Scouting from Home

Scouting can take place anywhere – even in the comfort of your home!

Here you will find a resource hub for parents and leaders to help support Scouting at home, with stay-at-home educational activities for any Scout rank, tips for continuing to work on advancements and kid-friendly content that connects Scouting with their daily lives. We will continue to add new content and resources to this hub regularly.

Our goal is to make it easier to deliver the Scouting program by making plans more accessible to Leaders and those who can help Leaders like our parents.

Coping with COVID - For Adults

Throughout the last few months, we heard from parents in our Scouting family who are navigating the challenges of parenting through the COVID-19 crisis. We posed these questions to independent experts on matters related to youth development to help provide some answers to our community.

https://www.scouting.org/coping-with-covid-19/

Cyber Chip Promotes Online Safety

Today's youth are spending more time than ever using digital media for education, research, socializing, and fun. To help families and volunteers keep youth safe while online, the Scouting America Mississippi Valley Council introduces the Cyber Chip. Parents, use the Cyber Chip as a tool to work with your youth to create additional open communications. Cyber Chip Requirements:

Cub Scouts

Lions - Kindergarten

Tigers - First Grade: 

Wolves - Second Grade:

Bears - Third Grade:

Webelos & Arrow of Light - 4th Grade & 5th Grade:

Scouting America - Age 11 to 18

Rank Requirement Aids
Sponsored by the Black Hawk Lodge, Order of the Arrow

Via the Mississippi Valley Council Youtube Channel

Merit Badges that can be completed at home with counselor of your choosing include:

  • Conduct virtual Patrol Leaders Council meetings via teleconference or web video conferencing. Ensure to maintain two-deep leadership throughout the virtual meetings.
  • Encourage Patrol Leaders to communicate digitally with their patrol members.
  • Conduct online merit badge counselor meetings using web video conferencing tools such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, FreeConference or Facebook. Ensure to maintain two-deep leadership throughout the virtual meeting. Note completing a worksheet and emailing it does not constitute a “virtual discussion”, rather use interactive video or phone conversations.
  • Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) | April 3-5, 2020 

Scouting America Advancement Notes:
Hold Scoutmaster Conference using web video conferencing. Ensure to maintain two-deep leadership throughout the virtual meeting.

If needed, conduct Eagle Boards of Review via videoconferencing. Units can administer BORs up and including Life rank but should follow the guidance in The Guide to Advancement Section 8.0.1.6 Boards of Review Through Videoconferencing. District Advancement Chairs will provide directions on Eagle BORs. Ensure to maintain two-deep leadership throughout the virtual meeting.

For more info, check out this FAQ: Mississippi Valley Council Advancement and Recognition Committee Guidance on Advancement During COVID-19

All Scouts

Other Activities:

  • Plan and cook a meal for your family.
  • Encourage Scouts to post online stories from history and how humanity was able to overcome such difficulties and give people hope.
  • Hold a virtual gaming meet. Or use Kahoot to host an online quiz.
  • Encourage Scouts to communicate with Scouts around the world. Learn about the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM). Introduce JOTA/JOTI.
  • Coordinate a community-based support network. Work with your Chartered Organization to develop a plan. Offer your unit assistance in helping the needy.
  • Post examples of how Scouts are helping the community on social media. Make sure to tag us in your post using #MVCScouting America

Community Service from Home

  • Volunteer to be an Online Ambassador with Ark of Hope for Children.
  • Volunteer to Translate with Translators without Borders.
  • Be an online emotional support person at 7 Cups.
  • Lend your eyes to solve tasks for blind and low vision people. Visit Be My Eyes.
  • Sew emotional support blankets for Binky Patrol.
  • Proofread ebooks for Project Gutenberg.
  • Crochet or knit afghan squares that will help build blankets for both babies and adults. Send them to Warm Up America.
  • Record audiobooks for Librivox.
  • Send a card, letter or note to someone who is sick.
  • Write thank you notes for people who serve in the community. (Police Officers, Elected Officials, pastors, etc.)
  • Tutor someone via Zoom or Skype.

Contact Us

mvc@scouting.org
https://www.facebook.com/MississippiValleyCouncil/
More Resouces: https://www.mississippivalleyScouting America.org/resources