scouting

Alamo Area Council UPDATED Response to Coronavirus COVID-19 as of
Monday, December 14, 2020

December 14, 2020 – The Medical Advisory Committee of the Alamo Area Council has determined, in concert with local guidelines, that beginning Wednesday, December 16th, all indoor meetings are prohibited and outdoor meetings and campouts should be limited to sizes of 10 or less. We encourage our units that choose to continue to camp to do so at the Patrol or Den level and to continue to social distance and wear masks while adhering to the following guidelines: – Pre-outing screenings, including temperature checks, will be conducted on all participants – Temperatures of all participants will be re-checked at least twice daily – Frequent hand washing will be encouraged – Social distancing of at least 6 feet will be enforced whenever possible – Masks are to be worn, create a safe location that is away from everyone that scouts can use to remove their mask and catch a breath, if needed. – Continue to follow the Tenting, Food Preparation and Transportation guidelines laid out in the AAC Unit Restart Guidebook previously distributed. A reminder that attending any in person event or using any of our council facilities or properties will require the signing of a waiver form. This form can be downloaded here

UPDATE: Governor Greg Abbott has issued Executive Order 29 requiring all Texans to wear a face-covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces, with few exceptions, in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases. Open Texas checklists are now updated consistent with this order. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10.

~ Executive Order No. GA-29, July 2, 2020, https://open.texas.gov/

Dear Scouting family,

Under the updated developments regarding COVID-19 through the State of Texas Governor’s Office, Bexar County in coordination with San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg’s Emergency Declaration and Orders, and nationally through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Alamo Area Council strives to safely and strategically support local Scouting activities in our 13-county service area.

Scouting Adventure is a balance of Scouting at Home, Family Camp, and safe in-person meetings and activities. 

With safety protocols that include social distancing and with required face masks, the Alamo Area Council Service Center has the following in person business hours –

THE COUNCIL OFFICE IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9 AM – 5 PM. The Musselman Scout Shop is open 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am – 2 pm on Saturdays.

Council staff is available for support by phone, email, or website chat from Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 6 pm.

All units can have in-person meetings and any Scouting activity, provided they follow all guidelines as set forth using the ReStart Scouting Checklist AND by The Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas and your local authorities. 

If indoors, meetings and activities must be in groups of ten or less, cloth face coverings must be worn and all individuals must maintain social distancing of six feet or more. People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home as much as possible. 

Outdoor meetings and activities must follow the Governor’s “Open Texas” Checklists which set minimum standard health protocols for Youth Clubs and Youth Club Participants (revised June 3, 2020):

• Youth Clubs
• Youth Club Participants

Please check with your sponsoring organization’s guidance if you plan on utilizing their meeting spaces. Unit meeting facility rental opportunities within Alamo Area Council properties are available.

Patrol meetings over the phone or video conferencing, merit badges delivered online, webinar training for leaders, and virtual Roundtables and District meetings continue to be an effective and encouraged part of Scouting.

Scouting at Home www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/ScoutingatHome will continue successful programming and Scout TV News will grow as a resource – www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/ScoutTV.

A complete listing of event changes will be published on our Council calendar, within our Digital Adventure Guide magazine, and posted to our social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Youtube.

Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to your local district executive or email the Council Leadership team at Safety@AlamoAreaBSA.org or the Outdoor Adventure department at Adventure@AlamoAreaBSA.org.

We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us to evaluate the situation and make decisions in the best interest of our members, volunteers, and employees. With safety in mind, we are happy to encourage you and your Scouting family to SCOUT ON! 

Please check back on our website www.AlamoAreaBSA.org for the latest guidelines as this is an evolving situation and any of these guidelines are subject to change. We will take additional steps as needed.

Our most updated Council response to Coronavirus COVID-19 can be found online at www.AlamoAreaBSA.org/Covid19. 

Yours in Scouting,

Angel Martinez, PR Director 
Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council