Overview
Here's where we provide tips, tricks, and ideas for how you can do Scouting from home or during social distancing!
This page is continuously updated with ideas from many sources including our council staff and volunteers, other councils as well as our National organization.
Your suggestions and ideas are also welcome and encouraged. Please share your ideas in one of the Facebook groups below (where we're watching too!) or email them to [email protected]
Scouting.org Digital SafetyScouting from Home MaterialsScouting at Home Facebook Videos
We realize that these are interesting times, but we know that Scouting can remain strong and find a whole new way to deliver program. Thank you for visiting our site to find the ways that you, your family, and/or your unit can stay active as we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic. And, you never know, these types of resources just might remain as we make our way back in to a more traditional Scouting setting.
The main intention of this page is to provide our leaders and families with resources to continue to provide Scouting during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are searching for more information on the current guidelines for Scouting, please see the related articles section on this page to visit Northern Stars COVID updates. This page will always have the most up to date guidelines for meetings and activities within Northern Star.
Unit COVID Safety Guidebook
Northern Star has put together a Unit COVID Safety Guidebook for in person activities. This page is dedicated to [email protected] (or virtual Scouting), but we do have this document linked in the related articles on this page. As your unit is preparing to meet in person, this booklet should be reviewed to ensure you are following the current guidelines of Northern Star.
Resources
We're creating TONS of videos to help you Scout at Home! Most of them are located on our Facebook page. Follow the links below to see them all, more are added every day! These videos may reference printed or supplemental materials found on the Overview tab of this page.
Scouting at Home Facebook Videos YouTube Videos
Social Media Groups
These groups are run and moderated by volunteer leaders like you! Their entire purpose is to share ideas for running meetings, advancement, cool projects, etc. They've been filled with Scouting from Home ideas recently!
Scouts BSA Facebook Group Cub Scouts Facebook Group
Running Your Own Virtual Meetings
Virtual Cub Scout Pack
Cub Connections is a virtually based program providing Den and Pack meetings. Each rank has Den Meeting videos and resources. You can expect a video and supporting documents to be uploaded on the first and third Monday of the month.
If you are already a member of a Pack, this is not meant to replace your Pack or Den. We encourage you to stay active with your Pack however they are delivering Scouting. This program is a way for families, Dens, and potential Scouts to stay active and continue to advance when Scouting in person may not be an option.
Cub Connections (Virtual Pack)
Ready Made Ideas
You can find a whole host of ideas and templates to use while scouting virtually. Below is a button to a large google drive full of activities from our Council.
Scouting at Home Materials
National Crowdsourced Adventure Videos
If you are looking for some resources to help spice up your virtual Den Meetings, check out the Cub Scout Adventure Resource Videos made by Councils from all over the country. There are videos for all of the Cub Scout Adventures! The videos are meant to supplement a Den Meeting and Adventure requirements, not replace them.
Crowdsourced Den Leader Adventure Videos
Advancement
The following questions regarding advancement have arisen as we deal with closures, cancellations, or other issues caused by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are difficulties and constraints, advancement can continue. Youth, parents, and leaders should work together to implement creative, common sense ways to facilitate advancement while adhering to the Guide to Safe Scouting and following the rules of Youth Protection training.
YPT Applies to Virtual Scouting and is no different than in-person Scouting - there must be two registered and trained leaders at all events (on screen), including a female leader if there are female Scouts present. Refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the BSAs social media guidelines for more information. In addition to youth protection, the advancement guidelines in the Guide to Advancement section 7are required
Please follow and continue to use the Guide to Advancement, which remains the primary source for information related to Scouts BSA advancement. It is referenced throughout the answers provided here.
Please send additional questions to [email protected]
Scouting.org Advancement FAQ (Updated Frequently)
Virtual Classes/Events
Below is a list of upcoming Virtual Merit Badge opportunities for Scouts. It is the responsibility of the scout to inform their Scoutmaster their intent to begin a virtual merit badge and prepare as best as possible for the class. Scouts should “do their best” to obtain a merit badge book, though we realize that may be difficult with the current shelter in place requirements in place. Merit Badge counselors will review their process for the course and any requirements that must be completed outside of the virtual setting. Many Merit Badges do have workbooks available online. These workbooks are meant as support for earning the merit badge and are not a substitute for conversation and demonstration when necessary. For current requirements for all Merit Badges please visit THIS site.
If you are interested in hosting your own virtual Merit Badge Class, please submit through the form below.
Submit A Virtual Merit Badge Class
Below is a list of upcoming virtual classes and activities. This list includes activities just for fun or classes that may fulfil Scouting requirements.
If you are interested in hosting your own virtual event or class, please submit through the form below.
Submit a Virtual Scouting Opportunity
Below is a list of upcoming Virtual Training opportunities for Scouts and Scouters. Instructors will review their process for the course and any requirements that must be completed outside of the virtual setting. Some trainings require prerequisites and/or age to attend. Please review the requirements for any training you are interested in taking prior to signing-up.
If you are interested in hosting your own virtual Training, please submit through the form below.
Submit a Virtual Training
Scout Chats
Our Monthly Scout Chats are LIVE video events, with questions and answers provided by staff and volunteers from across the council. What started as Leader Cracker Barrels are evolving into council-wide Monthly Scout Chats. We hope you can join us!
Scout Chats