Recommendations From BSA National  updated 02/04/21

Scouts and Parents,

BSA National has shared further guidance and suggestions for activities. These recommendations mirror and reinforce the guidelines that have been established for Troop 171/5171 activities.

A new recommendation within this information is the request that you stay home from meetings and activities if you have been sick in any way within 14 days. If anyone in your household experiences any of these symptoms prior to an event, everyone in the household must stay home. Even if you think your symptoms are the result of allergies.

Please read the following articles for full details and please re-read the Troop procedures found in the PDF on this page.

• National Statement on COVID-19 | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)
• Before you meet, make sure you screen for COVID-19 - Bryan on Scouting (scoutingmagazine.org)
• Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist​ (scouting.org)

Yours in Scouting,

Ryan Moore - Scoutmaster Boy Troop
Margaret Bruce - Scoutmaster Girl Troop
Andrew Raddant - Troop Committee Chair

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Troop 171/5171 Covid & Quarantine Guidelines   
​updated 11/29/20

This is an updated set of Troop guidelines for protocols and protection procedures during Phase III North Carolina Covid-19 mandates.

Following these guidelines over winter 2020/2021, we may continue outdoor group activities while following specific Troop, state and church guidelines. While outdoor activities are strongly encouraged in favor of indoor activities, the guidelines are set for a limit of 10 people for indoor meetings.

Please see the PDF documents below for full details.

Troop 171 Covid‐19 Protection Procedures - Guidelines per CDC Recommendations and NC Mandates for Phase III
(Updated 11/29/2020)

Troop 171 Event
​Permission Slip Template
(Updated June 1, 2020)

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Troop 171 & 5171 on location at Williamson Chapel 
​updated 10/04/20

We have received permission to begin some activities at our home church location and we are grateful to the church and community for their support! 

To participate in on-campus activities, each Scout and adult (all Troop members) will need to complete this one-time activity permission waiver from the church. Please complete this before you come to an event at the church location:

          https://wcumc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1262/responses/new

During our on-campus activities, we will be following the same Troop practices that we do for all events such as guidelines that:

• Everyone remain 6 or more feet distant during activities
• If you are "up and moving" masks on, you may remove masks when you are seated and properly distant

For more information regarding safety, planning, events and activities, please communicate with your Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader or Scoutmasters.

​Meetings & Events Quarantine & Safety Info 
​updated 06/01/21

Please check for Troop emails and communications to stay up-to-date on events as they are announced. The weekly email digest (sent each Sunday) contains event info and online links and call-in numbers.

• Camping Trips - Outdoor Trips & Events, no size limit as long as distancing can be maintained. Masks are optional when distance is maintained, required when indoors or when 6 foot distance cannot be maintained.
  
  
• Monday Meetings -  No size limit as long as distancing can be maintained. Masks are optional when distance is maintained, required when indoors or when 6 foot distance cannot be maintained.
  
  
• Patrol Meetings - Please connect with Patrol Leaders for info about in-person Patrol meetings activities.
  
  
• Rank Advancement - Rank Board of Reviews are scheduled "in the book" during Monday night meetings.
  
  
• Merit Badges - Online and With Family -Scouts are encouraged to work remotely within Patrols or with family to continue Merit Badge work. Merit Badge Board of Reviews are scheduled "in the book" during Monday night meetings.

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ScoutingWire Update   04/27/20

These are challenging times, but it is important to recognize that these are the moments we prepare for. And this is when the Scouting family shines.
​
During some of our country’s most challenging hours, our Scouting movement has shouldered the burden when it was too heavy for many communities to bear.
As in previous crises, Scouts have stepped up to meet the challenge, and that continues today.
Read the rest of the message from BSA National:
A Scout is Helpful – Especially in Times Like the Present​

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Piedmont Council COVID-19 Update   03/13/20

Greetings Piedmont Council Scouting Family,
 
The health and well-being of our Scouts, volunteer leaders, families, and staff continues to remain our number-one priority. As COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its impact continues to persist, we know we must maintain constant communication with you to address the growing concern by many in our communities.
 
As we all know, the information coming to us from state and national public health officials is fluid. So, we are discussing frequently all of our options. As the emphasis is currently on prevention strategies and protecting the overall public health of our communities, we are changing ALL council and district meetings from in-person to conference call and/or video conference call for a period of 30 days (through April 13, 2020). This time frame may be extended depending on local conditions. 
 
Additionally, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced state officials will begin recommending people postpone or cancel events of over 100 people to help combat the coronavirus. We have factored in this recommendation as it pertains to Scouting activities listed below.
​
Decisions about unit meetings and activities should be made by unit leadership and chartering organizations based on the unit's individual circumstances and current CDC and local health department guidelines. Please contact your chartering organization about their meeting space policy.
 
Also, it's important to note that additional information will be forthcoming to address future meetings and activities for our council and districts. We will be doing so based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation to reconsider hosting public events that could put our communities at risk.
 
We are cognizant of the effect this causes for those involved in these meetings and activities. We appreciate your partnership in helping to address and mitigate this outbreak for all.
 
Connie Bowes | Scout Executive, CEO
 
Piedmont Council, Inc.
Boy Scouts of America
Connie.Bowes@scouting.org 
​

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BSA Health Policies

​Health & Safety Guidelines
We ask that everyone in Scouting follow the basic guidelines listed below, which are based on the CDC’s guidance for the general public. In addition, we’ve instructed local councils to consult with their local and state health departments, as well as local chartered partners, in order to implement appropriate protocols to help keep members, volunteers, and employees safe in their respective communities.

• Isolate if you are sick, and do not attend any activity/meeting/event if you or anyone you live with feels unwell.
• Stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you. (properly executed Scouting cohorts at council camps may be an exception).
• Avoid crowds.
• Avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Meet outside if you can.
• Wear a face covering or mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
• Do NOT attend any activity/meeting/event if you or anyone you live with has been tested for Covid or another illness and have not yet received the test results.

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BSA Polices to Prevent the Spread of Illness
The Boy Scouts of America continues to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at large Scouting events. These include the Annual Health and Medical Record and the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist.

Everyday Preventive Measures
Even with those important policies in place, it is critical that we all take these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

• Stay home when you feel sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands before and after doing so. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/elbow, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any Scouting events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.