Coronavirus and Scouting - the path ahead.
Using this website, emails and Zoom we have tried to maintain opportunities for our young people to carry on Scouting, to learn, build skills and earn badges, whilst keeping in touch with their friends. This isn't ideal, it isn't what any of us signed up for, but we have tried to reflect the Scouting spirit: persevering and trying to find creative ways of working together.
What activities we are permitted to run, and whether we can meet face-to-face (and in what numbers) are determined by our national body, using the Levels of Readiness set out by the National Youth Agency (NYA). Although they are using the same levels, the degree of activity permitted at each level differs slightly, and there will be some changes to these as we move forward, using the most recent experience and knowledge.
The information set out below was initially sent out to families on July 8th, with some amendments to reflect changes that have subsequently been introduced by The Scout Association.
What activities we are permitted to run, and whether we can meet face-to-face (and in what numbers) are determined by our national body, using the Levels of Readiness set out by the National Youth Agency (NYA). Although they are using the same levels, the degree of activity permitted at each level differs slightly, and there will be some changes to these as we move forward, using the most recent experience and knowledge.
The information set out below was initially sent out to families on July 8th, with some amendments to reflect changes that have subsequently been introduced by The Scout Association.
Levels of Readiness
Red: this is where we were with the introduction of lockdown - online provision only, with no face-to-face Scouting.
Amber: online provision, combined with small groups meeting outside, subject to some social distancing and other measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
Yellow: online provision may still happen, with small groups able to meet indoors or outside (groups outside may be larger)
Green: the resumption of more "normal" Scouting, including overnights.
It has been determined that the level of readiness in England is generally AMBER, however we are still at RED because of local lockdown restrictions. We are currently working towards being ready for Amber.
Red: this is where we were with the introduction of lockdown - online provision only, with no face-to-face Scouting.
Amber: online provision, combined with small groups meeting outside, subject to some social distancing and other measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
Yellow: online provision may still happen, with small groups able to meet indoors or outside (groups outside may be larger)
Green: the resumption of more "normal" Scouting, including overnights.
It has been determined that the level of readiness in England is generally AMBER, however we are still at RED because of local lockdown restrictions. We are currently working towards being ready for Amber.
What Amber means to us
Where we meet
Subject to our risk assessment being accepted we will arrange a place to meet outside (the Methodist Centre is still currently closed)
How we meet
There has been a slight amendment to the original numbers - we have now been told that we can meet with a group of up to 15 young people, and up to 5 adults.
All of our groups, pre-Covid 19 had more people on the register than this arrangement would accommodate - this is why we urgently need you to complete the questionnaire that has been emailed out to families, so that we know exactly what we are working with.
In terms of adult support, we need a Leader present for each group / sub-group meeting, and additional adults to meet Scouting ratios:-
Beavers - 1 adult to every 6 Beavers
Cubs - 1 adult to every 8 Cubs
Scouts - 1 adult to every 12 Scouts, plus 1 additional adult for each meeting.
How we stay safe
Meetings will only resume once we have had a full plan and risk assessment approved by our Scout District and County Commissioners. This will cover all the measures that we will need to take to minimise risk, and will also be circulated to all families.
Where we meet
Subject to our risk assessment being accepted we will arrange a place to meet outside (the Methodist Centre is still currently closed)
How we meet
There has been a slight amendment to the original numbers - we have now been told that we can meet with a group of up to 15 young people, and up to 5 adults.
All of our groups, pre-Covid 19 had more people on the register than this arrangement would accommodate - this is why we urgently need you to complete the questionnaire that has been emailed out to families, so that we know exactly what we are working with.
In terms of adult support, we need a Leader present for each group / sub-group meeting, and additional adults to meet Scouting ratios:-
Beavers - 1 adult to every 6 Beavers
Cubs - 1 adult to every 8 Cubs
Scouts - 1 adult to every 12 Scouts, plus 1 additional adult for each meeting.
How we stay safe
Meetings will only resume once we have had a full plan and risk assessment approved by our Scout District and County Commissioners. This will cover all the measures that we will need to take to minimise risk, and will also be circulated to all families.
