Good Evening,
 
Today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced that effective Friday, November 6th, there will be a stay at home advisory that is for between the hours or 10pm and 5am.  This order means that in-person campouts are not permitted.  With that information, we are moving back to Gear 3 effective immediately.
 
Here is the revised Gear 3 protocols Units are expected to follow:
**Revised 11/2/2020**
Gear 3 – More Eased Social Distancing Restrictions in Place – Virtual, Kit. Per the Commonwealth’s Stay at Home Orders, No in-person Camping is permitted.  Virtual Camping from each Scouts home is permitted.  No indoor meeting.  Outdoor meetings following protocols is permitted
** Failure to follow these protocols may result in your group not being covered by the BSA’s liability insurance No indoor den/patrol meetings Outdoor meetings/Day Activities Dens can meet in person in groups of 10-12.  Adult leaders are included in that count. There is a maximum of 25 people (organized and socially distance by den/patrol/group) that can gather and must be able to adhere to the 6-foot distancing rule. Scouts, Adult Leaders, and Families all count in the 25 person count. Multiple dens can meet at the same time, however, each den must be separated 20-feet apart, with each den following the 6-foot rule.  Large fields would be the best venue to accomplish this. A sign-in log (with names and phone numbers of all that are attending) should be maintained for every meeting or event, for Contact Tracing purposed.  Walk-in visitors should be discouraged. Council delivered Online Programs and Individual Den and Patrol Kits. No In-Person Camping is allowed Online Merit Badge Classes and Cub Adventures Back Yard Virtual camping and other programs is allowed Cub Scout Facebook Live Segments Online Speakers Series Den Kits (accommodates 8 Scouts) available for individual reservation Patrol Kits (accommodates 8 Scouts) available for individual reservation **Please check local standards as well.  The expectation is to follow whichever is the stricter protocol**
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during these unprecedented times.  It’s with the safety of our Scouts and Scouters at heart that we put these protocols in place.
 
Thank you and Stay Safe!
 
 
Jonathan Pleva | Director of Field Service/COO
The Spirit of Adventure Council, BSA
617-272-3525
[email protected]
www.scoutspirit.org