Dear Parents & Carers,
We have been given the go-ahead to restart outdoor face-to-face activities but our guidelines have changed again. This letter will let you know the steps we are taking to make sure we keep everyone safe.
Firstly, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, or who has been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms (within the last two weeks), shouldn’t come to face-to-face activities, and should follow government guidelines on self-isolation and testing.
Secondly, young people who are shielding or in a vulnerable group might not be able to return to face-to-face activities at this stage. Also, some young people, including those with additional needs, might need reasonable adjustments putting in place to support a return to face-to Scouting. Please email to discuss any concerns.
Updates to our arrangements for making sure our outdoor activities will be COVID-19 safe.
Arrival & departure arrangements
- Please maintain social distancing on arrival and departure and follow government guidelines if lift-sharing. We would appreciate it if parents could wear masks when dropping off & collecting Scouts.
- We will usually be meeting in smaller groups to reduce the potential risks and enable us to maintain social distancing. Please remind your child not to mix with Scouts in other groups at the start or end of the session.
Social distancing
- Scouts need to remember to keep socially distant (2m) from other Scouts & Leaders during the meeting.
Hand sanitisation, hygiene and personal protective equipment.
- Scouts need to bring their own hand sanitiser & will be reminded to use it regularly.
- Scout Association guidelines state that face coverings are required by Scouts and Adults when outdoors if 2m distancing cannot be maintained. Although we aim to keep the 2m distance, there will be times when it is not possible (when crossing roads for example). Unless otherwise stated in the programme, face masks are required for all activities, unless your son/daughter is exempt for medical reasons.
Other measures
- Toilets are not available as we do not have access to a building. Please remind your child to use the toilet beforehand. It is only a short meeting but, if a child needs the toilet, we will phone you to collect them.
- First aid procedure: A (socially distant) Leader will assess the injury. For minor injuries, Scouts will be given first aid supplies to treat themselves. Obviously, if the injury is serious, or if they need help with a minor injury, this will outweigh the small risk of infection and Leaders will apply first aid, wearing gloves, face mask & apron if possible. If appropriate, the young person will also be asked to wear a mask. (We have disposable masks in the first aid kit).
- When possible, each child will be given an individual set of equipment needed for that meeting. This will be cleaned/quarantined before re-use. Any equipment that is only lightly handled and has to be shared will be thoroughly cleaned during the meeting.
- We’re required to keep a register of those attending to help with the track and trace process. This is kept on OSM (an online Scout Management system that is fully GDPR compliant), along with our usual records. If your son/daughter tests positive for Covid 19 within 14 days of a face to face scouting event, please contact Gillian by email as soon as possible.
We will discuss the new arrangements with the Scouts when we restart, but please also remind your child of the importance of social distancing, hand sanitizing and other hygiene measures.
If you/your child are not ready to attend face to face meetings, this is fine. While we are in the current amber phase, we will provide a blended programme of outdoor activities, zoom meetings and emailed activities.
Permission to attend: Please reply to confirm that you understand the new measures in place and are happy for your child to resume coming to outdoor meetings.
Please don’t hesitate to email if you have any questions or concerns.
