Scouts BSA Summer Camp 2020 + UseLetter 8 – COVID-19 in Camp, Camp Physical Flexibility, Pre-order Deadline Extended

Important Deadlines

1. Memorabilia pre-orders extended to Monday, May 25
2. Payment 3 due Thursday, May 28

Camp Operations With Respect to COVID-19

• As of today, we plan to offer six full weeks of Scouts BSA summer camp.
• Governor Cooper will provide more direction regarding the operations of overnight summer camps on May 22.
• I anticipate that we will have more information to share the week following Memorial Day.
• Information will be sent to unit contacts, posted to the camp website, and on Facebook.

 
Camp Participant at Risk Statement
Your safety and the safety of all our campers, families, unit leaders, volunteers, and staff are the Old North State Council and Cherokee Scout Reservation’s top priority. In light of COVID-19, we are taking additional precautions at camp on top of our long-established health and safety measures.
 
Camp Health Supervisor Nita Grubbs is tracking information from state and local health departments, the CDC, and the BSA to ensure we are aware of and follow their guidance to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 at camp. The American Camping Association and the Association of Camp Nursing resources guide our planning.
 
As we prepare deliver six full weeks of summer camp, our mitigation plan includes:

• Pre-attendance education;
• Health screening conducted by your unit prior to travel to our camp, including a temperature check;
• Health screening upon your arrival at camp conducted by our camp health officers, which will also include a temperature check;
  • Note:  should anyone in the unit not pass the arrival screening, the entire unit will not be allowed to enter camp. 
• Limits on visitors in camp;
  • All visitors will be screened upon arrival before entry to camp.
• Hygiene reminders throughout camp experience;
• Extra handwashing /sanitizer stations throughout camp;
• Dedicated staff to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared program equipment;
• Adjusting our processes and procedures for meals, flag ceremonies, and campfires to support and enforce social distancing; and,
• An emergency response plan that includes isolation and quarantine protocol should a person at camp develop symptoms of COVID-19 or other communicable diseases.

 
These precautions are important, but they do not remove the potential for exposure to COVID-19 or any other illness while at camp. Some people with COVID-19 show no signs or symptoms of illness but can still spread the virus, and people may be contagious before their symptoms occur. These factors mean that an infected person may pass the required health screenings and be allowed into camp.
 
We also know the very nature of camp makes social distancing difficult in many situations and impossible in others.
 
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this group, please ensure you have approval from your health care provider and support of your family prior to attending camp.
 
We know that each Scouting family, unit leader, staff member, and volunteer have a unique set of circumstances to consider when deciding whether to attend camp. We hope this information will be helpful as you make those choices.
 
Remember, should we be unable to host summer camp due to federal, state, or local guidelines or if families feel unsafe sending their Scout to camp, we will provide a full refund of fees collected at that time.
 
Who Should Stay at Home During a COVID-19 Environment?
Youth and adult campers with a chronic illness or co-morbidity for COVID-19 should not attend camp this summer. The risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Age 65 or older
• Asthma
• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
• Diabetes
• Liver disease (cirrhosis, Hepatitis C)
• Serious heart conditions
• Severe obesity
• Immunocompromised
  • Cancer treatment,
  • Bone marrow or organ transplantation,
  • Immune deficiencies,
  • HIV w/low CD4 cell count or not on HIV treatment, and
  • Prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
• Hemoglobin disorders (Sickle cell disease, thalassemia)

 
 
Flexibility with Annual Health and Medical Record (Camp Physical)

• The BSA has provided flexibility regarding the annual health and medical record – commonly known as the camp physical.
• This flexibility applies to a health camper – youth and adults.
• A healthy camper is defined as a youth or adult who does not have any of the COVID-19 co-morbidities provided by the CDC.
• We understand that physical exams may be difficult to obtain in some parts of the country because of COVID-19.
• We also realize that this may present a hardship for some participants that typically schedule their physical exams prior to the camping season.
• In light of COVID-19, the following guidance is being provided and will be in effect until August 31, 2020.
• Note: Participants that have a valid, completed AHMR Parts A, B & C (NCAP HS-503) within 12 months of camp need no exception.
• Participants with a Part C completed on or after February 1, 2019.
  • Validity of any Part C completed on or after February 1, 2019 is extended until August 31, 2020.
  • Update Parts A and B of the AHMR within two weeks of your departure to camp. Download here: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/
• Participants with no Part C or one prior to February 1, 2019, including new members.
  • Attach a completed alternate exam (sports, school, annual well exam at pediatrician) completed on or after February 1, 2019.
  • This will be accepted as a valid Part C until August 31, 2020.
  • Update Parts A and B of the AHMR within two weeks of your departure to camp. Download here: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/
• There will be no other exceptions outside these parameters.
• If a participant does not meet the criteria above, the following are options to consider to obtain an examination:
  • Telephonic well appointment – Conducted with an individual’s existing health care provider (HCP) to complete the AHMR Part C exam and examiners signature virtually.
  • Professional or Compliance well exams - Adult participants whose profession requires regular well or compliance exams (emergency responders, pilots, etc.) may also be able to complete the exam requirements by having the conducting HCP complete Part C either during those well checks or telephonically.
  • Local Community clinic or alternative HCP - If primary HCP is unavailable, use alternatives/clinics in the local community such as alternate HCP, CVS, Rite Aid, Care Now, etc.
  • Camp well exams - Just in time delivery at front gate of a local council camp – Council organized with volunteer medical providers (MD, DO, NP, PA).

 
Swim Checks Update

• The council will provide no pre-camp swim checks prior to summer camp for Summer 2020.
• Check-in and arrival procedures will be adjusted to accommodate the increased demand for swim checks.

 
Memorabilia Deadline Extended to Monday, May 25

• We will extend the memorabilia pre-order deadline to Monday, May 25
• Pre-orders should be submitted to the web store.
• Do not submit a pre-order to the council office on paper using a check or cash.
• If camp is canceled, memorabilia will not be ordered and Scouts will receive a full refund.

 
Payment 3 Deadline – Thursday, May 28

• The third and last payment is due on Thursday, May 28
• Payment can be submitted online, via the mail with a check, or on the phone with a credit card.
• The council office is now open for business with reduced hours (9:00 am – 4:30 pm)
• Preferred method of payment – mail a check payable to Old North State Council, 1405 Westover Terrace, Greensboro, NC 27408​

Links to previous Summer Camp Updates

• UseLetter7
• UseLetter 6
• UseLetter 5
• UseLetter 4
• ​UseLetter 3
• UseLetter 2
• UseLetter 1