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Dear Scouting Families and Units:
The State of Colorado has updated their COVID-19 Dial and almost all counties in the Greater Colorado Council are now Blue or Green! In addition, the Restrictions Guidance is updated and provides increased capacity limits in many categories. Please reference the link below to view your county level and the details on what restrictions are at each level.
We highly encourage your Unit Committee to review these guidelines and revisit with your Chartering Organization to discuss meeting location options. As always, our priority is to operate Scouting meetings, programs, and events in the safest possible manner.
In case you missed it, read up on the updated Barriers to Abuse from National.
Please also support all families in your unit with their ability to participate comfortably. Families will choose the level at which they want to participate in various activities and should feel welcomed and included at all times.
We feel this is a positive step forward for Scouting operations and the ability to safely gather for meetings and events. Please reach out as needed to work through your next steps, make Scouting safe for everyone, and Keep Scouting Going!
As always, the safety of our Scouts, volunteers, employees and communities is our top priority.
Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be informed by expertise from agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We expect that everyone in Scouting will follow the guidelines listed below, which are based on the CDC’s guidance. In addition, we have instructed local councils to consult with their local and state health departments, as well as local chartered partners, in order to implement appropriate protocols to help keep members, volunteers, and employees safe.
Units should look to their council regarding whether/how to conduct in-person meetings and activities. If in-person gatherings are permitted, be sure to follow all applicable guidelines and use your council’s version of the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist before attending.
We are taking similar steps as a national organization as we continue to evaluate and adapt to the current environment with the best interests of our members, volunteers, and employees in mind.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure that young people continue to benefit from Scouting while protecting the health and safety of our families, friends, and communities.
A new Pre-Event Checklist has been released for use at any and all in-person Scouting activities!
As we look to #KeepScoutingGoing in 2021, remember that Scouting is a Challenge by Choice program. As the recommendations and restrictions change, the Council will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the County, State and National bodies.
In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Greater Colorado Council has continuously encouraged Safe Scouting throughout the crisis. As we reflect on the creativity and ingenuity of our Scouting community over the past year, we are hoping to provide recognition for these efforts. As such, the GCC is introducing the ‘Keep Scouting Going Award’ to recognize the unique challenges this time has presented our Scouts and their families, and is meant to encourage and commend our community that has continued to live the Scout Oath and Law, even when typical Scouting activities have been disrupted.
This award may be earned by Cub Scouts or Scouts of any rank by completing the appropriate requirements while stay at home orders are in effect. All requirements and completions are approved by the Scout’s parent. Upon completion, forms are submitted to the pack’s Cubmaster (or Scout’s Unit Leader) for approval. The Pack (or Unit) can then pre-order the recognition pin.
The Forms links below include additional information on the requirements for this Award. At this time, the deadline for completing the requirements and ordering the pins is Jan 31, 2021.
Dear Scouting Families and Units:
The State of Colorado issued updated guidance and a new category to the county dial dashboard, taking effect on Friday, November 20, 2020. Many of the counties in the Greater Colorado Council will be moving to Red Level, which places increased restrictions on operations and gatherings. We also serve some counties still in Yellow or Green and will have more options. Please reference the link above to view your county level and the details on what restrictions are at each level.
As always, our priority is to operate Scouting meetings, programs, and events in the safest possible manner. With this in mind, you should do the following for your unit:
If you are meeting in one of the counties in the Red Level, we highly recommend you conduct all activities in an outdoor setting or entirely virtual.
Please also support all families in your unit with their ability to participate comfortably. Families will choose the level at which they want to participate in various activities and should feel welcomed and included at all times.
Everyone has been undertaking incredible efforts to “Restart Scouting Safely” over the past two months, thank you for all you are doing to make a difference for kids! To find resources to help your unit, visit this page.
As many of you are aware, an updated Public Health Order (PHO) was issued on October 23rd. There have been many questions on how this PHO effects Scouting programs. The safety of all Scouts, Volunteers and staff is of utmost importance!
First, the overall information on how to conduct Scout meetings or activities has not significantly changed. You can view the current information on our website.
PHO 20-35 has many layers involved and is directed towards the status of the county you will be conducting your Scouting activity in. There is a COVID-19 dial dashboard to help you with the process at this page. In addition, some counties have a variance on their operations, while others have stricter guidelines in place, Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, etc.
Here are the steps for you to consider in determining how you conduct your Scouting meetings and activities:
We understand how complex this situation is and know there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how new PHOs impact our efforts to deliver a Scouting program. Some counties have an “educational program” included in their variance, those chartered to a religious organization may have more opportunity through the youth programs of their chartered partner. The best option is to work with your Chartered Organization to make sure you have the ability to be safe and conduct Scouting. Your commissioner team and staff are here to help you through this process. Please reach out as needed to work through your next steps, make Scouting safe for everyone, and Keep Scouting Going!
Restart Checklist
It is important to follow local county and city guidelines, as well as chartered organization guidelines as we begin to return to Scouting activities. The BSA has developed a restart checklist to assist in getting back to group activities. National BSA also continues to update COVID-19 guidance on their website. More resources are available on the GCC Scouting at Home web page.
Unit Meetings and Activities
Each Scouting community’s local government may have different safety requirements in place. Therefore, units should follow any and all restrictions outlined by the state of Colorado, as well as their local city and county, regarding in-person meetings and activities, including public holiday ceremonies. Units should also consult with their chartered organization for guidelines regarding in-person meetings or activities at the venue. COVID-19 rules are slightly different in each county in Colorado. You can find the counties that have applied for variances from the state and what those variances are at: CCI.
Learn more and local resources:
Council and District Activities
Organizers for district and council events should ensure that the scheduled activities meet the following guidelines for both the activity location and the jurisdictions that the participants are coming from:
Hamilton Scout Headquarters
The GCC is open in a modified format until further notice and will adhere to local and state guidelines and health and safety procedures. Volunteers or guests who need to enter the building to conduct business should schedule an appointment online. Appointments should be made at least one day in advance. All appointments will be confirmed the day before they are to take place. You may also call the office at 303.455.5522 to request an appointment. This process will adhere to social distancing policies, including wearing a mask.
Online Membership and Other Payments
Visit our Virtual Customer Service page to make payments.
Staff are available M-F, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact information for support staff, district staff, and all others is available in our Council directory. Following is a list of office support staff detailing what they can help you with.
In general, documentation may be submitted to the GCC via:
GCC Scout Shop
The Scout Shop is now open for shopping and curbside pick up and has been redesigned for safety measures. The Scout Shop now offers the ability to make purchases online and pick them up at the store.
Please contact the Scout Shop directly with any questions at 303-459-0109 or visit their web page for more information.
Status of Council Events
“Keep Scouting Going!” We strongly encourage that districts, units, and council committees to continue using technology to continue with as many of their normally scheduled meetings and events as possible until further guidance is provided by local and state authorities. ZOOM is one FREE resource available for virtual meetings. The FREE option hosts up to 100 participants for up to 40 minutes.
BSA Policies to Prevent the Spread of Illness
The Boy Scouts of America continues to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at-large Scouting events. These include the annual health and medical record. Other resources from National BSA on COVID-19 are located on their web page.
Everyday Preventive Measures
Even with important policies in place, it is critical that everyone take everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please visit our web page to locate and contact your District Executive.
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