Update on Summer Camp 2020

Dear Friends:

The Troop Committee met this afternoon to discuss the cancellation of operations at the Goshen Scout Reservation and the offer we received for the Troop to instead attend camp at the BSA’s Summit National Base near Beckley, WV for the same fee.  Camp co-chairs Becki Marchand and Kristina Penhoet reported on the situation and I shared Scoutmaster views.  Three parent-physicians next discussed the matter under the leadership of Troop physician Simona Murnick.  The overall conclusion was to have the parent-physicians: (1) review the COVID health procedures being developed by the Summit staff and (2) develop a set of protocols for the Troop to follow, including matters such as testing and actions to take if one of our people was to become sick.

Troop Committee members and parents present were polled on whether they would have an interest in sending their Scout to the Summit if our parent-physicians react favorably to the Summit procedures.  There was a unanimous interest in considering participation under these circumstances.  The WV government has released the following standards for summer camp operations, and the Summit will shortly release its procedures in compliance.  See this document (PDF link) for more details. 

Based on the Troop Committee meeting and in anticipation that the Summit Base staff will develop a robust health plan, we are furthering planning for a trip to the Summit.  

Here is a summary of basics you might think through at this point:

• Dates.  The preferred week is Sunday, August 2 through Saturday, August 8.  However, if the Mayor announces the opening of DC schools that week, we would go one week earlier on July 26-25.  We will have a pre-Summit meeting from 10-Noon on June 27 at All Souls (or Zoom).
• Fees.  We were told by Summit staff that they would allow us to attend without paying additional fees beyond the Goshen fee.  For families that decide their Scout can participate, we can transfer your fee to the Summit Base.
• Participation.  If we decide to go, any Troop Scout can go to the Summit Base.  Any Scout who registered for Goshen but who does not want to attend the Summit Base can get their Goshen camp fee refunded.
• Transportation.  The Summit Base is two additional hours of travel beyond Goshen Reservation.  If the Troop attends, we will arrange safe alternative transportation.  This will probably cost a bit more than the busses to Goshen.
• Program.  The Summit Base operates the flagship national scout summer camp for the United States.  It was built at the cost of $25 million, which was donated by Jim Justice, owner of the Greenbrier Resort, and the current Governor of West Virginia.  You can see the website here. Its program staff and facilities are outstanding.  For those of you who want to see the details, here is the 40-page leader’s guide (PDF link).   
• Merit Badges.  There at 40 merit badges offered and a large number of additional experiences offered at Summit.  Here is the list of programs. Here is the schedule (PDF link).
• Aquatics.  At Summit, a Scout will want to quality as a Swimmer before arriving if she wants to get a lot out of the aquatic program here.  We will talk about this at the pre-camp meeting on June 27.  If your Scout is not yet able to swim, call Scoutmaster Burkhardt immediately so we can arrange to get her instruction before she leaves.
• Parent Participation.  As with Goshen, we will need some parent chaperones to supplement the Scoutmasters who will attend.  The number of chaperones will depend on the number of participating Scouts.  Chaperones will stay three nights (arriving with the Troop on Sunday and departing on Wednesday, or arriving on Wednesday and departing with the Troop on Saturday).
• Equipment.  Summit Base will provide everything except for individual Scout clothing and Sleeping bags, etc.  Summit tents are outfitted with mosquito netting, so there is no need for “pop up” mosquito netting devices.
• Food.  We do not know the precise arrangement yet.  Normally the Summit uses a very nice dining hall, but the COVID virus precautions might change things.  However, we expect all food will be cooked for us.   

I will update you on our decision-making progress on Saturday, May 23.

Sincerely,

Craig Burkhardt, Scoutmaster