In a normal year, many Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters from our district would have gathered at the national cemeteries in Canton and Marietta yesterday to plant flags on the graves of fallen heroes. Instead, National is calling on Scouts across the country to build on the tradition of honoring our nation’s fallen heroes this Memorial Day by posting virtual public tributes to our veterans in partnership with the National Cemetery Administration and by participating in the National Moment of Remembrance with a special Scout salute. For more details on how to participate in this important effort, please go to https://www.scouting.org/scoutsalute/.

The Atlanta Area Council has cancelled Woodruff Summer Camp weeks 1 through 4. Woodruff Summer Camp opening is delayed until June 28th. All traditional Summer Camp at Bert Adams has been cancelled for 2020. For more information, please see the Council's Summer Camp FAQ page: https://www.atlantabsa.org/summercampfaq.

The National Director of the Order of the Arrow has authorized Lodges to conduct virtual Unit elections provided that they are conducted in accordance with specific guidance issued by the National Director and are approved, in advance, by the Council Executive. Our Lodge, Egwa Tawa Dee, is in the process of developing a plan that will allow Chapters to conduct virtual elections. Once that plan has been approved and tested, our Chapter, Silepl Ilaonetu, will begin holding 2020 OA elections using the virtual format. The unit leader must agree, in writing, to holding a virtual election and it will be in lieu of holding an in-person election.

In-person elections will not be authorized by the Lodge until such time as public health authorities and the Council have determine that it is safe to do so. Once the Lodge is authorized to begin conducting in-person elections, there will be a 30-day period in which to hold an in-person election in the units that did not previously hold an in-person election prior to March 13, 2020 or a virtual election in the 2020 election season.

The Chapter is responsible for reporting to the Lodge the decision of EVERY unit in the Silver Comet District. If your unit has held its election, you're all set for this election season, and you just need to patiently wait for additional Lodge information regarding induction weekends later in the year. If your in-person election was canceled in March, please send an email to the address below to request a virtual election or a future in-person election. Even if you do not have eligible youth, or do not want to hold an OA election in 2020, please send an email to the address below. Thank you in advance for helping the youth leadership of the chapter complete their paperwork requirements for the Lodge! Click "read more" for the email address and the instructions to make your unit report.

The Atlanta Area Council has made the very difficult decision to delay opening the Summer Camp season at Woodruff Scout Camp and Bert Adams Scout Camp until June 21st. It is important to note that this situation continues to change daily, and the council will continue to provide updates should the target start date for Summer Camp be adjusted. Due to the shortened summer camp season and later start, Summer Camp weeks 1, 2 & 3 have been canceled. The council is working with those Troops to move to a later week to best serve their families. If your troop is scheduled to arrive after June 21st, your arrival date is currently unchanged. The council is following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Georgia State Department of Health, and our health committee led by Dr. Jeremy Ackerman.

The Atlanta Area Council has made the very difficult decision to delay opening the Summer Camp season at Woodruff Scout Camp and Bert Adams Scout Camp until June 14th. It is important to note that this situation continues to change daily, and the council will provide updates thirty days in advance should the target start date for Summer Camp be adjusted. For more information, including options for affected troops, please see the council's COVID-19 Update page at https://www.atlantabsa.org/safety-health.

Based upon the State of Georgia guidelines and the current Center for Disease Control’s recommendation for youth, the council has made the difficult decision to delay Cub Scout Day Camps in June. The council is exploring new options to bring the Day Camp experience and excitement to your Scout! Cub families will receive a survey soon which will help guide council's plans to bring you the experiences you deserve while remaining safe. The Atlanta Area Council will be issuing full refunds for all June Day Camp registrations. Please allow up to three weeks to receive your refund.

The Council will be hosting a Duty to God virtual gathering on Friday, May 8th, from 8-9am, featuring Terry Bramlett, Area 9 BSA President and Silver Buffalo recipient, as the keynote speaker. Join us for a time hearing Duty to God in Scouting from our wonderful youth and adult leaders. A great start to your day of faith, encouragement and Scouting! This will be a Zoom meeting. Click the read more link for the meeting credentials.