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Angie Minett is the Chair of Scouts BSA, and the Program Development Committee. Scouts is now co-ed, with equal opportunities for boys and girls, especially as we emerge completely from the Covid-10 pandemic.

Scouting can play a crucial role in helping kids return to a sense of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic by providing structure, social interaction, and opportunities for personal growth. Here's how:

1. Rebuilding Social Connections
In-Person Interaction: Scouting offers a structured environment where kids can safely reconnect with peers. The collaborative nature of Scouting activities helps rebuild social skills and fosters teamwork.
Community Engagement: Through service projects and community involvement, Scouts can re-engage with their communities, strengthening their sense of belonging and purpose.

2. Physical and Mental Well-being
Outdoor Activities: Scouting emphasizes outdoor activities, which promote physical fitness and mental health. After months of lockdowns and limited physical activity, participating in hikes, camping, and other outdoor adventures can be revitalizing.
Mental Resilience: The challenges and problem-solving aspects of Scouting help build mental resilience, which is particularly important for children recovering from the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic.

3. Educational Support
Skill Development: Scouting programs teach practical life skills, such as first aid, leadership, and problem-solving, which can complement formal education and help make up for some of the learning gaps experienced during the pandemic.
Structured Learning: The merit badge system in Scouting provides a structured way for kids to learn new skills at their own pace, encouraging lifelong learning and personal development.

4. Emotional Support
Supportive Environment: Scouting offers a supportive community where children can express themselves, share experiences, and find guidance from adult leaders and peers. This support system can be crucial for those struggling with post-pandemic anxiety or depression.
Positive Reinforcement: Achieving milestones in Scouting, such as earning badges or ranks, provides positive reinforcement and boosts self-esteem, helping kids regain confidence that may have been shaken during the pandemic.

5. Sense of Normalcy
Routine and Structure: Regular meetings, activities, and events provide a routine that many children lost during the pandemic. This return to structured activities helps re-establish a sense of normalcy and stability.
Traditions and Rituals: Scouting traditions, such as ceremonies and campfires, offer a comforting sense of continuity, helping kids reconnect with familiar activities and experiences.

6. Family Involvement
Family Scouting: Scouting programs often encourage family participation, allowing parents and siblings to join in activities. This can strengthen family bonds, especially after the stresses of the pandemic.
Parental Support: Through Scouting, parents can play an active role in their child’s recovery, working together on projects, attending events, and supporting their child’s Scouting journey.

Scouting can serve as a bridge back to normalcy, helping children regain lost skills, rebuild social connections, and restore their confidence and well-being after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.