COVID Planning:
Working with the Oregon Health Authority’s Youth Program Guidance for Summer Programs, our COVID task force, comprised of physicians, safety professionals, board members, and leaders like you, has created plans to keep camp safe and impactful. Below are our guidelines to help you plan:
- Masking and social distancing are no longer required at any Scouting activity. Units should be aware that some facilities require masks or proof of vaccination to enter. Please plan accordingly.
- Arrive Healthy for all Scouting activities. If one has covid like symptoms, they should test themselves using a rapid antigen test. If the test is negative, individuals should still not attend or wear a mask.
- Screen all participants before any Scouting activity to ensure they are healthy enough to participate.
- Test individuals before long-term camping activities like summer camp or other high adventure activities. Free test kits can be ordered at https://special.usps.com/testkits
- Vaccination is still the most recommended prevention method. We recommend that all Scouts and adult leaders be vaccinated.
- Hand Washing & Sanitation Steps should still be included in all meeting and activity plans.
- Be Kind to all those who choose to continue to mask, social distance, or limit participation due to concerns for COVID. Everyone deserves to feel safe.
Every family and unit should feel free to adhere to the requirements that best represent their comfort and needs.
If traveling a long distance, have a plan for returning home, someone who becomes sick on the outing.
What happens if someone has COVID like symptoms?
First, check with your doctor to determine their recommendations based on your specific health needs.
Next, symptomatic individuals should be isolated and sent home.
Also, a COVID test should be administered. (A rapid antigen test is acceptable)
What happens if someone tests positive for COVID?
Many units will experience situations where reports of a potential COVID exposure in their unit. The information below is required when a report of an illness or COVID infection is detected after a unit activity.
- Contact Tracing: First determine if the individual has COVID. If so, you will need to work with the individual to contact trace, which is to identify all those who have had close contact with the infected individual 48 hours prior to their first symptoms.
- Close Contact is defined as those persons who were within six (6) feet of a confirmed case of COVID-19 for a cumulative 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. (Masked or unmasked, vaccinated or unvaccinated)
- Communication: Inform those identified as having close contact that they have been exposed and to follow post exposure guidelines. Inform the rest of the unit that an exposure happened and to watch for symptoms. Report to your district executive and your county department of environmental health.
- Post exposure requirements for unvaccinated individuals: A minimum of 14-day quarantine is recommended for all unvaccinated people exposed to COVID-19 that do not have any symptoms. There is a small but significant chance in transmission of COVID-19 from days 11-14 so it is important to continue to monitor for symptoms for a full 14 days.
- Post exposure requirements for vaccinated individuals: Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 days after exposure, and if symptoms develop, you should isolate and seek testing. It is recommended that you get tested after 5 days.
- NOTE: Your county environmental health may have other requirements as well.
