Scouting News                        

 Upcoming Events

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

As a leadership organization, we want to do our best to assist with any potential spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep our Scouting family and community healthy. We are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Federal Guidelines, Texas State Department of Health, and the Council Risk Management/Medical Task Force.

Scout Meetings, Activities & Events

The Bay Area Council has canceled all in-person Scout meetings, activities and events through August 31^st. We strongly advise that no in-person unit programming take place during this time either. This includes all dens and patrols, packs, troops, crews, ships, posts or unit committees. Virtual meetings are strongly recommended.

Before you resume any in-person Scout gatherings, we strongly advise every unit to have a Safety Pause and evaluate how to best plan to mitigate the risks associated with that in-person Scout gathering, including camping while COVID-19 is still present. It is not only still present, but the number of cases reported is increasing dramatically. If your unit cannot mitigate the risk of exposure, your unit should not do anything in-person. We understand Scouters and Scouts are ready to get back in the great outdoors. We want you to be safe and healthy when that time comes.

Please review and use the attached documents to better understand the hazards that are present and develop a solid plan to keep yourselves and your Scouts safe. Send your completed documents to the Scout Service Center so we can share your plan with other Scouters who want to keep their Scouts safe as they consider if, how and when they can start in-person Scouting. 

Please review and use the attached documents better understand the hazards that are present and develop a solid plan to keep yourselves and your Scouts safe.

Safety Pause

Restarting Scouting Checklist (Updated June 2020)

CDC Camps & Events Decision Tree

Medical Screenings

Pre-event Checklist

Prevention of Communicable Diseases

National BSA Guidelines

The following questions have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the COVID-19. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement and online programs while adhering to the following:

NATIONAL BSA Digital Guides & Safety (Updated May 15, 2020)
NATIONAL BSA Guide to Safe Scouting (Updated May 15, 2020)
NATIONAL BSA Youth Protection Training (Updated May 15, 2020)
NATIONAL BSA COVID FAQs (Updated May 21, 2020)
NATIONAL BSA Advancement Waivers During COVID-19 & FAQs (Updated March 20, 2020)

Event Updates

CANCELLATIONS - March 17-July 31, 2020
Baloo Training - March 21-23, 2020
Cub-O-Ree - Coastal/Cradle - March 27-29, 2020
Camp-O-Ree 2020 - April 3-5, 2020
Cub-O-Ree - NStar/Tbird - March 20, 2020
IOLS - March 18-19, 2020
OA Spring Shoot - April 18, 2020
OA Spring Ordeal - May 17-15, 2020
Gulf Coast FourSquare Cub Camp - June 8-12, 2020
Summer Camp - June 8-12, 2020
NYLT - June 19-25, 2020
Brazoria Cub Camp - July 20-24, 2020

Refunds will be processed for postponed and/or cancelled events within 30 days.

Eagle Scouts

If you have an Eagle application that needs immediate approval, please contact kristi.hamelmann@scouting.org If it is not an immediate need, we ask that you wait to have it approved.

BAC - How to conduct Eagle Board of Reviews remotely (Updated March 17, 2020)
BAC - How To Setup Online Conferencing Tools for Virtual Meetings (Updated March 19, 2020)
NATIONAL BSA - Advancement Waivers During COVID-19 & FAQs (Updated March 20, 2020)
FIND THE REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION HERE (Fillable PDF, updated May 18, 2020)

Council Communications

Update #6
Update #5
Update #4
Update #3
Update #2
Update #1

If you need immediate assistance, please contact Scout Executive Charlie Tinsley at charlie.tinsley@scouting.org or Field Director Kelly Meacham at kelly.meacham@scouting.org.