Q: What if I cannot get a new Part C, pre-placement exam because my healthcare provider is not taking well care exams now?
As of 5/11/2020, BSA Accredited Council Camps and High Adventure Bases have been supplied a way to accept an extension of validity of the pre-participation exam (Part C) of the AHMR. We expect camps and bases will publish their policies individually, so please direct your specific situation to the camp you plan to attend this summer. This option may not be available for all councils as it may conflict with states’ camping statutes or requirements. This option does not apply to any unit activity or programmatic requirements such as for SCUBA.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this group, please ensure you have approval from your health care provider prior to attending camp.
We also encourage anyone whose medical condition or history has changed significantly since their last physical exam to get approval from their health care provider prior to attending camp.
Q: If my summer camp is cancelled, can my unit get together with other units and have our own camp?
No. Chartering organizations play an important role in the program and activities for their chartered units. Chartering organizations promote well-planned unit program for the units they charter and encourage their units to have active outdoor unit programs. Chartering organization are not authorized to plan, promote, and deliver programs for units outside of their charter.
It is the role of the council to plan summer camps and the role of councils or districts to plan camporees and other outings during the year that give youth an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and/or patrols.
When units with different chartered organizations do activities together, this becomes a district or council event and requires council approval. In fact, some states require such activities to be licensed.
Should your troop, crew or ship decide to do a long-term summer camping program for their own unit (Cub Scouts units are prohibited from this activity) please note that the Scouter Code of Conduct and relevant program safety and training requirements are still in place, e.g., Safe Swim Defense, Hazardous Weather, Wilderness First Aid, etc.
Q: My Wilderness First Aid Course has been cancelled; can I still go on my trek?
Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification will continue to be required for backcountry adventures including trek programs and high adventure base participation. As a reminder, a current CPR/AED certification is a prerequisite for a WFA course.
For the summer of 2020, please review options for NCAP accredited local council camps and National High Adventure Bases via a blended offering by ECSI: https://www.ecsinstitute.org/scouting-wfa
Note: Online-only WFA courses do not meet the WFA requirement.