The four-step plan for re-opening the Voyageurs Area Council to in person meetings and events does not specifically address issues that may be particular to overnight camping at facilities that are not part of the council.
This document will address rules and regulations, which are subject to change as government policies change, for overnight camping.
The rules and regulations addressed here are relative to that re-opening date and will be in force until such official communication from the Council changes or updates those rules.
This addendum is for units that are participating in overnight camping on their own at a facility that is not part of the Voyageurs Area Council.
For those units attending a nationally accredited long-term summer camp at another council’s property or national high adventure base, you will adhere to the guidelines set for by that camp while you attend that camp to keep everyone safe. This included travel to and from the camp.
Rules for Use: (beginning July 1, 2020)
- Overnight camping is allowed outside of buildings only. No camping inside a building.
- Tent camping or housing in camp trailers/RVs is to be done in family groups only. Tents are not to be shared by those that are not in the same family.
- Available buildings may be used for emergency or health concerns only. Cooking facilities in the buildings may be used with the following recommendations:
- Access is limited to two people at a time. Those inside must be wearing a face covering.
- Social distancing by those doing the cooking/food preparation must be adhered to.
- Other rules regarding sanitation, disinfecting surfaces, handling of food, and hand washing as stated in the Council’s Re-Opening Step 3 letter or other Council official communications must be strictly followed.
- Participants must be organized into pods of not more than 10 total people (youth and adults). Social distancing within pods and physical distancing between pods must be followed.
- Program materials must be organized such that participants are not sharing them.
- Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations must be available throughout the program area.
- Any program materials used for demonstration or instruction must be sanitized after each use.
- Temperature screening materials are available from the Council and are to be used. Each participant is to have their temperature screened upon arrival and again each day of the campout.
- A record or log of all screening is to be kept and turned in to the Council upon completion of the activity. See additional sheet on the website for use.
- Participants must certify that they are not currently sick, nor have they had any contact with anyone Infected with Covid-19 in the past 14 days. Those that cannot so certify must be asked to leave.
- Travel to and from the properties is to be done within families only.
Here are the recommendations from the CDC regarding travel:
Follow state and local travel restrictions. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state or local health department where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination. While you are traveling, it is possible a state or local government may put into place travel restrictions, such as stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for updates as you travel.
Any one of these rules or restrictions may be updated at any time. Please refer to this document on the
Sincerely,
Brad Olson – District Director,
Mike Cooper – Council President
Stacey Dennee – Council Risk Management Chair