Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America Ventura County Council ● A Century of Service 2021 Scouts BSA Leader Guide 2021—Camp Three Falls—Scouts BSA Leaders Guide Table of Contents The Least You Need to Know 4 Contacts for Camp Camp Fees and Reservations 8 Three Falls Transportation 10 Ventura County Council Arrivals 11 Council Service Center Medical Forms 12 509 E. Daily Dr. Camarillo, CA 93010 Campsites 13 (805) 482-8938 Camp Contact Information 14 Camp Three Falls Departures 15 12260 Boy Scout Camp Road Frazier Park, CA 93225 What to bring to camp 16 Dining Hall and Trading Post 18 Camp Office (661) 245-1206 (Camp Office opens June 21) Camp Schedule 20 Camp Program and Advancement (General) 22 Camp Staff Email (monitored by camp management Program Information 25 team year-round) Outdoor Skills 26 [email protected] Pathfinders (Trail to First Class) 28 Aquatics 30 Three Falls Rendezvous (Fort Lockwood) 32 On the Internet Shooting Sports 34 www.vccbsa.org is the official council Nature 36 web site, where you can down- load camp-related forms and oth- Science and Technology 38 er documents High Adventure 40 www.campthreefalls.blogspot.com is Handicrafts 42 our camp blog. We will post up- Other Merit Badges 43 dates on camp preparations, and Frontier Survivor 44 while camp is in session we will report on camp news and activi- Campfires and Other Programs 45 ties as time permits. Tribe of Matilija 46 www.facebook.com/campthreefalls is Adult Activities 48 our Facebook page. We'll post Leadership in Camp 49 pictures and comments every week from camp Safety and Emergencies 50 Behavior and Dress 52 Other Rules & Regulations 52 Merit Badge Worksheet 54 Appendices 56 2 2021—Camp Three Falls—Scouts BSA Leaders Guide Welcome to Camp Three Falls Since the beginning of Scouting, more than 100 years ago, summer camp has been the high point, the cap- stone, of the Scouting program year. After a year of social distancing and Zoom meetings, most of us need some time in the outdoors more than ever, so we’re excited to be able to offer summer camp at Three Falls again this year. There may be some changes — some of which are described in this Leader Guide — but the staff is still friendly and hardworking, the food will still be great, and the program will be exciting, even if it’s a little different. Summer camp is so much more than merit badges and campfires. It’s a time for troops to build friendships and test teamwork, to practice living and working together over an extended period. For senior patrol leaders camp provides an opportunity for intensive practice in leadership skills; while adult leaders can socialize and share ideas with their counterparts in other troops. For many new Scouts, it can be a tremendous growth ex- perience as they spend their first extended time away from home and family and learn to care for themselves. And for everyone, it’s a reminder that as part of Scouting, we are part of a movement and a community bigger than ourselves. All of us at Camp Three Falls are honored that you’ve chosen our camp for this year’s summer Scouting ad- venture. Whether you’re the leader of a brand-new troop coming to its very first summer camp, or a veteran of many years, we aim to do everything we can to make your week with us productive, fun, and memorable. Whether you are joining us at Three Falls for the first time, returning after a few years away, or were just here last summer, please take the time to review this Leader Guide, because there have been a number of chang- es. You’ve probably already noticed that we are using a new software platform, Tentaroo, for reservations and payments. You’ll also use Tentaroo to sign up for activities including merit badges and adult classes, and to order and pay for merit badge supplies, t-shirts and other souvenirs. We’ve added some new merit badges as well as expanded our adult training opportunities. To help get you started, see “The Very Least You Need to Know,” which is on the next page. It will give you a quick overview and answer many of the most frequently asked questions, before you delve into the details. We look forward to seeing you at Three Falls in a few months! Jerry Thurston Jerry Thurston Camp Director Camp Three Falls Scoutmaster Pre-Camp Meeting Plan to attend the pre-camp meeting the first Saturday in May. There you can meet with the Camp Direc- tor and Camp Program Director for up-to-date information, advice, and to ask questions about camp. 1:00 PM Saturday, May 1, 2021 Ventura County Council Office 509 E Daily Drive Camarillo, CA 93010 3 2021—Camp Three Falls—Scouts BSA Leaders Guide The Least You Need To Know We hope you’ll take the time to read all the way through this Leader Guide. It contains a wealth of information that will help you to prepare to come to summer camp, and make better use of your time at camp. But until then, here are some key facts you really need to know: COVID Modifications • Your campsite will include enough two-person See page 6 for information on modifications to tents for your group, one or more tables, a camp programs and procedures due to wash station, and one or more porta-potties. COVID-19. • You will not be able to drive to your campsite Paperwork at any time during your stay at camp. Our staff • Every camper, youth and adult, needs a will assist you with moving gear from the park- BSA Health History Form, Parts A, B, and ing lot to your site. C, completely filled out with a medical profes- sional’s dated signature. This includes those • Fires are not allowed in campsites. This in- who will be staying in camp for only one night. cludes charcoal. No liquid-fuel stoves or lan- The form is good for exactly one year from that terns are permitted. Propane or other bottled- date of the doctor’s signature. No exceptions. gas stoves and lanterns MAY be permitted See page 10 for details You will find a copy depending on Forest Service fire restrictions in of this form at the back of the Leader effect at the time of camp. Guide, or get it online here: https:// • filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680 There is no electricity available in any of our -001_ABC.pdf campsites. Please plan accordingly. • Every adult camper needs to provide evi- Advancement Work for Scouts dence of current Youth Protection Training. • Most of this Leader Guide describes • Each youth camper who plans to participate in “normal” (pre-COVID) program. It appears rifle, shotgun, or black powder shooting (merit likely at this time that we will need to follow badge or recreation) must also have a firearms a “cohort” model for programs such as permission form (found at the back of the merit badge classes. Most of the same Leader Guide) classes will be available, but scheduling • The unit should come to camp with two copies will me modified. We will provide infor- of a roster listing all adults and youth attend- mation to registered units on the modified ing. A roster form is provided in the back of schedule as those plans are finalized. this Leader Guide. • Our normal schedule is designed to allow each Provisional Scouts scout to take four merit badges or other clas- • All scouts attending Three Falls must attend ses. Under the cohort model, we will likely as part of a unit. See the box on the next page. have five merit badge class periods. Check-In • Available classes are described starting on • Our Pre-Check-In will cut down on the time page 20. However, class times may be needed to check in on the first day of camp, by changed if we need to follow a cohort system. sending us most of your paperwork in ad- • For younger scouts, our Pathfinders (Trail to vance. See page 10 for details. First Class) program provides a great introduc- Campsites tion to basic scout skills, and plenty of fun. • You can request a specific campsite but • Individual scouts can use the merit badge campsite assignments are not guaranteed. planning worksheet included in this guide to select merit badges, then give the sheet to 4 2021—Camp Three Falls—Scouts BSA Leaders Guide their unit leader. Note that some activities cluding adult leader training, CPR classes, have prerequisites or age restrictions. scheduled adult time at many of our program • Unit leaders will receive information in April areas, and recreational activities like hikes and about how to sign their scouts up for merit a Dutch oven cookoff. Some classes have a badges. limit on the number of participants. Some of • We are still using Blue Cards to record merit these activities may not be available in 2021 badge work. Please be sure to bring enough due to COVID restrictions. Blue Cards for your scouts and make sure the Food scouts fill them out properly. Scouts should • Three Falls has great food! All meals are bring Blue Cards to the first day of class. served at Dining Hall at scheduled times. This • Note that unlike past years, all Handicraft merit year, all troops will be seated outdoors a group badges will be full-week classes. at one or more tables. Service is cafeteria Merit Badge and Activity Fees style. Your troop will be expected to provide stewards to help set tables and clean up after- • Some merit badges have fees to cover the ward, one steward per table.