2013 Camp Pico Blanco Boy Scout Leader’s Guide Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, BSA 970 W Julian St., San Jose ,CA 95123 Email: [email protected] Phone: (408) 638-8300 Fax: (408) 280-5162 Table of Contents Introduction to Camp Welcome Letter . Page 2 Camp Location and History . Page 2 Fee Schedules, Eligibility, Refund Policy, Discounts, Dates . Page 3 Camp Policies . Page 4 Planning for Camp Leadership Scoutmaster/Troop Leader Responsibilities . Page 7 In-Camp Leadership Requirements . Page 7 Youth Protection . Page 7 Program Development and Planning Things to Think About While Planning Your Summer . Page 9 Five Types of Camp Program . Page 9 Advancement . Page 9 Specific Program Opportunities . Page 10 Scout Adventure Programs . Page 12 Outpost Hiking and Camping . Page 13 Step-By-Step Preparation . Page 14 Your Week at Camp . Page 18 Camp Safety . Page 20 Fire Prevention . Page 21 Pico Blanco Scout Reservation Emergency Procedures . Page 23 Camp Health . Page 24 Appendix . Page 26 1 Introduction to Camp Greetings! When was the last time you took your troop to summer camp and you saw and experienced things you'd never seen before? Whether it's the peaceful, primeval majesty of the Coastal Redwoods, the crystal brilliance of the many waterfalls, or the panoramic view from atop the dolomite peak that gives the camp its name, Pico is a very special place. Those who visit this remote and peaceful glen, enter a lost world, and are surrounded by the mystery and legend of Spanish explorers, lost silver mines, long forgotten native civilizations, and a forest ecosystem that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. But there's more. Those who choose to spend part of their summer at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation becomes a part of the place forever. Our program, our traditions, our location, and above all, our staff will introduce you to the Pico Spirit, and months from now, we guarantee, you'll be daydreaming about returning to your summer home in the Ventana Wilderness. So, if you are a faithful member of the Pico family, someone who's been away for a while and is planning to return, or if this will be your first time on the trail with us, we look forward to seeing you this summer. We'll have the fire going for you, good, hot grub will be on the table, and we will be waiting for you with a song ....where the winding Palo Colorado Canyon Road, meets the cool waters of the Little Sur. In the Spirit of Pico Matt Fleming Michael Wilson Camp Director Camping Director * * * * * * * Camp Pico Blanco Camp Pico Blanco is located in the Big Sur Coast area of Central California. It is just 11 miles south of Carmel off Coast Highway 1 and inland 13 miles on Palo Colorado Road. The camp is situated on over 800 acres of redwood forest along the North Fork of the Little Sur River and is surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest and bordered by the Ventana Wilderness area. Owned by the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council- BSA, the camp was purchased in 1948 from the William Randolph Hearst Family. Since that date, many dollars have been spent for road development, buildings, and installation of pipelines and electrical systems, dam and other necessary camp development and maintenance projects. A map to Camp Pico Blanco is provided in the Appendix. 2 RESERVING YOUR CAMPSITE Campsites can be reserved if the troop guarantees to camp with the minimum number of people listed for the site. Troops that do not meet the minimum for a site may have to share with another troop. At the discretion of the Camp Director, troops may be moved to a more appropriate site as needs dictate. Site preferences are on a first come, first reserved basis. Signups are taken each Wednesday in camp for those attending in 2012 and opens to all units the following day (Thursday). Large troops that exceed a campsite maximum can reserve an adjacent site. Your reservation has a guarantee and maximum number. The guarantee number is the minimum number of Scouts your troop will bring to camp and will be charged for. We use this guarantee number to plan for adequate overall camp usage, staffing, program supplies, and food. Please provide an accurate guarantee. There is no penalty to increase your reservation. Reduction of guaranteed youth prior to April 1 will be subject to a $50 per youth fee Reduction of guaranteed youth prior to June 1 will be subject to a $75 per youth fee. Reduction of guaranteed youth after June 1 will be subject to a $100 per youth fee. A $200.00 deposit per campsite is required with this application. This deposit can apply to a Scout’s or adult’s camp fee, but is not refunded if the troop does not attend camp, regardless of cancellation date.(New) In Council (regular fee) (Reservation Deposit Out of Council (regular fee) (Reservation Deposit received received by Dec. 31, 2012) by Dec 31, 2012) Adults** $230.00 $220.00 $230.00 $220.00 Scouts $355.00 $340.00 $370.00 $355.00 **Boy Scout Adults Only: 0-10 Scouts: Adults pay $230 each (min 2 adults required) 11-20 Scouts: 1 adult free, additional adults pay $230 each 21-30 Scouts: 2 adults free, additional adults pay $230 each 31 or more Scouts: 3 adults free, additional adults pay $230 each LATE ARRIVALS: Some units cannot travel on Sunday, so they arrive Monday morning. There is no discount for Monday arrivals. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: $200 per campsite is due with the initial reservation An initial payment of $50 per youth is due by February 15, 2013 A payment of an additional $100 per youth is due by April 1, 2013 (to date, $150/ youth) The balances of the fees, youth and adults are due no later than June 1, 2013. A roster of all participants (including name, address, home phone, date of birth) is due with this payment. INSURANCE: Units within the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council do not need to provide proof of their unit accident insurance. All other units need to provide this information with their final payment. RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE: All youth must be registered with the BSA. Each unit must bring and have at least two adults in camp at all times. One of the leaders must be a registered adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America. One must have recently (within 2 years) attended Youth Protection Training. One adult must be at least 21 years of age. 1 Rules for acceptance and participation in all programs are the same without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS: All deposits and payments are applied to the final camp fee, not to individuals. All refunds will be issued after September 1. Written notice (not email) of cancellations must be made and refunds are subject to a cancellation fee. Cancellations prior to February 1 will forfeit the campsite deposit. Cancellations prior to April 1 will be subject to a $200 per campsite and $50 per youth fee Cancellations prior to June 1 will be subject to a $200 per campsite and $100 per youth fee. Cancellations after June 1 will be subject to a $200 per campsite and $150 per youth fee. Refunds should only be requested for serious illness or injury (a doctor’s certification may be requested), or death in immediate family. Other emergencies may be considered, however refunds are not given for no- shows, conflict of schedule (such as a sports event), weather conditions, or behavior issues. Send Payments and Requests to: Monterey Bay Area Council, BSA, 970 W Julian St., San Jose , CA 95123 E-mail to: [email protected] or Fax to: (408) 280-5162 Camp Policies Camp Road The road in and out of Camp Pico Blanco is narrow (in many areas only one lane), winding, steep and unpaved. Please use extreme caution when driving on the road. Please limit your speed on the dirt camp roads to 10 miles per hour. Expect 30 minutes travel time on the dirt road and 30 minutes from the highway to the dirt road. Tour Plans All out of council units attending camp must have a valid Boy Scouts of America Tour Plan. Tour Plans are processed through your local council office and must be present at check-in. Once presented, the Tour Plan will be kept in possession of the unit leader. Parking and Vehicles ALL VEHICLES SHALL BE PARKED IN DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS. ONE VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED IN EACH CAMPSITE FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY. Only camp service vehicles are permitted in the campsite areas, or areas designated by the Camp Director or Ranger. Please make sure you do not block emergency vehicle access roads. FOR THE SAFETY AND ENJOYMENT OF SCOUTS IN CAMP, VEHICLE TRAFFIC THROUGH CAMP, WHEN IN SESSION, IS LIMITED TO THE RANGER AND DESIGNATED STAFF MEMBERS. Licensed drivers must be 21 years or older and only vehicles designed to carry passengers may be used. ALL vehicles MUST have minimum California insurance coverage. Seat belts must be used. RIDING IN THE BED OF A PICKUP TRUCK IS ILLEGAL IN CALIFORNIA. Travel across the two rock ford’s into camp sites 3-5 and 6-12 are restricted by permission by the Ranger Staff or Camp Director. Camp Telephone We do not have a public telephone. The camp telephone is for camp business and emergencies only. Adults should plan not to have telephone access for the week. Parents may contact the camp by calling the Council Service Center at (408) 638-8300 Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m.