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2020 Summer Camp Update, Montana Council

Montana Council has taken every consideration in determining how to move forward carefully, safely and thoroughly regarding 2020 council summer camps. We are and continue to weigh health department recommendations, government protocols and financial responsibilities to create a plan for the summer. All of this is done with the health and safety of our Scouts, volunteers, Scouters and staff as our utmost concern.

First and foremost, the state must be in Phase 2 of reopening.  (Gov. Steve Bullock announced May 19 that we will begin Phase 2 on June 1, 2020.) We recognize we must be flexible as new information and recommendations come to light. It is with that in mind that we move forward with the following plan.

We intend to move forward with camp at K-M Scout Ranch for in-state units. Because of travel restrictions and quarantine directives, we can’t host out-of-state Scouts at this time across any of our camps.

With the updated facility at K-M Scout Ranch and with employing additional staff, safety precautions and funds – including medical resources, close attention to health and safety guidelines, capacity changes, food service alterations, etc. – we are confident, as things stand, that we can provide an excellent, exciting and adventurous summer camp experience at K-M.

The way program is delivered at K-M this summer will look a little different. This, in no way, is diminishing our excitement. We plan to have many Adventure Quests where patrols of Scouts will have opportunities to work towards advancement with fun and adventure being the main objectives. This will be a truly unique and patrol-style agenda allowing Scouts and Scouters to enjoy an immersive summer camp experience while following the recommended health and safety guidelines.

In our planning for the summer, it became quickly apparent that we are not in a position to maintain four fully operational camps. Because of the extreme and difficult logistics of operating at Melita Island, we are unable to support camp there this summer. Considering food safety, moving people on and off the island, the necessity of single-use items, trash disposal, limiting the number of attendees and out-of-state travel quarantine directives – among other issues – it simply isn’t feasible for us to move forward responsibly.

The silver lining is that we can focus energy on the other issues – such as the Melita Island Woodland Rehabilitation Project – to make 2021 an even better camp experience.

Montana Council is also closing Grizzly Base and the summer Webelos resident camps. We are extending invitations to dens to move their registration to K-M Webelos week or cancel and be refunded. Out-of-state and in-state units who qualify under the most recent health and safety guidelines can reserve a space at the facility. We will not be providing staff or facility support. Up-to-date quarantine rules and health regulations will be enforced.

Montana High Adventure Base (MOHAB) will not operate as a Scout camp in 2020 and will not be able to host out-of-state Scouts. In-state Scouts may be able to register for a MOHAB trek through the Boone and Crockett Club in Missoula.

Although we are unable to facilitate a fully operational camping season across the state, we are honored and prepared to move forward where we can to support an exciting experience for our Scouting youth and leaders.

The council is investing heavily in this experience to ensure we have adequate staff, resources, food services and medical services. The extra cost is not being passed along to you. 

Therefore, anything you can do to help support the council financially is greatly appreciated and needed. Donations can be made here: https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/315/appeal/138.

Thank you for understanding. Thank you for your support. And thank you for being a part of Montana Council.

 

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