May 18, 2020

Hello Scouting Families,

As you’ve proven over the last few weeks, our Scouting communities are resilient, prepared, and able to adapt to any situation. Now, as we look ahead to the 2020 camping season, the question on everyone’s mind is, “What is Adventure Day  Camp going to look like and is it safe to attend?”

To alleviate some concerns, we thought it would be helpful to share with you our current decisions as well as modifications to our pre-camp preparations and to the camp experiences offered this summer.

First and foremost, the health and safety of our Scouting families, volunteers and staff remains our number one priority as we continue to adapt to this unprecedented situation. Our council continues to develop new plans and review existing procedures that will keep our Scouts and volunteers safe.

The decision to operate our council camps will be based on our ability to operate safely within the CDC’s summer camp guidelines, in addition to recommendations from local, state and BSA authorities. Rest assured that the council will only conduct camp if it is legal, safe, and practical to do so.

This summer may not look like all the summers that have come before or any of the summers that will come after. What we do know is that camp plays a vital role in the lives of our Scouts and Scouters. At this time, we are taking steps to determine how we can best serve our Scouting community this summer.

As of today, May 18, 2020, we are announcing the following decisions: 

The following Cub Scout camps and activities have been cancelled for 2020.

• Adventure Overnight Week: August 2 – 5
• Adventure Overnight Week Plus: August 6 – 7
• Camp Norse Day Camp: Cancelled by the Narragansett Council

The Adventure Day Camp has been postponed to later in the summer. The modified schedule is as follows:

• July 13 – 17
• July 20 – 24
• July 27 – 31
• August 3 – 7
• August 10 – 14

The following Adventure Day Camp modifications will be made:

• Weekly attendance will be limited to 36 participants
• There will be no bus service to/from day camp

For those that had signed up for any of these events, you will receive an additional email with steps regarding refunds, transfers, and additional information about the event. For any event cancelled, you will receive a 100% refund. If you are interested in signing up for Adventure Day Camp we suggest doing so soon, as we anticipate camp selling out given the reduced capacity.

So what can you expect this summer? 

Just because some of our planned outdoor experiences cannot happen as expected, we are still committed to helping you and other families experience camp in a safe environment. We understand the importance of an outdoor in-person experience, and we will find ways to help your family experience the fun of camp this summer. It will look different from a traditional camp and that is ok. In the coming days you will see us roll out the opportunity to participate in a virtual day camp this summer, for those not comfortable with the in-person experience.

Allow us to share a glimpse of some of the additional elements of what “safely operating” our camps in this new environment will entail. While this list is not comprehensive and our review is an ongoing process, you can expect some significant updates to many of the following:

• Check-in Screening – Upon arrival at our camps, staff and participants will be screened and their temperature will be taken. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will not be allowed entry; those who travelled with them will also not be allowed entry.
• Sickness at Camp – Participants presenting symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home.
• Visitors – Will not be allowed into camp.
• Group Size – group size will be reduced from 10-12 participants last year to 5-6 this year
• Family BBQ & Closing Campfire – Will NOT be held this summer.
• Hand Washing – Participants will be directed to wash their hands often.  Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available.
• Restrooms – Restrooms will be cleaned 3 times a day.
• Protective Gear – We will be reviewing best methods for use of gloves, masks, etc., while on our properties.
• Camp Equipment – We will properly sanitize all community and reusable program equipment after each use.
• Social Distancing – We will avoid activities where appropriate social distance cannot be maintained.

These items and many more are all under review as part of the comprehensive evaluation now underway of our standards and policies. As we move forward, you can expect a comprehensive list complete with instructions.

We thank you for your continued commitment to Scouting and for helping us prepare and adapt to any situation. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and relay any updates as they become available on our council website and through our social media channels. If you have specific questions please email them to covid19@mayflowerbsa.org and we will respond to them as quickly as possible.

Please stay safe and keep Scouting!

Mike Rotar
Council President

Josh Paulin
Council Commissioner

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

Mayflower Council would like to recognize Scouts and adults who are Scouting at Home with a patch that is sure to be a collector item. Requirements for Scouts and leaders to earn this award are simple.

Guidelines:

1. Complete the requirements for the appropriate rank
2. Complete online award completion form
3. Order your patch.
   • The link to order your patch will be provided when you submit your online completion form
   • Patches are $4 each
   • Our patch design is above and we think it’s so cool
4. Award is available for a limited time requirements must be completed by June 30 and patches must be ordered by July 15.
5. Contact Joe Livingston or Rick Riopelle if you have questions about the award.

We ask the parents work with the Scouts to please post a picture on social media of each requirement and share it with pictures of these completed requirements in a style like this:

Scouting taught me about my Duty to Self. Because of that I took time for myself today outside reading (insert picture reading) #mayflowerscoutsinaction

Scouting taught me to be Friendly. Because of that I cooked this delicious dessert for my family (insert photo) #mayflowerscoutsinaction

To earn the patch, complete the following requirements inspired by the Scout Oath and Law:

Mandatory Requirements (Complete all 3,  applicable to all levels of the program)

1. Duty to God/Country: Stay home and only visit with friends virtually
2. Duty to Others: Track a chore that you do around the house
3. Duty to Self: Spend as much time as you can outside everyday (weather permitting)

Program level specific requirements (Complete requirements for your program)

Cub Scout Elective Requirements (complete 5 out of this list)

• Trustworthy: Honestly report your progress on this patch
• Loyal: Participate in 2 virtual den meetings
• Helpful: Help prepare one meal or snack for your family
• Friendly: Complete an activity loop or pin with your family
• Courteous: Invite a friend to a virtual pack event
• Kind: Help sew a protective face-mask for yourself or a family member.
• Obedient:Help your parents complete a home or automobile repair or project.
• Cheerful: Spend one hour playing a non-electronic game or games with your family
• Thrifty: Find a way to repurpose something in your house
• Brave:
  • (Bears – AOL) Camp one night out in your yard with your parent(s) or family.
  • (Lions – Wolves) ‘camp out’ one night in a room of your house  without TV or electronics.
• Clean: Help clean up your yard, a room of your home, or your bedroom (as chosen by your parent)
• Reverent: Participate in a virtual service for your religion

Scouts BSA Elective Requirements (complete 7 out of this list)

• Trustworthy: Honestly report your progress on this patch
• Loyal: Participate in 2 virtual troop meetings
• Helpful: Cook supper for your family using basic ingredients
• Friendly: Lead your family in a game night(s) totaling three hours of non-electronic gaming
• Courteous: Perform a service project for your family approved by your parents
• Kind: Help sew a protective face-mask for yourself or a family member.
• Obedient: Complete a merit badge virtually
• Cheerful: Entertain your family with your favorite skit
• Thrifty: Find a way to repurpose something in your house
• Brave: Teaching another scout a new skill virtually
• Clean: Help clean up your yard, a room of your home, or your bedroom (as chosen by your parent)
• Reverent: Participate in a virtual service for your religion

Venturing Elective Requirements (complete 7 out of this list)

• Trustworthy:  Honestly report your progress on this patch
• Loyal: Participate in 2 virtual crew meetings
• Helpful: Perform a service project for your family approved by your parents
• Friendly: Cook a breakfast, lunch, supper and a dessert for your family using basic ingredients.
• Courteous: Create and perform a ‘safety checklist’ for your home.  This should include things like checking smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and identifying hazards in the home.
• Kind: Help sew a protective face-mask for yourself or a family member.
• Obedient: Grant your parents 1 wish, and fulfill it without complaint
• Cheerful: Lead your family in game nights totaling five hours of non-electronic gaming.
• Thrifty: Find a way to repurpose something in your house
• Brave: Create a 10 minute instructional video about something that interests you. Share this video on a social media platform with the #mayflowerscoutsinaction
• Clean: Help clean up your yard, a room of your home, or your bedroom (as chosen by your parent)
• Reverent: Participate in a virtual service for your religion

Adult Leader Elective Requirements (complete 7 out of this list)

You thought we forgot about our amazing volunteers? Scouting has a fun opportunity for you to earn this patch as well!

• Trustworthy: Provide feedback on how Mayflower Council can better support you utilizing this form.
• Loyal: Attend your virtual district roundtable.
• Helpful: Find a way to help your neighbor.
• Friendly: Interact with the council’s or district’s Facebook pages- find a new Scouting friend and share an aspect of Scouting you are passionate about.
• Courteous:  Help your troop engage in virtual meeting or merit badge classes.
• Kind: Help sew a protective face-mask for yourself or a family member.
• Obedient: Follow the Mayflower Council guidelines for social distancing while Scouting.
• Cheerful: Post your best tips on staying upbeat during this difficult time for other Scouts and Scouters.
• Thrifty: Help your Council identify a business or donor willing to help fund Scouting (social media post will be worked out with donor or business).
• Brave: Have a conversation with someone you disagree with. Find common ground on a topic.
• Clean: Pack/organize your backpack and gear for your first Scouting adventure post COVID-19. Share where you’re planning to go on the council Facebook page.
• Reverent: Participate in a virtual service for your religion.

A pre-camp meeting was held virtually in March.  If you happened to miss the meeting, please view the video below.  You will also find questions and answers that were compiled from this meeting.

Click on the image to download a PDF.

We are happy to announce the Mayflower Camping at Home Challenge!

Show us your best at home campsite for the chance to win a $50 campership to any Mayflower Council Camp in 2020.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Set up a campsite in your backyard, basement, living room, or wherever works best for you!
• Post a picture, video, or time-lapse of your setup on Facebook or Instagram. We want to see your most creative and practical campsites.
• Tag Mayflower Council in your Facebook (@mayflowerbsa) or Instagram (@mayflowerbsa) post, and don’t forget to add the hashtag #mayflowerscoutsinaction
• Our favorite Camping at Home submission will be featured on the Mayflower Council social media, and will receive a $50 campership to any Mayflower Council Camp in 2020

This challenge Runs Saturday April 18 at 8:00 PM – Saturday April 25 at 11:59 PM

The Mayflower Council has secured merit badge councelors to teach a few merit badges virtually.  Scouts can now sign up for the following virtual merit badge offerings.  More offerings will be coming soon.

Space is limited, please sign up as soon as possible.  Each course is only $10.00.

Click on the merit badge you are interested in to sign up.

Animation – Interested in digital animation? Have you ever made your own? Want to try for the first time? Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Animation Merit Badge! Dates:   April 21, April 28, May 5 (possible May 12).

Digital Technology – Interested in the cyber world? Do you know the difference between a bit and a byte? Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Digital Technology Merit Badge! Dates:  April 28, May 5, May 12, & May 19.

Entrepreneurship – Do you have a new business idea? Do you want to talk to someone who started their own business? Want to learn how to make that idea a reality? Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Entrepreneurship Merit Badge! Dates:  April 22, April 29 & May 6.

Genealogy – Do you know your Family tree? Do you know how to trace your heritage and family ancestry? Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Genealogy Merit Badge! Dates: April 23, April 30 & May 7.

Indian Lore – Are you interested in Native American culture? Do you know about American Indian names, tribes, games, art or songs? Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Indian Lore Merit Badge! Dates: April 21 & 28.

Scholarship – Your school classroom might be your kitchen table these days, but you still put in the work to prove you’re a Scholar! Join us for a remote and virtual Merit Badge Experience to earn your Scholarship Merit Badge! Dates: April 22 & 24.

After you sign up, the councelor will email you with information how to log in.

Dear Leaders:

We all learned early in Scouting that every Scout should Be Prepared. Who would have thought it would be as relevant as it is now during the COVID-19 situation? Scouting has helped prepare us to be ready for challenges. We’re all learning new ways to work, teach, learn, and play. The Mayflower Council is doing everything we can to adapt to the times so Scouting can carry on and continue to be a vital part of our and the Scouts lives. This includes getting ready for summer camp. Our teams at Camp Resolute, Adventure Day Camp and Camp Squanto are excited to welcome you this summer and we anticipate a fantastic experience. The pre camp meetings have been held and if you were unable to attend, a recording of one is available at the Mayflower Council website. That recording is available here: Camp Kickoff

Right now, our rangers are continuing with planned maintenance and set-up for you. The camps are coming back to life after the winter and camp directors are putting together the best camp staffs ever. We are planning an epic year at our council camps in an effort to put all the uncertainties we are facing today behind us. All we need is you!

Registration is open right now and will remain open. Since our units aren’t meeting in-person, we know that collecting deposits and payments for camp is a bit more challenging so we’ve adjusted our deadlines. The early bird registration discount for Adventure Day Camp and Adventure Overnight continues until May 15 and for the Scout resident camps until May 31.

Camp is something all Scouts should be able to experience and we are here to help you find ways to make that happen. For families that need assistance, our campership program is available. Please visit our campership form, Mayflower Campership , to apply in confidence.

There is no risk for families and units of losing money by signing up for Mayflower Camps now. In the event that camp does not open or has a shortened season due to COVID-19 and your troop or campers are unable to attend during your scheduled time, all camp fees paid will be refunded.

Part of being prepared is minimizing risks, and we are updating camp operations to minimize threats such as COVID-19. As we learn more, we continuously update policies and procedures to comply with local and national directives. As camp gets closer, we will review those policies and procedures and will clearly communicate changes or adjustments to you. This may require help from units even before you arrive at camp so please check our website for the very latest updates concerning the Mayflower camps. The Mayflower Council continues to update Mayflower Council COVID-19 Information so check in regularly.

In the meantime, stay home, stay well, and stay tuned for further updates.

Yours in Scouting,

Camp Directors
Chris Thorp, Adventure Day Camp
Rick Poirier, Camp Resolute
Rich Carlson, Camp Squanto