September Ordeal/Service Weekend Info

All:

Thank you for registering for the September OA Weekend. We have about 100 members planning on attending, and we look forward to seeing everyone!

This will be the first 3-day OA Weekend we’ve had since Covid, so the format may be new to some of you.  

ALL members: regular members, Ordeal Candidates, and those taking their Brotherhood arrive Friday night and will stay through about 10-11am Sunday.

Also, ALL members should bring along a personal tent for camping, as camp canvas camp tents will not be available. If you do not have your own tent, check with your unit.

The planned weekend schedule, menu, and medical documents are linked HERE. We look forward to seeing everyone in person Friday night.

Weekend Notes:

Ordeal Candidates:

• Please arrive between 7:00 and 7:45 Friday evening. Please DO NOT arrive early, as registration will not yet be open. Parents dropping off Ordeal Candidates should attend one of the two parent information meetings.
• Unless there is precipitation, you will be sleeping under the stars without a tent Friday night. The forecast is for skies to clear in the evening with temperatures in the mid-60s. .
• Be sure to follow the packing list you received by email from the Ordeal Committee.  If you cannot find the list, contact ordeal@kittatinny5.org. 

Current members and those planning to take their Brotherhood Review

• Please arrive between 7:00 and 7:45 Friday evening. Please DO NOT arrive early, as registration will not yet be open.
• All participants need to bring a personal tent for sleeping. No sharing of tents unless they are in the same family.
• Meals will be provided out of Miller Dining Hall.  The menu is attached. You do not need utensils, etc.
• You will be camping, so bring appropriate gear for a weekend campout.  
• Water bottles are highly recommended to stay hydrated during service on Saturday and other times throughout the weekend..
• Work for the day on Saturday will be varied. Please be sure to bring work clothes that can get dirty, gloves, safety goggles, etc. as you feel appropriate. Work assignments will be made Saturday morning after breakfast.
• A class-A uniform (with OA sash for current members) is needed for dinner and ceremonies on Saturday

All attendees – 

• Kittatinny Inc, the Lodge merchandise store, will now be able to accept cash, checks, and credit card transactions.
• New flaps, limited Centennial merchandise, and NOAC fund-raiser merchandise will be available.
• Members who pre-ordered Centennial & NOAC Fund-raiser merchandise will be able to pick up their orders during the weekend when Kitty Inc is open.

As a general reminder, the health and safety of our Scouts and Scouters is at the top of our list, and we are still operating under Covid-19 safety protocols.  As such, the following should be reviewed:

Before You Arrive …

A BSA Medical Form A-B (linked HERE) is required with a CURRENT parental signature. (signatures older than 3 months are not acceptable).  A-B forms do NOT require a doctor’s signature, so the parent or adult member should simply review their medical and re-date if it is beyond 3 month. 

Please also complete the COVID-19 Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist (linked HERE) and bring it with you at check-in.

If you are in a high-risk health category, we ask you to not attend and notify us.

I you have experienced any of the following symptoms in the week leading up to the OA Weekend, we ask that you do not attend and notify us:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills 
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Feeling feverish or having a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19

Upon check-in at camp, your medical record will be reviewed, the Covid-19 Checklist will be reviewed, and a temperature check will be performed.

• Each participant should have at least 2 masks. Mask must be appropriate and cover the mouth and nose when being worn.
• Everyone will be required to wear masks when indoors and when in close proximity to others except for meals. Proper etiquette for masks is to wear them when social distancing is not possible. Since there are many times when we are working in a group environment, it will be important to encourage that masks be worn as often as possible.
• Candidates will be put into small groups for the weekend, and they will be with and stay with that group for all activities during the weekend. Those taking Brotherhood will also have their own group. Regular members will be divided up into project size-appropriate work parties for the day of service.
• Hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged throughout the weekend.
• Social distancing will be enforced as best as possible. Please note that you must also socially distance for all meals.
• Anyone who shows symptoms or is not feeling well will be asked to go home and seek appropriate medical attention.

After Attending …

• Should you experience any symptoms of Covid-19 after attending the OA Weekend, please notify the Lodge Adviser so appropriate contact tracing and notifications can be sent.
• Avoid high-risk individuals for at least 14 days

Yours in the WWW,

Kittatinny Lodge 5