released parents not staying may return home. Our Health Staff will continue to test the Scouts throughout the time we are together to make sure a Scouts health doesn't change.
• Personal Protection Equipment: On overnight camps Masks will be required even though we are outside, however you can remove your mask when you are more than six feet from anyone else from another patrol. Gloves are optional, each patrol site will be supplied with Hand Sanitizer and a hand washing station at all times and Scouts will be encouraged to use them.
• Social Distancing: We are viewing the "patrol" much like the "family" at home. Once released Scouts should keep their distance from one another in their patrol but should be able to work together. A member of one patrol however, should not come any closer than six feet to a person from another patrol. All activities will be patrol based so mixing with other members of other patrols should not be common.
• Tenting: Each parent will have two options, the first is to have their Scout sleep in their own tent, and the second is for two Scouts from the same patrol share a tent. Those Scouts that choose to share a tent should set up their bed rolls in the tent so that the first Scout's head is on one end of the tent and the other Scout's head is at the opposite end of the tent. The reason we like two Scouts to a tent is that the two buddies can watch after each other during the night, we do however believe that if you are more comfortable that your Scout is alone in a tent we can be sure that the Scouts buddy is in the tent next door.
• Food Service: We will continue to use Patrol Cooking. Our leaders will remain even more diligent during meal times to maintain food safety protocols which includes lots of hand washing, the use of disposable gloves and the Scouts working on the cooking will be required to wear their face mask during the meal.

Required Forms and Procedures for both Meetings and Camps -

• All individuals who believe they may have been exposed to Coronavirus must quarantine for 14-days prior to participating in any troop activities, service projects or meetings.
• Health Forms: The troop is requiring a new and update Part A & B Medical form of each participant regardless of when you last turned one in. Please fill a new one out and bring it with you to our first meeting on July 7, 2020. You do not have to include Part C which is the part that requires a physician's signature. Download A & B Form Here!
• Supplemental Medical Permission Forms: Prior to participating in any in-person activities, service projects, and/or meetings individuals at higher risk of severe illness due to pulmonary or other conditions outlined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and adults over age 60, (a) must consult with their physician and (b) have their physician complete and sign the Council’s Supplemental Medical Permission. These individuals may as well fill out Part C Medical form and have the physician sign it as well (although it is not required) Download Supplemental Form Here! Download A,B & C Form Here!
• Youth and Adult Waiver Forms: We should all understand that Scouting Activities and Events can be dangerous, can entail substantial risk. The Michigan Crossroads Council would like you to also understand that at this time we are all living with the risk of contracting Covid-19. Any and all persons attending any in-person activities, service projects, and/or meetings are being asked to sign a waiver and release of the Michigan Crossroads Council, the Boy Scouts of America, the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington and the volunteers of Troop and Crew 179 from any Covid related illness that may happen even after doing our best to prevent it. Download Youth Form Here! Download Adult Form Here!