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Scouts Canada Charity Number: 107761694RR0028
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, our response has evolved over the last 2+ years as we continually review our actions and policies to ensure they are aligned with our guiding principles. As we see other, similar organisations move in this direction its prudent to continually review the changing circumstances and make changes based on the most up-to-date information. Currently, the significant up-take of vaccinations across the country and the current pandemic situation, along with most of our Councils being within Stage 5 of our Pandemic Standards has all contributed to the re-evaluation of the policy and the decision to remove the policy altogether.
The removal of the mandatory vaccination policy will take effect on September 1, 2022. Until that time, the policy remains in place and new members will required to self-declare their vaccination status within MyScouts.
The decision was made by the Scouts Canada Board of Governors on the recommendation of Scouts Canada’s leadership.
No changes need to be made to MyScouts. As members renew their membership, the vaccination self-declaration field within MyScouts will be on OPTIONAL field and will not be required in order to complete registration/renewal.
Scouts Canada has continually reviewed the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and adapted its policies and procedures to reflect the latest information and circumstances. Although it is difficult to predict the future of the pandemic, it may be necessary to reinstate the vaccination policy if the situation or public health advice changes.
Starting September 1, 2022 COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required when visiting a Scouts Canada building or facility. This extends to all Scout Canada offices, headquarters, camps and Scouting halls.
Throughout most jurisdictions in Canada, the masking mandate has been made optional and this applies to Scouts Canada meetings and events. In areas or locations that have retained a masking policy, Scouts Canada members are expected to wear a mask and comply with all related public health guidelines.
We have learned over the last two years of the pandemic, that we must continuously to adapt to new information. We cannot predict what the situation may be like in a month, let alone several months into 2022. Scouts Canada will continue to monitor and evaluate, follow our guiding principles and shape our responses and policies accordingly.
Scouts Canada understands that parents need time to make this decision, consult with a trusted healthcare professional and to schedule vaccination appointments. If Scouts Canada implements a vaccine mandate for children 5 to 11, we will give everyone a reasonable amount of time to make a decision and schedule two doses.
In provinces or municipalities in which governments stipulate a specific procedure or mandate, Scouts Canada would require those procedures to be adopted. In provinces or school districts that have a requirement for in-person building access or after-hours school use, it is expected that a procedure and associated document will be required.
NOTE: In all cases, federal and provincial legislation MUST be followed in addition to Scouts Canada rules. Contact your local Council for further information.
There is no change to our current policy. Scouts Canada will continue to monitor and evaluate as well as follow public health guidance.
Yes. The Nov 1 date was selected as it can incorporate the required timing between dose 1 and dose 2 of the approved vaccines and a further 14 days following the second, final, vaccination dose required for full vaccination status
At this time, only those vaccines approved by Health Canada (i.e. Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca).
In provinces or municipalities in which governments stipulate a specific procedure or passport use, Scouts Canada would require those procedures to be adopted e.g. Vaccine passport (QR code) in Quebec. In provinces or school districts that have a requirement for in-person building access or after-hours school use, it is expected that a procedure and associated document will be required.
NOTE: In all cases, federal and provincial legislation MUST be followed in addition to Scouts Canada rules. Contact your local Council for further information.
The decision was made by the Scouts Canada Board of Governors on the recommendation of Scouts Canada’s leadership. Scouts Canada believes vaccination is the key to a safe and successful return to in-person Scouting activities and to ensuring the safety of our community.
Yes, starting on November 1, 2021, all persons present at a Scouts Canada in-person activity will be required to be fully vaccinated.Since the beginning of the pandemic, Scouts Canada has based its decisions on a set of Board Approved guiding principles for COVID pandemic management, specifically: Scouts Canada will make risk-based decisions, will always follow Federal and Provincial legislation and will be a fast-follower that learns from others—specifically school boards. Most importantly, Scouts Canada has always taken a leadership position in the area of youth safety and to role model the expected behaviours consistent with public safety and civic leadership. Public health officials continue to advocate strongly for vaccination as the most critical step to bringing the pandemic to an end, Scouts Canada supports this position.
With Canada being in the enviable position of more than 80% of the eligible population vaccinated and both federal government, education institutions and businesses supporting vaccine deployment, Scouts Canada has determined that a position of leadership and clarity will aid the continued safety of our youth and members. Our guiding principles: Scouts.ca/news-andevents/covid-19/covid-19-faq.html
Yes, in principle, the vaccine mandate will extend to youth 12 and under as vaccines are approved for children. Scouts Canada will continue to monitor developments in vaccine eligibility while continuing to follow our guiding principles before making a future decision and associated timing.
Scouts Canada will continue to update its policies in alignment with public health guidelines.
Yes. All members have until November 1, 2021 to be fully vaccinated. After that date, only fully vaccinated persons who have submitted and recorded their self-declaration, or have an approved and recorded exemption, may attend in-person meetings or activities (subject to federal or provincial legislation that may preceed this date).
From the beginning of the pandemic, Scouts Canada has taken the position of ensuring as much as practical and possible, the safety of our youth and members that participate in Scouting as directed by our guiding principles. In addition, as one of the largest youth-serving organizations in Canada, we have a civic and community responsibility to lead by example while being a fast-follower recognizing that governments, hospitals and education ministries are equipped with specialist expertise that we do not have access to.
In principle, we will continue to be consistent with the direction of our federal, provincial and municipal leaders and continue to provide safe, fun Scouting adventures. Given the complexity and variability of the requirements in different areas, Scouts Canada has taken the position to provide clarity to our members and a more risk-conservative approach, ensuring, the safety of our youth remains priority number one. Without vaccine approval for youth under the age of 12 we have taken a risk-based decision to ensure that all eligible members working with our youth are vaccinated.
Given the complexity and variability of the requirements in different school boards, geographic areas, provinces, municipalities and activities, Scouts Canada has made the risk-based assessment that while there will be inconsistencies in some parts of the country, a clear position on vaccine requirements for in-person Scouting best serves our youth, parents and Scouting membership.
Prior to attending an in-person activity or meeting, all youth, Scouters and staff will be required to self-declare their vaccination status through MyScouts. Parents and other individuals who want to participate in ad-hoc in-person meetings, but do not have a MyScouts account, will need to self-declare their vaccination status to the Scouter-in-Charge (or Contact Scouter) of the activity prior to participation (in much the same way we have conducted self-assessment screening). If requesting an exemption, this needs to be completed, including approval, before participation.
Unless required by legislation, Groups and Sections will not be collecting medical information but will ask members to self-declare vaccine status that will be recorded via MyScouts.ca. Those who do not share their vaccine status or who have not requested an exemption will be determined to be a ‘non-vaccinated’ status and the member will not be permitted to participate in in-person Scouting activities at this time.
In provinces or areas in which governments stipulate a specific procedure or passport use, Scouts Canada would require those procedures to be adopted e.g. Vaccine passport (QR code) in Quebec. In provinces or school districts that have a requirement for in-person building access or after-hours school use, it is expected that a procedure and associated document will be required. Councils will provide more specific guidance to their members.
Yes, you can. Any individual who cannot be vaccinated on medical or religious grounds recognized by the applicable Provincial Human Rights Code can request an accommodation. Your approved exemption will be recorded in MyScouts – you only need to provide it once. All individuals who are unvaccinated due to permitted exemptions may be required to adhere to additional health and safety measures (including possible rapid testing).
Unvaccinated individuals with an approved exemption may be required to be masked to participate in outdoor and/or indoor in-person activities. Please check current Federal, Provincial and Municipal requirements for the area that you are living in. Unvaccinated individuals without an approved exemption may not participate in in-person Scouting. Scouts Canada will continue to update its policies in alignment with public health guidelines.
A medical exemption will be recorded in the members' MyScouts record. The Scouter in Charge or Contact Scouter for a section will be able to check this in their section applicable MyScouts records. Similarly, GCs will be able to check this in their MyScouts records. As a reminder, all personal information stored in MyScouts in confidential, each member signs a Code of Conduct including a declaration of privacy and confidentiality as a requirement to participate in Scouting.
All personal health information is confidential. Your vaccine self-declaration will be maintained confidentially like other medical and private information and only shared as required for the safety of the group, section or activity.
In many provinces, the requirement to wear a mask inside buildings, especially schools, still stands. All public health guidelines such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent hand washing remain in effect. Refer to the current Scouts Canada ‘Stage’ and associated Standard.
As much as we believe vaccination is our best approach to reducing COVID-19, no, if you are not going to participate in the activity and are dropping your child off safely from the parking lot or similar, you are not required to be vaccinated.
Starting on November 1, 2021, all staff, youth, Scouts Canada members and visitors to Scouts Canada buildings or facilities will be required to be fully vaccinated. This includes Scouts Canada offices, headquarters, camps and Scouting halls (subject to federal or provincial legislation that may preceed this date). The exception to this is third-party property rental arrangements that have an existing rental agreement for the use of a Scouts Canada property or building and have exclusive use of a property or can be isolated from Scouting or other users.
We anticipate that in many provinces, children who turn twelve at any time during the year in 2022, will be eligible for vaccination at the beginning of 2022. Just like children who will turn twelve in 2021 are currently eligible for vaccination now. We encourage all to make appropriate arrangements for vaccination as soon as their children are eligible as soon as possible. Vaccination is the key to ending the pandemic and helping our communities thrive. Children can continue to enjoy in-person Scouting while they await full vaccination as long as it is within a reasonable timeframe of when they are eligible to be vaccinated.
NOTE: Councils and Groups will follow provincial and local health policies in addition to Scouts Canada policies as we have done throughout the pandemic.
If a member or volunteer over the age of 12 has not declared their vaccination status, it will be assumed that they are unvaccinated and as such, can no longer participate in in-person activities or planning. Unvaccinated members may continue to participate in virtual activities if available and applicable (please note: Virtual Scouting is not widely available at this time).
Currently, as part of the registration process, volunteers and youth members are asked to provide any relevant medical information that may be necessary for participating in Scouts (e.g, severe allergies, use of Epi-Pen, Code of Conduct, expected behaviours and commitment to Scouting values etc.) This extends to the vaccination self-declaration of our eligible members.
Starting on November 1, 2021, all staff, youth, Scouts Canada members and visitors to Scouts Canada buildings or facilities or participating in in-person activities will be required to be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Persons who choose to remain unvaccinated without requesting an exemption choose not to participate in in-person activities but may continue to be a member of Scouts Canada.
Scouts Canada’s position is one of both values and health and safety. We also value inclusion as a key tenet of who we are. Accordingly, we encourage youth and volunteers to consider available virtual opportunities in which they may be able to participate.
While youth virtual activities are not widespread, we do encourage youth to participate as best they can and as per the opportunity. For volunteers, there are roles available for virtual-only support in which they can provide meaningful community service.
All members have until November 1, 2021 to be fully vaccinated. After that date, only fully vaccinated persons who have submitted and recorded their self-declaration, or have an approved and recorded exemption, may attend in-person meetings or activities. We will not be issuing refunds to current members for the 2021 Scouting period. If you have registered since September 1, 2021 for the 2022 Scouting period the current refund policy allows a refund until January 31st, 2022. After that date, the standard 30 day refund policy applies.
Scouts Canada will continue to maintain our standard, 30-day cancellation policy. At this time Scouts Canada has not made a decision regarding refund requests, specific to vaccine requirements. We will continue to be transparent about our refund policy, should there be revisions.
To ensure the sustainability of Scouting as a vibrant community and youth-leadership opportunity both now and long into the future, Scouts Canada’s response to COVID-19 has been guided by the following principles:
We will open early registration for the 2022 Scouting Year on September 1, 2021 for current members and September 15 for new and lapsed members. This is not a new process, for years, Scouts Canada has provided early registration for current and new members in May. The only difference this year is that the dates have changed due to the shift in Registration Year from (September-August) to (January-December).
Also not new, any new or lapsed member that joins on September 15th can begin Scouting immediately and can continue Scouting until December 2022.
As in years past, current registered members will have a two-week window to secure their spot with their Group. After which, on September 15, 2021, registration will be open for new and lapsed members. Everyone can register for 2022 when it is convenient for them - all the way into January 2022 and beyond.
Scouts Canada has not increased its fee. Scouts Canada will be offering a 12-month membership for a unified flat fee of $230. We have kept the fee the same because we are mindful that many families may be dealing with unprecedented disruption.
New this year — $15 from each paid registration will be returned to the Group.
During these uncertain times, when fundraising may be more challenging, Scouts Canada is supporting its Groups by directing $15 from each paid youth registration back to the Group. By doing so, Scouts Canada hopes to enable Groups to deliver even greater Scouting adventures for youth in the new Scouting year.
The Group fiscal year remains unchanged.
Following our guiding principles, we will never knowingly put our members in an unsafe situation and will always take a more risk prudent approach. In those provinces where restrictions are easing, we have taken a position to act one to two weeks after the decision in the province has been implemented. We will continue to follow the guidance and restrictions of our Provincial Authorities and use the specific criteria adopted by the Provincial Public Health Authorities. We will continue to take a balanced-risk approach knowing that Scouts is needed NOW more than ever.
In areas where local health units are tightening restrictions – we will move to more outdoor or virtual environments. As provinces/health units loosen restrictions – the decision to move to an indoor environment is an option. However, even if a Group CAN do indoor Scouting, they CAN choose outdoor or virtual programming as well. Scouting is flexible and we have great resources to help you adapt the programming to the environment.
No. In all cases – we provide the opportunity for Scouters to advance following public health guidelines at the provincial and municipal levels, knowing that our standards meet or exceed those requirements. Groups, individuals or youth will never be required to advance to a STAGE that they are uncomfortable with. We create the option, based on official medical guidance consistent with provincial health authorities, for those who want to meet indoors (STAGE 4) or in larger sections (STAGE 3) to do so.
The Council Key 3, in consultation with Scouts Canada subject matter experts, will review the provincial and municipal guidance and recommend moving forwards or backwards in STAGE progression. It is expected that Councils will move at different speeds and anticipated that some Councils will move backwards as well as forwards as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Depending on the Council, notification may take the form of a website, email or GSS cascade of information. The Scouts.ca website will be updated with a dedicated page showing which council is in which stage at any time with clear reference to the applicable standard.
In Stage 3 in-person meetings may be expanded to a 50-person maximum (including all participants: youth, Scouters, parents, helpers) and not constrained to 16-youth. For example, a large Beaver Colony of 28 youth could meet with their 8 Scouters and additional parents and helpers to a maximum of 50 persons total.
This is not a simple one brush paints all answer. Instead, much like the decision for progression of the Council, the Council Key 3, in consultation with Scouts Canada subject matter experts, will review the provincial and municipal guidance and recommend an appropriate response. In the case of a single area requiring a shift to a different stage it may be suitable for only a municipality or region having more stringent controls. For example, the Peel Region near Toronto was moved to STAGE 1 (virtual), while the rest of the Council stayed in STAGE 2, mirroring the municipal and provincial guidelines. In this instance, the Council Key 3 alerted the impacted Groups through email. The Scouts.ca website will be updated with a dedicated page showing which council is in which stage at any time with clear reference to the applicable standard.
You should avoid travelling between zones (for example: using Ontario colour-coding; from Grey-Lockdown to any other zone, Red-Control to Orange-Restrict or Yellow-Protect to Green-Prevent), except for essential reasons. This is an update from previous guidance based off the latest provincial medical and government advice.
Given the inherent nature of higher risk with younger youth, overnight camping for Colony (Beaver Scouts) and Pack (Cub Scouts) is not permitted in STAGE 3. Daytime activities are recommended for both Colony (Beaver Scout) and Pack (Cub Scout). When a Council progresses to STAGE 4 Beaver and Cub camping will be permitted within patrols of 8 youth or less.
The intent of all safety controls is to limit the spread of infection. Within STAGE 3, the province has signalled that the rate of transmission is low enough to permit increased interaction between small groups providing appropriate health controls are in place. In the instance of food provision, a small patrol sharing a stove and cooking equipment, hygienically cooking a shared dish and serving individual portions is permitted. No direct sharing of food or drink is permitted – for example sharing directly from a bag of potato chips. Note: Adults must remain separate from patrols of youth and will thus need to provide and cook their own meals.
Adults are required to maintain 2m physical distancing from youth, and youth are only permitted to camp if they can maintain a physical separation from other patrols. Given this, accommodations designed for small patrols only are being used as an additional (engineering) risk management control to prevent inadvertent mixing.
Scouts Canada is coordinating with our various properties to ensure they follow proper health and hygiene guidelines and are ready to accommodate Scouting activities this fall . We will be adding an "available for Scouting properties" section on the Scouting resource page as early as next week. From there you will get a list of available properties as well as a link to reserve your time for your activity.
All active Scouts Canada properties are listed on Scouts.ca (https://modxtest.scouts.ca/about/camps/overview.html ). If a Scouts Canada property is active, and has been verified and approved that all of the criteria required to be active are met, then yes those active Scouts Canada properties could be used for indoor meetings.
In all our surveys, engagements, and feedback (for this Standard) the majority of parents want to see smaller sizes for their youth to participate. Consistent with guidance from Provincial Health and Education Ministries (“Scenario 2”), we have proposed a balanced risk-based approach that leverages practical considerations of working with youth and leverages our core program Patrol System. Guidance varies but in general schools and other youth organizations are proposing cohorts of 8 to 15 people total, including adult support.
Practically speaking, with a need to maintain the Two-Scouter rule and maximize the ratio of youth to adults (8:1) this is the most efficient use of Scouter resources while maximizing the Patrol System methodology that is core to Scouting. This will make it easier for Scouters to be able to adapt program, manage risk controls, and provide reassurance to parents that their youth can experience Scouting safely.
The Two-Scouter rule must always be in effect and maintained.
The 16-youth maximum and cohorting into 2 teams of 8 youth maximum is also applicable to Rovers when participating as youth participants for the purposes of Scouting.
Not necessarily, as long as the Two-Scouter Rule is maintained you can support a group of 16 youth with 2 Scouters. It is always advisable to have an extra Scouter available, and for younger youth, 1 or 2 parents on hand to support. Ensure the 2 Scouters are within the field of view and within earshot of one another when with youth.
Absolutely, the 16-youth total is the constraint for one activity and Scouter-in-Charge. Many Sections will use Patrols of 3 and 4 youth and may have up to 4 or 5 Patrols. The cohort model is designed to keep the youth separate from another cohort. In this instance, if using 4 Patrols of 4 youth – keep them separate for the duration of the activity.
Many of the activities we run for Scouting, as well as those we participate in outside, have restrictions on number of attendees. The Section, in conjunction with the Group Commissioner as appropriate, should discuss this during the planning phase and communicate openly to parents and youth the restrictions, limitations and the ‘why’. We will always prioritize youth safety and have risk controls in place to manage risk levels within acceptable tolerance levels. Consider alternatives to how you will maximize the enjoyment without compromising the 16-youth total. Ask the youth, they will often find a solution.
If the 2 Scouters-in-Charge and Group Commissioner determine that the 2 Sections / activities can be held independently and can maintain physical distancing, then yes. For the purposes of this Standard – the Beaver Section and Cub Section are separate activities and require separate approvals. It would be appropriate for the combined total person to be less than the 50-maximum. If this can’t be achieved, for example, lots of parents and helpers are required in each section, then it would be important to ensure separation. Scouters, parents and other resources must not be shared between the 2 activity groups.
This same logic can be applied to splitting a large Beaver Colony or Cub Pack into 2 separate activities. Providing they can operate separately with a different Scouter-in-Charge without shared resources they can occupy the same location (separated) at the same time.
To aid this process, Scouts Canada will be providing further guidance for how to manage drop-off and pick-up procedures as well as attendance / sign-in that maintains physical distancing. Groups will be strongly encouraged to modify these for their local situation and conditions. This is a great opportunity to enlist support from willing parent helpers.
On the basis that councils will only progress to STAGE 3 when the provincial health performance is improving and risk controls are relaxing, the 1m physical distancing within patrols is consistent with provincial health and subject matter expert guidance.
Provincial or municipal guidance or regulation must always be followed if stricter than Scouts Canada guidance.
When conducting indoor activities, masks are required for all participants. This includes when within patrols (lairs, lodges). When conducting outdoor activities, unless prescribed by local regulations, masks are not required. Masks are neither recommended nor required when sleeping — for example within tents or indoors. This should be taken into consideration with other risk controls when determining the activities planned. Parents should be informed early and engaged in the planning of overnight activities and risk management.
This definition varies slightly by province, but in general they all follow the Federal Government definition. For the purposes of Scouts Canada, it includes anyone who is:
It is critical that cleaning has been conducted before the next activity begins. It is necessary to clean all surfaces, equipment before and after use to reduce the chance of cross-contamination and disease transmission. Combined with hand washing, this is the best prevention for transmission. If the Scouter-in-Charge can satisfy themselves that this has been completed to the required standards additional cleaning would not be required.
Yes, Scouts Canada will be providing further guidance but in general, the best practice is to refer to Provincial or Federal Health Authorities, an example of which is: http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/CleaningDisinfecting_PublicSettings.pdf.
Yes. As long as the Scouter-in-Charge has verified and agreed that the bathrooms to be used meet or exceed the requirements of expected cleanliness and that hygiene and physical distancing controls can be maintained. Washroom usage should be considered as a standard part of the planning phase for any Scouting activity. The two Scouter rule must always be maintained.
In general, no. This may vary by exception in some provinces and school boards, but broadly, when, for example, schools ask a youth to be isolated and / or tested, the public health authority instruction is typically requiring the youth and all household members to isolate for a minimum of 24 hours or until a negative test result. This does vary by province and by school board.
It would be advisable for the parent to engage with the Scouter in Charge and share the letter that accompanied the youth with instructions. The onus is on the parent as the legal guardian as public health authority notices are, in most instances, legally enforceable to the parent.
The specific reference in the standard is: Section 7.d.iv. “All persons ordered, and family members (or social bubble) of persons ordered, to quarantine or self-isolate under a Public Health order of a Municipality, Province or an order made under the Federal Quarantine Act are prohibited from in-person Scouting activities.”
If planning on using public spaces, this must be taken into account in preparation for the activity or meeting. Known confluences or ‘hot-spots’ where lots of other people will likely gather must be avoided. If there are areas in which other people are congregating, select a location which limits as much as practical potential transmission and enables as much as practical physical distancing. This should be discussed with the Group Commissioner in the planning and approval phase of the activity in advance and in anticipation of such.
Scouts Canada has modified a set of questions that are used in provincial guidance for Scouters to use and developed a standard screening checklist that will be made available. No temperature checks or physical checks are required. No paper copy or digital record of the participant self-assessment is required. A question is included in the attendance checklist to confirm this has been completed. Only a confirmation checkmark on the attendance record is required for the Scouter in Charge’s records.
We should assume the parent has no ill meaning and take them at their word carry on as normal, maintain good hand hygiene, cleaning and physical distancing.
The parent and Scouter-in-Charge should check and follow current local Public Health Unit guidance on if notifications are required and to whom. The individuals should review and follow the Public Health Unit guidance relevant for a close contact.
If it is determined notifications to contacts are required, the Scouter-in-Charge should advise all close contacts from the meeting that a person was symptomatic at the meeting. Follow the steps in the Supporting a symptomatic person guideline for reporting purposes. Do not disclose personal information.
As with all safety and risk controls, they work as a system, no one barrier or control is designed to be used alone. If we design program as much as practical, screen for symptoms, use good hygiene practices, we will reduce the risk to acceptable levels within risk tolerance. Support the youth with what they need, if you feel uncomfortable wear a mask, gloves or ask someone else to help.
It depends. If the activity being conducted and the conditions (weather, time, other people) have not significantly changed, then no, the Group Commissioner can approve that a single form can be used for multiple activities. If weather or light conditions are expected to be different, or the activity to be conducted is different it may be appropriate to update the risk and emergency response plans. A new location will likely have different risks and different controls.
Cooking in small “social-bubbles” of 2 or 3 youth is a great way for the youth to practice the Outdoor Adventure Trail & Camping Skills. The youth can also develop their meal-planning skills, practice cooking new menus and be self-contained: planning, purchasing, carrying, storing, cooking, cleaning, and eating their own meals. For emergency purposes, you may want to consider having individually packaged food items on hand. No buffet-style, shared cooking – a great way to experience Scouting at its best.
Yes. This is in development including reviewing the capability of including in the Scout Safe App.
At the time of writing (July 8th, 2020), no provinces are mandating that workplaces or charity organizations submit a form for approval. The majority are requiring that a documented plan is available at any time but not submitted. This is the same for Scouts Canada ‘the business’ which has additional legal requirements for its employees.
No.The Modified Adventure Application Form (Pandemic STAGE 2) is only required to be completed by the Scouter-in-Charge and approved by the Group Commissioner on behalf of the Group Committee. There are no requirements for the MAAF to be submitted to either a Council or Service Centre.
Yes, as long as the requirements of the standard could be met and maintained.
Yes. Each Section would require their own designated Scouter in Charge and be physically distanced (into separate areas) for the purposes of the activity – even if they’re part of one large Section split for the purposes of 16-youth total limits. Plans should also take into account staggered drop off and pick up times (as an example) to maintain physical distancing. A 50-person maximum limit is advised for the 2 combined Sections.
Singing, shouting and any activity which increases the chance for disease transmission should be limited. Singing, while seemingly safe, has been shown to significantly increase the risk for transmission and should be avoided. Look for a fun alternative to keep the youth engaged and increase physical distancing.
ALL Scouts Canada properties will remain closed throughout the summer.
Consistent with the suspension of in-person activities for the remainder of the summer and based on advice that camping remains a high-risk activity according to most provincial health guidelines, Scouts Canada will continue to prioritize the safety of our youth, employees, volunteers and parents and suspend all in-person camps and camping activities for the summer.
Keeping youth active and outdoors has been the core of our program for over 100 years and that will not change. However, given current restrictions, we have had to adapt. The benefits of Scouting go beyond outdoor activities. Leadership skills, community engagement, social connectivity and resilience are also key benefits of Scouting and occur through virtual meetings if we are creative and flexible. These skills are crucial during these unprecedented times.
Although we are as eager as you are to get back outdoors, we are equally committed to provide our youth with a quality program that will enable them to develop into well-rounded individuals despite current restrictions.
Throughout the summer, Scouts Canada will be developing a comprehensive and robust program to support virtual Section meetings that keep youth active and engaged in Scouting.
We are currently evaluating different scenarios regarding Scout Popcorn and fundraising. We are encouraged by our online Scouts Seeds pilot campaign this spring. We will communicate our direction once we have more certainty. In the meantime, provincial social distancing guidelines should be followed with regards to fundraising activities.
Under STAGE 1 (our current active STAGE), bottle drives and other in-person fundraisers are not permitted.
Under STAGE 2 (which we will be moving to on September 1, 2020) bottle drives, Apple Day, Scouts Popcorn and other In-Person fundraisers, will be permitted — as long as the controls in place meet or exceed the requirements of the Standard. Specifically, cohorts (Patrols), cleaning, hygiene, physical distancing and with clear informed parental consent.
Scouts Canada Charity Number: 107761694RR0028