Written By: Tiffany Liu
Do you remember the fresh air and the beautiful scenery that we enjoyed during the numerous campouts? Do you remember the fun skits and songs we performed around the campfire before retiring to bed? What about the skills and experience we acquired through each campout? Well, I definitely won’t forget about those amazing times. Unfortunately, an unexpected obstacle, namely, the coronavirus pandemic, has prevented us from being able to attend any campouts in person.
Due to this complication, many BSA troops are hosting virtual campouts where they implement several factors of an in-person campout into a virtual campout. Some ways to enjoy a virtual campout including having everyone set up a tent in their backyards or encouraging everyone to make their own camping meals.
In our troop, each patrol hosted their own virtual campouts through video-conferencing tools such as Zoom or Webex. For example, the Lucky Phoenixes enjoyed games such as skribbl.io as well as heads up. They made dinner and wrapped the day up with a movie. On the second day of their campout, they made breakfast, worked on a few skills, and worked on signing off requirements. Several other patrols also did similar activities.
Because of COVID-19, BSA is allowing virtual camping to count towards requirements and merit badges as of August. The BSA Pathway to Adventure Council states a few conditions:
“To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event[.] (A unit camping event is defined as [a camping event in which] multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations)[.]
“Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event[.]
“All existing Youth Protection Policies and Digital Safety Guidelines must be followed[.] No more than 3 nights of virtual camping [is] to be credited in any month which government or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place[.]”
On virtual campouts that count towards requirements, it is recommended that you implement as many factors of a real campout as possible. The objective is to simulate an in-person campout as best as possible. For example, you can cook your own food or even set up a tent or sleeping bag. Virtual camping will also count toward Order of the Arrow nights camping with the same requirements as mentioned before.
While this global pandemic has prevented many scouts from enjoying the excitement of camping, virtual campouts have brought back several aspects of an in-person campout. Although I’m sure we all miss the fun times, we are making the most of our situation. Remember, a scout is cheerful! Don’t let the pandemic dampen your smile.
Works Cited
PTAC. PTAC COVID-19 Advancement Information. 4 May 2020.
http://pathwaytoadventure.com/media/upload/PTAC%20Advancement%2
0info%20update%205-4-2020.pdf
Boy Scouts of America. COVID-19 FAQ. 25 June 2020.
https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/
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