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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Covid and scouts

37 replies

Halfwreckedbykids · 14/10/2020 07:26

Would ypu send your kids?
If you were a leader how comfortable would you feel about holding sessions?
We 're being told to keep going just break the section into smaller groups but i m worried

OP posts:

SushiGo · 14/10/2020 07:31

Our scouts are either meeting outdoors or online week to week. At outdoor meetings, the pack is split into smaller groups with a leader or parent each to maintain social distancing.

It seems to work pretty well, and leaders and parents seem happy but obviously they are all running around in the dark!

Neolara · 14/10/2020 07:34

Same as above. Seems to work well. In fact, it's probably more fun than normal as the outside stuff is what my DC's enjoy most of all. Pre covid there seemed to be s lot of indoor sessions on knots.

Porcupineinwaiting · 14/10/2020 07:39

Mine do Explorers now . Everything is outdoors and in small groups. If it wasnt outdoors they'd not be going - but we are in a high risk ar. Maybe I'd feel differently if we lived in Cornwall.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 14/10/2020 07:46

DS has been back at Scouts for a couple of weeks. They've been doing outdoor activities in smaller groups. The leaders are absolutely brilliant and has everything really well organised so that it feels very safe. I am not sure what will happen when it gets too cold and wet to meet outdoors though. They did do some virtual sessions via Zoom over lockdown but DS didn't enjoy them too much

boriselbow · 14/10/2020 07:48

Ours is running, but in smaller groups and outdoors. We're a tier 1 area. It's been good for their mental health. Our are trying to keep the DC in groups with others from the same school to limit the risk of infecting multiple schools if we had a case.

Original poster

Halfwreckedbykids · 14/10/2020 07:53

We ve divided up on the basis of siblings, schools etc so the pods are as safe as we can make them.
Plus we ve moved to a weekend early morning session so kids are in the light. We go to fields or local parks before they get busy
In the past 2 days our village has had an outbreak and all clubs have suspended training except scouts.
These clubs are all outdoors, tennis, football athletics etc
I m a leader but i m terrified and to be honest i just want to be as safe as possible.

OP posts:

BackBeatTheWordisOnTheStreet · 14/10/2020 07:56

We're planning to reopen sessions with half numbers but haven't yet. There are leaders who have concerns - more that it will contribute to community spread than for their personal health - though. Since the groups do cross year groups and different schools it will mean more children coming into contact who wouldn't otherwise. That's balanced against the fact that children have missed out on a lot of extra curricula activities.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 14/10/2020 07:57

I'm happy back running cubs
DDs are happy at Cubs
DH happy back running Scouts.

It's very regulated. I cleaned the toilet about 10 times last night for example. That's the only time the children went inside. We no longer give juice and biscuits. We cleaned the hut afterwards. We have risk assessments coming out our ears. Inside is last resort.

Although we had a noise complaint last night, so looks like we can't win.

1099 · 14/10/2020 07:58

DS has been doing Zoom meetings for Scouts, I had my doubts initially but it has been amazingly well organised and he loves it, they even did a weekend virtual camp, again had my doubts but he had a great time. We haven't heard anything about actual meetings starting but then we're in a Tier 2 zone so it's not likely to be anytime soon.

underneaththeash · 14/10/2020 08:00

OP - surely though you have to do an enormous risk assessment to make it safer? You won't be allowed to run until then.

But, if you don't feel safe, just don't run it.

Porcupineinwaiting · 14/10/2020 08:01

It is ok for you to say "no, I dont want to do this at the moment" you know. You can suspend volunteering if it is stressing you out. I'd hate for any of my sons' leaders to feel under duress.

Jelly0naplate · 14/10/2020 08:06

You don't have to do this. Tell your section leader and GSL that you don't feel safe. If you've had an outbreak in your area your risk assessments may need to be reviewed.

I'm a beaver section leader and we're still on zoom, our kids come from about 4/5 different schools, weather's crappy do adds an element of having to change plans at short notice, plus my leaders work in NHS, care homes and a university (with an outbreak!). We simply decided that the risks outweighed the benefits at this time to meet face to face and that's ok. We've had great feedback on the zoom sessions.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 14/10/2020 08:06

If you don't feel safe, don't do it. We've agreed the bulk of stuff falls to the least vulnerable leaders. No one had to return if they didn't want to. We aren't running the Beaver section (partly as we had only two, but we're growing again already, partly because the leaders had underlying conditions)

EstuaryBird · 14/10/2020 08:10

I’m a Cub Leader and High risk due to age and a lung condition. GP has ‘strongly’ advised me not to take part in indoor activities. Ours are back in just over a week and I’ve told everyone that I won’t be able to do it but I feel very ‘letting the side down’.

Up to 15 unmasked Cubs from different schools/year groups with up to 5 masked Leaders in a small hut just doesn’t feel safe to me....

Another Leader said to me ‘it’ll be fine, you’ll be wearing a mask’!! Why can’t people understand that masks protect others, not the wearer 😡

Original poster

Halfwreckedbykids · 14/10/2020 08:21

Yup we re cub age and of our 6 leaders only 2 are low risk. The others are front line workers.
I completly get that its great for kids but honestly we re made feel so guilty of we dont step up for the kids.
We re being told by our group leader that we are youth workers and essential...we can cross county borders for scouts...which is forbidden where we live because we re akin to education we get exemption

OP posts:

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 14/10/2020 08:55

I'm sorry for any leaders feeling under pressure. It's wrong.

Our DC has made it clear... Only do what you are comfortable with. Parents know they may be asked to fill gaps.

Saisong · 14/10/2020 09:00

Ours started back 4 weeks ago, after doing zoom during lockdown. The kids love it, it's all outdoors and mostly in the dark. However I went along one evening as a parent helper. Although nominally they were split into smaller groups, with hand sanitizer etc, but the kids absolutely were useless at distancing. Many of them are in the same classes or years at the same schools. However there are at least 3 schools represented. It made me feel uncomfortable.

LittleOwl153 · 14/10/2020 09:57

As a beaver parent/brownie leader I think all guide/scout groups should be doing something to help keep the kids going. After all you are going to need to fund census etc in March - presumably what you gsl is stressing about. HOWEVER that something does not need to be face to face meetings. It needs to be what you and your parents/scouts are comfortable with. It could be zoom meetings or weekly challenges towards their awards etc. I am getting a bit annoyed with my lads beaver leaders as they've had contact once since March to encourage the kids to join in a county virtual camp. We've had nothing since May. My 6yr old does not think he's a beaver anymore. Which is quite sad. But my daughter is a guide and has been doing some great virtual stuff. Her leaders have already said they will not be back face to face before Christmas and I suspect Easter and she is fine with that.

NewYearmorestress · 14/10/2020 10:04

Our group is running via zoom. There have been virtual camps etc online that some children have joined in with.

Jelly0naplate · 14/10/2020 10:31

halfwrecked - it's up to your section if you want to do face to face - not your GSL! if you don't feel comfortable you need to speak up with the your other leaders.

You're a volunteer and they can't force you. Our scout section is doing face to face but not cubs and beavers and our GSL is supporting our decisions on what we want to do, feels safe for us and the kids.

SushiGo · 14/10/2020 12:03

As a parent, no way do I want leaders running sessions if they aren't comfortable with it.

Please don't feel pressured.

youdidask · 14/10/2020 12:07

OP are you actually a leader?

Each group or section has to have a Covid risk assessment for returning to scouting from red to amber approved.
You would have had to think about how to keep everyone safe
The scout association is following NYA guidelines so no pods or bubbles!
15 young people is the maximum group size with no more than 5 adults.

You posts don't sound like you have read or understood the guidelines.

Taswama · 14/10/2020 12:08

My cub is back on alternate weeks and very happy to be so. Activities are all outside which is fine.
Leaders are volunteers so should not be under pressure to do it if not comfortable. Can parents be asked to help?

Noitjustwontdo · 14/10/2020 12:11

DS did the zoom meetings over lockdown but he wasn’t keen. I believe they’re running outdoor reduced meetings now which are often cancelled due to the weather (I get the emails). DS hasn’t returned, he doesn’t really want to.

ohnothisagain · 14/10/2020 12:36

Our leaders had very detailed instructions on what to do.
ours do biweekly outdoor meetings (half tge group each time), whatever the weather (kids just dress accordingly). they love it!
we had zoom meeting during lockdown as well

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