REVISED COVID-19 MITIGATION PLAN

Revised June 8, 2022. Direct COVID-19 questions to [email protected].
REVISED 6/8/2022
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FAQ Regarding COVID-19
 
  1. Will Cherokee Scout Reservation open for Summer Camp in 2022?
  • Yes, Cherokee Scout Reservation will open for Summer Camp in 2022.
  • We will operate Scouts BSA Summer Camp and Cub Overnight Camp.
  • We will follow the guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control, the Boy Scouts of America and the operational plan agreed upon with the Caswell County Health Department.
 
2.Who participated in the preparation of your COVID-19 Mitigation Plan?
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Caswell County Department of Health
  • BSA National Outdoor Program Group
  • BSA National Risk Management Group
  • American Camp Association
  • Association of Camp Nurses
  • Old North State Council Risk Management and Health & Safety Committees
  • Council Physician Dr. Tim Taft
  • Camp Health Supervisor Nita Grubbs
 
3.Should the camp be cancelled because of COVID-19, will Scouts receive a refund?
  • Yes, Scouts will receive a full refund of fees paid to date, should summer camp be cancelled because of COVID-19.
 
4.Should a family feel it is unsafe to send their Scout to summer camp, because of COVID-19, will they receive a refund?
  • No, Summer 2022 is different situation than Summer 2020. During Summer 2020, COVID-19 was a novel experience…something we were all experiencing for the first time. Many of us made plans to attend summer camp prior to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning. For Summer 2022, Scouts and families are aware of the risk of COVID-19 when making summer camp plans.  Our standard summer camp refund policy is in effect.
  • If a Scout contracts COVID-19 prior to attending summer camp, we will treat COVID-19 as any other illness and follow the refund policy accordingly.
 
5.How will refunds be processed?
  • Unit leaders must submit all requests for refunds to the camp director.
  • Refunds will be made to the payee.
  • As all summer camp payments should be submitted online via Black Pug, refunds will be returned to the card on file with Black Pug.
  • For Provisional Campers or Day Campers, refunds will be made to the family.
 
6.My Scout cannot obtain a current physical. Is there any flexibility?
  • No, the BSA has already announced that all people attending summer camp need a current physical.
  • If families are struggling to secure an appointment with their primary care provider for a physical, Scouts and adults can participate in camp physical clinics hosted by the council.
    • Saturday, June 11 at Cherokee Scout Reservation
    • The cost is $25
    • We cannot accept insurance for the camp physical clinics
 
7.Who should stay at home this summer?
  • 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)
 
8.What steps will be taken to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 entering the camp?
  • All people should work under the assumption that once camp opens, COVID-19 will enter camp.
  • Anyone who participates in summer camp activities this summer is at risk of contracting COVID-19.
  • Along with the camp, campers and families have a responsibility for mitigating the effects of COVID.
  • The campers and family’s responsibilities include:
    • We encourage all people who are eligible to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
    • If you are sick or not feeling well, do not come to camp.
    • Travel directly from your home location to camp minimizing the number of stops thereby minimizing the opportunities to interact with someone who has COVID-19.
    • Complete the pre-event medical checklist at home to be sure you are healthy enough to attend camp.
    • Campers should address personal hygiene needs daily.
    • If at any point during camp, you are not feeling well report to your unit leader or the health lodge.
    • Scouts should wash or disinfect their hands regularly.
  • The camp will take the following actions to mitigate COVID-19:
    • The camp will provide soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer in all program areas and campsites.
    • The camp will disinfect high traffic areas regularly.
    • The camp will clean community tools after each usage.
    • The camp will disinfect the adirondacks and restrooms at the end of each camp session.
 
9.How will campers sleep?
  • We will be able to use adirondacks and tents to their maximum capacity.
  • Four campers may sleep in an adirondack.
  • 8’x10’ canvas tents may sleep two campers.
  • 10’x12’ canvas tents may sleep two adults.
  • Units must follow the BSA’s Barriers to Abuse and ensure that tentmates are within two years of age of each other.
  • Tentmates must be the same gender.
  • Campers may bring their own tents and sleep alone.
  • Campers may bring their own hammocks.
 
10.Are face coverings required?
  • Face coverings are not required.
  • Face coverings in buildings are optional.
  • Campers are welcomed to wear a face covering if it makes them feel more comfortable.
  • Face coverings are available in the health lodge.
 
11.What is the dining hall capacity?
  • The dining hall capacity will return to 250 people.
  • This is close to our normal capacity for summer camp.
  • We will continue to offer two meal services.
  • There will be enough room for everyone to sit in the dining hall.
  • We will continue to make picnic tables, under tarps, available for people who feel more comfortable eating outside.
 
12.Will we have family and visitors’ night?
  • Yes, we will host family and visitors’ night on Thursday evening.
  • Guests should complete the pre-event medical checklist to determine if they are healthy enough to attend.
  • If guests or family members are sick, they should stay at home.
 
13.When will units depart camp?
  • Units may depart on Saturday morning or Friday evening.
 
14.What are the best ways for a Scout to stay safe during summer camp?
  • Practice social distancing. Always remain 6 feet away from other individuals in camp.
  • Wash or sanitize hands at the beginning and end of all program activities.
  • Wear a face covering.
  • These three strategies will minimize the risk of COVID-19 when groups mix.
  • Report any symptoms or feeling unwell to unit leader and health lodge immediately.
  • Stay in small groups.
  • Interact with Scouts from other units as little as possible.
  • Stay outside as much as possible.
  • Do not allow other Scouts, beside your bunkmate, to enter your Adirondack.
  • Bring your own tent, and sleep alone.
  • Bring a folding chair/camp chair to use during program time to ensure you have a comfortable place to sit while remaining 6 feet away from others.
  • Follow your pre-determined camp schedule.
  • Follow the directions of staff members and unit leaders.
  • Follow the guidance of signage throughout camp.
 
15.Will large group activities be held during camp such as religious services, flag ceremonies, campfires?
  • Yes, we will host flag ceremonies, campfires, and vespers.
 
16.Will Scouts have increased access to hand washing stations?
  • Yes and no. We have chosen to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as our primary method to disinfect hands.
  • We will use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that kills COVID-19.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available in all common areas, program areas, and campsites.
  • Scouts will hand sanitize at the beginning and end of program activities / merit badge sessions.
  • We have installed two new handwashing stations on the dining hall porch for Scouts to use before entering for a meal.
  • Scouts will hand sanitize during exchanges at the Trading Post.
  • Hand soap will be available at all sinks.
  • Camp will provide hand soap for use at the campsite latrine.
  • Scouts may want to bring their own hand sanitizer.
  • Scouts should use hand sanitizer when returning to their tent.
 
17.How often will common spaces be cleaned?
  • Common spaces will be cleaned daily using a disinfectant agent appropriate to eliminate COVID-19.
  • Additional camp staff have been hired to assist with need for increased sanitation.
 
18.How often will high touch surfaces be cleaned?    
  • High touch surfaces will be cleaned three times a day.
  • High touch surfaces include, but are not limited to, door knobs, table tops, light switches, countertops, cabinet handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • Shared program area equipment will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.
  • We will use a disinfectant that kills COVID-19, but is safe to the environment and sanitation staff.
 
19.How often will shower houses be cleaned?
  • Shower houses, including toilets, faucets, and shower rooms, will be cleaned multiple times daily.
  • It should be noted that COVID-19 is not transmitted through water – drinking water, recreational water, or wastewater.
  • We will use a disinfectant that kills COVID-19, but is safe to the environment and sanitation staff.
  • Units will remain responsible for cleaning campsite latrines.
 
20.How will merit badge instruction/program delivery change due to COVID-19?
  • Campers will mix for merit badge instruction.
  • The majority of our program delivery is conducted outside.
  • Campers and staff will disinfect hands at the beginning and end of activity.
  • All shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected between use.
  • When possible, equipment will be designated for a single camper’s use for the duration of the week.
  • Campers may wear face coverings if it makes them feel more comfortable.
  • Wearing face coverings is optional.
 
21.Will Scouts participate in field trips?
Yes, we will offer field trips off camp this summer.
 
22.Can Scouts who are participating in the ATV Powersports program, bring their own helmet?
  • Yes, Scouts may bring their own helmets.
  • The helmet must bear the Department of Transportation approval markings, fit snugly, and fasten securely.
  • Helmets must be full-face in order to protect your face as well as your head.
  • Scouts who bring their own helmets must also bring their own goggles.
  • Goggles are required unless you are using a full-face helmet with a built-in face shield.
  • Glasses or sunglasses are not sufficient.
 
23.Are Scouts from other states able to participate in summer camp at Cherokee?
  • Yes, Scouts from other states are able to participate in summer camp at Cherokee.
  • This is subject to change based upon NC Department of Health & Human Services and Caswell County Health Department guidance.
 
24.Will there be an international Scout this summer?
  • No, the national BSA council, has eliminated its International Division.  
 
25.What will happen if someone exhibits symptoms related to COVID-19?
  • Anyone with symptoms like those of COVID-19 will be isolated in the health lodge and sent home immediately.
 
 This plan is subject to change, without notice, should COVID-19 conditions worsen.

Out Lead. Out Serve. Out Achieve.
Cherokee Scout Reservation
3296 Boy Scout Camp Road  |  Yanceyville, NC 27379  |  336-694-6440
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An Old North State Council, Boy Scouts of America ​facility
1405 Westover Terrace    |    Greensboro, NC 27408    |    336-378-9166
It is the policy of the Cherokee Scout Reservation not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status, genetic information, citizenship status, ability, or any other legally protected characteristic in the administration of our program. Cherokee Scout Reservation will make accommodations, as far as is practical, to meet the needs of a person with disabilities as directed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any camper or leader with a disability requiring assistance of the camp staff should contact the camp director at least 12 days prior to arrival at summer camp.
 
To report a violation of this policy, please contact Old North State Council Director of Support Services Bud Harrelson at 336-378-9166 or [email protected].