Dear LEC Scouting Family,
Our new world continues to evolve. Today I’m reaching out with the latest on what we know and what we’re considering as we seek to make the best and safest decisions for our Scouts and families.
Before I get into details on openings and closings, etc., I want to first make an announcement as it applies to our most up to date early bird pricing policy. I want to thank all those who have already signed up and have made early bird payments. This is a great help to us as we continue to plan for the summer. We also recognize that many families and units are still struggling, and we want to be responsive and supportive. Therefore, effective immediately, I offer you the “LEC’s Early Bird ‘Til Then” policy. What this means is that until we can make the definitive announcement that we will be able to safely operate our summer camps in accordance with the state, local departments of health, and the National BSA guidelines, we are extending the early bird pricing for all summer camps. Once we do make the formal announcement on operations, the policy will remain in effect for seven total days. This means that the early bird price will be good for seven days after we make the official announcement. On the eighth day, prices will default to the “full price” as previously posted.
Next, I want to share that we are anticipating communication from the National BSA very soon. We expect this to include the most up to date information on the plan for the four National High Adventures Bases. However, we do not anticipate this communication will address the plan for part C of the BSA Health History (medical form). We do, however, anticipate that we will be able to confirm a policy on that soon.
While Ohio has begun to reopen, we have decided that the Unit Service Center will remain closed a bit longer. Except for the Scout Shop, operations at the Unit Service Center have gone mostly uninterrupted with the installation of the dropbox and rotating hours of staff members processing registration, advancement, and related items. You can expect that each week in May we will slowly begin opening more of the physical operations including the Scout Shop. We will share that schedule as soon as it is finalized. As per previous communications, our staff remain ready to assist our units with whatever they need via virtual meetings, phone calls, texts, and emails.
Updates on Weekend Camping are as Follows
All LEC camps will now remain closed through Memorial Day Weekend except for Camp Stigwandish.
While we are disappointed that the events scheduled for “Stig” were unable to go on as planned, we are opening the property for self-guided visits for Scouts, Scouters, and alumni on the following schedule:
May 15-17, 2020 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
May 22, 2020 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
May 24, 2020 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
No reservations are required, but check-in will be at the quartermaster. Scouters will be on the property for any questions or in case of an emergency. PLEASE NOTE - this is NOT for a unit or a gathering. It is appropriate to visit as a family. Social distancing guidelines are still in effect.
If these dates are not conducive, members of the LEC staff will also arrange to meet anyone who wants to walk through the property. Simply contact Ranger Bear Roloff or Anthony Dworning as follows:
Bear's Contact: 440-805-9362
Anthony's Contact: 216-331-4608
Weekend Camping and Training Updates
Cub Spring Fun Day
May 23rd (Rescheduled dates & locations below)
New Locations/Dates:
Beaumont, July 11
Firelands, July 25
Beaumont, August 8
Spring Cub Overnighter
May 23rd-24th (Rescheduled dates & locations below)
New Locations/Dates:
Beaumont, July 11-12
Firelands, July 25-26
Beaumont, August 8-9
Wild Wild Webelos Spring Extravaganza
May 16th (Cancelled)
May 23rd (Cancelled)
Shooting Sports Training/Archery Training (All training postponed until more information is available)
Archery Training (Postponed)
Shotgun Training (Postponed)
Rifle Training (Postponed)
Pistol Training (Postponed)
Trailblazer
BSR: May 9th (Postponed to later in Summer)
FSR: May 16th (Postponed to later in Summer)
Search & Rescue Weekend Camporee
May 15-17th (Cancelled)
Cub Scout Adventure Loop Night
May 15th (Moved to Virtual Den Meetings)
Mobile Climbing Wall Training
May 19th (Cancelled)
May 21st (Cancelled)
COPE/Climbing Committee Meeting
May 25th (Moved to Zoom Virtual Meeting on May 18th)
Virtual Roundtables
May 22nd for Cub Leaders
May 23rd for Scouts BSA and Venture Crew Leaders
Summer Operations Update
We continue to move forward with planning to safely operate summer programming at both Firelands and Beaumont Scout Reservations. We are looking at multiple models of operation and continue to evaluate all aspects of our properties to ensure that we can address safety and health concerns. While we are still unable to make announcements on all aspects of the calendar and properties, below is an update on our adventure camp schedule.
Adventure Camps
Due to the transient nature of campers attending a day camp, and to give parents and packs the best chance for reliable attendance dates for scheduling, we are moving Adventure Camp to the end of the summer camping season rather than the beginning. This applies to both Firelands and Beaumont Adventure Camp.
Old Dates:
Session #1: June 15-20
Session #2: June 22-27
New Dates:
Session #1: July 20-25
Session #2: July 27 - August 1
*This does not currently affect other summer operations.
Great Scout Luncheon
The Great Scout Luncheon, the council's premier fundraising event where the community comes together to support, share and celebrate Scouting, has been postponed to November 5, 2020 from the old date of May 28th.
As we continue to navigate this uncertain time together, I anticipate having more information as the situation evolves including another update next week. Please continue to find updates and Scouting at Home opportunities on our website and Facebook page.
Yours in Scouting,
Marc Ryan
Scout Executive/CEO
Lake Erie Council
