Boy Scouts of America® Istrouma Area Council

2020 DAY CAMPS

Day Camp registration is now open for your space adventure! Day Camps will be held at Five lakes, Glenwood Youth Center, and Lamar Dixon.

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Summer Camp Update

May 5, 2020

Peter Davidson, Council Summer Camp Director, David Breaux, VP of Council Program, Stephen Davidson, Council Summer Camp Program Director and Gary Mertz, Scout Executive held several meetings to discuss the outcome of Avondale Scout Reservation Summer Camp session for 2020. On Monday, May 4, 2020 the Executive Board voted to cancel the scheduled 2020 Summer Camp Program for the safety of our Scouting families, staff and volunteers.

The National Office of the BSA held several webinars regarding BSA Summer Camps and the coronavirus.  They have not given any direct recommendations on whether or not to hold camp this summer.  They did give four items for consideration:

1. Is it Legal?
2. Is it Safe?
3. Is it Financially Practical?
4. Do you have the resources needed to be successful (staff, products, safety materials)?

Is it Legal? Louisiana will not enter Phase 2 allowing camps to open until 14 days after Phase 1, but only allowing camps to open with a 50-person limit on gatherings. Therefore, it is unlikely that the original schedule is feasible.

Is it Safe? The CDC is expected to issue recommendations regarding Camps by mid-May. Will social distancing be required/recommended? What sanitation practices will be required/recommended? A discussion has taken place with the Council Physician on issues of mandatory wearing of masks, sanitizing shared equipment and materials, additional washing stations and quarantine procedures.  Much could be done to reduce the risk, but it cannot be eliminated. Some of these procedures will delay or lengthen activities and increase costs.

Is it Financially Practical? Our concern is that many families will limit their summer activities due to the reduced income over the last few months. There is also the factor that many families may still want to limit their family’s social interaction for June and July.

Do you have the resources to be successful? The current number of Staff applications are significantly less than prior years. Many of the volunteer staff are in the Covid high risk category. This includes the Camp Director, Aquatics Director, First Year Camper Director, Trading Post Director and possible the Shooting Sports Director. It will be difficult to get a Camp Medical Officer due to the current high demand on the medical profession. Masks and sanitation supplies are currently in short supply.

Since the Scouting Program has been limited since early March, we are planning to provide enhanced programs once the state allows group participation greater than that of 250 people. We are working on having a three-day Scouting Fun activity August 3-5 at Avondale Scout Reservation along with 3-4 mini camps in August, September and October.  The cost of each camp will be $40 per Scout. If you paid and registered for Merit Badge Day, this registration fee can be transferred to attend one of the mini camps. Each camp will offer 10-20 merit badges. We will also be offering a mini camp for Cub Scout Families.

Watch the Council Facebook and website for more information.

Thank you for what you do for Scouting!