March 2022

 

Effective March 8, 2022, Troop has 48 relaxed our protocols and guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and has now become mask optional. We respect and support everybody's decision of wearing a mask.

​

Troop 48 will continue to monitor the ongoing pandemic and adjust accordingly. It is recommended that each member of Troop 48 review the Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19 document, as this remains in effect.

​

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation,

​

Troop 48 Committee

​

​

September 2021

 

Dear Scouts and Parents, 

As you know, recently there have been a number of changes on the federal, state and in some cases local levels with regard to restrictions and safety precautions pertaining to COVID-19.  The adult Troop leadership has been, and will continue to monitor updates from these sources as they become available.  As things appear to be somewhat fluid at present, the Troop is trying to strike a balance between normalcy and the safety of our Scouts and their families.  To that end, the Troop is updating our COVID-19 response policy as follows:
 

 - Indoor Meetings and Events:  Following the lead of schools, The Troop will continue to require all Scouts and Adults attending indoor Troop meetings and events to wear masks and practice social distancing as we have been to date

- Outdoor Meetings:  In accordance with the recent NJ State and CDC changes, the Troop recommends anyone attending an outdoor Troop meeting who is not vaccinated to follow State and CDC guidelines regarding masks and social distancing.  Those who are vaccinated are welcome to continue wearing masks as they see fit.
 

 - Camping Trips and other Outdoor Events:  The Troop recommends that masks be worn as per Outdoor Meetings, however all Scouts / Adults should bring one or more masks on trips as there will be times when masks will be required by certain persons or all in attendance, such as those preparing food or all participants moving through a serving line.

Please note that performing the self-screening check before attending a Troop meeting or event is still required, and anyone who answers “Yes” to any of the questions should not attend that meeting or event.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dana Tarquini, Jim Rimback, Allison Eckel or John Oleniacz.
 

In the interest of ensuring a safe and healthy meeting and reduce the potential risk of exposure for everyone, please answer the following self-screening questions prior to attending the Troop meeting.  You are NOT required to submit these answers to the Troop – this is only to help you decide if you or your Scout should attend the meeting. 

If the answer is yes to ANY of the following questions, please DO NOT attend the meeting:

• Have you had a fever of 100.4 or higher within the past 72 hours (e.g. has your temperature been below 100.4 for the past 3 days without the use of medicine that reduces fevers)?

• Have you experienced ANY of the following symptoms today or within the past 14 days?

• Frequent unexplained cough, unexplained shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, unexplained tiredness, feelings of lethargy, body aches, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea

• Have you come in close contact (within 6 feet) with someone who has been exposed to, may have symptoms associated with (see above), has been tested / evaluated for or was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days?

• Have you traveled outside the US or been in close contact (within 6 feet) with anyone who has traveled outside the US within the last 14 days?

• Are you or anyone cohabitating with you currently under self quarantine per any CDC or NJ State Mandated COVID-19 Advisory including but not limited to hot zones and domestic travel requirements?  See www.covid19.nj.gov for additional information.

And if you are not comfortable for any reason, please do not attend the meeting.  Everyone must make the decision that is right for them. 

The Troop will provide hand sanitizer and have extra masks available.  Please bring your Scout Handbook and your own pen (sharing will not be allowed). 

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation,

​

Troop 48 Committee

​

Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to

Coronavirus/COVID-19

 

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing, the wearing of cloth face coverings, and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people.

 

The Boy Scouts of America, Garden State Council (“GSC”), the Lions Club of Medford Lakes, and Troop 48 have put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, Troop 48 cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending the events, meetings, etc. could increase your risk and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting COVID-19.

 

Please consider the following. If any are YES, an individual must stay home.

• Are you at higher risk for severe illness from COVID- 19 due to an increased risk factor?

• Have you been in contact with anyone experiencing respiratory illness or is in the process of being tested?

• Have you travelled to an area with a large outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the past 14 days?

 

I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren)and/or I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending Troop 48 events, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at Troop 48 events may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, Troop 48 volunteers, and program participants and their families.

I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur
in connection with my child(ren)’s attendance at a Troop 48 event or participation in a Troop 48 event (“Claims”). On my behalf, and on behalf of my children, I hereby release, covenant not to sue, to discharge, and to hold harmless the Boy Scouts of America, Garden State Council, Lions Club of Medford Lakes, and Troop 48 its employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives, of and from claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating to possible exposure to or infection by COVID-19. I understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the GSC, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any Troop 48 program.

​

Documents