COVID-19 Virus Update- March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Update
Greater Alabama Council


Updated March 16, 2020

Here are the latest updates concerning the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus disease and its impact on our Scouting operations here in Alabama.

·         All Council and district events, activities and programs are postponed\canceled until April 6, 2020.

·         All council camps are closed until April 6, 2020.

·         The Huntsville and Birmingham Scout Service Center’s and Scout Shops will be closed to the Public starting Tuesday, March 17 th , 2020 until April 6, 2020.

·         Our volunteers and staff continue to meet and evaluate whether to postpone any additional council events, district camporees, etc. We will share those updates as soon as there are firm decisions.

·         Units should review the most current  CDC guidelines for preventing community spread of the virus  and decide among their leadership, families, and chartered organization about whether to postpone meetings, campouts, and other activities.
  
Scout Shop

Our Scout Shops will be closed to the public from March 17 th , 2020 until April 6, 2020.


Additional program recommendations/preventative measures:
·         We recommend all district committee meetings and roundtable meetings take place via video conference or teleconference until further notice.

·         Boards of Review for Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting advancement may be conducted by videoconferencing;  see this post  from Scouting Magazine with details

·         BSA is currently working on recommendations/guidelines for working on merit badges online; we expect an update on this on Tuesday March 17

We encourage you to join us in monitoring the news and communications from Alabama Public Health, http://alabamapublichealth.gov ,the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) CDC.gov, for the latest concerning Covid-19 (coronavirus). We will follow guidance of local, state, and federal health agencies to ensure the most up-to-date information guides the operations of our Scouting programs. We will take any further steps as appropriate to ensure the safety and well-being of members.
Prepare your Family



Here are resources for families looking to engage their children in Scouting and/or educational activities while at home:

Scouting
Educational (all free)

Especially good for math and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.

Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).

Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.

Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.

Creative computer programming

All sorts of engaging educational videos

Activities and quizzes for younger kids

Learn languages for free

Free science lessons

Wide range of cool educational videos

You Tube videos on many subjects

As above for a younger audience

Science awards you can complete from home

All kinds of making

Good for elementary school ages

Aimed at Secondary age, multi disciplinary activities

Geography gaming!



Good, free art activities linked to from this Facebook page

Easy arts and crafts for little ones

Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest

Educational online games


Please continue to pray for those families impacted by this illness and all of the healthcare workers, first responders, military that are dealing with this each day. Please also keep our local, state and national leaders in your thoughts and prayers.

Be Prepared and Keep Scouting!