Updated 6/14/2021

• For activities and meetings where everyone present is fully vaccinated, the state does not require face coverings and social distancing in both indoor and outdoor settings. Businesses and municipalities are permitted to continue requiring face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate. 
• For indoor activities and meetings where everyone present is not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated persons should wear a face covering and maintain six feet social distance.  Chartering Organizations may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing. At outdoor activities and meetings, unvaccinated persons may choose not to wear a face covering when able to maintain a six-foot social distance while outdoors, unless required to do so by a Chartering Organization or venue. 
• Although people who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering under state guidance, all Scouters should be supportive to those participants who choose to wear a face covering. 
• Persons who are immunocompromised should consider wearing face coverings when in settings where others may not be fully vaccinated. 
• All unvaccinated persons should wear face coverings in crowded settings, both indoors and outdoors, especially when youth are present. See CDC guidance for further information. 
• There are limited circumstances and settings where all individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, must continue to wear a mask in accordance with CDC guidance: (1) on public transportation, (2) in congregate facilities, (3) in health care settings, and (4) where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. 
• All activities and participants should support social distancing to the extent possible, especially in indoor settings.  
• This guidance will be updated as the CDC releases new recommendations and is meant to supplement any federal or local guidance, safety laws, rules, regulations or business safety policies that may expressly require a face covering and/or social distancing. 
• Continue to consult the CDC and IDPH websites for updated resources, guidelines, and rules related to COVID-19 safety. 

UPDATED 5/18/2021

Bridging Phase Guidelines -UPDATE – Masks

If you are 2 weeks out from your second shot, you are considered fully vaccinated and no longer have to wear a mask at scout meetings/outings. If you are not vaccinated, you still have to wear a mask at all scouting functions. Where your units meet or your Chartering Organization may have a rule to wear masks, if so, you need to follow that guideline.

Your vaccination status is on the honor system, as scouters we are trustworthy. Please be considerate of others, and keep in mind that many of our youth are not vaccinated yet. Yes, you can still wear a mask if you are vaccinated at meetings/outings.

The following is still in effect:

Keep that temperature and attendance log.
Room capacity has been expanded to 60 percent. Make sure your Chartered Organization is on board with a larger meeting size. If they are not, you cannot do it. There is no exception to this. Some organizations are still requiring virtual meetings only.
Wash your hands and have hand sanitizer available.
Clean your meeting space before and after.
For camping -group cooking is allowed. Non-vaccinated scouts/scouters should continue to wear a mask for this activity and then socially distance while eating
Tents should still be single occupancy unless family members want to share a tent.

I have been so proud of how we have all come together and followed the guidelines during the pandemic, you have lived the scout oath and law have exemplified the spirit of scouting.

UPDATED 2/23/2021

• Keep that temperature and attendance log. You have been doing great so far!
• Make sure your Chartered Organization is on board with a larger meeting size. If they are not, you cannot do it. There is no exception to this. Some organizations are still requiring virtual meetings only.
• Wear a mask AND adhere to social distance guidelines. Wash your hands and have hand sanitizer available.
• Groups of up to 50 are permitted (indoor and outdoor) following the above and the group has to be split into smaller groups of 25 or less that do not inter mix or co-mingle.
• Clean your meeting space before and after – just like before.
• For camping – still no communal cooking/foods. No shared tents.
• Keep in mind, if the positivity rate goes up we might be back to a different mitigation level with little to no notice.
• Share this information with your Scouting friends in Rainbow Council, Boy Scouts of America

UPDATED 11/12/2020

Scouters, 

As of Monday 11/16/20 with the new IDPH restrictions, Rainbow Council is advising you to halt all in person scout meetings and events. The camp will also be closed as of 11/16/20 – for the next 3 weeks at least.  The restriction was implemented on 11/11/20 , we wanted to give you a few days to get your unit sorted out. Let’s all do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Rainbow Council!

https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19/COVID-19_SocialDistancingOption2.pdf

UPDATED 10/2/2020

Camping Update

1. The Chartered Organization must send an e-mail stating that they authorize the unit to begin overnight camping. Send the email to the Council Commissioner at diane.kloepfer@scouting.org

2. All camping participants must have a current Medical Part A&B on file with the unit.

3. All campers will have individual tents, spaced at least 6 feet apart. Families can share a tent if desired.

4. All food preparation and dining must be separate, adhering to social distancing guidelines of 6 feet of separation. There is no sharing of utensils, cookware, food, etc. The only exception to this is families, families may share.

5. When eating, adhere to social distancing guidelines.

6. Masks should be worn at all times, unless eating or in your tent.

7. Restroom facilities will be sanitized regularly.

8. Unit Leadership should be sure there is soap for handwashing and disposable paper towels for drying. Hand sanitizer can also be made available.

9. Camping participants will have their temperatures taken and logged in the AM and PM for each day of the outing. Unit leadership will retain the log.

UPDATED 9/5/2020

Before You Begin Meeting:

1. Your chartering organization must approve your plans for in-person meetings.
2. The organization that provides your meeting location (if different from your chartering organization) must approve your plans for in-person meetings.
3. If you intend to meet indoors with your unit, you must develop and maintain a record system for cleaning and sanitizing your meeting space before and after each meeting.
4. You must clean and sanitize the space before and after each meeting. You must notify your District Executive and District Commissioner of your intention to resume unit meetings.

• Ishkote District Executive (acting)  Daniel Stomberg daniel.stromberg@scouting.org
• Ishkote District Commissioner Ryan Barrerbarrie@peoplesbankdirect.com
• Waapi Lenaswa District Executive Waapi Lenaswa Jarvis Franklin jarvis.franklin@scouting.org
• District Commissioner Christopher Pride thechrispride@gmail.com

For Meeting:

1. You must always maintain youth protection guidelines at all times when meeting either in person OR virtually.
2. You must provide appropriate Adult Supervision with two registered adult leaders holding valid Youth Protection Training.
3. Indoor AND outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 50 individuals, including parents, guests, and adult leadership.
4. You must take the temperature of all participants before joining the meeting. See https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-057.pdf . Individuals with fevers of 100.4°F or potential exposure to COVID should not participate in scouting activities.
5. You must maintain a dated attendance list for all unit meetings and scouting events for the purpose of contact tracing in the event that someone contracts COVID-19.
6. You must clean and sanitize the space before and after each meeting and keep records of the cleaning.
7. You must maintain current Part A & B medical forms for all participants.
8. Scouts, registered leaders, and guests must wear a mask over the nose and mouth for all scouting activities.
9. Social distancing must be maintained.
10. Whenever possible, meetings should be held outdoors.
11. Youth are currently limited to day activities. There is no unit or patrol camping at this time.
12. Scouts should come to youth activities that extend over a mealtime with a packed meal from home. There is no communal cooking or dishwashing at this time.
13. Parents of the Scout will determine the best and safest way for their child to be transported to and from Scouting events. Carpooling may only be done with parent permission.

Additionally:

1. For the safety of you and your Scouts, we recommend that you only participate in Rainbow Council or other Council-sponsored programs.
2. Guidelines for Council-sponsored training for Adult Leaders may differ from youth programming, but also will follow strict safety protocols.
3. All Councils are working together to ensure that local and BSA standards are enforced to ensure your health and safety. By participating in an approved program, you will also be covered by BSA insurance. For a complete list of Rainbow Council sponsored programs, please check the council website https://www.rainbowcouncil.org/calendar/.
4. Theakiki in Kankakee and Rainbow Scout Reservation in Morris are open to units for day activities. Please register through the service center for use.
5. Rainbow Scout Reservation is open for Family Camping. Each family will be assigned their own site. All adults and youth must be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. All Scout and Camp rules and regulations will apply. We are limiting the number of people in the camp; you must register through the Scout Service Center. Plan for primitive camping; none of the buildings or program areas are open for use.

If you have additional questions or need further clarification, please contact your Unit Commissioner or District Executive.

Diane Kloepfer | Council Commissioner

Update as of 08/26/2020:

– Diane Kloepfer Council Commissioner

Update as of 08/21/2020:
The Illinois Department of Public Health currently has a limit on gatherings. Any gathering over 50 people is prohibited. We are keeping an eye on the situation due to the recent increase in positive cases in Will and Kankakee counties and will let you know of any changes as soon as we are aware. For more information see the IDPH website.

Update as of 07/16/2020: