COVID-19 put many activities on hold in 2020, but Brownstown's Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Pack 82, Troop 82, and Crew 82 kept adventuring. When members were unable to meet in person, they transitioned to online meetings, backyard campouts, family cooking challenges, trivia contests and internet-based gaming.

Once Lancaster County entered the green phase, leaders held an Arrow of Light ceremony for seven Cubs and Courts of Honor for 20 Scouts and 12 Venturers. A COVID-19 safety policy waiver for events, which aligned with the state guidelines and CDC recommendations, was adopted by the three units to allow them to coordinate face-to-face activities this summer and fall. Permission for these in-person activities was granted by the sponsoring West Earl Lions Club.

An Emergency Preparation Merit Badge program was led by Troop 82's assistant Scoutmasters, and in December, Scouts performed a Conestoga River rescue drill using a 200-pound safety dummy provided by Robson Forensics of Brownstown. Young women ages 11 to 17 extracted the body from the water and practiced a number of emergency scenarios, including communication to a dispatch source, a blanket carry, and first aid administration.

Pack 82 visited the West Earl Township Police and practiced cardiopulmonary resuscitation on training mannequins. The Cubs also participated in their annual fall West Earl Lions Club Park campout, held a flag retirement ceremony, and took part in flag etiquette training.

Troop 82's Scouts organized five separate campouts in the summer, and Venture Crew 82 navigated a 50-mile canoe trip including island camping on the Susquehanna River.

Brownstown's Cubs and Scouts helped collect over 10,000 pounds of food for pantries during the Scouting for Food drive. Scouts are also working on an in-home birdhouse building project and supporting their third Eagle Scout service project benefiting a day care center in Lancaster.

Troop 82 camped 20 nights together in 2020, completed dozens of merit badges, and provided swimming lessons for the newest Scouts. The group is ready to usher three members into the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts of the BSA. Presently the troop operates via Zoom meetings and practices skills at home, but Scouts plan to take part in outdoor Klondike camping in February.

With the challenges of facilities use, Pack 82 worked with West Earl Lions Club to secure new facilities in the local area to continue to meet while complying with the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health regulations. One example of this effort was the use of the West Earl Township Municipal Building for a brief time. The boys and girls have now returned to meeting at West Earl Township Lions Park (Talmage Park). Pack 82 went from 13 members to 32 youths in a short time, and more are welcome to join.

A skiing day trip, a Klondike sled-building party, Scout Sunday, and a winter camping training series are keeping the troop busy, and the Pinewood Derby is in the sights for the pack. Troop 83 will return to Hidden Valley Scout Reservation in mid-July for summer camp. Venture Crew 82 is planning a weeklong high adventure trip in June, and Scouts have also set their sights on the National Scout Jamboree in 2023 and the Inter-American Scout Jamboree Camporee at Summit Bechtel Center in 2024.

Cub Scout Pack 82 is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade. The girls' Troop 82 accepts members ages 11 to 17, and boys are welcome in Leola's Troop 83. Venture Crew 82 is seeking young men and women ages 14 to 20 who are interested in high adventure activities and role play games; merit badge counselors and presenters are also sought.

For more information, readers may visit http://www.BSA82.org or email Erin Blank at Scoutmaster@BSA82.org.