Don't Let COVID-19 Stop Your Kids

I’ve been watching many of our leaders make tough decisions on what events to cancel in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. I certainly don’t envy these men and women as there are many factors to consider. Then, I got a text message. As Committee Chairman of my local Cub Scout Pack, the Cubmaster asked a few of us what we should do. The scout motto is Be Prepared so we knew what to do. We’d follow suit with our local school district and cancel Pack events -along the same timeline as extracurricular school activities. 

As I write this, I see my wife is having a similar conversation with our daughters' Girl Scout leaders. I have to believe many parents across the US are in the same boat. It is time to Be Prepared and look after the safety of our world.

However, 2 things stood out as we started communicating this to the pack:

1. While there is still a few months of school left, these kids need to finish up requirements needed to make rank. I know it is just “scouts” but it’s important to many of the kids. As an Eagle Scout, I get it. To do this requires social interaction.
2. As much as kids love to complain they are bored, don’t want to go to school or do their after school activity – they love these activities. Already my son is bent out of shape that scouts and the variety show practice is now canceled. He is now wondering if he can still go to his strength and conditioning class. It will be interesting to see just how boarded he’ll be when school gets canceled (we can't just let him play Fortnite 12 hours a day).

Being a nerd who makes my living selling security, I figure there’s a solution here. Kids love technology, there is no lack of random devices laying around and we live in a world ruled by the phrase “there’s an app for that”. Plus, maybe I finally win my self-made dad of the year award for finding a solution to their boredom. If nothing else, at least my home won’t get torn to the ground because everyone is bored. 

The solution is simple – Skype!

With Skype, it is free to use for Chat and Video. You can host up to 50 people at one time and see each other. You can share your screen to presentations, webpages or other content. Skype works on phones, computers, tablets, web browsers, Alexa and Xbox. So lots of options.

With some creativity it becomes possible to:

• Host Den Meetings
• Host Troop Meetings
• Sports Clinics (think the Peloton people, maybe do a push-up contest)
• Playdates – tea party, board game, dress up party, magic show
• Host a craft
• Be the next Bob Ross and teach the neighborhood kids to draw happy little trees
• Use it as a reason to discuss emergency preparedness
• Fill in the blank ______________

Hopefully, this helps you come up with a few ideas to keep your kids entertained while we all quarantine. Please share any successes you have!!!!

Never used Skype?

5 Step How To Host a Virtual Meeting:

1)     Go to https://www.skype.com/en/, the app store or use it through a web browser. Those joining your Skype meeting don’t have to have the app or even a free account which is nice.

2)     Click Start Call or Schedule a Call

  3)     You’ll see buttons saying Invite Skype Contacts, Share the Link or Meet Now. Just click or copy the link and send to those needing to join. Each method looks slightly different but all work pretty much the same. Fortunately, it is fairly intuitive and is a great project to task your kid with.

4)     When you're ready for the call. Click the link and Join Call button. You can record your session, click the Share Screen and chat with people on your web event. Don’t forget to click the mic and video buttons in the center to turn on and off your video or mute.

5) Have a fun meeting.

Who is Brian Krause? A Dad that loves Scouting, Technology, Teaching, Helping and Do Awesome things with my Family!