How Troop 23 Continued When Others Stopped

When COVID 19 shut down schools, churches, sports programs, and youth activities across the United States in early 2020, most youth organizations either paused completely or drastically reduced meetings. According to Scouting America national membership reports, over one third of units stopped meeting entirely, and youth membership dropped by approximately thirty-one percent nationwide during the pandemic.

Troop 23 took a different approach. We committed to one simple goal:

Scouting continues. No matter what.

How Troop 23 Adapted

Instead of stopping, Troop 23 redesigned the entire program:

• General troop meetings shifted online every other week
• Patrol meetings were held every week via Zoom to keep leadership active
• As soon as rules allowed, we moved meetings outdoors instead of returning indoors
• Large meetings were replaced with small patrol based meetups for safety
• We maintained the full Patrol Method during the entire pandemic period

While many units reported losing up to a third of their membership, Troop 23 maintained nearly all members, because the young leaders continued to meet, plan, and take ownership.

Outdoor First, Screens Second

Once outdoor gatherings became permitted, Troop 23 moved everything outside:

• Owls Head Park
• Outdoor spaces around Our Lady of Angels
• The sidewalk and courtyard in front of the church

Even in winter, we met outdoors — with headlamps, layers, hot cocoa, and active games to stay warm (well, not exactly true, but it sounds epic).

Safety Protocols Used (Historical Reference)

During the COVID 19 operational period, two safety documents were required:

• COVID restart plan
  Required for every new family joining the troop during the pandemic period.
• COVID Pre Event Screening Checklist
  Scouts brought a signed copy to all events — troop meetings, hikes, service projects, merit badge work, and campouts.

These forms are no longer required, but they remain part of the troop’s documented history.

What Scouts Learned

Although the pandemic was challenging, it developed real-world skills that stayed:

• Youth leaders learned how to plan and run virtual meetings
• Patrols became more independent and organized
• Outdoor activity increased significantly
• Leadership maturity grew faster due to smaller group dynamics

Troop 23 emerged from the pandemic stronger than before, with more confident youth leaders and a deeper understanding of the Patrol Method.

The Legacy

The pandemic changed many things, but one truth became stronger:

Scouting is not a building. Scouting is what we do, together.

Indoor, outdoor, online — Troop 23 did not stop.