SAMOSET COUNCIL COVID UPDATE - 9/1/21
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. Due to the increase in infection rates seen from COVID 19; the development of variants; the percentage of individuals who are not vaccinated; and the current vaccine not being able to be used in children under 12 yrs. of age, the Samoset Council is recommending the following updated guidelines which are subject to change based upon local health department, state, CDC, and council risk management committee recommendations. Units are permitted to establish stricter standards for their unit meetings and activities if they so desire. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable.
General Guidance
• Vaccines are strongly recommended for all who are eligible.
• 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 recommended 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. 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 continue to use council facilities by making a reservation through the council office. Indoor space is limited to 50% of normal capacity. At the present time camp cabins and bunkhouses are available for individuals or family cohorts only.
Transportation
While traveling in a vehicle to an outing or activity, mask use is strongly recommended unless everyone in the vehicle is vaccinated or from the same family cohort. It is also recommended that windows are at least partially open to increase airflow and air exchange and air intake is in non-circulating mode.
Council Service Center & Scout Shop
Our Scout Shop will continue to limit store capacity to 5 people (including staff) to allow for social distancing. Face masks are required for ALL individuals (including those who are vaccinated) in shared public areas: Scout shop, meeting rooms, hallways. Visitors in the council office are required to wear face masks.
