Simon Kenton Council Scouting Family –

UPDATED November 23, 2020

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon Kenton Council (SKC) has adjusted and adapted our guidelines to make it easier where possible for units to further deliver the Scouting program, keeping the health and safety of our Scouts, leaders and families as its top priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the situation continues to evolve. This update will provide guidance to units whose leaders, families and chartered partners all agree that small, in-person meetings are a safe next step in restarting the Scouting program in person.

PLEASE NOTE: The City of Columbus and Franklin County advises “all residents of Columbus and Franklin County to stay at home to the greatest extent possible. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school or for essential needs such as medical care, groceries, medicine and food pick up.”

Simon Kenton Council’s guidance for in-person meetings, activities and outings are as follows:

• Utilize and follow the BSA’s Restart Scouting Checklist as well as compliance with any state, county, city and other governmental regulations and guidelines.

• All participants must self-screen prior to attending any in-person meetings, activities or campouts. This means checking temperature, COVID-19 symptoms and general health status. If any symptoms or irregularities are present, the youth, leader or parent must not attend or take part in any Scouting activity.

• Leaders and Scouts must wear masks or face coverings at all events and meetings.

• Meetings may take place with 10 or fewer members.

• Multiple groups of 10 may meet at the same time in the same location. Each group of 10 should remain independent of one another, maintain appropriate distances from each other and the groups may not intermingle.

• Units must receive approval from their chartering organization to begin meeting and must also work within the chartered organization’s guidelines for health and safety of all participants.

• Proper social distancing of 6-foot should be practiced by all those in attendance at meetings.

• Proper sanitizing measures (hand sanitizer, surface cleaner, soap and water) and handwashing should happen regularly at in-person meetings and must be readily available to all participants.

• It is recommended that meetings take place outdoors whenever possible.

  In the event of sickness or accident during any Scouting meeting, activity or campout, leadership is required to complete and submit an incident report.

For units wanting to camp, the following additional procedures should be followed:

• When traveling to and from activities, carpooling is not recommended. Individual families should drive to and from all Scouting programs.

• Per the State of Ohio curfew, all campers must be in their campsites by 10 PM EST.

• Please plan to arrive at camp prior to the curfew with enough time to ensure all attendees are

  within the rented campsite.

• All campers must remain in their campsite until 5 AM the following morning.

• Scouts and Adults are limited to one person per tent unless they are immediate family members.

• Group sizes may not exceed 10 individuals.

• Multiple groups of 10 may meet at the same time in the same location. Each group of 10 should remain independent of one another and the groups may not intermingle.

  For example, if a unit of 23 Scouts plan a campout, 6 adult leaders are required, and the group would need to maintain 3 separate groups each with their own camp site, programs, and meal preparation.

  Dining Hall Use

  All SKC camp dining halls and kitchens are closed until further notice, except for Council-level events and trainings. All volunteers managing kitchens and food service must adhere to the current food handling safety procedures per local health departments, including the following:

  • Masks must always be worn in the kitchen.

  • All food must be plated, and single servings presented to participants individually and

    served cafeteria-style.

  • No self-service stations are permitted, including drink stations, salad bars or buffet service.

  • All participants, adult leaders and staff must be masked and maintain social distancing while in service line.

  • All participants, adult leaders and staff must maintain social distancing while seated and eating.

  • Participants, adult leaders and staff must remain seated throughout all meals and presentations.

All Youth Protection Policies and Guide to Safe Scouting Policies must be followed. All unit-level activities and outings must be less than 72 hours in length.