Scouting At Home

Troop 976 Take Virtual Meetings in Stride

March 27, 2020 by Dagny Shiells

Following the words of the Boy Scout motto to “Be Prepared”, Troop 976 of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, Va did just that and more this week. In this time of uncertainty and social-distancing due to the coronavirus, the leadership and scouts of Troop 976 rallied to continue with their regularly scheduled Wednesday evening Troop meetings. Instead of holding a meeting as they usually do in the Counsel Room at OLGC they took it online!

On Wednesday March 11th 27 Scouts of Troop 976 utilized online video teleconferencing via Zoom to participate in their meeting. This inaugural approach went extremely well keeping the Troop not only on schedule but connected with one another. Scoutmaster Abe Bacarra set up the teleconference and laid out ground rules with the Scouts at the start to help the boys understand Zoom’s features and to also help in keeping the meeting under control. For example, virtual handraising was one of the many areas instituted with the boys to insure a forum where each boy could follow the discussion and also participate.

As moderator, Mr. Bacarra had planned initially for a 10 -15 minute virtual Troop meeting to see if the approach was even viable but their meeting lasted for 45 minutes and could have gone longer. The Scouts were not only engaged but excited to be continuing in some format with their normal routines. The Scouts followed a pre-set agenda that was listed on screen. An unexpected side benefit emerged in that there was even more participation than usual from the younger scouts as the format seemed to help with any hesitation to participate.

“The Scouts took the virtual meeting in stride,” Scoutmaster Abe Bacarra said. “I think this is indicative of their generation where they have been exposed to computing/mobile devices from an early age. The virtual meeting is in line with current distance learning efforts. The boys are so adept with this technology that they may be helping their parents setup Webex and Zoom sessions for their office meetings.”

Due to the great success of the meeting last Wednesday the Troop plans to continue using the online format for their weekly Troop meetings as long as social distancing is necessary. In fact, Troop elections for Scout leadership positions are scheduled for next week and will continue now online. The Scouts are not the only ones going online. On the same night the Troop’s adult comprised Committee meeting led by Committee Chair Pete Thiringer took place via teleconference as well. Even more, there are plans already in process to hold virtual scout Boards of Review (needed for rank advancement) next week. Troop 976 is not only remaining “Prepared” but keeping their close connections during these unprecedented times.

Designate NCAC with Amazon Smile!

March 23, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Have you been shopping online more? Then it’s a great time to join NCAC’s partnership with Amazon Smile to raise funds for local Scouting! How? By designating National Capital Area Council, BSA on smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate to #myNCAC with every purchase!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support, but we hope you choose us!

It’s easy! Just follow these easy steps and support Scouting at NCAC in seconds.

How do I set up AmazonSmile?

Step 1: Go to smile.amazon.com

You’ll use this link to register and for all your future Amazon shopping.

Even after you’ve signed up for AmazonSmile and selected a charity, shopping through the regular amazon.com won’t benefit that charity. You need to use the smile.amazon.com link from now on. You can also use a browser extension (on example is Smile Always on Chrome) that will redirect you automatically.

Step 2: Sign in using your normal Amazon login.

Step 3: Search for “National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America” and click the yellow “Select” button to the right of our council name.

Step 4: Check the top-left corner and start shopping.

If you see AmazonSmile in the top left corner and “Supporting: NCAC, BSA” in the charity line, you’ve done it right.

Step 5: Double-check that the product you’re buying is eligible.

Most items sold by Amazon qualify, but confirm that on the product page. It’ll say “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation.” And this is a good time to triple-check that you see AmazonSmile and “Supporting: National Capital Area Council Boy Scouts of America” at the top-left corner.

Step 6: Check out!

Purchase the item(s), and smile. You’ve just done a Good Turn for our Council!

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.

Virtual Patrol Meetings Keep Scouts Happy, Healthy, and Active

March 20, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Scouts just like to interact with and talk to their buddies, especially in Patrol Meetings. Troop 581 in Gainesville, VA found out that Virtual Patrol Meetings give Scouts an opportunity to do just that, whether they are miles apart or just around the block. On-line patrol meetings can also provide a sense of normalcy and structure when the world seems out of control with school closures, event cancellations, extreme toilet paper buying, food stockpiling, and a general doubt of what the future holds during the pandemic. This article will provide you with the tools and preparedness necessary to trek into the wilderness of on-line “Virtual Patrol Meetings” using any Smart Phone, Tablet, or PC; and any one of many free or inexpensive App and on-line video conferencing services.

Just like beginning any expedition, planning is needed and you need to pack wisely. Your virtual Patrol Meeting essentials must include the following.

A day and time; probably the same day and time of your Troop meetings since they have been cancelled, but any appropriate day and time will work.

Two Deep Leadership; I know, this should have been #1 but you only need Two Deep Leadership once you have set a day and time. Per current BSA policy you must provide Two Deep Leadership at all times, even on-line, for youth protection and Scout safety! Find another registered adult with current YPT training and have then join you for all virtual Patrol Meetings. If they support a patrol, you may need to be their second leader for that Patrol’s meetings. Remember, Teamwork makes the Dream Work. Your Scoutmaster can probably also act as your second leader, if needed.

Approvals; yes you will need to obtain approval from your Scoutmaster. He/she needs to make sure there are no conflicting Troop virtual activities planned and also ensure YPT is followed. Your Scouts will also need their parents’ approval to go on-line and participate, they may also need to borrow their parents’ Smart Phone, Tablet, or PC.

Mentoring; as a Scout leader you will have to more closely mentor your Scouts, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Patrol Leader so they can successfully navigate their way through the virtual wilderness. You will likely have to help coordinate the first few meetings and establish a basic agenda that includes a few minutes at the beginning of the meeting for the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath/Law, Announcements, training/guidance; and few minutes at the end of the meeting for reflection, closure, and a Scoutmaster Minute if he/she attends the meeting. A Patrol needs to be Scout led, but an active adult mentor can turn a good patrol into a great Patrol!

A plan; if possible work with your Patrol Leader and his/her parents to setup a plan and agenda for the next few meetings. Keep YPT requirements in mind when communicating with Scouts. If it is not feasible to coordinate with them then come up with a basic plan and agenda that can be adjusted by the Scouts once they start the meetings. Plan for meetings to last 40-60 minutes, reserve the first 10-20 minutes as recommended in the mentoring section for gathering/opening activities, let Scouts use 20-30 minutes however they want or maybe for Patrol level merit badge sessions, and reserve the last 5 minutes for an appropriate closing prayer, reflection, and/or Scoutmaster Minute.

Communications; Scouts will only attend a virtual patrol meeting if they know about it, so be sure to send an email to all the Scouts and their parents informing them of the meetings and provide them with all the information they need to join the meetings. A well-organized and mentored Patrol Leader should be able to do this themselves. Also, call the parents of the Scouts and encourage them to help their Scouts attend these meetings. Post the virtual patrol meetings on the Troop calendar.

On-line/Virtual Meeting Tool or App; Troop 581 decided to use the “Zoom” App and on-line service because it met most of our needs, is free/inexpensive, and easy to use; but there are plenty of options available such as Google Hangouts, Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and GoToMeeting. Zoom’s free account does limit you to 40 minute meetings with no more than 100 attendees, but 40 minutes is plenty of time for an on-line patrol meeting and your patrol should be way less than 100 Scouts. If you prefer additional features there are options for paid subscriptions too. Zoom, and all these services, are easy to use and works on a broad range of devices. Smart Phones and Tablets need to download an App; but PCs only need to have access to the internet. Regardless of the service you decide to use, all attendees will join the meeting by clicking a link you send them via email and/or post on your Troop Calendar.

The wilderness can be daunting, but keep on pioneering, once you plan and execute your first Virtual Patrol Meeting the rest will be easy. If you decide to use Zoom, they have setup a special pandemic web page to help first time users get started. Just click this link. https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html?_ga=2.15983094.1529393031.1584618073-1042641212.1584618073

Now that you are prepared, have a plan, and packed the essentials it’s time to start your expedition into the on-line wilderness! Along the way you can easily play Kim’s Game, do an on-line in-home scavenger hunt, work on some advancement/merit badge requirements, plan your next outing for when the pandemic is over, and conduct start-stop-continue discussions as part of your “Virtual Patrol Meetings”. You should encourage Scouts to wear their Class B Activity Uniforms during virtual meetings, or choose to follow the World Scout Organization’s example of just wearing their neckerchief and slide. Don’t forget about Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) coming up the first weekend in April, it’s a great opportunity to communicate with Scouts all over the world.

Be safe and keep scouting!

David Adam Atwell

Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 581 – Prince William District

The Show Must Go On!

March 20, 2020 by Bobby Humphreys

In response to the COVID -19 pandemic, the George Mason District had to cancel its Merit Badge day. Saturday was a glorious day out and most Scouts probably went out and enjoyed the early spring day.

Most Dads too, but not mine. He had plans to do “distance learning.” He wanted to hold a virtual Public Speaking merit badge class. He quickly sent out an email that Friday to the Scouts and parents registered and organized a class for the next morning at 8:30 am! He looked at me and said, “I’ll fix you breakfast and you can handle all my technology needs right!” I said,” its not complicated Dad, but why so early? You know I’m done with my requirements.” He said, “it will be a good learning experience!”

He got 8 Scouts to join him and we completed our requirements. We heard speeches on the Civil War, Sailing, Joseph Stalin and the Gulag, The M-16 in Vietnam, Homer, Socialization and its impact on Capitalism in America, and many other great topics. We learned about how to prepare a speech, over come nerves, and had alot of impromptu speeches about the novel coronus virus. We talked about our favorite foods and favorite classes At school.

Finally we discussed the importance of Parliamentary procedures and reviewed a quiz my dad sent out to all of us Scouts.

My dads a great nerd, but I’m glad he did the online session. We learned alot and had fun. It was a different kind of audience but I think it will help me in the future. My PLC and I will try to use the same tech to organize our next troop meeting so we can stay engaged, active and safe in Scouting.

Q&A for Advancement & COVID-19

March 20, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Questions and Answers

Cub Scouting/Scouts BSA/Venturing/Sea Scouting Rank Advancement and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The following questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of Youth Protection training.

Please follow this link to the Guide to Advancement (GTA), whichremains the primary source for information related to Scouts BSA advancement. It is referenced throughout the answers provided here.

Please send additional questions to advancement.team@scouting.org

All Scouting Programs

Q: How can advancement be tracked remotely?

A: Scouting units should use ScoutBook to record and track advancement.

To track advancement remotely, parents should:1) Connect with their child’s member profile via an invitation that the unit leader sends within ScoutBook. 2) Once a connection is made, the parent should use the Scouting app, found in both the App Store and Google Play, to stay connected with their unit. 3) The Scouting app provides parents the ability to report any advancement that was completed at home.

Go to https://help.scoutbook.com to learn more about how to start using ScoutBook and how to connect parents to their Scouts.

Cub Scouts

Q: May parents sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements?

A: Yes. Through July 31, 2020, parents and other adults in the Cub Scout’s family, may sign off on Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements. We strongly encourage that parents use the Scouting App or ScoutBook to record completion of their child’s requirements.

Q: If my den is behind in advancement due to COVID-19, can my Cub Scout continue to work on advancement through the summer?

A: Yes. Cub Scouts can continue to work on their current den’s advancement through July 31, 2020. This is to provide any additional time a Cub Scout needs to complete their badge of rank; if they earn their badge of rank prior to July 31, 2020, they may advance to the next rank.

Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts

Q: May merit badge requirements or rank requirements be modified?

A: No. All requirements must be completed as written. If meetings or activities are canceled or limited, youth should continue to work on requirements as far as possible. By employing common sense and creative solutions, many requirements–even Scoutmaster conferences–can be fulfilled through videoconferencing or telephone calls.

Q: Can merit badge counseling or Nova/Supernova counseling be done using digital technologies like Zoom or WebEx?

A: Yes, registered merit badge counselors or Nova counselors/Supernova mentors may work with youth using digital platforms, ensuring that all youth protection measures noted in the Guide to Safe Scouting and BSA’s social media guidelines are in place. In addition to youth protection, the advancement guidelines in GTA Section 7 are required.

Q: May time missed due to canceled unit meetings count toward active participation requirements?

A: Yes. If youth are registered and in good standing, a disruption from COVID-19 virus can be the “noteworthy circumstance” that prevents participation. This policy has been in place for many years and is explained in GTA Topic 4.2.3.1.

Q: May time missed due to canceled unit meetings count toward position of responsibility requirements?

A: Yes. If youth are registered and unable to meet the expectations of their positions because of COVID-19 disruptions, then units may need to waive or rethink the expectations. Just asyouth must not be held to unestablished expectations, they must not be held to expectations that are impossible to fulfill. See GTA Topic 4.2.3.4, “Positions of Responsibility,” with its six subtopics.

Q: Does the National Council grant extensions of time to complete rank requirements beyond the 18^th birthday for the Eagle or 21^st birthday for Summit or Quartermaster?

A: Yes, but only for the Eagle Scout rank as described in GTA Topic 9.0.4.0 or for Venturing Summit or Sea Scout Quartermaster as described in GTA Topic 4.3.3.0. Unit leadership must become familiar with the five tests under 9.0.4.0. The tests were designed to accommodate such obstacles as those presented by COVID-19disruptions.

Q: Will youth who are not yet Life Scouts be allowed to apply for an extension to earn the Eagle Scout rank?

A. Extensions are considered only for Scouts who are Life rank. If,once a Scout achieves Life rank, it turns out that COVID-19disruptions along the way have left them with insufficient time to complete Eagle requirements, then this may be cited when the time comes to submit an extension request.

Q: May local councils grant extensions?

A: Normally, that is not allowed. However, due to the current situation—effective immediately and through September 30, 2020—council Scout executives may grant extensions, or delegate authority to the Council Advancement Committee to grant extensions under the following limitations:1. It can be established that COVID-19 disruptions were the only circumstances that delayed work on Eagle Scout/Summit/Quartermaster advancement requirements, such as the service project or merit badges. If any other causes were involved, the extension request must go to the National Councilfollowing the process outlined in the GTA.2. Extensions shall only be granted to youth in Scouts BSA who have already achieved Life rank.3. When the council receives a COVID-19-related request for a time extension, the council reviews the request and approves it if appropriate. A written response stating the outcome of the extension request must go to the youth. If approved, the notification must be attached to the youth’sEagle/Summit/Quartermaster rank application. For Eagle, the extension must not exceed 3 months from the youth’s 18^thbirthday; for Summit/Quartermaster, the extension must not exceed 3 months from the youth’s 21^st birthday. 4. Upon turning 18, the Scout must submit a completed adult application and successfully complete YPT; their participant code will now be UP for SBSA or VP for Venturing and Sea Scouting.5. Extension requests for more than 3 months beyond the youth’s18^th/21^st birthday must be sent to the National Service Center following the process outlined in the GTA.

Note: A “month” in BSA advancement is defined as a day from one month to the next. For example, March 5 to April 5.

The authority for councils to grant extensions is temporary, lasting only through Sept. 30, 2020.

Q: If youth have already received an extension, can they request additional time due to COVID-19?

A: Yes. Council Scout executives may grant extensions, or delegate authority to the Council Advancement Committee to grant extensions under the limitations listed above.

Q: What should be done while an extension request is being considered?

A: Youth should continue to work on advancement in so far as they are able—e.g., independently, or over the phone or videoconference—and at Scouting activities once they resume.

Q: Are extensions required when an Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster board of review must be delayed?

A: No. Councils may grant Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster boards of review up to six months after the youth’s 18^th/21^st birthday. See GTA Topic 8.0.3.1, “Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday.”

See also, GTA Topic 8.0.1.6, “Boards of Review Through Videoconferencing.”

Q: Are electronic or digital signatures acceptable for rank advancement or for the Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster packets/applications?

A: Yes. Electronic or digital signatures will be accepted through September 30, 2020.

Q: How can a youth continue to work on advancement requirements if they don’t have internet or high-speed internet for videoconferencing?

A: Youth may take a picture of their completed activity/requirement and share the work with unit leaders. In keeping with Youth Protection Training policies, all communications from youth should be sent to at least two adults. Parents or guardians may send advancement work on behalf of their child.

3/19/20

Advice on Volunteering During a Pandemic

March 19, 2020 by Dr. Michael J. Manyak

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19?

INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19?

COVID-19 is one of 7 coronaviruses out of many in that viral family that infect humans, 4 of which routinely cause transient seasonal flu-like symptoms. This is the newest of the 3 strains that cause serious disease along with SARS and MERS. This new virus is genetically 96% identical to a known coronavirus in bats and 86-92% identical to a coronavirus in the pangolin. Therefore, this virus most likely arose in animals before mutating to infect humans. The disease affects both men and women but seems to cause more deaths among men, older patients, and people with other pre-existing disorders like hypertension and diabetes, though it appears to affect children and adolescents less than adults. People with blood type A may have more serious disease but that remains to be confirmed. Children may be able to spread disease without symptoms.

COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets and has an incubation period of 2-14 days with a median time of about 5 days. The critical zone for infection appears to be within 6 feet. It is unknown when a person becomes infective but the vast majority test positive when symptoms of fever (88%), dry cough (68%), exhaustion (38%), shortness of breath (18%), sore throat (14%) appear. Less common are nausea/vomiting (5%), nasal congestion (5%), and diarrhea (4%). About 80% of people acquiring COVID-19 have mild symptoms, 15% need to be hospitalized with respiratory support, and 5% need ICU admission.

The major source of spread is from respiratory droplets. The virus may live outside of the host for several hours to days depending on the surface. It survives in aerosols at least 3 hrs. On various surfaces, there is no viable virus on copper after 4 hrs. and on cardboard after 24 hrs. Though the viral titer is greatly reduced it is still detectable after 48 hrs. on stainless steel and after 72 hrs. on plastic.

The coronavirus has a protein envelope susceptible to sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol and hand washing is effective at removing viruses. Therefore, cleansing of surfaces and frequent hand washing are hallmarks of personal hygiene to prevent spread and very important given the relatively long times the virus remains on various surfaces.

Current tests may be inconclusive and there is a large backlog of samples to be tested. Several new tests are in development with release on a greater scale possible soon. Consequently, we do not know the full extent of the disease incidence nor an accurate case fatality (death) rate because the denominator in the equation is really unknown and likely much larger for both. Experts estimate that the true case fatality rate may be around 1% or less. This is good but it still makes COVID-19 about 10 times more lethal than seasonal flu.

WHAT DO WE NOT KNOW ABOUT COVID-19?

How long someone is infective before symptoms occur. Unknown but probably 1-2 days. A significant component of spread is from asymptomatic infected patients.
How long someone remains infective after having the virus and a negative test. Preliminary data suggests virus is still present 8 days after symptoms stop. The CDC says someone is clear after 2 successive negative tests separated by 24 hours but that advice is evolving.
If virus is passed in body fluids. Unknown but other viruses are present in body fluids.
If virus is passed in feces. Coronavirus has been found in rectal swabs and fecal samples.
If the COVID-19 virus will mutate to become more lethal. There are now 2 and evidence of 8 strains of virus, with one of the more recent ones more lethal but with lower incidence in new cases.
If there is immunity from a previous infection. Probably but a mutation can negate immunity.
If we will get a vaccine. It takes 12-18 months to develop new vaccines.
If the virus will become dormant or less active during warmer weather. Possible but unlikely given no decreased incidence in warm climates.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

It is a personal decision to engage in volunteer activities.

Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Stay home if you have symptoms of cold or flu – sneezing, coughing, fever
Seek medical attention if you have these symptoms, call your physician first to determine what to do and where to go
Do not travel or volunteer if ill
Do not travel to known areas of active infection
Masks work best to prevent someone with symptoms from spreading the virus. Only N-95 and above (N-97, N-99, N-100) respirators are effective to prevent virus from infecting a person but they are scarce and can become a contaminant
Avoid touching face, eyes, common surfaces, shaking hands
Cover coughs, sneezes
Try to keep a distance of 6 feet from others if in a public settin

More information is available at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

This is the April 5, 2020 guidance document. This document will be updated as necessary.

We thank Dr. Michael J. Manyak, MD, FACS, Global Urology Medical Director for GlaxoSmithKline, Chief Medical Advisor for Crisis Response for the Washington Board of Trade, and Distinguished Eagle Scout. Dr. Manyak is a consultant to many different corporations, governments, on many topics, including COVID-19.