Seneca District Round Table Slides for April 2020. Changes and issues related to COVID-19 and Scouting

1. Seneca District Round Table
Thursday, April 16, 2020

3. Welcome & Introductions (and a few odds
and ends)
• Hunter Shelley (and Cub Scout Staff)
• Phil Dennis (and Scouts BSA Staff)
• Pam Pagnotta (District Chair)
• Ben Litton (District Executive)
• Use the “Chat” feature to type in your name, email address and Unit
number for attendance
• Please Mute your microphone
• When speaking, please give your name so we know who we’re talking
to

4. Virtual Meeting Status
• Who is meeting (Troop, Patrol, Pack, Den, PLC, Committee)?
• What platform and why?
• HOW are you running your meetings?
• How are you keeping scouts engaged?
• Breakout rooms and Durations of breakouts?
• Best Practices (PLANNING!)
• Do’s and Don’t’s
• Who is NOT meeting? (Why not?)
• What can we do to help those that are not meeting to start?

5. BSA Virtual Philosophy
• BSA advises no in-person meetings, activities, events or gatherings
through the end of April (will re-assess as we get closer to that date).
• NCAC has suspended all in-person meetings, activities, events and
gatherings through end of April (will re-assess as we get closer to that
date).
• If a requirement can be reasonably completed virtually without
changing the intent of the requirement, it should be allowed.
• Demonstrating outdoor skills for MBs will not be allowed virtually
(swimming, rifle shooting, motorboating, etc.)
• Wear uniforms to meetings (even virtual)

6. Best Practices for the “Virtual Age”
• Do not record online activities/meetings
• Call recording is subject to various legal requirements under U.S. law and the laws of
individual states, some of which require all parties to a call consent to recording. Considering
those potential regulatory risks, the BSA does not authorize the recording of online
meetings/activities. This is STRAIGHT FROM BSA NATIONAL
• Safeguard personal information.
• If you collect a person’s personal information online—for example, through web forms used
to register people for online meetings—then you should post a notice or disclosure at the
point of collection describing how you will use the information. The notice should be
conspicuous and written in plain English.
• Meeting organizers must keep such information private and not share a youth’s personal
information with anyone except that youth’s parent or guardian or the unit leader
responsible for tracking advancements. For example, a merit badge counselor should not
publicly post or otherwise show a roster with personal information of Scouts the counselor
has worked with.
• Collecting personal information from youth under 13 is not recommended.
• Do not collect personal information directly from youth under 13 years of age due to the
parental notice and consent requirements under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
(“COPPA”). You should collect any data needed from the parent or legal guardian only.

7. Cub Scout Advancement
• HUNTER FEEL FREE TO ADD STUFF AND I CAN MERGE IT IF YOU WANT

8. Transitioning Webelo Scouts to Scouts BSA
• Let’s spend 15-20 minutes talking about strategies and what we can
do together
• Packs: Who hasn’t been contacted or does not have youth
transitioning?
• Troops: How are you getting new Scouts involved into your troops
• Ideas for New Scouts
• Have new Scouts do a 30 second video introducing themselves
• Have troop guide meet new Scouts in a breakout

9. Merit Badge impacts
• YPT, Merit Badge Counselor guidance, and Advancement guidance must be maintained at all
times.
• 2 Adults MUST be present
• Suggested 2 YPT Trained adults, but (as per usual MB activities) 1 YPT trained and one other is okay
• Requirements can not be changed.
• Email from Scoutmaster or designee is sufficient for Scout to start working on a Merit Badge
• Meetings with Counselors may be phone call or video – must maintain YPT rules at all times.
• Merit Badge online instruction is allowed following Guide to Advancement 7.0.3.2 rules. When
providing instruction in this method, each Scout must individually complete the requirements
with the counselor.
• Some requirements met virtually can be approved such as virtually visiting a national historic
landmark, museum, city council meeting, or art gallery.
• Some requirements like swimming, rifle shooting, etc. can not be attained virtually.
• MB Counselors can email requirements completed to troop advancement chair.
• Units using Scoutbook can have the completion of requirements recorded there
• Fillable PDF blue card available at: https://www.gatewayscouting.org/files/23019/Merit-Badge-
Application--Blue-Card---fillable-

10. Advancement Impacts
IN GENERAL:
• Virtual meetings and campouts are approved. Even when using video
conferencing, all virtual campouts and activities should consist of as
many elements found on a normal outdoor campout or activity as
possible. Ideally, the only difference is members are not at same
location.
• All YPT and digital safety guidelines must be followed at all times.
• Be mindful to always adhere to Methods of Scouting, Patrol Method, etc.
• Missed time due to canceled meetings will count towards time in rank
and position of responsibility requirements (provided youth is registered
and participates as expected virtually)
• Virtual camping (patrol or troop) is not ad hoc.

11. Suggestions for Virtual Camping
• There must be an outing plan approved by the Scoutmaster
• This includes
• Time schedule established and approved
• YPT and safety at all times
• Rules about fire established
• No Scout sleeps alone
• Rules about when cameras can be on and must be turned off must be published
• Have program approved for event
• Applies to both Patrol and Troop events
• Please share your experience
• If you’re not, are you going to try soon or why not?

12. Rank Impact overview
• Scout – no impact
• Tenderfoot – some impact
• 2nd Class – some impact
• 1st Class – some impact
• Star – no impact
• Life – no impact
• Eagle – possible deadline impacts

13. Tenderfoot
• 1b – Virtual patrol or troop campouts via video conferencing is permitted
• 2a – During the same day as your virtual patrol or troop campout, assist in
preparing one meal with the help of those with whom you live. Tell your
patrol or troop why it was important for each person to share in meal
preparation and cleanup.
• 2b – During the same day as your virtual campout, demonstrate the
appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve and eat
a meal.
• 5a – Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your
personal safety on outings and in your neighborhood. Verbally commit to
following the buddy system on your next troop or patrol outing.
• 7a – Tell how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.

14. 2nd Class
• 1a & 1c – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted.
• 2e – On the same day as your virtual campout, serve as the cook for a hot breakfast or lunch.
• 3b – Using a compass and map together, plan a 5-mile hike approved by your adult leader.
• 4 – Evidence of wild animals can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local are
found online.
• 5c – May be completed virtually via video conferencing on dry land.
• 7c – Learn about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco and other practices that could
be harmful to your health. Discuss what you learned with your family and explain the dangers of
substance addictions. Report to your Scoutmaster or other adult leader in your troop about
which parts of the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to what you learned.
• 8a – May be completed virtually using video conferencing
• 8d – May be completed comparing costs at three (3) online sites or locations

15. 1st Class
• 1a – Virtual patrol or troop activities via video conferencing will be permitted.
• 2e – On the same day as your virtual campout, server as a cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in
using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in
First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.
• 4a – By drawing, computer software, or other virtual methods, plan an orienteering course that
would cover at least one mile. Explain why measuring the height and/or width of designated
items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.) is helpful. Explain how you would complete your course
using a real map and compass.
• 4b – Scouts do not need to follow their route
• 5a – Evidence of native plants can be demonstrated with information or photos of your local
area found online.
• 6e – May be completed on dry land.
• 9a – Visit may take place virtually or by phone.
• 9c – Outings can include past or future plans.
• 10 – Invite the potential new member to a virtual meeting or future activity using video
conferencing.

16. Eagle
• Requirements do not change
• National will invoke Guide to Advancement topic 9.0.4.0 for Eagle
Scout rank. The five tests listed apply.
• Extensions will only be allowed for Life scouts who have completed
ALL other possible requirements
• NCAC may extend through September 30, 2020.

17. Summer activity impacts
• As of now, all activities are happening as planned
• Goshen Scout Reservation
• Activities at Goshen are ON AS SCHEDULED
• Early Bird deadline has been extended to 04/30/2020
• Merit Badge Registration starts 9 a.m. 05/01/2020
• National is in the process of reviewing what the requirements would be for Part C of the BSA
med form this year, should we need to adjust. We will be in touch as soon as we hear the
details
• High Adventure:
• HAB’s plan to operate in the summer of 2020 if they can do so safely and within the
guidelines of the CDC.
• On May 1st we will provide an update on the 2020 season specific to each National High
Adventure Base.
• No changes to physicals requirements. National is in the process of reviewing what
the requirements would be for Part C of the BSA med form this year, should we need
to adjust.
• No changes to Wilderness First Aid training requirements
• Extension to existing certification expiration is being investigated.