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

The national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 3 things to know

Longhorn Times Newsletter Special Edition: National BSA Chapter 11 Announcement https://www.longhorncouncil.org Longhorn Council Scouters and Friends. In case you missed the email sent by the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), here it is: Today, the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to achieve two key objectives: equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue to carry out Scouting's mission for years to come.While the word "bankruptcy" can be intimidating, it is important to know that Scouting programs will continue. Your regular unit meetings and activities, district and council events, other Scouting adventures and countless service projects will take place as usual. We took this action today amid increasing financial pressure on the BSA from litigation involving past abuse in Scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to abuse innocent children and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting. We believe victims, we support them, we provide counseling by a provider of their choice, and we encourage them to come forward. Our plan is to use this Chapter 11 process to create a Trust that would provide equitable compensation to these individuals. As we go through this process, we want to make certain that all Scouting parents and volunteers know the following: Scouting is safer now than ever before. Approximately 90% of the pending and asserted claims against the BSA relate to abuse that occurred more than 30 years ago. As someone close to Scouting, you know the safety of children in our programs is the BSA's absolute top priority and that one instance of abuse is one too many. That's precisely why over many years we've developed some of the strongest expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization.From mandatory youth protection training and background checks for all volunteers and staff, to policies that prohibit one-on-one interaction between youth and adults and require that any suspected abuse is reported to law enforcement, our volunteers and employees take youth protection extremely seriously and do their part to help keep kids safe. You can read more about the BSA's multi-layered safeguards and our efforts to be part of the broader solution to child abuse at www.scouting.org/youth-safety. In fact, this is a resource that you can share with friends and family who are interested in understanding what the BSA is doing to keep kids safe. Scouting continues. Scouting programs will continue to serve youth, families and local communities throughout this process and for many years to come. Just last year, communities across the country benefited from more than 13 million Scouting service hours, and young men and women earned more than 1.7 million merit badges that represent skills that will help them succeed throughout their lives. Studies prove and parents agree that Scouting helps young people become more kind, helpful and prepared for life, and as long as those values remain important to our society, Scouting will continue to be invaluable to our nation's youth. Local councils have not filed for bankruptcy. Local councils – which provide programming, financial, facility and administrative support to Scouting units in their communities – are legally separate, distinct and financially independent from the national organization. We know you will likely have questions about these issues and things you will see in the news. We have posted information about our restructuring on a dedicated website, www.BSArestructuring.org. This site includes a helpful Resources page, where you will find a short video explaining what Chapter 11 means for Scouting, as well as a FAQ and a reference document that will help you discuss this announcement with youth in our programs. The site also includes a Milestones page, which will be your best source for the latest updates throughout this process. If these resources don't answer your questions, please feel free to reach out to us through Member Care at 972-580-2489 or MyScouting@Scouting.org. We will do everything we can to provide helpful, transparent responses and ensure your Scouting experience continues to be a great one. Yours in Scouting, Jim Turley National Chair Ellie Morrison National Commissioner Roger Mosby President & CEO

Long Time Scouter Lee Urb has passed away

Lee Erb was a long time Cross Timbers scouter with Troop 186 at University Baptist Church. He passed away on February 13, 2020.



Lee Erb Obituary - Arlington, TX - Dignity Memorialwww.dignitymemorial.com › arlington-tx › lee-erb-9037162

Troop 396 Philmont Crew Opening

Troop 396 Philmont Crew Opening

Arlington Troop 396 has a youth opening on our 2020 Philmont Trek.

Our 12-day trek leaves on June 20 and returns on July 4.  We have been awarded Trek 12-3 (North Country/Baldy).

The boys on our crew range from 15 -18 including four Eagles.  Two adults and one scout have previous Philmont Treks under their belts.

If you have a scout that is at least 14 and interested in a great Philmont experience, please have them contact:

Ed Lightner

Troop 396

817/875-8676.

Troop 545 Annual Fundraiser and Dinner - Tickets still on sale

Joint Roundtable Meeting - Tuesday, 2-11 at 7:15PM

All Scout leaders!!!

Please join us for our Monthly Roundtable meeting!!

Please note that the meeting now starts at 7:15PM, at the Family Life Center at St.Barnabas UMC, 5011 W Pleasant Ridge in Arlington.