Scouting and COVID

Message from Pack 12 Leaders:

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This year has been unprecedented since the birth of Scouting.  Those of us that have been life long scouters, know Scouting is always providing unique challenges.  Scouting is about overcoming challenges with the resources you have as a unit or individual scout.  COVID, while unique, is no different.  Over the past few months, the Pack 12 core leadership have been working to adapt the Cub Scout program to something that is traditional, yet modernized and safe.

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COVID Program Adaptations

Scouting as a traditional program for youth to build life skills with leadership, self reliance and personal management, has many social aspects to the program.  Many have voiced concerns as Scouting as traditional program is largely assumed to be an in-person activity.

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Scouting however has a very strong family component.  Pack 12 has been working to adapt this, such that youth can still build these skills, but in a safe and compliant way by using digital tools, as well as the cohort method with mitigations in place, and working to leverage the already in place family component.

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During this time of COVID mitigation - The pack leadership core has established an approach which will evolve with the coming year.  Federal/State and BSA guidance has established mitigations and restrictions required, and the Pack 12 leadership team has a framework and plan for the 2020-2021, which will continue to evolve with the guidance from governing bodies.

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Pack Activities

Due to the restrictions, in person pack meetings will not be possible. (With the entire pack). Pack meetings will be virtual in nature.  (For example - pinewood derby, we’ll be having a drive by weigh in, and Zoom based races). Some pack in-person events (e.g., Camp ins) won’t be practical, and will be either postponed until we can have such an event or replaced with something of like topic.

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Den Activities

Leaders will plan meeting topics and events that are appropriate for open air outdoors.  Leaders will communicate out to families the plans for each event.

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Parents, depending on their own comfort level, can choose for their Scout to follow along from home and do activities as a family, or join the Den (or for large dens, will be split into small groups) in an open air outdoors setting.  (Parents may choose meeting by meeting to do at home or attend in person)  Dens will also have a balance of virtual/Zoom meetings as well for discussion focused topics.

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Days and Times

Traditionally Den and pack events occur on weekdays.  Due to the outdoor nature of in person events and as winter with colder/shorter days descend upon us, Leaders may opt for weekend events.  Parents can chose to attend in person, or participate as a family at home.

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COVID Mitigation

Following the standard guidance, any in person den events will be small in size, require masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing and families must attest to 2 weeks of symptom free or negative COVID test results for scouts and family members at the time of the event.  We are also looking to parents to help maintain the social distancing and mask rules during all events.  For activities that require close contact, parents or siblings will need to fill these roles for their own Scouts.

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While the last couple months have stabilized, we do expect this to be a moving target.  As we go though the scouting year, we expect new guidance from Federal/State and BSA.  The pack and den leadership will be meeting regularly to continue to adapt the program as needed.

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Please feel free to contact the pack leadership via the wix chat at the bottom of the page, or via the Contact Us page on this site.

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Yours in Scouting,

Karl Grindley, Cubmaster and the Pack 12 Leadership Core