The safety of our Scouts, volunteers, employees, and communities continues to be our top priority.  We must continue our vigilance to assure that youth and their families are safe while they enjoy the many benefits of Scouting.

Within Scouting, there is a diversity of beliefs and concerns about how best to conduct Scouting activities during the pandemic. In general, we follow the guidance coming from state health departments and experts in the field.  Units are permitted to establish stricter standards for their unit meetings and activities.  We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable.

General Guidance

  • Vaccines are strongly encouraged for all who are eligible. However, vaccines are still not widely available to youth of all ages. This is very important to keep in mind.  Children younger than age 12 are not currently able to receive vaccinations, so many of our youth members are not immunized.
  • Individuals may choose to continue wearing face coverings even when it is not required.
  • Participants should not attend any activity/meeting/event if they or anyone they live with has been tested for COVID-19 or another illness and does not have the results back yet.
  • All participants should follow posted capacity limits of indoor spaces. Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated indoor activities.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Some local and community orders may supersede these guidelines.
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control, the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of COVID-19. We must remain attentive to mitigation measures.

Unit Meetings & Activities

Unit leadership should follow local health guidelines and continue to practice social distancing in all Scouting activities.  Face coverings are no longer required in outdoor settings where social distancing is incorporated.  For indoor meetings and activities, face coverings are strongly encouraged for all youth and adults in attendance.

On campouts, we recommend that Scouts sleep one per tent.  Separate tenting arrangements must be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age.  In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family. In all other programs, youth and adults tent separately.

Face Masks at Council Camps

While outdoors at camp, face masks are not required except for program areas which do not allow for social distancing or in other areas as instructed by the camp staff.  Face masks are required to be worn indoors including inside the dining hall and other camp buildings.

Health Assessments & Cleaning

Council activities will continue to require the pre-event screening sheet.  Upon arriving at an event, this sheet will be reviewed by a member of the event staff.  Event staff will clean restrooms and high traffic areas often.  Program equipment will be wiped down between groups and hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout camp.  We recommend all participants bring and use their own hand sanitizer and practice good handwashing hygiene.

Facility Rentals

Units and groups may still use council facilities by making a reservation through the online reservation system or council office.  Indoor space is limited to 50% of normal capacity.