Camping during Covid-19
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By Dakota McDonald/The Post Dispatch—
Despite Covid-19, Camp Post scouts still were able to experience summer camp this year thanks to precautionary measures required by the South Plains Council and the state.
“Camp is still open in spite of Covid-19,” Scout Executive Nathan Baie said. “Scouting is committed to keeping kids safe and we recognize that a camp experience is usually the highlight of a Scout’s year. We want to ensure we can provide a safe program full of adventure for our campers, leaders and staff.”
With guidelines in place, Baie is confident that the camp provided a safe camping experience, and to add extra caution, Baie also implemented a few of his own restrictions.
Prior to arriving at camp, scouts were required undergo a health screening complete with an authorized signature from a doctor, according to Baie. Upon arrival, scouts then received an additional health screening provided by camp health officers.
As for staff, all personnel were required to be at camp a week before the start of camp on June 12 to ensure they would not come in contact with the virus, Baie said. Staff was also required to wear masks while supervising and teaching.
With the majority of activities taking place outdoors, Baie said this not only helped to keep social distancing in place, but also help keep the kids active.
“The outdoor experience is our classroom,” Baie said. “The outdoors is vital to the scouts.”
Social distancing guidelines were also easier to follow due to the dispersing of camping sights, Baie said, which made it ideal for reducing the number of troops which might come in contact with one another.
Scouts were required to stay within their groups, Baie said, and were not allowed to split up and partake in separate activities to prevent exposure to other troops.
Baie also said that several activities were eliminated due to an increase risk of exposure. One activity scouts missed this year was the tradition of singing by the campfire.
Even with the state guidelines in place, Baie said the camp was able to maintain its normal functions and gett back to nature.
