“Where to Go Camping” Guide Produced By: Order of the Arrow Guneukitschik Lodge 317 Mason-Dixon Council Where, but in the great outdoors, can a boy hear the midnight hush of the deep woods...breathe the sweetness of distant wood- smoke...look down in awe at where he’s been, and look up in wonder at where he still must go...glimpse the deer drinking at first light...watch eagles soaring in a cloudless sky...feel the warmth of the campfire as it glows orange against the thickening darkness...and at the end of a long day, hear the hooting owl under a sky flashing with stars? Who can say that in such an atmosphere a boy’s mind is not reached, his faith not freshened, or his heart not stirred? Or that, in ways that are a mystery to us all, he will not grow closer to the man he is becoming? When you witness these experiences that help start a young boy on his journey into manhood, who can say that you his guide and mentor, will not be changed in some small way, as well? To be a part of that experi- ence is one of the greatest rewards that adults can reap from their leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America. Don’t miss out– share the adventures of Scout camping with your unit! 2nd Edition Updated and Published August 2011 by Guneukitschik Lodge, Mason-Dixon Council #221, BSA 2 Dear Scout Leaders, The Guneukitschik Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America, Mason-Dixon Council #221 has prepared this ―Where to Go Camping Guide‖ as a service to units in our council. This guide will give you a multitude of options for local places to go camping. In addition, the guide will provide you tips regarding trip planning, stan- dard equipment, tour permits, safety measures, and many more topics. The main purpose of this guide is to provide you a consolidated listing of information regarding local camping opportunities. These include areas suitable for short and long term camping, hiking, canoeing, cy- cling, boating, and many others. In addition to local camping opportu- nities, high adventure opportunities are included in this guide. There is information on fees, rules of use, facilities, and contact information. We hope you use these resources and remember ―Scouting is three- quarters-outing.‖ There is also a section of the guide devoted to various camping tips and tricks. You probably know many of these already, but we hope we found some unique ideas to share with you to help you and your unit. There is also a section outlining various awards you or your Scouts can earn. In addition, there is a segment outlining how to use the Guide to Safe Scouting to make sure all your trips are safe and fun. Each year this guide will be updated and disturbed to all the unit lead- ers in the Council. This guide is constantly a work-in-progress and we need your help. If there is any place your unit or you go camping and you think should be added to the guide, then fill out the form provided and mail it in or email the information directly to [email protected]. The only way we can make the guide better in later editions is with your help. Yours in Cheerful Service, David Mellott 2010-2011 Lodge Chief Guneukitschik Lodge 317 3 Table of Contents Safe Scouting 5 Outdoor Training Guide 14 Standards of Conduct 21 Council Programs 27 High Adventure 39 Camping Locations 48 and Recreational Areas Awards and Recognitions 81 Camp Tips and Trick 101 Order of the Arrow 106 Annotated Website Listing 110 Suggestion Form 111 4 Safe Scouting When planning a trip of any type for your unit make sure you reference the Guide to Safe Scouting to ensure that you conduct your trip within Scouting’s safety guidelines. 5 Tour Permits The tour plan is an important tool for conducting local, national, or international activities and is a checklist for best practices to be pre- pared for safe and fun adventure. Completing the tour plan may not address all possible challenges but can help to ensure that appropriate planning has been conducted, that qualified and trained leadership is in place, and that the right equipment is available for the adventure. In addition, the plan helps to organize safe and appropriate transpor- tation to and from an event, and defines driver qualifications and minimum limits of insurance coverage for drivers and vehicles used to transport participants. Times when a tour plan must be submitted for council review in- clude: Trips of 500 miles or more Trips outside of council borders not to a council-owned property Trips to any national high-adventure base, national Scout jamboree, National Order of the Arrow Conference, or regionally sponsored event When conducting the following activities outside of council or district events: - Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.) - Climbing and rappelling - Orientation flights (process flying plan) - Shooting sports - Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program (snowmobiles, boating, etc.) At a council’s request Please complete and submit this plan at least 21 days in advance to ensure your council has enough time to review the plan and assist you in updating the plan if it is found defective. When review is complete, the second half of the plan is returned to you to carry on your travels. An electronic copy of this form can be found at http://mason-dixon- bsa.org/openrosters/viewDocLibrary.asp?orgkey=1835 6 Medical Forms In order to provide better care for its members and to assist them in bet- ter understanding their own physical capabilities, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting event have an annual medical evaluation by a certified and licensed health-care provider—a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Providing your medical information on this four-part form will help en- sure you meet the minimum standards for participation in various activi- ties. Note that unit leaders must always protect the privacy of unit par- ticipants by protecting their medical information. Parts A and B are to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events. This health history, parental/guardian informed con- sent and hold harmless/release agreement, and talent release statement is to be completed by the participant and parents/guardians. Part C is the physical exam that is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, for all high-adventure base partici- pants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding. Service projects or work weekends may fit this description. Part C is to be completed and signed by a certified and licensed heath-care provider—physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assis- tant. It is important to note that the height/weight limits must be strictly adhered to when the event will take the unit more than 30 minutes away from an emergency vehicle–accessible roadway, or when the program requires it, such as backpacking trips, high-adventure activities, and conservation projects in remote areas. See the FAQs for when this does not apply. Part D is required to be reviewed by all participants of a high-adventure program at one of the national high adventure bases and shared with the examining health-care provider before completing Part C. An electronic copy of this form can be found at http://mason-dixon- bsa.org/openrosters/viewDocLibrary.asp?orgkey=1835 7 Safe Swim Defense Before BSA groups may engage in swimming activities of any kind, a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, have a commitment card (No. 34243) with them, and agree to use eight defenses in this plan. The eight defenses are: 1. Qualified Supervision All swimming activities must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult age 21 or older who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of youth members in his or her care, who is experi- enced in the water and confident of his or her ability to re- sponded in the event of an emergency, and who is trained in and committed to complying to the eight points of BSA Safe Swim Defense. (It is strongly recommended that all units have at least on adult or older youth member currently trained as a BSA Lifeguard to assist in the planning and conduct of all swim- ming activities.) 2. Physical Fitness Required evidence of fitness for swimming activity with a complete health history from physician, parent, or legal guardian. The adult supervisor should adjust all supervision, discipline, and protection to anticipate any potential risks associated with individual health conditions. Those with physical disabilities can enjoy and benefit from aquatics if the disabilities are known and necessary precautions are taken. 3. Safe Area When swimming in areas not regularly maintained and used for swimming activity, have lifeguard and swimmers systematically examine the swimming area to determine varying depths, currents, deep holes, rocks, and stumps. Mark off area for three groups: not more than 3 ½ feet deep for nonswimmers; from shallow water to just over the head for beginners; deep water not over 12 feet for swimmers. A participant should not be per- mitted to swim in an area where he cannot readily recover and maintain his footing or cannot maintain position in because of swimming ability or water flow. 8 4. Lifeguard on Duty Swim only where there are lifeguards on duty.