2021 Summer Induction Weekend COVID Precautions

We have learned a great deal about self-protection in the last year, and the availability of the vaccine shifts odds in our favor, but only for those who have elected to receive it. Unfortunately, this pandemic is not over, and with the emergence of the Delta variant, cases are very much on the rise. With only a 50% vaccination rate in Iowa and Nebraska, your risk of contracting COVID-19 is higher than in other parts of the country.

As you know, we had a very strict mitigation protocol in effect for all the sessions of Camp Cedars this summer. We had a successful summer, but even with all of these measures in place, the risk is greater now more than ever.

It is impossible to conduct a similarly restrictive program for an event such as the 2 day Induction Weekend, so different guidelines must apply.

• Parts A and B of the Health form are required to enter camp.
• There will be no guests for the weekend. This includes Saturday ceremonies and meals.
• Masks are required to be worn in the dining hall while not actively eating a meal. Mask are encouraged at other times as well. Access to buildings will be limited to a few people at one time.
• Every member/candidate is to conduct a self-screening before coming to Camp. It is expected that any non-vaccinated individual who has any COVID symptoms at all will not attend, disappointing as that may be to him or her.
• Almost every member/candidate is of an age in which he or she is qualified to receive the COVID vaccine. The Council strongly suggests that if you are not vaccinated, you initiate that process now, for your protection and also for the protection of those more vulnerable than you to whom you may transmit the virus.
• The assumption is that all adult members/candidates attending the weekend likely came to camp this summer and if so, those with any of the comorbidities were vaccinated. In the event an adult member/candidate did not attend summer camp and has comorbidities, it is a council requirement that such individuals will be vaccinated before coming to the weekend. This is a duty to be accepted on one’s Scout’s Honor, and without exception.
• If you are unvaccinated, the Mid-America Council would like you to initiate the vaccine process prior to attending the weekend.
• If you are unvaccinated and you attend the weekend anyway, you do so with the understanding that you have NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER from the coronavirus.
• The data shows that the new Delta variant is the dominant strain of COVID-19. This variant is ten times more transmissible than the “original” Coronavirus  that you may have successfully avoided during the past year. Putting it another way, you are TEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CONTRACT COVID-19 THAN YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST, if you are unvaccinated.
• If you are coming to the weekend on Friday and staying overnight, your tent arrangement must be such that if you are unvaccinated, you must tent “SOLO”. Plan accordingly and bring adequate tentage to meet this requirement.
• If you are unvaccinated, you should strongly consider wearing a mask during the event.
• There is an expectation that all members/candidates will adhere to these guidelines. 

Due to large numbers arriving in a short period of time, there will be no checking for vaccine documentation. Members/candidates are expected to exercise good judgment and not unnecessarily put their fellow Scouts at risk.

The first advantage we have in our favor is that most, though not all, activities take place outside. Being outdoors with adequate spacing reduces the rate of transmission, but does not eliminate it. The second advantage we have is that the event is fairly short in duration.

There continues to be the expectation that Scouts and Leaders will follow usual COVID precautions, maintain reasonable distances, and use hand sanitizers in all the areas where it is provided.

 Kit-Ke-Hak-O-Kut Leadership