Re-Opening Details

Las Vegas Area Council

Back To Business

Updated May 29, 2020

Do you miss your fellow scouts? We have good news!

With the announcement of Phase 2 for Nevada, the Las Vegas Area Council Troops and Packs can now begin to meet in groups of less than 50 people.  With the approval of your committee and Chartered Organization, groups can meet while adhering to social distancing guidelines and wearing a face covering.   

We understand that each Scouting family has a unique set of circumstances to consider when deciding whether to attend in person scouting activities. We encourage units to offer options when possible, allowing families the choice to attend face to face activities, or the opportunity to join in virtually via video conferencing or audio call. 

We understand that your usual meeting facilities may be closed.  If you’d like to inquire about reserving the shade structures at the new Englestad Park located at the council offices, please call Eileen at 702-968-8138. 

As always, please adhere to local and state guidelines when planning your unit’s activities.  If you have any questions, please call us.


It is expected that the Governor may soon lift the current “Stay at Home Nevada” order in the near future. In preparation for when this occurs, this document and information contained herein is being provided to help guide and support doing so in the safest manner possible. It is expected that as the Federal Government’s approach to opening is implemented by the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas Council of BSA will follow suit by reopening its operations accordingly for employees, volunteers, scouts, and buildings. Consideration will be given to the State of Nevada guidelines, recommendations from the Southern Nevada Health District, the CDC, and the Federal Government. 

Our Covid-19 task force team has been working to anticipate needed guidelines and directives need to reintroduce face to face interactions and scouting.  This team in comprised of 3 subcommittees: 

  1. Business and Operations – 
  2. Volunteer Interactions
  3. Programs and Activities
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Our Business and Operations committee has been working on considerations needed to make the Scouting offices and Trading Post available for your scouting needs.  

The Resource Center Lobby:
  • Our building is open, but we ask that you continue to make an appointment by calling (702-736-4366) if you need to visit.  
  • Please send in only the individual that needs to conduct scout business.  
  • Face coverings are required by staff and visitors; hand sanitizer will be available. 
  • Please have all documents completed prior to entering the building.
  • Access to offices remains restricted to scheduled business only. 
  • The board room will be set up with tables where executive staff can meet with volunteers if necessary.  These tables will be sanitized after each use.  
  • Bathrooms and other surfaces will be disinfected at least twice a day. 
  • Employees will wear masks when working with the public. 

For More Information 

The Trading Post: 
  • Beginning Monday, May 18, the Trading Post will be OPEN! 
  • Hours are M-F (10am-4pm).  Closed Saturday and Sunday.
  • Face coverings are required for staff and customers; hand sanitizer will be available.
  • Trading Post staff will pull awards and will wear gloves.  New gloves will used for each order. 
  • Only five (5) customers will be allowed in the store at a time.  Ample waiting space that will adhere to social distancing guidelines will be available in the Resource Center Lobby.
  • Plexiglass guards will be in place at the register for protection of staff and customers.

For More Information

VOLUNTEER INTERACTION COMMITTEE

The Volunteer Interaction Committee is focusing on interactions at the family, den/patrol, unit, district and Council levels.

Survey
  • A survey was recently sent to scout leaders and families to get information on the expectations of our families moving forward. 
  • It is important for us to understand each families’ threshold for participation.  Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. 
Current Direction 
  • Scouts can continue to work on advancements via online meeting with their unit or with their parent/Akela. 
  • When state guidelines allow, our team has suggestions for socially distanced Bridging/Advancement ceremonies. This information is forthcoming.
  • Eagle Board of Reviews have been taking place successfully online and will continue this operation until further notice. 
  • District Committee, Commissioner, and Roundtable meetings have been moved online and will continue to be offered in this forum until further notice. 
  • If you have questions about how to keep your unit active online until the Stay at Home order is lifted, please reach out to your Commissioner or your District Executive for assistance.  We understand the challenges you are facing and have ideas to help guide you until we can see each other in person again. 

Contact your District Executive

PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

The Program and Activities Committee is a forward-looking committee that is working to anticipate some of our challenges when we are permitted to gather again.  Your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is the Las Vegas Area Council is a top priority. In light of COVID-19, we will be taking additional precautions during programs and activities (including camping) on top of our long-established health and safety measures. 

Current Recommendations: 
  • When possible, please continue to #scoutfromhome, utilizing online platforms for dens and patrols. For at-home scouting ideas, click here 
  • LVAC BSA recommends that units not plan and carry-out in-person activities, including campouts during Phase One. Updates will be provided for Phase 2.
  • Please continue to limit public and private gatherings to 10 or fewer people for your safety and the safety of others. 
  • Avoid all non-essential travel and adhere to self-quarantine/monitor health for 14 days after arriving or returning to Nevada.
  • Please refer to and adhere to your state’s current recommendations regarding gathering and in person meetings.
  • Units should reach out to their Chartered Organizations for further guidelines when appropriate. 

Below are items that will become a part of all of our programs and activities:

  • Pre-attendance education. 
  • Health screening conducted by your unit prior to travel to camp, including a temperature check. We will provide additional information on health screening checklists. 
  • Health screening upon your arrival conducted by activity health officers, which will also include a temperature check.
    • Note:  Should anyone in the unit not pass the arrival screening, the entire unit will not be allowed to enter. 
  • Limits on visitors to the area.
  • All visitors will be screened upon arrival before entry to camp.
  • Hygiene reminders throughout the experience.
  • Extra handwashing /sanitizer stations throughout the venues.
  • During Day Camp Handwashing times will be built into the schedule.
  • Dedicated staff to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared program equipment.
  • An emergency response plan that will include isolation and quarantine protocols, should a person at develop symptoms of COVID-19 or any other communicable disease. 
  • Check-ins with each unit one week and two weeks after the unit leaves camp activities to determine if any participants have developed symptoms. 
  • Transportation and Food Preparation should be handled according to the guidelines regarding the specific event and local health guidelines.

Click For More Information

These precautions are important, but they do not remove the potential for exposure to COVID-19 or any other illness. Some people with COVID-19 show no signs or symptoms of illness but can still spread the virus, and people may be contagious before their symptoms occur. These factors mean that an infected person may pass the required health screenings and be allowed into camp. 

We also know the very nature of camp and interactive social activities makes social distancing difficult in many situations and impossible in others. 

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this group, please ensure you have approval from your health care provider prior to attending camp or activity.

We understand that each staff member, volunteer, and Scouting family has a unique set of circumstances to consider when deciding whether to attend camp events and activities. We hope this information will be helpful as you make those choices.