Outdoor Adventures Learning from Home Series

Outdoor Adventures Learning from Home Series During this time of social distancing, the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is going to provide some activities to keep your kids (grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc) engaged in learning about the outdoors. This activity you can do with your kids, or maybe you need to learn too! The article from Outdoor Life is several years old, but perpetually relevant. You can use rope, string, twine, yarn, or shoelaces to practice knot tying in your yard or in your living room:  https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/02/essential-knots-how-tie-20-knots-will-keep-you-alive/ To learn more about OTF and our Outdoor Adventures curriculum, become a member, or make a donation, please see GoOTF.com.

Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation | P.O. Box 543305, Dallas, TX 75354

Announcement from Longhorn Council about COVID-19 (Please read carefully)

How is COVID-19 (Coronavirus) impacting Scouting at Longhorn Council? Please read this important announcement on behalf of our Scout Executive, John Coyle: March 18, 2020 Dear Longhorn Council Scouting Family, The Longhorn Council cares deeply about the health and safety of all our Scouts and every member of their families. Based on guidance from our public health leaders, the Council is updating our calendars and recommendations to units. Through the end of April all district and council events and camporees, trainings, meetings and weekend camping are cancelled or postponed, with the exception of meetings that can be conducted electronically by conference call or online meeting or other means following accepted public health guidelines. Also, through April 30, units should postpone or cancel all in-person meetings that will not follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing or cannot be held remotely using technology. While this public health measure presents challenges, Scouting can continue. Advancement can still happen. Small den or patrol meetings might be possible (in person or via remote communication). We all have to be creative. Here is an update on activity and meeting dates for Longhorn Council as of today: What will still go on: ·       Scouts BSA Summer resident camp programs at Camp Tahuaya, Worth Ranch and Sid Richardson Scout Ranch (SR2) will go on as planned! ·       Cub Scout Day Camps in June throughout the Council will go on ·       Cub Scout summer Resident Camp at Camp Tahuaya will go on ·       High Adventure Base programs at SR2 and at all BSA National bases will go on What has been postponed: ·       The three Rocket Academy and Family Adventure events on March 14, April 5 and April 18 will be moved to the three Rocket Academy and Family Adventure events scheduled in October. o      October 3, Cub Rocket Academy at Camp Tahuaya o      October 10, Family Adventure at SR2; and o      October 24 Cub Rocket Academy at SR2 ·       The April 18 and April 25 Canoe Races at Worth Ranch will be moved to the Fall Canoe Races in September, and a tentative Canoe Race make up day in mid-May (for those of us getting a little stir crazy – if CDC and health department guidance allows such events in May). o  May 23, Spring Canoe Race (tentative) at Worth Ranch o  September 12, Fall Canoe Race at Worth Ranch o  September 19, Fall Canoe race at Worth Ranch ·       April 28 Council Recognition Dinner and Annual Meeting. Future plans are to be determined. Council Annual Meeting and elections will continue as scheduled using remote meeting technology. What has been cancelled: ·       Weekend camping. Longhorn Council camps closed are closed to unit activities through April. ·       March 21 Spring-O at SR2 ·       March 21 Webelos Woods at Camp Tahuaya ·       March 28 Webelos Woods at Worth Ranch ·       April 18 Webelos Woods (make-up date) at Worth Ranch. 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. Leaders may go online and take a training course. Find a way to conduct a virtual Roundtable. District and Council elections should be conducted remotely, just make sure to follow election procedures. The Council Service Centers in both Hurst and Waco remain open during normal hours. 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 as well, so feel free to call on them, even if just to say “hi”. These are challenging times, and I wish all the best. Stay safe! Sincerely, John Coyle, Scout Executive

Important Update on BSA Response to Coronavirus COVID-19

To our Scouting community, In Scouting, we vow to help other people at all times. Now, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Scouting community must do its part to slow the spread of the virus, which will save lives and avoid overwhelming our local healthcare infrastructure. The safety of Scouts, volunteers, employees and our communities is our top priority. With safety in mind and based on guidance from national health officials, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is strongly advising that in-person meetings, activities, events and gatherings of 10 or more people be suspended through the end of March. Please also follow any restrictions outlined by your state and local health department or other state and local authorities. This applies to youth and adults out of an abundance of caution. In accordance with national guidelines, please focus on the following through the end of March: Avoid in-person gatherings; instead, utilize available digital and online resources, such as video conferencing, to continue Scouting meetings, projects and advancement, adhering to the current youth protection guidelines already in place for digital communications. If you must meet, limit participants to fewer than 10 people and remain at least six feet apart. Follow BSA blogs and social channels, as well as #ScoutingAtHome, for great examples and ideas of how to continue Scouting. If you or any member of your family feel sick, DO NOT go into the office or attend any gatherings. Contact your health professional to get care and notify your supervisor so they can take the appropriate measures while you focus on recuperating. We will continue to evaluate the ongoing situation and prioritize the safety of everyone involved in Scouting – youth, families, volunteers, employees and our communities – is our number one priority. We realize these decisions are not without their challenges, and we thank you for helping meet the needs of our communities in difficult times. The steps we are taking reinforce the many ways – big and small – that Scouting empowers character and leadership today and for generations to come. Yours in Scouting, Roger C. Mosby President and CEO

Copyright © 2020 Boy Scouts of America. All rights reserved. Boy Scouts of America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane  Irving, TX 75038

Special announcement regarding scouts and Corona Virus..

Dear Scouting Family,

As always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is our top priority. We know there are questions and concerns about how COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, could affect local Scouting programs in Longhorn Council. Please know that we are monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 both locally with our Council Health Supervisor (Note: please engage your CHS if you have not) 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 

Currently, no council or district events or activities have been cancelled due to COVID-19.

You may monitor event updates here:

https://longhorn.ihubapp.org/c/longhorn-news  (<<< There is NO need to register, sign-in, etc. to view our posts here.)

https://www.facebook.com/LonghornCouncilBSA

*We will also use email communications via District Executives and LHC Leaders.*

Decisions about unit meetings and activities should be made by unit leadership and chartering organizations based on the unit’s individual circumstances and current CDC and local health department guidelines.

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 everyday 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 local district executive. We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us.  

Yours in Scouting,

John Coyle

Longhorn Council Scout Executive/CEO

817-231-8500

Event: Spring Scout Badge Day

Calendar: Pack 378
Event: Spring Scout Badge Day
Where: River Legacy Park
When: Mar 7, 2020 10am-1pm (UTC-06:00) Central Time 

Cub Scout Requirements Met:
Tiger Cubs - Tigers in the Wild **
Wolf Cubs - Paws on the Path **
Bear - Cubs Fur, Feathers & Ferns **
Webelos - Into the Woods*

Do you have a Girl Scout in your family?
Daisies - Ecolearner*
Brownies - Bugs*
Juniors - Flowers **
Cadettes - Trees*

* Badge or Award program is designed to complete all steps required to earn the badge.
** Badge programs are designed to complete a few steps required to earn the badge.

https://riverlegacy.org/scout-programs

Troop 118 has two crews going on Trek 12-12 to Philmont Scout Ranch July 1 to July 14

We have five slots for Scouts (only) available.  We welcome you to join us.

Contact Corey Callaway, SM at 817-274-4877 or by email coreyncallaway@msn.com