“On June 12, 2020 the Commissioner of Health prohibited overnight camps from operating in the State of New York during the Summer of 2020 due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The prohibition of overnight children’s camps applies to all overnight children’s programs regardless of whether they meet the criteria in Subpart 7-2 of the State Sanitary Code to qualify as regulated overnight children’s camp.”
“This prohibition includes children’s overnight “camps” taking place in hotels and other accommodations typically in receipt of temporary residence permits that may encourage recreational activities, meals or other congregate events, including congregate study sessions for children under the age of 18.”
A unit organizing a camping trip encourages recreation activities, meals and other congregate events for youth under the age of 18. As a result, unit camping is prohibited.
A unit is owned by the charter organization, not the families in the unit. The charter organization would be sponsoring the unit camping program which is prohibited by the State of New York.
“Children staying overnight at a permitted temporary residence facility must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The operator of the temporary residence may not accept responsibility for the overnight supervision of the child.”
A parent, or guardian. and youth are able to camp as a family. A family can camp together but may not sponsor or coordinate a group of families interacting with each other. Family camping activities are limited to that family.
Failure to follow the guidelines can result in “fines of up to $1,000 per violation per day.”
Summary:
Youth Camping as an organized activity is not legal in the State of New York.
Camping with a parent/guardian is legal in the State of New York.
Two deep leadership always applies whether in person or electronic communications. A parent, guardian or designated adult must always be present (in the room) to monitor the youth's participation throughout a Scouting virtual meeting. Proper etiquette should also be monitored down to proper attire such as Scout uniform or activity shirt in a video conference.
