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 JUNE 3, 2020

COL Office & Camp Reopening FAQ 06-03-20

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.

 

You may mail items to the Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA 19087. You may also drop-off items in the bin located near the center door off the loading dock, located on the left side of the building. Eagle applications and statement of life purpose should be emailed to amy.davidson@scouting.org and the Eagle workbook should be delivered to the District Advancement Eagle Board Chair.

 

We are in communication with the National Supply Division to discuss their plans for reopening the Valley Forge Scout Shop. In the meantime, please visit scoutshop.org. If you need to purchase rank advancement items, please follow the following steps:

  1. Unit leader emails their Scoutbook advancement report to NDCSupply.Orders@scouting.org.
  2. Please include contact phone number so that the customer service team member can contact for payment information.
  3. Customer service rep. will contact unit leader for credit card information, ship to and bill to address, and verify the correct council along with the actual advancement needed.

Council & District Events

All in-person council- and district-level events are postponed or cancelled until further notice. Council and district standing and ad-hoc committees are encouraged to continue to meet virtually using audio or video conferencing.

Virtual Programming

Summer Camp

For most Scouts, summer camp is the highlight of the Scouting year. With that in mind, key volunteers across several council committees, along with the summer camp and council leadership teams, have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort monitoring updates and projections by several government, Scouting, and camping organizations from the local to national levels. The goal was to seek a path forward to be able to conduct our summer programs in a manner that will keep our Scouts and leaders safe, maintaining our council’s unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our members.

 

Regrettably, we have come to the difficult decision to cancel all in-person summer camp operations for 2020. This decision was not arrived at lightly, but it is aligned with and supports the council’s ongoing commitment to the safety of our Scouts and leaders above all else. Knowing how important an outdoor experience is to our youth, we will continue to monitor state and local guidance with the hope of being able to offer small-group gatherings later in the summer.

 

Watch a video from our Scout Executive

 

Newsletters:

 

Get the FAQs here

Council Camping Facilities

The Musser Scout Reservation and Resica Falls Scout Reservation are closed until further notice. 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.

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

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.

 

As stated above, Eagle applications and statement of life purpose should be emailed to amy.davidson@scouting.org and the Eagle workbook should be delivered to the District Advancement Eagle Board Chair.

 

Please also refer to the Reopening FAQs for more information about Eagle projects.

FAQs

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)