December 13, 2020
Dear Parents, Unit Leaders, Volunteers, and Scouts,
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Every Scout and Scouter, and every parent in the Susquehanna Council – THANK YOU! You have still performed community service this year through placing and removing flags on the graves of our veterans who defended our country. Through food drives, Eagle projects, or with your den or patrol, you continue to strive to make life better for the communities we live in. You have strived to hold meetings, whether by den or by Pack, by patrol or Troop and make Scouting happen. THANK YOU! Scouts, Leaders and Parents are still required to properly social distance at least 6 feet apart and must have a mask, whether you are meeting indoors or out. Please let me know if the Council can help in any way. To the units that have turned in their Charter Packets – THANK YOU! Even though the pandemic has affected our recruitment levels, units are still providing outdoor adventures, leadership opportunities, and advancement to the Scouts, and our youth are continuing to learn and grow – THANK YOU!
Thank you for making a difference in the Susquehanna Council! I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, holiday season and my Christmas wish is that we can all be vaccinated and creating new memories in Scouting in 2021.
Yours in Scouting,
Dennis Dugan
Scout Executive/CEO
July 7, 2020
Dear Parents, Unit Leaders, Volunteers, and Scouts,
I know that each of us have faced challenges since our Council began to “Shelter in Place” or “Stay at Home” since just before St. Patrick’s Day. Many units have used Zoom, Go To Meeting, phone calls, emails, postcards to try and stay in touch, to hold meetings, perform service projects and work on advancement. As a former Den Leader, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Committee member, I applaud each of you for your efforts to make Scouting happen in our fantastic Council.
As we flattened the curve, the Governor and the Commonwealth Department of Health have eased some of the restrictions, EASED but not eliminated. Scouts, Leaders and Parents are still required to properly social distance at least 6 feet apart and must have a mask if 6 feet is not possible, whether you are meeting indoors or out. I have posted the guidelines on our susquehannabsa.org website and on our multiple social media sites.
Day Camp begins in South Williamsport this week, and we already have more Cubs signed up than last year at both South Williamsport this week and the Shikellamy Overlook Day Camp scheduled for next month.
We were one of the first Councils in Pennsylvania to close our Scouts BSA Resident Camp for the summer, and no Council in the Northeast Region has been allowed to open as I type this. I worked with Jake Horner and some amazing volunteers, and we created “Not Your Typical Summer Camp” or “Camp in a Box.” We have partnered with five other Councils to make it a memorable camp experience for our Scouts BSA participants this year. To date, we have 247 Scouts from 24 Councils in 15 states, and we have sold almost 70 Adult Bling boxes to Scouters who needed their annual Summer Camp Swag. There is still room for your Scouts to sign up for week 2 or 3!
Thank you for making a difference in the Susquehanna Council!
Yours in Scouting,
Dennis Dugan
Scout Executive/CEO
March 17, 2020
Dear Scouting families,
Effective today, March 17, 2020, until Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Council Office in Williamsport and Camp Karoondinha in Millmont ARE CLOSED under recommendation from the Governor of Pennsylvania, multiple state agencies and from the medical community. On behalf of the Council Risk Management Committee and the Executive Board, we are also recommending that all in person Scouting activities are suspended until April 1 as well. We will update you with time frames as we are able to assess the situation. I’m sure many of you are closely following the situation as news breaks.
As Scouts, volunteers and employees, helping our communities in times of need is foundational to who we are. It is now time for us to each do our part to minimize the impact of the disease, especially since health authorities underscore that the spread of the coronavirus can be slowed down, which will save lives and avoid overwhelming our local healthcare infrastructures.
As is our practice in Scouting, our efforts are focused on preparation and responsiveness guided by official health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization. Remaining vigilant in hand hygiene and social distancing are some of the most important practices, especially in communities where there is confirmed community spread of the virus. The CDC offers helpful aids to guide these efforts, including:
Since the impact of the virus varies greatly by community, our council is working closely with the local health department to evaluate the situation and make decisions in the best interest of their members, volunteers, and employees. Again, the Council Executive Board asks that ALL units suspend in person meetings until April 1, 2020. To stay up to date on our latest responses to this developing situation, please visit our Website.
The Susquehanna Council understands that there will be Advancement/ Eagle issues, as well as many other challenges in the weeks ahead. If you need to communicate with your units, I suggest you go to FreeConferenceCall.com and set up an account or Zoom if you want visuals through your computers. We are Scouts, we will get through this challenge. If you do have a problem that requires emergency help, please email me at dennis.dugan@scouting.org or call my cell at (518) 258-7257.
Continue to stay safe, wash your hands frequently and live the Scout motto “Be Prepared”.
Yours in Scouting,
Dennis Dugan
Scout Executive
March 13, 2020
Dear Susquehanna Council Scouting families,
Effective Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27 under an abundance of caution, Council President Bob Dluge and I chose to suspend activities at a Council Level due the recommendations coming in from the Governor of Pennsylvania, multiple state agencies and from the medical community. We will update you with time frames as we are able to assess the situation. I’m sure many of you are closely following the situation as news breaks. Any decisions made about local units will continue to be made by their leadership and their chartering organizations.
As Scouts, volunteers and employees, helping our communities in times of need is foundational to who we are. It is now time for us to each do our part to minimize the impact of the disease, especially since health authorities underscore that the spread of the coronavirus can be slowed down, which will save lives and avoid overwhelming our local healthcare infrastructures.
As is our practice in Scouting, our efforts are focused on preparation and responsiveness guided by official health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization. Remaining vigilant in hand hygiene and social distancing are some of the most important practices, especially in communities where there is confirmed community spread of the virus. The CDC offers helpful aids to guide these efforts, including:
• Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools and Commercial Establishments Safe
• Framework for Mitigation
Since the impact of the virus varies greatly by community, our council is working closely with the local health department to evaluate the situation and make decisions in the best interest of their members, volunteers, and employees. Please refer questions about local events, meetings, and activities to the council Scout Executive, as I am best positioned to provide those answers.
Continue to stay safe, wash your hands frequently and live the Scout motto “Be Prepared”.
Click here to view our Scout Executive’s initial letter on COVID-19.