Summer 2021
We at the National Capital Area Council are committed to bringing back the joy of in-person summer camp for the summer of 2021. However, we must take additional measures to continue to minimize the risk of spread and infection. The following sections outline the protocols that we have put in place to maximize the health and safety of all participants. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation and ensure that we update our protocols accordingly. If you have any feedback to provide, please do so using the contact information at the bottom of the page.
Download a copy of the protocols on this page:
The following protocols are subject to change depending on vaccine availability, local regulations, and official health guidance.
Last updated 3/31/2021
Summary & FAQs
Will masks be required?
Yes. Masks must be worn at all times when in a building, in a program area, and when within 6 feet of another person. Exception will be made for various activities at Aquatics.
Will Goshen be requiring a vaccine?
At this time, Goshen camps will not be requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to attend. We will continue to monitor local regulations and health guidance.
We will be requiring pre-screening protocols – either a negative test or a 14 day symptom screening – regardless of vaccination status. Details can be found in the check-in section below.
What is the tenting situation? Is camping going to be different?
Units will be provided enough tents for two people to a tent. As recommended by the CDC, the two person tent occupants should sleep head to toe. Attendees are welcome to bring their own tents and units are encouraged to bring enough tents to sleep half their unit.
The camp will support the units in carrying out daily health checks for campers.
Other details can be found in the Facilities section below.
Are there any drastic program changes? Are there going to be any large group gatherings, like campfires?
Program will look a little different this year. Activities will be capped and, for the Scouts BSA camps, some Merit Badges might have more prerequisites, based on what we’re able to do at camp. Additionally, for the Scouts BSA camps, Scouts are required to have at least one buddy from their cohort at each activity. More than one buddy is encouraged.
Large group activities, like campfires, will be offered in multiple locations to smaller groups, to avoid large gatherings.
Get more details in the Program section below. More information will also be forthcoming as we get closer to camp and get a better idea of what the local regulations and health guidance for this summer will be like.
Are Dining Halls going to be open?
Yes, but with modifications, like meal shifts, distancing, and sanitization.
Check out the Food Service section below for details.
What do I do if I get COVID-19 before camp?
If you are sick, do not come to camp.
Units may request to transfer campers to other weeks (as space allows), use the funds toward other campers, rollover the funds for a future year, or request a refund.
Refunds due to COVID-19 outside of the standard refund policy will be handled on a case by case basis.
Get further information about camp arrival safety in the Check-In section below.
Check-In
- Participants (youth & adults) will have a health screening upon arrival. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4°F or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 will be taken aside and quarantined. If symptoms have not resolved in 30 minutes, the participant will be sent home.
- If you are sick, do not come to camp.
- Refunds due to COVID-19 outside of the standard refund policy will be handled on a case by case basis. Refer to the standard policy on our Registration page.
- (New 3/31) In line with State of Virginia guidance, all participants (youth & adults), regardless of vaccination status, will be required to either:
- obtain a molecular test result that shows the participant has tested negative for COVID-19. The test must have been administered within 7 days prior to camp.
OR - do a 14 day symptom screening for the camper and all members of the camper’s family. Campers utilizing this option must restrict their close contacts to those inside their family for the duration of the 14-day period.
- obtain a molecular test result that shows the participant has tested negative for COVID-19. The test must have been administered within 7 days prior to camp.
- (New 3/31) Units will turn in Pre-Camp COVID-19 Screening forms attesting that each of their participants has done one of the two above options.
- All participants (youth & adults) will be required to have a completed BSA Medical Form including Part C (the physical) and the NCAC Health Advisory. Participants (mainly adults) staying less than 72 hours need to have Parts A & B of the Medical Form completed.
- All forms can be found on the Forms page as well as in every camp’s Downloads section.
Cohorts (New 3/31)
General
- For the week of camp, units will be their own cohorts.
- Cohort size may not exceed 25 participants (youth & adults). Units larger than 25 participants will need to split themselves into multiple cohorts. Cohorts can be smaller than 25 participants. The typical camp patrol size – 8 – 10 scouts – is a good practice.
- Packs at both Camp PMI and Camp Ross can choose to have Webelos and AOLs in the same cohort or in separate cohorts.
- It is recommended, but not required to practice mask wearing and social distancing with members of your cohort.
- Members of different cohorts may not tent together or eat together and must observe strict physical distancing and mask wearing from each other.
Symptom Screening
- Units will perform daily symptom screenings for fever, sore throat, new cough, diarrhea, vomiting, stomachache, and new onset of a severe headache, especially with a fever.
- Units will be provided with one or more thermometers per cohort at the beginning of the week for leaders to perform morning temperature checks on their youth and adult campers. Units may bring their own thermometers.
- If a member of a cohort shows symptoms, the cohort will be quarantined and possibly sent home, pending diagnosis. Keep this in mind when assigning adults to cohorts. Units must still have enough adults to satisfy the Youth Protection Guidelines.
Program
General
- Masks must be worn at all times when in a building, in a program area, and when within 6 feet of another person. Masks are not required at Aquatics, but social distancing is strictly enforced.
Camp-wide Programs
- Campfires and flag ceremonies will be conducted in multiple locations, to avoid large crowds. For safety reasons, these events will not include songs or cheers.
- Attendance at campfires, flag ceremonies, and other campwide events will be optional.
Scheduled Program
- Webelos activities will be for one small group (den/pack) at a time.
- Merit badges and activity sessions at the Scouts BSA camps will be capped. Caps will vary depending on the needs of the individual badge and activity area.
- Some programs and activities (ex. Lifesaving) may not be offered or may be offered in a limited way.
- Campers are encouraged to bring their own folding camp stool or camp chair with them.
- (New 3/31) Scouts at the Scouts BSA camps are required to sign up for merit badges and activities with at least one buddy from their cohort. We encourage Scouts to sign up with multiple members of their cohort.
- (New 3/31) Provisional Scouts at Camp Marriott are encouraged to sign up for merit badges and activities with a buddy, if they are attending with another Scout from their home Troop. However, they are not required to have a buddy in activities.
Food Service Protocols
Patrol Cooking & Heater Stack (Camps Bowman & Marriott)
- Patrol Cooking & Heater Stack dining methods will function as usual.
Dining Halls (Camps Olmsted, PMI, Ross, & Lenhok’sin Basecamp)
- Dining Halls will be open. Meals will be served in two shifts, to avoid large crowds, and will be disinfected between groups.
- Dishware and utensils will be disposable. Tables will be limited to five people.
- For safety reasons, Dining Hall program will not involve songs or cheers.
Facilities/Miscellaneous
- Tents: Units will be provided enough tents for two people to a tent. As recommended by the CDC, the two person tent occupants should sleep head to toe. Attendees are welcome to bring their own tents and units are encouraged to bring enough tents to sleep half their unit.
- Unit Equipment: In addition to additional tents, units are also encouraged to bring large tarps and camp chairs to increase their comfort.
- Masks: Units are also encouraged to bring plenty of masks for the week. Camp will have additional masks, if needed.
- Staff: Staff will be vaccinated, pending availability of vaccines.
- Sanitization: Cots, tent doors, and all other frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized by staff in between camper departures and new arrivals. Showers will be cleaned daily.
- Bus: The status of the Goshen Bus is still under consideration. More information will be available closer to camp.
- Transportation (New 3/31): Units may carpool, if they choose. When traveling to and from camp, participants must only travel with members of their cohort.
Further Information & Contact
Further information about COVID-19 is available at the resources below.
CDC www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Commonwealth of Virginia www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
National Capital Area Council Unit Guidance weownadventure.com/guidance-on-resuming-in-person-scouting-activities/
Please contact us with any questions or comments.
Phil Barbash
Goshen Scout Reservation Director
Email: Phil.Barbash@Scouting.org
Phone: (301) 214-9195