COVID-19 restrictions have put a damper on many group activities. However, Brownstown's Boy Scouts of America Pack 82, Troop 82, and Crew 82 refused to give up their actitivies entirely. Instead, the group found safe ways to stay active during 2020.

"'Scout On' has been an informal charge for us," said Erin Blank, Scoutmaster of Scouts BSA Troop 82. "Now we are reaping the benefits of doing exactly that, and our kids are leading the way through these tough times. This could not happen without the invested support and enthusiasm from all of our participating families."

Weekly Zoom meetings for both the pack and the troop kept the Scouts in touch. The pack also met monthly at West Earl Lions Park, and the Crew holds two Zoom meetings per month. "Pack 82 worked with chartering organization West Earl Lions to secure new facilities in the local area to continue to meet together," said Blank. During the summer, a COVID safety policy was adopted to allow Scouts to hold in-person activities. This resulted in meeting at the West Earl Township Municipal Building for a brief time.

In summer, when Lancaster County went into the green zone, an Arrow of Light ceremony for seven Cubs and Courts of Honor for 20 Scouts and 12 Venturers were held. Additional activities included a visit to the West Earl Police and a campout in West Earl Lions Club Park for about a half dozen Cub families. The troop took several camping trips to places like Susquehannock State Park and Gettysburg's Daniel Lady Farm. Venture Crew 82 also navigated a 50-mile canoe trip from Selinsgrove to Harrisburg, camping on islands along the way.

In November 2020, the Cubs and Scouts worked to collect more than 10,000 pounds of food for Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services and a New Holland area food pantry as part of Scouting for Food.

Assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Bart Eckhardt had the idea to have Scouts earn an Emergency Preparation Merit Badge during COVID. On a foggy day in December 2020, nine young women ages 11 through 17 performed a Conestoga River rescue drill using a 200-pound safety dummy. They extracted the body from the water and practiced a number of emergency scenarios. "It became (important) to look at how we handle the unknowns in our lives," recalled Blank. "Our three older Scouts - a lifeguard, an EMT, and a Scout camp leader - stepped in to mentor the younger Scouts through the process, while adult leaders worked as dispatch responders, bystanders, and helpful observers," said Blank.

Pack 82 went from 13 members to 32 youths in a very short time and is always welcoming more.

Readers who would like more information on the group may visit https://BSA82.org or email Scoutmaster@BSA82.org.