Milbank Boy Scouts Summer Camp Includes COVID-19 Safety Measures

Members of Milbank Boy Scout Troop 45 left Sunday, July 19, for summer camp. The scouts are practicing their skills in Nebraska along the banks of the Platte River at Camp Cedars.

Scoutmaster Jeff Loutsch said, “It has been a different year so far with virtual meetings and cancelled weekend outings due to COVID-19.” He also stated that a few members choose not to attend summer camp due to the virus. Loutsch stated,  “The camp has put a lot of new safety measures in place and reorganized the merit badge sessions to help ensure safety. Each member of the troop went through a check in screening process in Milbank and again when they arrived at the gates of camp to try to ensure everyone’s health and safety.  Masks, a kerchief for all boys for each day, were a new addition to the packing list this year.  Most all merit badge sessions and activities are completed outside. Scouts will wear their masks and practice social distancing for activities that occur inside.  The camp will provide each scout with a small container of hand sanitizer and refilling stations will be set up around camp. The Troop will return Friday, a day sooner than normal, so the camp staff can do a deep cleaning and prepare for the next group of campers.”

Loutsch said, “The boys work on up to eight merit badges during their week at camp. The camp offers close to 60 choices of merit badges such as climbing, fishing, cooking, horsemanship, kayaking, metalworking, and wood carving. The sessions are fun for the boys, but also teach them skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”

Loutsch said, “The boys also complete a service project. Camp commissioners help the boys to design their project after they arrive,”

“Summer camp really gives these young men a chance to learn new skills, meet new friends from all over the country, spend a week in nature, and engage in non-stop activities unplugged from technology,” Loutsch said. “Plus, they develop new leadership skills.”

According to Loutsch, “This summer, the scouts’ camping trip will be one day shorter than usual due to Covid-19. The camp staff will do a deep cleaning before the next group of campers arrives.

Want to check out the world of Boy Scouting? Attend a meeting? Go on a weekend outing? Contact Scoutmaster Jeff Loutsch at 605.949.1354. Boys who have finished half of fifth grade on up are welcome to join. Registration is always open, but a yearly registration night is held in late August.

Summer camp for Troop 45 was chartered by American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Boy Scout Troop 45 is supported in part by Grant County Combined Appeal.

Back Row: (l. to r.)
Sebastion Vogel, Asher Young, Peyton Bauer, Braydon Bauer, Jesus Rethke, and Gabriel Beckman.
Front Row: (l. to r.)
Avery VanOverbeke, Landon Novy, Jeff Loutsch, Jeff Conrad, Zachariah Ringsaker, and James Conrad.