Below is an except regarding summer camps from the LEC Operations Update from Scout Executive Marc Ryan on May 22.
Dear Lake Erie Council Families,
Today I am writing to give you the most up to date information on several aspects of our operation including:
Cub Scout Summer Programs
Cub Scout Summer Programs
It is with a heavy heart that we cancel Adventure Camp and Webelos Exploration Camp for this summer. While we looked forward to summer camp, it is clear from both our conversations with pack leadership, survey results, and registrations for our summer programs, that our Cub families are not ready to return to traditional camp this summer. The health and safety of our campers is, and always will be, our number one priority and we understand the concerns amid a pandemic, particularly with camping programs for younger Scouts in a large group capacity. We also have a duty to be good financial stewards for our Scouts, families, and dedicated donors who expect us to be around for the long haul. Without the interest necessary for our traditional programs, we have to pause for this summer.
We understand that while the majority of our Cub Scout families were not planning to attend Adventure Camp or Webelos Exploration Camp this summer, this announcement will hit hardest with the Scouts who were already signed up to attend. Our hearts are heavy alongside yours. We eat and breathe summer camp too. Rest assured that any payment made toward Adventure Camp and Webelos Exploration Camp will be refunded in full. See below for an FAQ on how refunds will be made, and how the announcement will affect camp operations. Know this: Pausing traditional Cub Scout Summer Camps does not indicate any discussion of selling Firelands, nor any less commitment to offering great programs for Cub Scouts throughout the rest of the year and in summers to come.
Summer camp for pack and dens will return, but in the meantime we are excited to offer an alternative for families to continue their Scouting journey in a remote way while incorporating much of what we love about summer camp! Introducing Adventure Camp at Home!
Adventure Camp at Home
Program Highlights:
At-home kits with fun activities (pick up, or delivered)!
Campers complete activities on their own time with access to both written and video instructions!
Earn advancement for Cub Scout ranks!
Campers are part of small group dens to interact virtually with other campers and two adult camp staff!
Don’t miss out on favorite camp traditions with streamed flag ceremonies, mealtime entertainment, and campfires!
Come outside and camp on the weekends with your family and reserve programs to complete the camp experience!
All of this, starting at just $75 per camper!
As a camper with Adventure Camp at Home (ACAH), your Cub Scout will be put into a Virtual Den and receive an age-appropriate kit with fun projects and activities to do at home, complete with written and video instructions produced by our camp staff! Not only will campers complete advancement requirements, but the ACAH activities will take campers outside into their own backyards and neighborhoods to complete challenges, keeping the “outing" in Scouting.
However, without the camp staff, camp is just a pile of rocks and activity instructions. It’s the people that bring summer camp to life, and that’s why every ACAH camper will get to interact with the other members of their small den and their dedicated camp staff through virtual Campfire Chats each evening. These (optional) virtual get-togethers will be perfect for campers to share the activities they completed with one another, to be goofy with our camp staff by singing camp songs, and much more. All live video calls and streams are optional, and will follow youth protection guidelines with two-deep adult leadership.
Here’s the best part: By being an ACAH camper, you’ll be able to participate in Family Camping Weekends! After participating in the at-home program throughout the weekdays, you can complete the adventure by coming out to camp on the weekend with the whole family. Reserve a campsite for your family to enjoy a peaceful weekend by the campfire, or reserve select programs areas for your family to participate in together. You’ll get private access to camp favorites like the mobile climbing wall, shooting sports, nature area, and more. Rigorous cleaning routines will be implemented between uses of the program areas.
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While we are disappointed by the necessity to pause traditional Cub Scout Summer Camps this year, we think that Adventure Camp at Home will be an engaging, fun, and safe alternative for all our Cub Scout families this summer. Even during a normal summer, not every Pack can attend camp. With ACAH we have the potential to reach even more Cub Scouts to stay engaged with Scouting throughout the summer.
Stay tuned as we continue to respond to the evolving landscape.
Yours in Scouting,
Marc J. Ryan
Scout Executive / CEO
