69RoadRunner

We're going to poll our troop to see who can still afford Northern Tier. We have a very successful mulch fundraiser that was cancelled due to Covid-19. Families were counting on money earned from that to pay for part of the cost. Combine that with people who may be hurting financially and fear of sending their scouts on planes and we likely will have many decline to go. We had a virtual CM last night to discuss our finances in light of no fundraiser along with the summer camp and NT issues. While neither summer camp nor NT is currently cancelled, we're all thinking they most likel

I'm in VA. They're very poorly trying online schooling and there's no talk of going back in the summer.

I hate to say this, but if I ran the camp, I wouldn't allow someone with a high risk condition to attend. It's not worth the risk. And I hate that it's the case.

That assumes there are flights to where we want to go when we want to go. A lot are cancelled. Too far to drive with scouts (we're in VA). It would take multiple days by scout rules.

Our trek is end of July. If it's going to be cancelled, I'd rather know now. I want to go. I want the scouts to enjoy it. I fully understand BSA not being able to give definitive answers. Right now, I have little respect for people who claim to be certain of what the right call to make is for late July. We have a committee meeting (virtual) next week to discuss this.

Northern Tier sent basically the same update, which provides little for us. We had to cancel our mulch fundraiser. We raise a lot of money for scouts to use as Scout Bucks based on the hours they work. We also provide stipends for high adventure and summer camp. That's gone and families were counting on that to pay for both summer camp and Northern Tier. Combine this with the economy taking a hit and we might have some crew members not able to attend. We committed to 2 crews for Northern Tier. I don't know if we'll be able to fill 2 crews. We haven't purchased airfare yet. R

It would certainly be more hygienic to end the handshake in general, not just scouts. As society learned about germs, we made changes to reduce the spread of disease. Civil War "doctors" didn't sterilize their saws when doing amputations. We learned that was a bad idea. It's not unreasonable to discuss ending the handshake. There are people in my office who don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Some think 2 seconds of water and no soap is good enough. There are many people like this. Do you want to shake their hands?

I agree. I can't see that working. Our state (VA) is on a stay at home order until June 10.

Will my fishnet stockings work or should I get something classier?

I used the low version at Philmont and loved them. I bought the mids to possibly use at NT this summer, assuming that happens. Unfortunately, I can't yet tell you how they'll do. I've also been looking at some tactical boots on Amazon. These Altamas are out of stock, but look like a good option. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07VRCJY3V/?coliid=I31U4HYRJGXFKU&colid=L6ENNQRT388W&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Another possibility from Under Armor. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B076SRKVFW/?coliid=I2TEB3Q5ITAQYL&colid=L6ENNQRT388W&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_i

Here's another fun problem. One of our adults tried to schedule his annual physical for summer camp. His doctor and many others aren't scheduling well patients. So getting a physical done might be a challenge.

Even if they can, they shouldn't. I hope Philmont is able to operate this summer. This particular crew is just going to have some solo tenters. It's fine. All you're doing is sleeping.

It's good they're working on this. We have the same issue for NT. My son and I are the only ones with current WFA and we have 2 crews. If necessary, I guess he could go on the other crew. This all assumes we're able to fill our 2 crews if NT is open.

Then you'd have to be closed to people coming from areas that are having outbreaks. I don't think the HA camps could do that. They can shut down for certain dates, but there's no way they could close just to certain regions.

NCAC just emailed this to us for online MBs. https://www.ncacbsa.org/merit-badges-at-home/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=national-capital-area-council-boy-scouts-of-america-national-capital-area-council-bsa&utm_content=Scouting+Continues

Thanks. I already had one grandmother, who is the guardian for one of our scouts, thank me. She wants to do the MB with her grandson.

I'm thinking about offering the personal fitness MB. I might need to find a substitute for the pull-ups. Not everyone has a safe means of doing that at home and I clearly don't want people using playgrounds. Pull-ups for some scouts are pointless if done typically. MANY people can't do one. When my son did it, we went to our gym. I got one of those long elastic bands, wrapped it around the bar and he stepped in it to assist. That way, he was able to do pull-ups and get stronger. I'll have parents verify that the exercises are done. Scouts can certainly run/jog for 9 minutes outsi

I mean, he could go by Richard or Rick. But he doesn't. It's a choice he made.

Even if everything went best case scenario and this summer we were free from Coronavirus, those athletes can't train. Also this is a HUGE event. It should have been obvious that this needed to be postponed. I also appreciate the admittedly immature giggle I get at the name of the person who announced this from the IOC. But I'll be a good scouter and not mention that name here.

Be Prepared. Don't be reckless.

I don't think this is hype at all. I have no thoughts of having meetings anytime soon. I was hoping to not YET give up on this scout year. I would not hold meetings until it's deemed safe to do so.

I mean if things become normal enough before the end of the school/scout year. There are a lot of unknowns and I'm looking at the optimistic possibilities.

The governor of VA just ended the 2019-2020 school year. We use an elementary school for meetings. While it's possible they could open facilities at some point without there being school, I have to wonder. Should this situation clear up for life in general, I suppose we could meet at the church we sometimes use do something else.

That's been my problem with summer camp. It's like they think if the leave too much free time, something horrible will happen. I do like the Brownsea Island program at the camp we use. It really helps the first year scouts get a lot of requirements done.

My daughter has training at the end of the month to be an aide for Girl Scout day camp. They're making the training virtual, of course. Since this day camp is at the end of June, it seems unlikely they'll have it, but they're currently doing what they can to ready if they do have it. If nothing else, it keeps the girls active in scouting activities. Our summer camp starts 6/21, which is the earliest we've ever gone. Our school district used to not get out until late June. They haven't canceled yet, but that seems unlikely. Our NT trek is at the end of July. I don't know what wi