August 20,2020

Dear Black Swamp Area Council,

Thank you for all your efforts to keep the Scouting program strong.  In one of my many virtual meetings with local authorities, an official stated to me “that we need Scouting now more than ever!” 

Here is an update on operations including unit camping.  In addition to the guidance that was previously published, the council has developed an updated Restart Scouting Safety Planning Guide.  This was created after input from our local health departments in locations that the council has camping facilities.   Included is a useful chart that can be used to help guide unit committees in developing plans for meetings, outings, and other unit activities.  Please be mindful of these requirements, and the specific guidance of the state or county in which your activity is planned.

Restart Scouting Safety Planning Guide:
http://www.blackswampbsa.org/document/restart-scouting-spreadsheet/201063

Restart Scouting Safely Checklist:
http://www.blackswampbsa.org/document/covid-19-resuming-scouting-safely-sheet/201064

Use this link to view the Boy Scouts of America guidelines: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-693.pdf

Restart Scouting Safety Planning Guide and Restart Scouting Safely Checklist are Black Swamp Area Council documents and the Restart Scouting Checklist is from the National Council.  Please note our local information is more restrictive. The Restart Scouting Safety Planning Guide and Restart Scouting Safely Checklist are our council’s effort to consolidate and present state and local regulations concerning the pandemic and how it affects youth groups.  Since the local documents reflect local requirements, they should be the documents that are used where differences exist.

Reservations for both Camp Lakota and Camp Berry will open on Wednesday August 26, 2020 at www.BlackSwampBSA.org.  Camp Lakota and Camp Berry will open starting on August 28, 2020 for overnight camping and unit events. Please note, the Order of the Arrow will be at Camp Lakota on the weekend of August 28, 2020, so unit camping will be available after that weekend. 

Since most Dens and Patrols are smaller than 10 Scouts, use the nice weather and longer days to hold your meetings in an outdoor venue, using the prescribed procedures to keep everyone healthy.  Use the ‘Outing’ in ‘Scouting’ to deliver the promise to our youth. 

Notes for upcoming events and program items:

Order of the Arrow 2020 Fall Induction Weekend is now scheduled for August 28-29, 2020. Registration is available at this link: https://www.blackswampbsa.org/event/2722184  Pre-registration required by August 27. Limited to 36 candidates. 

Practical Study Weekends (follow up from the Cyber Swamp Virtual Camp)
September 11-13, 2020 at Camp Lakota
September 25-27, 2020 at Camp Berry
These events are specifically designed for the Scouts who participated in the Virtual Summer Camp Program, the Cyber Swamp. For information and registration, please visit: https://www.blackswampbsa.org/event/2711304

Look for more information soon with our upcoming fall events at both Camp Lakota and Berry.

Den Leaders, there is a multitude of great virtual den meeting resources at this link: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/den-meeting-resources/den-leader-tips-tricks-video-series/

If your unit has not already engaged in using the google tools, including Google Meets for virtual Pack, Troop and Unit Committee meetings, being provided by the council, you are encouraged to do so. Contact your District Executive for more info: https://blackswampbsa.doubleknot.com/about-us/council-staff/63352

Fall Popcorn Sale has kicked off including free shipping options for online orders. For more information, visit http://www.blackswampbsa.org/program/popcorn/63338

Our interests are in making sure that you and your Scouts remain safe and healthy.  We encourage everyone to make sure that their activities reflect the latest standards and regulations from our local health agencies and the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Scout On,

Marc Kogan
Scout Executive