Dear Winnebago Council Scouting Families,
The following are some of the concerns that have been addressed by our Executive Board Members, Camping Committee, and Facilities Committee regarding the feasibility of summer camp operations at Ingawanis Adventure Base in 2020:
- Unpredictability of the length of current restrictions
- Health and safety of our Scouts, Leaders and Staff
- Adding additional safety measures to help monitor the health of all participants and visitors during check-in and through the week
- Ability for adult staff and unit leaders to take off time for Summer Camp after being out of work for several weeks
- Vendors that provide goods and services during Summer Camp and availability of needed goods
- Additional health supplies and health procedures needed
- Ability to have the required staff in place to meet Camp Certification requirements needed to ensure General Liability insurance covers all activities during Summer Camp
- Challenges Scouting families may have paying for Summer Camp
- The number of Scouts needed to produce the minimum revenue required to run Summer Camp
- Readiness of the facilities to welcome campers amid the restrictions currently in place limiting volunteer workers from completing projects at Ingawanis Adventure Base
After a detailed review of the listed concerns and hours of discussion with the above-mentioned council committees, the Winnebago Council has made the following decisions:
Ingawanis Adventure Base will remain closed to visitors, the general public, and the Scouting Community until further notice.
- The extension of this closure is partly based on the State of Iowa mandates along with the wish to keep Ingawanis Adventure Base a “clean space” as we work through the current situation.
- Facilities work and projects will continue at Ingawanis Adventure Base.
- Although closed, Volunteers are needed to help with various projects and maintenance
- The number of volunteers will be strictly limited.
- Social distancing during work projects will be adhered to.
- Additional health screenings will be required prior to entering Ingawanis Adventure Base.
- Maintenance and project volunteers will be approved by the Scout Executive and Council President along with the help of the VP of Properties
- If you are interested in helping work at camp please email Scout Executive Jim Madison at [email protected]
All activities, camps, and meetings scheduled to be held at Ingawanis Adventure Base in the month of June have been Cancelled.
This includes:
- Staff Week and training
- Cub Scout Day Camp
- Cub Scout Resident Camp
Various Winnebago Council Committees are currently working on programming options for the month of July at Ingawanis Adventure Base
- Programming options for the month of July will be announced on May 15, 2020, so that both Cub Scout and Scouts BSA members have ample time to make decisions about individual and unit participation.
- 100% Refunds will be sent to any unit that have already placed a deposits and payments for Summer Camp 2020 who cannot participate due to scheduling issues or those who choose not to participate due to the health and safety concerns.
The Winnebago Council Professional Staff along with our wonderful volunteers will continue to develop additional online virtual programming for both Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA members.
- Like and follow the Winnebago Council Facebook Page to ensure you and your Scouts are up to date on all virtual program offerings.
- If you have ideas for virtual programming or would like to help with virtual programming please send an email to Katie Askelson at [email protected]
- Now is a great time to begin using ScoutBook to track your advancements for Cub Scouts and ScoutsBSA members!
In addition to the continued closure of Ingawanis Adventure Base, the Winnebago Council Scout Service Center and both the Waterloo and Mason City Scout Shop will remain closed to the public until at least May 15, 2020.
- All professional staff are still working and are here to help you and your Scouts
- Support Staff are working and can be reached via email
- Staff can be reached via email or phone.
While it will look different than past Summer Camp Seasons at Ingawanis Adventure Base, we will have great in person Scouting experiences in 2020 for our youth and adults when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We want to encourage all our Scouts and Leaders to participate in the upcoming virtual events and we appreciate and encourage your input and ideas.
Yours in Safe Scouting,
Jim Madison
Scout Executive/CEO
Winnebago Council, BSA
