Scouts Victoria COVI-19 update April 01 2020

Another reminder about current issues, and frequently asked questions.

Peak awards

We know that some youth members are worried about finishing their peak award before their coming birthday when they are due to link to the next Section.

These awards include the Promise Challenge, Grey Wolf, Australian Scout Medallion, Queen’s Scout, and Baden-Powell Scout Award. 

No youth member will be disadvantaged in completing their peak award.
Scouts Victoria will allow deadline extensions and age flexibility as needed.

Remember, while hikes and other expeditions are currently off, some award scheme work can be done remotely, at home.

Scouting at Home

A volunteer team is preparing activity sheets and programs for Scouting after Easter.

But don’t wait! 

Many Sections are running online events during the holidays. For example, an online hangout for Cub Scouts and their pets or favourite toy, a Joey Scout sleepover (each in their own home), investiture ceremonies, trivia nights and more.

Stage 3 Stay at Home rules mean that: Scouting at Home. Activities cannot be undertaken outside your property, only within your home or garden. The only exception would be for simple activities that are undertaken as part of your daily exercise.

Start thinking now about how you will deliver online. Practise with tools like Zoom during the holidays – for a Leaders meeting, or Section Council with youth members.

DCs: please support GLs to support their Section Leaders. This is a fresh challenge for many of us, but we’re resilient and we love learning new skills.

Child Safe Scouting Online 

Please also ensure you are aware of how to continue Child Safe Scouting in a virtual world by reading our document here.

Property maintenance

Please keep an eye on the security of your hall. Drive past when you can, remove mail or move the bins, etc. The hall needs to be ready when we return to face-to-face Scouting so essential maintenance work at halls and other properties can be done using the minimum number of people to undertake the work safely and in line with physical distancing and hygiene measures. 

Existing contracted works may also continue.

Under Stage 3 Stay at Home rules, you can leave your home to undertake voluntary work that cannot be done from home. While we have stopped face to face Scouting, we are still operating as an organisation.

If you are questioned regarding why you are not at home, you should make it clear that you are performing essential volunteer work that cannot be undertaken from home.

Current Stay at Home FAQs are available here

Hall hire 

Most hall hire is suspended until at least Term 3 2020 (July 13 2020). Councils have closed leased halls, but even Scout-owned halls are affected by the restricted activity requirements for recreational facilities.

There is a small number of cases where hall hire is permitted to support the local community. For example, services to support education services for pupils who can’t do online schooling, outside school hours care for children of essential workers, the homeless, etc. These services are exempt from the restricted activity requirements.

But check with us first at coronavirus@scoutsvictoria.com.au  The Group would need to provide hand washing facilities and sanitisation.

Campsites

Our campsites are closed to all but permanent residents and other permitted groups.

We have been asked by government to lend our campsites if required for community assistance.

If you have a special request, please check with us first at coronavirus@scoutsvictoria.com.au.

Raffle tickets

Yes, you can still sell raffle tickets. But with zero contact. Sales can be by phone and email; money can be moved by EFT; photos of the tickets purchased can be texted or emailed to the buyer.

Your Group can still make many thousands of dollars but it’s a new approach.

Fees

We are reviewing our fees and Census arrangements at this time. In the meantime, Groups should hold off on sending out the annual fees notices that many have already prepared.  We will have a further update soon.

But no child should miss out on Scouting because of financial hardship. 
Meanwhile, keep Scouting!

Scouting members with COVID-19

If you become aware that a Scouting member who attended a Scouting activity is subsequently identified as a confirmed case of COVID-19 please immediately contact the 24-hour Scouts Victoria Emergency Line on 03 8543 9877.

The team will support you on the required communication and response required.

Share the good news

We all need some positive stuff at present. Send your positive photos and captions to socialmedia@scoutsvictoria.com.au
Send your program ideas to scoutingathome@scoutsvictoria.com.au

An online investiture, an online craft activity, an online Section Council, an online camp or sleepover.

Let’s also see stories of youth achievement and helping other people.

Share some good news and make us all feel a bit better!

A special JOTI

The World Organisation of the Scout Movement has organised a special Jamboree On The Internet for April 3-5. Details are here

Mental health resources

Some people will be stressed by these unusual events.

Consider using the resources at Beyond Blue: Click here

Or from The Black Dog Institute: Click here