May 13, 2020
Dear Yawgoog Scouts, Leaders, Family, Friends, Staff and Alumni:
First and foremost, we hope that this message finds you and your family well. It goes without saying that we are living through an unprecedented and concerning time.
Your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is Yawgoog Scout Reservation’s top priority. As such, we have taken a careful and informed approach in evaluating whether to run summer camp program this year. Since the spread of this pandemic, we have been continually monitoring the situation, exploring various program scenarios and consulting with health experts, government officials and other camp professionals.
After a thorough evaluation, we have concluded that based on the information available to us of likely restrictions, we will NOT be able to conduct on-site Scout Camp at Yawgoog Scout Reservation.
We are working on launching in the near future, plans for Virtual Program with a combination of program materials mailed to Scouts in advance, fun outdoor activities that Scouts can do at home or with other Scouts and supplemented by virtual programs.
We will be mailing out a form to all Troop leaders that will enable them to make decisions on deposits, confirmation fees and refunds. Please feel free to email CampYawgoog@scouting.org if you should have any questions.
We will continue to evaluate options for small groups to come to Yawgoog later in the summer if we can do so in a safe manner. We are also planning to offer a variety of fall weekend programs if the situation at that time allows it.
The pandemic situation is evolving and information changes daily. We are working closely with our local health department officials, our Council Health Supervisor and our council’s Enterprise Risk Management committee to make informed decisions as efficiently as possible that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, participants, and communities. We will adjust plans as needed.
We know that Yawgoog is more than a week of summer camp, especially to our veteran campers and staff. We know that Yawgoog has impacted the lives of millions over the years and will continue to do so. We hope you will continue to keep the spirit of Yawgoog alive in your Troops and communities. This virus will be defeated and Yawgoog will be here for all those that seek it, ever stronger and full of life. Yawgoog will continue to be “A Scout Adventureland Forever” and we are grateful for all of you that make it so.
May God Bless you and your families today and every day.
Gratefully,
Thomas Sisson Daniel Friel
Reservation Director Assistant Reservation Director
Dear Yawgoog Scouts, Leaders, Family, Friends, Staff and Alumni:
First and foremost, we hope that this message finds you and your family well. It goes without saying that we are living through an unprecedented and concerning time.
Your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is Yawgoog Scout Reservation’s top priority. As such, we have taken a careful and informed approach in evaluating whether to run summer camp program this year. Since the spread of this pandemic, we have been continually monitoring the situation, exploring various program scenarios and consulting with health experts, government officials and other camp professionals.
After a thorough evaluation, we have concluded that based on the information available to us of likely restrictions, we will NOT be able to conduct on-site Scout Camp at Yawgoog Scout Reservation.
We are working on launching in the near future, plans for Virtual Program with a combination of program materials mailed to Scouts in advance, fun outdoor activities that Scouts can do at home or with other Scouts and supplemented by virtual programs.
We will be mailing out a form to all Troop leaders that will enable them to make decisions on deposits, confirmation fees and refunds. Please feel free to email CampYawgoog@scouting.org if you should have any questions.
We will continue to evaluate options for small groups to come to Yawgoog later in the summer if we can do so in a safe manner. We are also planning to offer a variety of fall weekend programs if the situation at that time allows it.
The pandemic situation is evolving and information changes daily. We are working closely with our local health department officials, our Council Health Supervisor and our council’s Enterprise Risk Management committee to make informed decisions as efficiently as possible that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, participants, and communities. We will adjust plans as needed.
We know that Yawgoog is more than a week of summer camp, especially to our veteran campers and staff. We know that Yawgoog has impacted the lives of millions over the years and will continue to do so. We hope you will continue to keep the spirit of Yawgoog alive in your Troops and communities. This virus will be defeated and Yawgoog will be here for all those that seek it, ever stronger and full of life. Yawgoog will continue to be “A Scout Adventureland Forever” and we are grateful for all of you that make it so.
May God Bless you and your families today and every day.
Gratefully,
Thomas Sisson Daniel Friel
Reservation Director Assistant Reservation Director
Scouting Continues in Narragansett Council!
Narragansett Council is taking actions to ensure that we can continue to support our Scouts, and protect the health of our team and our communities. Stay up to date at www.ncbsa.org/coronavirus and at www.facebook.com/ncbsa.
In the coming weeks, the Council team will be working remotely, continuing to provide support to you and our Scouts while minimizing the potential spread of the virus. Most or all staff will be working from home, available via phone and email, but not in the office.
In fact, many functions of the Council will continue as before:
- Though the council office will be closed to visitors, staff will continue to process charters, Eagle Scout applications, registration, donations, payables, and more;
- Meetings and presentations will be changed or held via online platforms or phone;
- Our Adventure Base Camp staff are working on innovative program options to earn badges that Scouts can participate in remotely;
- Rangers continue to work on the many projects at our camps while getting ready for a great summer camp season;
- Our camps (Yawgoog, Norse, Champlin and Aquapaug) are still hiring summer camp staff and rescheduling promotion presentations while continuing to prepare for wicked awesome summer camp experiences;
- District executives and unit support staff are still working with units remotely via phone and email;
- For our Life Scouts, our national office is working on steps to insure that all eligible Life Scouts attain the rank of Eagle despite the disruption;
- Have an Eagle Scout application or packet? Mail it to us at Narragansett Council, PO Box 14777, East Providence, RI 02914. Eagle candidates will NOT be penalized due to timing issues!
Changes in effect:
- All council and district activities through March 31 are cancelled or postponed;
- Camps will remain closed through March 31;
- Units are asked to suspend all unit meetings and activities while schools are out; states are asking for no gatherings of 10 or more;
- Our Scout stores in Warwick and Swansea will be closed until at least March 23. We are working on options for emailing or phone calling in orders for shipment;
- The council office will be closed to visitors, most staff will work from home.
Too many emails! We agree! We will keep emails to a minimum at this time (sorry for this one!) Watch for updates at www.ncbsa.org/coronavirus and at www.facebook.com/ncbsa. We will have a program announcement email coming in a few day to let you know about virtual programs to be offered.
How can Scouts and leaders help our communities?
- Run errands for elderly neighbors
- Donate blood to the Rhode Island Blood Center or the American Red Cross (Massachusetts). There is an urgent need for blood donors! Must be at least 16 years old.
- Let us know how your Scouts are stepping up to help other people! Send photos and stories to daniel.friel@scouting.org.
For more information on coronavirus, please visit the department of health website:
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- CDC website for excellent guidelines.
- The Boston Globe shared these 9 tips on speaking with young children about their concerns about Coronavirus.
The team at the Narragansett Council is committed to continuing to provide a program in the coming weeks that our Scouts will remember as an example of preparedness, adaptability and resilience for the rest of their lives.
Thank you for your continued patience as we plan ahead to make Scouting in the Narragansett Council thrive!