Updated as of 4/10/2020

Dear Black Swamp Scouting Family,

Covid-19 has and continues to impact every part of our society.  While my prayers remain for the health and safety of the members of our Scouting family as well as all those in harm’s way, there are lots of moving pieces in the Scouting world that require attention and decision making based on what we currently know in an ever evolving landscape of information.

Although still more than two months away, one of the largest questions surrounds the operation of our Scouts BSA and Cub Scout summer camp programs.  Here is where we find ourselves at the crossroads between providing a beacon of hope and being pragmatic.

We know that many of our families are struggling to adjust to the new norms of things like home schooling while still working or perhaps living through challenges related to changes in their work situation.  We also know that our Scouts look forward to their summer adventures in the outdoors as I certainly did as a youth.  We want to provide that beacon of hope through today’s dense fog but also want to be responsible and set realistic expectations.  So, as of today, April 10^th, here is where we are on our decision-making process for summer operations:

• First, I hope you know that I/ our council would never do anything to jeopardize the safety of our scouts, families or the safety of our first responders and front-line medical personnel.   
• Second, I am blessed to be surrounded with great colleagues both in our council and throughout the state of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.  I have been meeting with my fellow Scout Executives.  We are monitoring this ever-changing situation daily and are working together to provide consistent leadership and make decisions on how Scouting should responsibly move forward.
• Third, as of today, we are preparing and are hopeful that we will be able to safely operate our camps this summer.  Based on information and directives from the state or other entities, that might change tomorrow or even later today.  If it does, we will communicate quickly and thoroughly.  Should no further directives come over the course of the next two weeks, you can expect our next formal update and communication on Thursday, April 30^th.

Related, even though we continue to prepare for camp, we realize that there is a likelihood that camp might not go on as planned.

That said, we are encouraging units and families to continue signing up and submitting deposits where and as possible.  Some of you might ask “why”.  Two reasons:

• First: For planning purposes; budgeting, staffing, ordering (eventually), etc., it is important that we have an understanding and base-line model for what to anticipate this summer.
• Second: While there is a likelihood that camp might not go on exactly as planned, it would certainly be far more difficult to shut down the works today (2.5 months out) and then try and start the engine back up if we are able to run (even if it is in a different model than currently planned). 

With our units and families in mind:

• The Scouts BSA early bird discount deadline is May 1^st.  Webelos Crossover and New Scouts have an early bird deadline of June 1^st.
• We have extended the Scouts BSA campership application process to the same date as the Cub Scout deadline, which is May 1^st.
• We have adopted a “full and hassle-free refund policy”.  If camp should not be able to run as planned, or if a family decides to not participate, all monies will be returned through the vehicle they came in (i.e. your unit, your family) and NOT held by the council, as outlined in the revised refund policy, which can be found at this link.

Regardless of the outcome, your Black Swamp Area Council is committed to providing exceptional experiences to our Scouts.  If we are unable to provide those in person at our world-class camps, then we will pivot and find new and innovative ways to offer programs. However, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.   Speaking of innovative efforts, if you and your Scouts have yet to take advantage of all that the Black Swamp Area Council is currently offering, I invite and encourage you to visit www.blackswampBSA.org for advancement, entertainment and for activities around the council.

As I look out the window of my “new office” at home, the grass is greener than it was a few weeks ago, and the trees and flowers are beginning to bloom.  Summer is indeed on its way!  Soon, the days will grow even warmer and longer and our camps will be physically ready to give young people experiences of a lifetime; challenging them to learn, grow and achieve through our 110-year-old, proven program of character, leadership and good citizenship. 

While this summer may not look like all the summers that have come before or any of the summers that will come after, together, we can make sure that every Scout can and will benefit from what we do and how we do it!

I appreciate all that you have and continue to do as a partner in delivering the promises of Scouting to our families. 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Marc D. Kogan

Scout Executive