Precautions
Before you gather
Consult your council and chartered organization to understand community standards and protocols in place.
Communicate to all parents and youth that the BoyScouts of America recommends that no one in the higher-risk category take part in person. Continue to engage virtually.
Communicate that anyone who feels sick must stay home. If you become sick or develop symptoms, isolate yourself then go home and seek care.
Educate and train all participants on appropriate social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, hand hygiene and respiratory (cough or sneeze) etiquette before meeting for the first time. Periodically reinforce the behaviors as needed.
Before attending, upon arrival and at least daily for longer events, all participants should be screened for any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills• Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Feeling feverish or having a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19
As appropriate, participants should have face coverings available to wear when gathering or when in public areas or venues. Several coverings per person may be needed.
Communicate that those who take part in person should avoid contact with higher-risk individuals for 14 days after the event.
As you gather
Minimize group sizes. Small groups of participants who stay together all day every day, remain 6 feet apart and do not share objects are at the lowest risk. Think of a den or patrol that does not mix or gather with other dens or patrols, with supervision that stays with the small group. Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse always apply.
Stay local to your geographic area and groups for unit activities. If you must travel, limit mixing with others along the way.
Minimize mixing with parents or siblings unless they are part of the unit activity. For example, the same parent picks up and drops off youth, and stays in the car. No guests or visitors who have not been through the pre-gathering protocols and screening should take part.
Have hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water,or similar disinfectant readily available for use at meetings, activities and camp-outs.
Minimize the use of common areas and shared tools.If unavoidable, they should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses.
Develop dining protocols (including but not limited to):
- No self-serve buffet meals or common water coolers.
- Use of disposable utensils, napkins, cups and plates.
- Clean and disinfect eating and cooking gear after each use
Develop tenting protocols for the group:
- Minimize use of fans or devices that stir the air.
- Campers should sleep head-to-toe in bunks or cots spaced as far apart as possible.
- Individual tents, hammocks and bivys may be considered
During program activities:
- Equipment that must be shared should be disinfected before and after each use.
- Where possible, assign activity-related protective equipment for the duration of an event to a single individual (life jacket, gloves, harness).
- Effective hand washing before and after each program area use.
In case of an injury or illness, promptly report the incident, including COVID-19 exposures. Utilize Incident Reporting Resources, including COVID-19 instructions.
When you return home
Avoid contact with higher-risk individuals for 14 days.
Monitor for any signs of illness for 14 days, and
Communicate with your unit leadership should you develop symptoms.
