New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA Website for the New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA
March 30, 2020
Service Centers and Scout Shops to Remain Closed Indefinitely
As you likely already know, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has directed all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In accordance with that directive, the Mechanicsburg and York Service Centers and Scout Shops will remain closed indefinitely until Gov. Wolf rescinds this order.
Our professional staff members continue to work remotely and are available for our Scouting public via phone or email. Please see our full staff directory at https://newbirthoffreedom.org/resources/staff-directory/. If you are not sure who to contact, please email us at info@newbirthoffreedom.org.
As announced previously, all of our camps will remain closed through at least April 30.
Further updates, including when we will be able to reopen, will be posted on the Council’s website (https://newbirthoffreedom.org) and Facebook page.
Please share this information with other volunteers and do your very best to keep yourselves and others safe. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.
Ronald M. Gardner, Jr.
Scout Executive
March 27, 2020
Council Camp Closures Extended Through April
The safety of all of our campers, leaders, camp staff, and camp visitors is always our top priority. With this in mind, the Council’s Executive Committee has extended the closure of all council camps through the end of April due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.
Full refunds will be issued after the Council Service Centers reopen for all events and reservations canceled during April.
It may not be possible to reschedule postponed April camping events until this fall or later. We remain hopeful that the COVID-19 virus will subside in time for us to conduct summer camp programs at Hidden Valley and Tuckahoe. Focusing 100% of our efforts on summer camp preparation is our top priority at this point.
We hope many of the units, who had their camping reservations canceled in March and April, will rebook with us again this fall. As you might imagine, the loss of two months of camping revenues at a busy time of year will have a significant negative impact on our operating budget.
Please stay safe as we come together to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our council camps once this outbreak is over.
Yours in Scouting,
Ronald M. Gardner, Jr.
Scout Executive & CEO
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March 16, 2020
Dear Scouting Families,
On Monday, March 16, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf directed that all non-essential businesses close for at least the next two weeks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus through personal contact and on surfaces.
To do our part in this effort, we are closing both the Mechanicsburg and York Services, including both Scout Shops, for the next two weeks starting Tuesday, March 17. Our professional staff will continue to work and be available for our Scouting public via phone or email. Please see our full staff directory at https://newbirthoffreedom.org/resources/staff-directory/. If you are not sure who to contact, please email us at info@newbirthoffreedom.org.
As announced previously, all of our camps will remain closed through Tuesday, March 31.
Further updates, including when we will be able to reopen, will be posted on the Council’s website (https://newbirthoffreedom.org) and Facebook page.
Please share this information with other volunteers and do your very best to keep yourselves and others safe. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.
Ronald M. Gardner, Jr.
Scout Executive
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March 12, 2020
Dear New Birth of Freedom Council Scouting Family,
As always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees are our top priority. We know there are questions and concerns about how COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, that will affect local Scouting programs in the New Birth of Freedom Council. Please know that we are monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 both locally and through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The following information regarding events and prevention measures is based on the latest available guidance. As this is an evolving situation, this information is subject to change. We will continue to update you on relevant developments, and we appreciate your understanding of any necessary adjustments in the interest of health and safety.
Status of Council Events
We have carefully reviewed the current public health guidance, including Governor Tom Wolf’s request that that people refrain from non-essential travel and refrain from going to recreational activities in public places at this critical time. With this in mind, all in-person Council and District events, activities, and meetings between Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 31, will be postponed or canceled. This decision reflects an abundance of caution and concern for the health of our Scouts, Scouters, and families and to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Additionally, the New Birth of Freedom Council strongly suggests that individual Scout units follow this policy. The final decision on continued unit activities is the responsibility of the unit committee in consultation with their chartered organization and, in some cases, their meeting facilities, until the CDC or local authorities provide new guidance.
All district and council committee meetings will continue using conference call or web meeting services to maintain Scouting’s work during this timeframe.
Availability of Council Facilities
Through March 31, all council camps are closed. Currently, all summer camp programs will continue as planned.
At this time, both the Mechanicsburg and York Service Centers are open for business. Council committee meetings will not take place in person. If you wish to visit a member of our staff, please consider calling or emailing instead.
Both the Mechanicsburg and York Scout Shops remain open for business.
Event Refunds
Whenever possible, we will work to reschedule events for a later date. If you are registered for an event that is postponed, your registration will automatically be transferred to the new date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, you may request a refund.
For camp reservations (such as cabin rentals) that are canceled, full credit for a future camp reservation or a full refund will be provided upon request.
BSA Policies to Prevent the Spread of Illness
The Boy Scouts of America continue to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at significant Scouting events. These include the Annual Health and Medical Record and the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist.
Everyday Preventive Measures
Even with those essential policies in place, we all must take these daily 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.
Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to your district executive or the Council’s Camping Department. We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us. This message and future updates will be available at https://newbirthoffreedom.org/covid-19.
Yours in Scouting,
Ronald M. Gardner, Jr.
Scout Executive