May 11, 2020
So to encourage people to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, we are going to have a little challenge, we have a little scavenger hunt while you are out. While out, take pictures of the things you see on your hike. Here is a list of things you can look for and snap a picture or selfie/family picture with these items in it. We are going to share them at the Troop meeting this Monday!
Hearts in the Windows
Animal prints
Who you went hiking with
Water Bottle
Picture of a bug
Picture of a sign (park, street or ??)
Wildflowers/house flowers
Animals/Dog
Street Sign/Trail sign
Proof an animal was there besides a footprint
Litter
Sidewalk Chalk design (can't find one, make one?)
A cool rock
Mud/Puddle
Bonus Points: Picture having an ice cream of favorite post-activity snack and or drink
Enjoy and have fun! Stay safe but get out and enjoy some fresh air. Once you have them, you can post them HERE and we will talk about them Mondy, be sure to make a folder with your name on it so we know who’s is who’s. We will be meeting via ZOOM on Monday at 7 PM, please look at your email or text notice for the link.
Just a reminder, the campout that is scheduled for next weekend is canceled. State Park camping is closed and the Three Harbors Council does not want us in-person meeting for any reason till June.
SUMMER CAMP!
-PARENTS PLEASE READ AS WELL!!!!
ACTION REQUIRED!
We told you a couple of weeks ago we would have an answer about summer camp by the end of this week, but Camp Feeland Leslie and Three Fires Council (headquartered in IL) are struggling with coming up with a decision based on the fact they don’t know what the States of Wisconsin and Illinois will do regarding additional restrictions will be and where we stand regarding how the spread of the virus is going related to the current level outbreaks. They have sent the letter below, feel free to read what we have received from them below. They have asked for us to encourage everyone to fill out a survey on the matter. We used many of their questions and added a few of our own and ask that EACH FAMILY complete the FOLLOWING SURVEY. We will be sharing this info with Camp Freeland Leslie and it will be part of our discussion at our Virtual Committee meeting on Wednesday. If you would like to join in that meeting, please let me or Pete Koenig know, we will give you the meeting login info. Please be patient as we all struggle through these different times. Stay tuned, we will get answers to you as soon as we know what is going on.
Stay Healthy, and make the most of personal distancing.
Thanks
Mr. F.
Here is a note from Three Fires Council
Subject: Camp Update from Three Fires Council
From: Alex Klausing, Program Director
To: Parents, Leaders and Community Members
Scouting Families,
First, thank you to everyone working diligently for our community through COVID-19. To the medical workers, grocery employees, truckers and teachers – thank you for answering a call you didn’t ask to receive. You have demonstrated to all of us, especially our Scouts what is means to be brave.
Scouting teaches us all to “Be Prepared.” We prepare for the foreseen and sometimes, unforeseen circumstances. Eight weeks ago, I could not have foreseen the challenging time we would find ourselves in today.
As our first responders and other front line responders have set the example, our summer camp leadership is currently preparing our camps and camp teams for a summer filled with memories and fun while applying new safety measures.! We are also preparing for what will likely be a different looking camp experience than any of us have previously experienced.
Summer Program Survey
To help us best prepare for the summer, please complete this short, 2 minute survey. This information will help our Council program committees better understand your expectations as a parent related to our summer camp programs in the age of COVID-19.
Troop is running our OWN Survey, please complete, we will share results with Three Fires
Schedule Modifications
Due to the extension of stay at home orders in Illinois and Wisconsin, our Scouts BSA “Week 0” session at Camp Freeland Leslie (CFL) will be canceled. This is necessary to allow our staff and volunteer teams to prepare our camp for delivery of a safe summer program. Webelos Resident Camp, Session 1 at Camp Freeland Leslie will be moved one week to June 14-17. As of today, this will not affect our Day Camp schedule. We are currently evaluating the newly released Restore Illinois Plan and what it means for our camps. If further schedule modifications are deemed necessary, we intend to announce those on or before May 18. Troops who were scheduled to attend Camp Freeland Leslie for our “week 0” session (June 14-20) will be contacted soon to re-schedule.
Changes to our Program Experience
CFL Dining Experience – Our goal for 2020 was to offer troops who opted in a dining experience serving prepared meals; however, due to gathering size concerns in our dining area we will be postponing this offering until 2021. Units who elected this experience will be refunded extra fees paid for our dining experience automatically and offered a patrol dining experience. Gathering meals including our traditional pig roast will be shifted to a campsite meal instead. Campfires – In lieu of camp-wide opening or closing campfire experiences, we will encourage unit-based campfire programs.Family Nights/Visitor Days – Family night programs and scheduled visitor days will be eliminated to limit the number of individuals in camp at a time.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Pre-Preparation
Our preparation is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and a collaborative effort between the American Camping Association, YMCA's of the United States and an independent panel of experts. Their full guidance is still in development and is expected to be completed by mid-May.
While we wait in anticipation for further guidance here are a few of the steps we have taken so far to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
Cloth “buffs” have been ordered for each Scout, leader and staff member attending a Three Fires Council camp this summer. Each participant and leader will be given one at no charge to them. A personal bottle of hand sanitizer will be issued to each participant.Large bottles of hand sanitizer and hand sanitizer stations will be placed in populated areas.
Shared equipment cleaning protocols (guided by CDC recommendations) will be in effect. Symptom screening procedures will be employed. Disinfecting procedures for program areas, restrooms, and showers will be fully observed.
Yours in Scouting,
Alex Klausing
Program Director
Three Fires Council, BSA