2020 Parent Camp Information Marin Sierra Guide
Welcome to Camp Marin Sierra Contact Information, Directions, We are excited that your troop has chosen Camp Marin and Mailing Address Sierra for their summertime program this year and look Troop leaders are your main points of contact while the forward to their visit this summer. For over 67 years, Camp troop is at camp. Most leaders will have cell phones, which Marin Sierra has been offering Scouts and leaders a won- can be used for non-emergency communications. derful camping experience. Whether it be swimming in warm Chubb Lake, shooting On the following page, there is an inset with at one of the ranges, learning new Scout the camp and council contact information skills in Trail to First Class, or traversing (see How to Contact Us). For emergencies the high events in COPE, we are confident only, you can call the camp office. This your Scouts and leaders will have an excel- phone is not always staffed, and, although lent time with us. checked frequently, voicemail messages may not be retrieved immediately. Keep in mind A continuously fully-accredited camp by the that there may be as many as 375 people BSA every year including 2019, Marin Sierra in camp at one time spread out over 250+ has something for everyone. The camp acres. We may not be able to get a message covers 320 acres and is nestled in the Tahoe to your youth/adult in a timely manner; in National Forest at an elevation of 5,300 feet. fact, it may take hours. In an emergency, we Its easy access and natural setting attracts will contact them as quickly as possible. Use troops every year from all over California, the main office number sparingly. Nevada, and beyond. With fourteen beauti- ful campsites, there is one to fit troops of The best way to get a message to your many different sizes. Chubb Lake offers Scout is to call the cell phone of a troop thirteen acres of a wide variety of aquatic activities, including leader. Non-Verizon phones work the best. You can also sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, swimming, and snorkel- contact us via email. We check email several times a day, ing. Large granite hills provide fantastic views, excellent hik- and a printed copy of the email will be put in the troop ing, and exciting climbing and rappelling opportunities. mailbox.
This guide will help you and your Scout prepare for sum- If you desire to send letters or packages to your Scout, do mer camp. Your troop leaders have been sent copies of our not mail them after the Tuesday or Wednesday that your extensive Leader Guide so that they can also help prepare Scout is in camp; otherwise, it may not be received in time. the Scouts and other leaders attending camp. If you need Because there are so many people staying with us each information that is not contained herein, your first line of week—including the possibility of having more than one inquiry should be your troop leadership. troop with the same troop number—send it in the follow- ing address format (for US Mail only; send UPS/ Fedex to the street address): part of their money has already been used. To Truckee/ Reno Refunds will be granted on the follow- ing basis: Full refund before April 1, 2020; From Interstate 80, take the Nevada City, Hwy 20 exit (Exit 161). Head 50% refund after Do not use GPS or online toward Grass Valley for approximately mapping services to nd us. 3/4 mile. e driveway for Marin Sierra April 1 through April You will be mis-directed. will be on your right marked by two large, red iron gates. 30, 2020; 25% refund from May 1–June
Fees, Payments, and Refund Information All camp payments must be made through your troop with the exception of provisional Scouts, visitors, and meal payments. Other than these exceptions, do not send your individual payments to our council office; send it to your About Medical Forms troop. Provisional Scouts have their own registration form Everyone who camps more than one night with their troop (see our web site), and visitors will pay for their meals/stay must have a currently updated copy of the 2019 edition of at the camp office when they arrive. Your troop can provide the BSA medical form (parts A, B, and C), which requires a you with the fee information. signature from a doctor or nurse practitioner. (Because this Refund Policy: Please understand that fees paid for Scouts is a transition year, the 2014 version will be accepted.) The and leaders begin to be used to buy supplies prior to sum- troop will bring these forms to camp with them. The only mer camp. When someone decides not to come to camp, exception is someone who is visiting camp for one night; they only need parts A and B of the form, which does not obtained from www.scouting.org. For more than one night, require a doctor or nurse signature (see Visiting Camp). the full medical form must be submitted. Persons without Those visiting for part of a day do not need a medical form medical forms cannot stay overnight in camp. as long as they are not staying overnight. Because of the remote nature of the camp and the altitude, we cannot make exceptions to this policy. Be prepared. Family Camping Boy Scout resident camp is designed for the Scouts to attend under the leadership of their own troop. A parent who is a leader with the troop may attend with their Scout. However, the camp is not designed for siblings or the entire family. If a family visits camp (see Visiting Camp), there are no overnight accommodations for the complete family.
Cell Phones and Internet Service Because of the remote location of Camp Marin Sierra, we are not able to receive broadband internet service. The camp uses cell phones in our office to connect to the internet. If adults need service, they should plan on tether- ing to their own cell phones. Non-Verizon service is best. There is an AT&T MiFi unit in Ibach Lodge for leaders only Visiting Camp to use for email and lite browsing. Guests are always welcome; however, it’s best for the troop No streaming is and the camp if people do not drop in unannounced. allowed; we do not Although entire families may visit for a short time (please, have the band- no pets), there are no overnight accommodations for sib- width. Leaders lings or entire families. will be issued the On arrival, visitors must check in at the camp office, pay ID and password any necessary fees, and then, they visit the medical officer upon check-in. to receive a wrist band—which is required to be in camp. Your own troops Visitors will submit their medical form at that time if they may have policies are staying the night, assuming the form was not already about cell phones; brought up with the troop however, we ask If possible, let your troop and the camp office know before troop leaders to camp when guest meals may be needed. The charge for not allow Scouts guest meals is $5.00 per meal per person. For adults desir- to use or even bring cell phones to camp. It is not that we ing to stay over- do not wish boys to be able to communicate, but we are night, the charge is hoping for them to receive the maximum benefit from a $45.00 per person true outdoor experience. Today, cell phones not only pro- per night and vide telephone service, but also email, chat, text, gaming, includes the meals. and more. They can be more distraction than a Scout needs We ask leaders to at camp. They can also exacerbate a homesickness problem show their guests to unmanageable proportions. Please work with us and where and how your troop leaders to make sure your Scouts leave their cell much to pay. phones at home. Visitors spending Homesickness the night must bring with them An active program is the best insurance against homesick- currently updated ness, so Scout leaders are urged to do everything they can parts A and B of to keep all Scouts engaged. However, there are still times the BSA medical when younger Scouts get homesick. From experience, we form, which can be have learned that the more Scouts call home, the worse the problem becomes. If your ▶▶ Clothing (to last a week) / Pajamas / Swim suit Scout is homesick, and ▶▶ Jacket / sweatshirt / rain gear (you never know!) the Scoutmaster allows ▶▶ Comfortable hiking shoes a call home, please be ▶▶ Towels and wash cloths supportive of him or her ▶▶ Toiletries (toothpaste, tooth brush, soap, comb) staying and finishing ▶▶ Boy Scout Handbook and merit badge books the week. If the Scouts ▶▶ Inexpensive camera feel you want them to ▶▶ Flashlight (extra bulb and batteries recommended) be successful at camp, ▶▶ Sleeping bag / sleeping pad (if desired) / pillow they are more likely to ▶▶ Sandals for swimming area and shower want to finish the week. ▶▶ Notebook, writing implements Also, often after a Scout gets through the first few days and ▶▶ Insect repellant has bonded more with the troop, they are more likely to feel ▶▶ Sunscreen better about staying. ▶▶ Lip balm A way to help Scouts that you suspect may become homesick ▶▶ Hat is to mail a short, positive note to them right away so that they ▶▶ Water bottle or canteen receive it on Monday or Tuesday. However remember that tell- ▶▶ Mess ing them how much you miss them or that you wish they were kit and at home will only reinforce feelings of homesickness. utensils ▶▶ Bible or A troop might not allow Scouts use cell phones in camp. prayer A troop leader must be (and remain) in attendance if the book if homesick Scout calls home. desired ▶▶ Individual Bringing Money to Camp first aid kit ▶ We have a Tradin’ Post that operates Monday through ▶ Watch Friday where Scouts can buy food, souvenirs, personal items, shooting sports tickets, and other merit badge sup- What Not to Bring plies. We accept cash, major credit cards, and debit cards. If ▶ you send cash, $25 should be plenty, but consult with your ▶ No sheath knives at all nor pocket knives with troop leaders to help decide what your Scouts might need blades longer than 4” ▶ for the week. It will depend on the kinds of advancement in ▶ Alcohol or drugs (other than needed prescriptions) which they will participate. The leaders have been sent the ▶▶ Fireworks, matches, or fire starters Leader Guide, which has a sampling of Tradin’ Post prices ▶▶ Firearms, bows, or ammunition in Chapter 9. Please discourage your Scouts from bringing ▶▶ Electronic devices: cell phones, game consoles, large amounts of cash. It is not uncommon for youth to lose iPods or similar, DVD players, and so on money, and, unfortunately, it is not always recovered. ▶▶ Inappropriate reading material or pornography ▶▶ Pets Suggested Items to Bring ▶▶ Aerosol sprays ▶▶ Large amounts of money Scouts and adults should consult ▶▶ Personal valuables and with the troop leadership on what expensive items to bring to camp. Often, troops ▶▶ Food, candy, gum have developed comprehensive lists It is possible that if a Scout has of needed items so that Scouts have these items, they will be confis- what they need without overpack- cated. In some cases, they will ing. Also, the Boy Scout Handbook be given to the Scoutmaster is an excellent resource. Be sure or another troop leader to be their name and troop number is on taken home. everything. Here are some of our suggestions:
▶ Photos: ▶ Scout uniform Margaret Farley, Joey Rempe, Tracy Rempe, ▶▶ Underwear / socks Max Snyder