We at the National Capital Area Council are committed to bringing back the joy of in-person summer camp for the summer of 2021. However, we must take additional measures to continue to minimize the risk of spread and infection. In anticipation of the summer, we have released COVID-19 protocols for both Goshen Scout Reservation and Camp William B. Snyder.
You can read and get copies of the protocols at their respective websites: www.gotogoshen.org/coronavirus and www.gotosnyder.org/coronavirus.
Calling all Scouts and their families! Get your tents, sleeping bags and cook gear ready and make your grocery list for Homecamping. You can participate in an on-line Webelos or Scouts BSA advancement program and Merit Badge classes during the week AND camp at either Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder on the weekend with your family.
As an added bonus, for those camping at Camp Snyder there will be a fun program to choose from, including flying drones and driving robotic cars, STEM kits, Wood Shop projects, Geocaching and Scouterhorn climbing. Plus, at both camps there is the great outdoors with hiking, nature trails, fishing, family campfires and more self-guided activities.
There will be COVID-19 virus precautions in place to protect the campers and staff during activities. Registration is open, so sign-up NOW for Goshen Scout Reservation and for Camp Snyder. We hope to see you at camp!
Every Scout in the Council liked Summer Camp, a lot…
But the COVID, who ruined all activities, did NOT!
The COVID hated camp! The whole camping season!
Now please don’t ask why, COVID acted without reason.
It could be the government closed things up tight.
It could be that parents didn’t feel quite right.
But I think the most likely reason of all
Was the Pandemic Panic had thrown up a wall.
But, whatever the reason, the groans or the shouts
COVID lurked there in the spring, hating the Scouts!
Staring out across the Council with a sour COVID frown
Stay-at-home and lock-downs had gripped every town.
He cancelled camporees and webelos encampments
and state parks were closed to any who camp went.
“They’re packing their gear!” he snarled with a sneer.
“Summer Camp is coming! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his COVID fingers nervously
drumming,
“I MUST find some way to stop Summer Camp from coming!”
For, this summer, he knew…
… all the Scout girls and guys
The older and younger, both large and pint size
Would pitch up their tents in the meadows, by the creek
Ready for activities to take them through the week.
Then the Scouts would shoot arrows and rifles each day.
They’d go to aquatics, in the water they’d play.
All around the camp each Scout would scamper
Doing handicrafts and nature walks to thrill every camper.
And then they’d do something, he couldn’t out run!
Each scout down in Summer Camp would start to have FUN!
Having fun was the reason attendance increased
Having FUN was something COVID couldn’t stand in the least.
And the more COVID thought of the annual fling,
The more COVID thought, “I must stop this whole thing!”
“Why for dozens of years they’ve got away with this now!”
“I must stop Summer Camp from happening – but HOW?”
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
COVID GOT A TERRIBLY, AWFUL IDEA!
“Do you know what I’ll do?” COVID laughingly asked
“After months of wearing gloves and uncomfortable masks,
“I’ll have them turn on one another each one pointing a finger
“And with each dad and mother a cautious doubt will linger.”
And that’s all it took, for his plan to take hold
Summer Camp was cancelled, the plans were to fold.
“Pooh-Pooh to the Scouts!” COVID was humming
“They’re finding out now no camp will be coming!
“There mouths will hang open a minute or two
“Then every staffer bound for summer camp
will all cry BOO-HOO!”
COVID put up his hand to cup his ear.
“That’s a sound that I simply can’t wait to hear.”
But the sound that he heard wasn’t what he expected.
“But I took all their plans and proceeded to wreck it!”
The sound he heard was not happy, and it started to grow.
He hadn’t stopped Scouting, but how could he know?
See, Scouting’s a spirit that lives deep within.
When troubles arrive they are met with a grin.
12 laws of Scouting serve each boy and girl well.
How we will get through this only time will tell.
Maybe Scouting, just think, doesn’t come in a tent.
Maybe Scouting, perhaps, comes from hearts well meant.
So survive it we will, we’ve done it before,
Through depression, famine and a few wars.
So let’s be patient, and wait for our turn to serve
For one day, surely, we will flatten that curve.
Created by: Christopher Mark Johnson
As always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is the Boy Scouts of America’s top priority. As such, we have taken a careful and informed approach in evaluating whether to run summer camp this year. Since the spread of this pandemic, we have been continually monitoring the situation, and consulting with health experts, government officials and other camp professionals.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that, after a thorough review, the National Capital Area Council has decided to suspend our resident camp programs at Goshen Scout Reservation, Camp William B. Snyder, Camp Airy, and the Day Camp program for the 2020 summer season. We know camp is an important part of every Scout’s summer, and this decision was not made lightly. This is not the end of our summer programming, however; NCAC has assembled a team of volunteers who are designing a fun, exciting alternative program that provides advancement opportunities for our Scouts. More information on these programs will be coming soon.
As promised, we will be issuing refunds for any payments already made towards camp. Your unit will have the following options for your refund:
If you have already registered for summer camp, please discuss with your unit and inform us which option you would prefer by following this link. If we have not heard from you by June 30, 2020, we will roll your deposit to next year.
Our entire team is saddened that we will not be able to see you at camp this summer. This is an extraordinarily challenging time unlike anything we have experienced. Our hope is we all emerge from this challenging moment stronger than before.
Most importantly, we look forward to providing the full range of Scouting programs, including outdoor adventures, as soon as the situation allows. For Scouting At Home information and resources, please visit ncacbsa.org/scouting-at-home.
We hope all our Scouting families stay healthy and positive in our current environment and join us in preparing for future great summer camp experiences at Camp!
