Kanakuk Kamps are battling a COVID cluster

As a Scoutmaster, I can tell you this issue is a difficult one to manage. I wish we could set aside the "politics" on this, but it's the "500 lb gorilla" in the room, and has been for a long time. Youth camps present some of the very best... and very worst opportunities for young people. Children are generally NOT being taught how to work together as a team to accomplish goals. They are generally NOT being challenged physically and emotionally towards becoming strong adults. They are generally NOT being taught skills that lead to more self-reliance, resilience, and adaptability. Programs such as these can offer all of these... but there are always great risks. Our Troop council vets incoming adult leaders rigorously. Children are impressionable, and easy targets for human predators. However, during times such as these... even the BEST adult leaders are being asked to choose between safety, and the continued survival of these already critically challenged programs. As with anything, it costs money to keep them afloat-money predominantly provided in the form of annual dues, registrations, etc. The average week at a summer camp can run around $250-$500 per camper, and annual costs for keeping an organization chartered can exceed several thousand. When parents/guardians pay this money... they expect results; activities, camping, training, etc. The kids too are being forced to choose between dedicating themselves to these programs, sports, or as they grow older... part time jobs and internships. Saying, "we're closing the doors indefinitely" is a good way to ensure they never re-open. For my troop, that would mean the end of nearly a century of existence, and the denial of achievements such as Eagle Scout for many who've invested years towards those goals. In Scouting, we're somewhat fortunate to have national directives to follow... which prevents any local "infighting" when hard choices have to be made. After that, I rely on my Troop Council and parents to advise me on what they are/are not comfortable with. For the time being, we're doing what we can... keeping groups small, spread out, and regularly assessing the risks in our area.

To each and everyone of thee, who has contracted the Coronavirus: You Have My Most Fervent Prayers; and, You Have All of My Love. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

I got it but what about the all the close proximity of all the people rioting and looting in the streets? Seems that we want to shut down the right to assemble for religious reasons or when it is politically acceptable (Pol Party conferences) etc. IMHO we were close to licking this thing and were on the downslope until folks in all these cities started protesting and well here we are again. But the rise in cases in the areas where protesting and looting isn't making the news...only cases that involve religion. Should they have opened the camp...NO but it seems anything related to outbreak that makes news is aything that deals with religion and it is the problem.