Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Scouting at Home
Talking with Children about Coronavirus
Steps to Prevent Illness
Resource Links
Infographics to Share on Social Media

The safety of our Scouts, their families and adult leaders is a top priority of the Cradle of Liberty Council (COLBSA). To that end, the COLBSA staff has been and continues to monitor the coronavirus situation closely.

We are actively following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health departments, and the World Health Organization (WHO) so we can respond quickly to any shifts in their recommendations. In keeping with the motto of the BSA, the council staff and volunteers are preparing contingency plans for programs and activities in the event of changing recommendations from public health authorities. Any changes will be communicated through this webpage, email newsletters, and shared on the council’s social media channels.

UPDATED MARCH 20, 2020 1:10 PM

Resource Center (Council Office) & Scout Shop

The Valley Forge Scout Shop and Firestone Scouting Resource Center in Wayne are closed until further notice.

 

All council staff are working remotely and remain accessible to support you. If you have a time-sensitive issue, please contact your local professional or call our general number at 610-688-6900. You may need to leave a message. A contact list is available at colbsa.org/staff.

 

If you need to contact the Valley Forge Scout Shop, please email ValleyForgeScoutShop@scouting.org and/or email Karen Strobino, BSA Supply Group Territory Sales Manager, at karen.strobino@scouting.org.

Advancement & Eagle Scout Guidance

Here are answers to advancement questions arising as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) for Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting.

Advancement Questions & Answers

Council Camping Facilities

The Musser Scout Reservation and Resica Falls Scout Reservation are closed at least through April 30, 2020. Units with reservations during this closure will receive a non-refundable credit that can be transferred to another reservation scheduled later in 2020 at any of the council camps.

 

If you have any questions regarding short-term camping reservations, please reach out to our camping team at camping@colbsa.org.

Council & District Events

All in-person council- and district-level events are postponed or cancelled at least through April 30, 2020. Council and district standing and ad-hoc committees are encouraged to continue to meet virtually using audio or video conferencing.

 

The online calendar will be updated as soon as possible at colbsa.org/calendar.

Summer Camp

Plans for normal summer camp operations remain in effect. Individual camper deposits for Scouts BSA summer camp at Resica Falls were due by March 1, or at the time of registration for all new sign-ups. Final payments are due May 15. Please refer to the promotional information for individual Cub Scout summer camp payment deadlines. Payment deadlines remain in place and are vital to providing a safe and enjoyable summer camp experience. The camper deposit has been considered non-refundable. For 2020 summer camps, we will consider the camper deposit as refundable if the Department of Health mandates the closure of summer camps.

 

PRE-CAMP LEADERS MEETINGS: The Leaders Meetings planned for Monday, April 20 at the Valley Forge Middle School and Sunday, April 26 at Resica Falls Scout Reservation are both being cancelled. Instead, we will be holding a digital meeting for all leaders in early May. More details and a date will be provided in the coming weeks.

 

CAMPERSHIPS: The deadline for campership applications is being extended. This application to provide financial support to Scouts from Cradle of Liberty Council units will no longer require a unit leader signature and can be submitted electronically to camping@colbsa.org. The new deadline for the application is Wednesday, April 15.

 

We’re looking forward to a summer of adventure at both Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations and hope you’re planning on joining us!

 

If you have any questions regarding summer camp reservations, please reach out to our camping team at camping@colbsa.org.

Order of the Arrow – Unami Lodge, One

Please visit unamilodge.org/coronavirus for the latest updates.

Unit Meetings & Activities

Units are strongly encouraged to suspend in-person meetings and activities until further notice. Decisions about unit meetings and activities should be made by unit leadership and chartering organizations based on the unit’s individual circumstances and current CDC and local health department guidelines.

 

While in-person trainings, activities, and camping experiences won’t be happening in the short term, Scouting does not need to stop. Many units throughout the council have already begun holding digital unit meetings and boards of review for advancement.

 

As always, participation in Scouting activities is up to the discretion of parents and guardians and unit leaders. For the protection of the community, please follow CDC guidance and ensure that Scouts and adults stay home when sick and do not attend Scouting or other activities.

Scouting at Home

We hope that notifying our members now will alleviate the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 situation. We are thankful for the thousands of volunteers who make Scouting programs possible. It is our intention that the postponement of council and district events is strictly that – a postponement. We will be updating our council calendar in the coming weeks as we all work together to make these rescheduled events better and stronger than ever!

 

Updates will be posted here as they become available.

Steps to Prevent Illness

Click here for a list from the CDC of symptoms that defines a person as ill.

 

The same simple steps that prevent the spread of ordinary flu viruses work against coronavirus and other illnesses:

 

  • Stay home when you feel sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands before and after doing so.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.
  • Avoid shaking hands.

 

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any Scouting events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

 

Click here for steps from the CDC to prevent illness and what to do if you’re sick.

 

Click here for mental health and coping resources.

 

Please monitor this website for up-to-date information and guidance as recommendations may change to follow recommended practices. The Cradle of Liberty Council is here to support you and your Scouting programs. Thank you for continuing to run safe programs that promote positive health habits.

Resources

(Click on the image to download a printable PDF)