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Troop 48 Update – May 3rd

Meetings

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How long? When will we know? Who is making the decisions? How will life proceed?  These are some questions the Troop 48 membership would like to know insights about also… and the leadership can only give glimpses as new information is gathered.

Answer to the first question is “we don’t know either”.  Updates that have occurred in the past week.

  • Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church leadership extended the building closure through the end of May, therefore Tuesday night troop-wide, in-person meetings during May are cancelled.
  • Some patrols are arranging online meetings to connect with each other and share information.  These are allowed and encouraged if involving their Adult Advisors.
  • Philmont high adventure base will not open until the start of July so the trek has been cancelled along with preparation outings.
  • The request to have drop-in skill training in the CHPC parking lot has just now been approved, so further specific invitations will be sent once ready.
  • Kingsport Fun Fest 2020 and Crazy 8 race have been cancelled.

Responses for the second and third questions are “working on it” and “various leadership”.

  • Troop 48 adult leader committee gather next on Tuesday, May 12th evening after obtaining further direction from government, church, and scouting organizations.
    • Key question raised by our Scoutmaster is what will prompt the first in-person meeting (why are we meeting – summer camp carpooling and getting equipment, Court of Honor, etc.).
  • Sequoyah Council is not sharing further choices about CDC summer camp until May 15.
  • CHPC next meeting is sometime between May 13th and 20th.

Last reply is for the near-term as “the new normal” as not been defined.

  • Election of a new Senior Patrol Leader, which is scheduled for the first Tuesday in May, is now underway electronically.  See relevant email from Mr. Hasbrouck.
  • Ashur B. is a new Troop Guide embedded in Flaming Arrow patrol to assist with basic skill instruction.  The other three patrols also have Troop Guides within their rosters. (Tristan F. in Panther.  Avery P. in Phoenix.  David D. in Wolf.)
    • Eight members continue to work towards integrating into Troop 48 scouting by finishing the Scout rank. It will be great to recognize all with bright red Troop 48 neckerchiefs.
  • Teddy C. and Riley K. are the Service Managers for the West Bank and Adopt-a-Park respectively.  Leadership Corps is still providing labor for West Bank during May.
  • Parker P. has joined the Troop 48 Historian team.
  • Troop 48 has arranged to attend both CDC Summer Camp Weeks 2 (June 14-20) and 5 (July 5-11).  Your preference is desired.   Until Sequoyah Council makes an announcement, we are just duplicating class preferences for scouts switching to Group B/Week 5 (while retaining the June reservations).  Please let Mr. Hasler know if you are attending in July – or if you are now choosing to join the troop at summer camp thus need to indicate desired classes.

Finally, the Tennessee governor’s office has issued guidance for church worship services, which may be also appropriate for youth organizations such as ours.  Implementation of this directive needs to be discussed by the church and troop leaders to understand our restrictions and requirements.  For example is what arrangements can provide at least 6-foot distancing between families with 50% of maximum room capacity for social distancing and while all participants wear cloth (or better) face coverings.

If you have any specific questions, please contact our Scoutmaster, Mr. Hasbrouck who can work with the rest of the youth and adult leadership.

Finally, remember the Scout motto:  Be Prepared… as you can for any situation.

Troop 48 Update

Meetings

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Hello, Troop 48!  We hope everyone is staying safe while getting some exercise in your own neighborhoods.  Look for opportunities to do Good Turns, such as picking up trash (and aluminum cans for recycling).

This message is to provide another update regarding our troop calendar and activities.  While businesses, parks, and venues begin to reopen with limited capacity to maintain social distancing, Troop 48’s primary concerns are protecting our vulnerable members while continuing skill and leadership development.

But first, some good news.  Troop 48 rechartered 72 scouts and 65 adults for the next six months.  Thank you for supporting this program as we aspire to provide a solid experience for each and every one.

Back on the main topic, Troop 48 will follow the guidance of our state and local governments with their health departments – plus the permission of our charter organization, Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC).  The Troop 48 adult leader committee met on April 21st evening to agree that troop-wide meetings of nearly 100 people, even if spread around the church facility and grounds, are not yet viable.  Full Troop 48 in-person meetings through Tuesday, May 12th are cancelled as reflected on the T48.org website Calendar.  May 12th is when the adult leader committee will gather again after obtaining further direction from government, church, and scouting organizations.  Local schools are now closed through May.  A possible trigger to be able to assemble again would be official guidance to allow reopening of churches and schools.

In meantime, many scouts are taking advantage of the Scouting from Home activities offered on the BSA Sequoyah Council website.  Others are pursuing skill learning and merit badges on their own.  Joshua and Mrs. White are reaching out to the members working on Scout rank.  Others are finishing Star and Life ranks (and a 3rd Silver Palm!) with three-way calls for Scoutmaster Conferences and video teleconferencing for Boards of Review.  The troop leadership is willing to engage with the scouts while maintaining the social distancing and two-deep leadership principles.  Don’t forget to complete or recharge your Cyber Chip to allow electronic communication.

To this end, Troop 48 has requested permission of CPHC to be able to offer some drop-in events during May to be able to review the “Demonstrate” and “Show” requirements for the Scout and Tenderfoot ranks.  (Talk to us about needs for Second and First Class also.)  The details can hopefully be shared at the end of April.  Until then, learn the skills at home using videos from various scouting websites, including Troop 48 FB page.

National BSA is advertising a campout (all night) in your backyard on Saturday, May 2nd.  If you decide to participate, it will count as a camping night for advancement (but not for Order of Arrow qualification).   The scouts will need to send Mr. Hasler and Mrs. White photo proof your experience (maybe picture of you setting up the tent, and then inside view… in the morning).  We’ll collect the names for our troop records.

The Court of Honor and annual banquet have been cancelled for May with intention to move up the August event to allow our college-bound Eagle scouts to be recognized before their freshman orientations.

Philmont crew will learn more about their trek when the high adventure base communicates an update on Friday, May 1st.

Wilderness Road Day Camp, which many of our Den Chiefs and other scouts assist, has been pushed to the end of the month, June 29th thru July 3rd.

Separate message has been sent by Scoutmaster Hasbrouck regarding the possibility of attending CDC Summer Camp June 14-20 and/or July 5-11.  Credit, including partial amount, can be earned to pay for summer camp expenses by selling 2020 Camp Cards currently through the end of June.

Finally, the entire troop would like to wish Mrs. White a big milestone Happy Birthday on May 6th.

IMPORTANT: Latest Developments COVID-19 Message from Sequoyah Council March 16, 2020

Administration, Meetings, Upcoming Events

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Dear Scouting Family,
 
As situations continue to change regarding the health concerns around COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the impact on our community, we needed to update our Scouting family with the latest developments.
 
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee followed the actions by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in closing all schools for several weeks. As we follow the school schedule for our meetings and office hours, the Sequoyah Council Service Center and Scout Shop will be closed until April 5th. 2020. This closure will include all unit, district, and council functions. We will reevaluate the timeframe for closure as we learn more from local, state, and national health organizations. We ask that all Scouting families connect with us on our social media pages for the latest updates and information.
 
Service Center Support
The Sequoyah Council staff will be available to answer your questions and support needs by phone each Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00am-2:00pm. The Scout Shop will be available for phone and mail orders during those hours. The service center lobby will remain closed until April 5th.
 
Sequoyah staff members will be working at home during this closure. Each of us are reachable by phone and email for your Scouting needs.

Status of Unit Events (Packs, Troops, Crews, and Posts)
Effective immediately and until further notice, we are directing all units to suspend meetings and activities until April 5th. The storefront sale of Scout Cards will be rescheduled at the request of Food City and other card partners.
 
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 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 yourself 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 local District executive. We will do everything we can to answer your questions using the information available to us. 


      
 

Meetings Suspension

Meetings

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As you no doubt know from the current news, schools for most of our troop families will be closed for the next two weeks (until March 27).  Per directions from the Sequoyah Council, Troop 48 will follow the school policies; we will suspend troop meetings at least through the school closures.

We have preemptively canceled the April 4 Knoxville Zoo trip. It could be rescheduled at a later date. We have also tentatively rescheduled the April 7th Awards Banquet and Court of Honor to May 12th. 

We recommend that Scouts do advancement work by computer or by phone when practical.
Charlie Hasbrouck