General Information

• Council Camps are open to Scout units, groups, and in-council families. Previous restrictions on camp use by out of State individuals and units are eliminated
• At least one member of the in-council family must have a current registration with a unit chartered by Connecticut Yankee Council, Boy Scouts of America.
• For the purposes of these guidelines, group leaders, and a responsible family adult should follow the same guidance as a unit leader.
• Scout units may invite prospective new members to participate. In-council families may invite guests; however, the number of guests may not exceed the number of family members.
• All groups must reserve a specific site or facility at least 48 hours in advance. Unit leaders may be updated on any area closings, current Council guidance and policies and federal/state/BSA regulations and guidance.
  • https://www.ctyankee.org/camping/reserve-a-campsite-or-facility/
• Adherence to all aspects of the Guide to Safe Scouting is required.
• Aquatics activities are guided by BSA Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. Face coverings should not be worn in or near the water.
• All State guidance on group sizes and social distancing must be followed, including the use of face coverings. Each member should have a clean and dry face covering available to wear. Face coverings should be worn when social distancing is not possible.
• Each unit must check with its Chartered Organization regarding any limitations on meetings or activities and follow that guidance.
• Any units traveling to a BSA camp owned by another Council must be prepared to follow the guidance of that other Council, in addition to the guidance provided by Connecticut Yankee Council.
• Any units traveling to an activity outside the State of Connecticut must be prepared to follow the guidance of the other state(s) including any restrictions on travel to the other state and returning to Connecticut, and any required periods of quarantine.

 

CYC Responsibilities

• The Council will operate camp properties at 50% of normal capacity.
• All CYC personnel, including Rangers and Campmasters, are authorized to enforce physical distancing requirements, health and safety concerns, and camp restrictions on activities.
• All guests and visitors on camp properties must register and their names recorded.
• Upon site reservation, the Camping Registrar will email a parking permit to the group leader. Parking permits may also be issued by the Deer Lake Ranger’s Office. The permit will display the usage date(s), group leader’s name and cell phone number, and the site/facility reserved.  Each vehicle in the unit must display a copy of the parking permit on the dashboard.

 

Scout Unit, Group, and Individual Responsibilities

• Scout units should have permission slips or electronic approval for each youth in attendance.
• The BSA “Model Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist” (attached) has been adapted by our council. It is recommended that everyone use this checklist prior to leaving for each activity. It is recommended that each participant’s temperature be taken before leaving home. Individuals with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher are not permitted to attend the activity.
• Individual units/groups may interact with other units/groups in camp as long as social distancing is maintained between the units/groups or face coverings worn where social distancing is not possible. These interactions may include activities such as meals, common advancement programs or friendship fires. Unit leaders should exchange contact information in the event contact tracing becomes necessary due to illness.
• Units/groups are not permitted to enter any other campsite, reserved venue area, or buildings.
• Units/groups should manage their own program and protocols for physical distancing and use face coverings.
• Units/groups should provide disinfecting supplies necessary for their activity.
• Unit leaders should maintain an accurate roster of all participants, youth and adult, for each activity. When using a council property, a complete roster of participants must be submitted to the Campmaster/Ranger upon check-in. The unit leader should keep a copy of the roster of participants in case contact tracing is required.
• Unit leaders are required to report, within 12 hours, any confirmed or strongly suspected cases of communicable disease infections, including COVID-19, occurring within 14 days after the activity to Connecticut Yankee Council (camping@ctyankee.org). Unit leaders are also required to notify parents of Scouts who participated in the activity, as well as the unit’s Chartered Organization Representative.

 

Policy on Sanitary Facilities (latrines, chemical toilets, and bathrooms):

• At Council Camps, sanitary facilities will be cleaned and disinfected prior to camper arrivals and after departure.
• Whenever possible, units should only use the latrine in their reserved campsite or facility.
• Latrines may be shared by multiple units where latrines are equally accessible to those units, such as in open or common areas of a camp, in which case cleaning and disinfecting responsibilities will also be shared.
• Units may rent chemical toilets (porta-johns) at their own expense. Units renting chemical toilets will determine any sharing arrangements for use and cleaning.
• For events sponsored by Districts or multiple units, planning should be based on a BSA guideline ratio of one seat per 30 campers. To make up for any shortage in number of available latrine or bathroom seats, the event organizer should rent chemical toilets (porta-johns), paid from the event budget.
• Districts or event organizers are responsible for appropriate cleaning and disinfecting of latrines, chemical toilets, and bathrooms.
• When a latrine, chemical toilet, or bathroom is being used for more than 12 consecutive hours, it is recommended that the unit or event organizer clean and disinfect the seat and common touch points at least once every 12 hours.

 

Overnight Camping

• Overnight camping is currently limited to tent and lean-to sites.
• It is recommended individuals sleep one person per tent.
  • Note: Solo tenting is not prohibited under the Guide to Safe Scouting. Some units may have policies which include a buddy system for tenting. Units are encouraged to reconsider such a policy.
• If youth members are sharing a tent, it is recommended that the parent of each Scout grant permission for the sleeping arrangement.
• If sharing a tent or leanto, Scouts should not sleep closer than 6 feet from one another. Scouts sleeping near each other or in bunk beds should be arranged to sleep head-to-toe. Lean-tos may be used at no more than 50% of the normal capacity.
  • Guide to Safe Scouting and Youth Protection Guidelines must be followed, including:

• 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 must tent separately.
• Spouses may share tents.

• Mattresses are generally not available at council camps. Individuals should bring their own sleeping pads.
• Scouts should limit contacting other individual’s tents during set up. Gloves could be worn when helping others. Specifically refrain from touching entry points like zippers.
• Units should consider and encourage hammock camping rather than tent camping.
• Face masks should not be worn while sleeping.
• Any Adult member using a CPAP machine must not share a tent or leanto with other adults

 

Health and Medical Records

• Unit leaders should maintain a current Annual Health and Medical Record, 680-001 (2019 version) for all youth and adults participating in the unit. Part A (Informed Consent, Release Agreement, and Authorization) and Part B (General Information/Health History) should be updated and signed on or after January 1, 2021.
  • https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_AB.pdf
• BSA encourages anyone whose medical condition or history has significantly changed since their last physical exam to have approval from their health care provider prior to participating in unit activities.
• Units participating in programs sponsored by other councils must also follow the health and medical guidelines and requirements of those councils, which may differ from the requirements listed here.

 

Recommended Additional Gear and Supplies

• Extra clean and dry face coverings for each participant (participants must also bring their own)
• Disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer for each participant
• Readily accessible personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, disinfectant, etc.). Approximately 5 pairs of gloves per person of different sizes (handling trash, clean up, carrying gear, etc.)
• Extra trash bags for used wipes and gloves
• Water containers/basins to use exclusively for frequent hand washing with soap and water

 

Severe weather

• Under severe weather conditions, participants may need to occupy pavilions, porches, or buildings. Face coverings should be worn in those instances. After the severe weather condition has passed, everyone should return to current safe distancing guidelines.
• Any buildings occupied for emergencies must be reported to the Campmaster/Ranger.

 

Illness while in camp

• Persons feeling ill during an activity must be immediately isolated by the unit leader and returned home as soon as possible. If any of the symptoms match those of COVID-19 as described in the BSA Model Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist, ALL unit/group program activities must immediately stop, all participants must wash hands and put on face coverings. Everyone should self-assess using the Pre-Event Checklist. If there are other members of the unit with any symptoms of COVID-19, the entire unit must depart camp ASAP and return home.
• Units must check-out properly with the Campmaster/Ranger.
• The Campmaster/Ranger must be notified of the illness. Within 12 hours of returning home, the unit leader must notify Connecticut Yankee Council (camping@ctyankee.org). Unit leaders are also required to notify parents of Scouts who participated in the activity, as well as the unit’s Chartered Organization Representative.

 

At the end of your stay

• All trash should be considered contaminated; participants should wear disposable gloves whenever handling trash. Units must take their trash with them or place in designated dumpsters (if provided).
• Units must check-out so the Campmaster/Ranger staff can confirm which latrines are to be cleaned.
• Everyone must wash/sanitize their hands prior to getting into vehicles to head home.

 

 

Recommended Best Practices For Different Trip Phases

 

Pre-arrival and transportation

• Before leaving for camp, each participant should complete the BSA Model Pre-Event Medical Screening.
• Scouts should travel to/from the venue with their own parents or guardians; family groups should not mix.
• Medically ‘at-risk’ persons should not participate in activities or provide transportation for others.

 

Packing in – packing out

• Members of units should confirm the arrival location and campsite in advance. After checking in with the unit leader, individuals should proceed directly from the arrival area to their site or facility. Participants should not congregate or wait for the entire group to arrive.
• Participants should be prepared to carry their own personnel gear and limit the gear carried to strictly that patrol/den. Participants should use work gloves when moving shared gear.
• If carts are available, it is recommended that cart users wear work gloves when handling carts and then wash or disinfect hands immediately after.

 

Cooking/meal planning

• Each participant should maintain their own utensils and mess kit (use disposable if unable to manage cleaning and disinfecting). Mess kits and utensils should not be shared.
• Participants should follow social distancing guidelines while eating.
• It is recommended that one Scout/adult ‘own’ the drinking/cooking water container operation for the entire event. No other person should touch it. If it is necessary to change the individual, items must be disinfected.
• It is recommended that one Scout/adult ‘own’ the entire ‘patrol box’ operation including cooking and serving food to others (recommend removing plates, bowls, cups and eating utensils). No other person is to touch anything in the patrol box. If it is necessary to change the individual, items must be disinfected.
• Remove dish towels from the patrol box and use mesh bag method for washing all contents and hang dry.
• Each participant should bring their own camp chair with their name on it. Camp chairs should not be shared.

 

Games/skills/competition

• Many games require close contact. These activities should be minimized; however, the use of face coverings and work/game gloves will help reduce risk. Games using a ball or frisbee by multiple individuals risk the transfer of germs among the players; these games should be watched carefully, and all participants must wash or disinfect hands before, during (frequently) and after play.
• Using sports gloves allows common surface game objects to be used. Sports gloves also work well for activities requiring dexterity such as tying knots.
• It is recommended that Scouts bring their own pieces of rope or bandages for related activities or advancement and limit any sharing or hand-off of items. This is one example of ways to limit risk of infections.

 

Campfires and Programs

• Each participant should bring their own camp chair with their name to help maintain social distancing around campfires.
• Avoid skits that involve close contact acting.
• Based on the known risks of the spread of germs, singing or cheers are not recommended at campfires unless both social distancing can be observed, and face coverings worn.

 

Axe Yard

• The handles of all wood tools must be disinfected after each use by an individual. It is strongly recommended that everyone bring and use their own work gloves to do any work in the axe yard.

Applicability of the Guide to Advancement

• Advancement will be conducted in accordance with the Guide To Advancement, and any updates under BSA COVID-19 guidance, https://www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement/ https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/