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April 29, 2020
Dear Longhorn Council
Scouting Family,
It has been about a month
since I last wrote to you.
First, let me express my
hope that all of our Scouts and every member of their families have
stayed well during this challenging time. For those who may have
fallen ill, I pray for your quick return to good health.
Secondly, I want to
express my appreciation to everyone that has helped deliver local
Scouting using remote methods while we have not been allowed to gather
together in groups. I have heard many stories of how our Scout
units continue to “meet” and enjoy each other’s company, while working
to earn rank advancements and other badges. Our LHC Activities
Committee created a “Keep Scouting Moving Challenge” which outlines fun
at-home Scouting activities. Our Scouting units have also been
featured prominently in our local news media for their help in fighting
Covid-19.
I am also grateful for
those who continue to send in contributions, and we understand that not
everyone is able to do so. Thank you for helping us meet our
operational needs.
We are continuing to
monitor the decisions of our State and local leaders and will make our
own programming decisions as information becomes available to
us. We are expecting to hear very soon from the CDC about guidelines
for operating day camps and resident camps.
New dates have recently
been determined for some Cub Scout Day Camps, so please monitor this
fluid situation through our web site at www.longhorncouncil.org
Our Council team of
volunteers and staff are in the process of determining plans for each
of our summer resident camps. We intend to make an announcement no
later than May 15th in that regard.
Our service centers and
Scout Shops remain closed to walk-in customers. We are hopeful to
announce how we can open our Scout Shops in some way very shortly.
With social distancing
still a requirement all district and council events and camporees,
trainings, meetings and weekend camping remain cancelled or postponed
until further notice. Meetings that can be conducted
electronically by conference call or online meeting or other means
following accepted public health guidelines are encouraged.
Units should continue to
follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing. You should also
follow the meeting requirements of your chartered
organization. This will generally mean that in-person meetings
will not be able to be held, although small den or patrol meetings
might be possible (in person or via remote communication). We all
have to be creative.
Please know that Scouting
does not need to stop during this time. Encourage your Scouts to
work on their advancements at home or virtually with their merit badge
counselor. The Longhorn Council 30-Day Challenge deadline has been
extended until the end of May, so there is plenty of time to take
part.
Our professional staff is
still working, although mostly from remote locations, so feel free to
contact them on their cell phones if you need assistance with charter
renewals or anything else. As always, our commissioner staff
stands ready to support you as well, so feel free to call on them, even
if just to say “hi”.
These are challenging
times, and I wish you all the best. Stay safe!
Sincerely,
John Coyle, Scout
Executive
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