June 16, 2009

Health and Safety of our Campers

The Indian Waters Council, BSA operates the highest quality Scouting programs in the very safest manner with more than 1,000 youth and adults participating this summer.

To keep an open line of communication and continue to provide helpful information on Scouting, the following was sent to all members of our Scouting e-mail list:
 
Last week, three cases of H1N1 or swine flu virus were reported at Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina and an additional seven cases were reported yesterday (Monday) from a troop in Atlanta that attended Camp Daniel Boone last week. It appears the flu came into their camp with campers from Florida.
 
We would like to reassure our constituents that:
1. There have not been any cases of the swine flu virus reported among Scouts or leaders at Camp Barstow or any other programs of the Indian Waters Council, or among any of them visiting other camps.
 
2.  Our camps are operated by certified and extremely well-trained leaders including medical professionals who are on-site at all times.
 
3. Our highest priority is the health and safety of our campers and good communication is extremely important to us.  Therefore, we are taking the following precautionary steps, effective immediately:
 
* We are implementing the pre-screening of all youth and adults participating in activities conducted by the Indian Waters Council, including all activities at Camp Barstow and day camps. The medical officer or appropriate staff member will screen people as they enter camp, even for a visit, and we are asking the assistance of our unit leaders in the implementation of that screening for future campers prior to arrival.
 
That screening is a simple questionnaire developed by Tulane University Medical School and now used by other Boy Scout camps. Here is the questionnaire:
"Do you have any of the following symptoms?
A. Fever equal to or greater than 100 Degrees Fahrenheit, or feverishness
B. Nasal congestion
C. Sore throat
D. Cough
If the answer is "yes" to two or more of these questions, the camper is immediately quarantined and appropriate arrangements made (further medical attention off-site and/or parent pickup). Future campers (youth and adults coming to camp in the future) with two or more of these symptoms will be asked to stay home and seek medical attention.
 
* We are keeping updates of the health and safety of our campers online at www.indianwaters.org.  For their information and assistance, we will also begin contacting leaders and parents of our campers attending future council activities that have not occurred yet to ask their assistance in the pre-screening process.
 
* Our staff is always available to answer any questions or concerns on the health and safety of our campers with the following contacts:
Scout Service Center: 803-750-9868
Overall camp programs: Stephen Davis, mobile: 803-261-6764; office: 803-750-9868 ext. 103; stdavis@bsamail.org
Scout Executive: Doug Stone: mobile: 803-269-9513  office: 803-750-9868 ext. 101; dstone@bsamail.org
Camp Barstow: Larry Parrish, Camp Director: 864-445-4991
 
Thank you for your involvement in Scouting!