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Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Guide FULFILL THE PROMISE Youth join a unit because Scouting provides the excitement and adventure of camping in the great outdoors. They want to share that excitement with friends. The key to fulllment is in the hands of council and district Scouters like yourself. You can unlock the door to adventure so that one day they will This publication is available in digital format for download and use at www.scouting.org/ outdoorprogram. Please feel free to provide comments and recommendations by e-mail to bsaoutdoors@scouting.org. Contents The Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Vision The Purpose of the COPC Organization of the Council Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Outdoor Program Camping Program Types of Cub Scout Camping and Outdoor Activities Types of Boy Scout Camping and Outdoor Activities Varsity Scouting Venturing and Sea Scouting Family Camping and Outdoor Activities Encourage Family Camping Family Camping Recreational Family Camping Council-Organized Family Camp Provisional Camp Volunteer Elements That Support Successful Camp Programs Volunteer Resources Campmaster and/or Wagonmaster Corps Trained Leadership Develop Spiritual Growth Develop and Promote High Adventure Develop Tour and Expedition Helps Promotion Via the Web and Camping Directories Camp Properties Operations, Planning, and Growth Properties and Maintenance The BSA’s Camp Standards Program Vision The camping and outdoor program is an exciting and essential element of the Boy Scouts of America. Camping and outdoor program activities will deliver adventure, challenge, teamwork opportunities, condence building, fun, and other new and exciting experiences. Camping and outdoor program activities will lead to self-reliance, traditional aims of Scouting: citizenship, character develop ment, and mental and physical tness consistent with the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Safe and successful camping and outdoor activities will entice youth to become members of the Scouting organization and benet from its values and character-building activities. The Camping and Outdoor Program Committee The Purpose of the COPC The Mission The camping and outdoor program committee (COPC) is a critical leadership group entrusted with safely delivering the outdoor adventure that youth and adults expect and that lead to self-discovery and character development. The committee plans and oversees the council outdoor program and the facilities that are needed to support the program. Under the COPC’s leadership, all elements of the Scouting outdoor Ensuring proper emphasis and understanding of the needs of an increasingly diverse youth and Continually developing and ensuring maintenance 1. Annual increases in camping and outdoor activities The COPC is responsible for one of the most important and visible council operations. It oversees the success of the outdoor program, large property investments, signicant annual operating expenditures and revenue opportunities, and quality components that attract youth and adult involvement. The committee should be organized in a very prominent position within the council governance structure (board of directors). Some council organization structures place the camping and program committees as part of the vice president-program or vice president-properties function. The prominence of the COPC responsibility may justify the appointment of a vice Organization of the Council Camping and Outdoor Program Committee The following chart identies the key council committees and operations that should work in harmony with the COPC. interests that serve the increasingly diverse youth popula tion. The COPC should serve as the focal point for these areas of expertise and represent the needs of these council constituents to the executive leadership on the board of should participate as voting members. Refer to the “Partner Committees With COPC” section of program committee Aquatics Shooting sports High adventure COPE/climbing Properties Activities Marketing Maintenance Outdoor ethics advocate Order of the Arrow lodge Conservation Health and safety Risk management Program Camping Commissioner service Executive Board • Field • Day • Picnics • Field/game • Pack • Swimming • Campfire • Outdoor • Ceremonies • Nature • Service • Camping • Resident • Special Webelos Den Overnight Camping opportunities to acquire skills that make them more self- reliant. They can explore canoe and hiking trails and National high adventure high-adventure bases and programs. With two locations in • Service. • Personal periods when the camp is open each year (summer periods Encourage Family Camping Recreational Family Camping Council-Organized Family Camp Special-Needs Camp The physical facilities needed for special-needs youth partici pants and adult leaders include electricity, ramps, and hard surfaces for wheelchair accessibility. Bathroom facilities must be wide enough for wheelchairs and camp gear that the Scout may need to carry. Grab bars in both restroom and shower facilities should be provided. National standards proscribed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may not provide Paths must be wheelchair-accessible and hardened to mini mize deep ruts and sudden drop-offs. Lighting for those that are sight-impaired and wheelchair-bound should be provided. Special-needs youth will need some lighting around camps and on paths regularly traveled at night, as they are not always physically able to maneuver well in the dark. staff to accommodate speech, behavior, and learning requirements. Alternative advancement requirements should be offered for those with unique needs. Urban Scouting Camp Volunteer Resources The COPC should deploy volunteer resources where practical in the operation of camp programs and facilities. Council volunteers are excited about the outdoors and in assisting successful programs for Scouts and families. Thoughtfully assigned volunteers can be very helpful in guide. Equally, the “right” volunteer can provide excellent service in the design and support of camp facilities and This section highlights a number of key thoughts on deployment of volunteer talent. Volunteers can be newly recruited adults looking for education and involvement to the seasoned volunteer who has done everything over an extended career and is looking for one more challenge. Volunteer Elements That Support Campmaster and/or Wagonmaster Corps Campmasters—Key Scouters in Weekend Camping With the introduction of the concept of “teenage orientation” outdoor programs, councils must now consider developing high-adventure resource volunteers. These are people who are available to assist older Boy Scout groups, Varsity teams, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships, with challenging activities available only to that age group. Activities could include rock climbing/rappelling, cave exploring, horsemanship, mountain biking, skiing, whitewater, scuba certication, Venturer/Ranger Handbook for Trained Leadership • Serving • Promoting Passport to High Adventure • Including Develop Tour and Expedition Helps The COPC The COPC is responsible for the performance, relevance, adaptability, and nancial sustainability of camp properties, facilities, equipment, and personnel. As an imperative, the committee should develop a strategic plan that considers customers (Scouts and families), diversity of youth, pro Planning, and Growth Planning and Operational Responsibilities Strategic Plan All councils should have in place a strategic plan for the development and use of their council properties. This plan can either be part of the local council’s larger strategic plan or it can be a specic document developed following the Strategic Planning for Council Camp Properties • Establish consultation with the council professional staff and capability. Design & Development at the National Formalize the Plan “maintenance expenditure” should then be placed at the bottom of each year. An example might look like the chart at The properties committee should then take a hard look at what it sees and adjust the initial dates for proposed preven tive maintenance activities to balance the demand among years (to facilitate planning) and to accommodate nancial Camp Baden-Powell Dining Hall Type Date Life 2010 2011 2012 2013 etc. Roof Asphalt 1998 15 yrs. $40K Floor Linoleum 1975 25 yrs. $8K Windows Double hung 1975 40 yrs. Paint Ext. latex 2000 7 yrs. $2K Stove 8-burner gas 1975 35 yrs. $2K Refrigerator 10-cubic-yd. 1990 22 yrs. $35K Health Lodge Type Date Life 2010 2011 2012 2013 etc. Roof Asphalt 1995 15 yrs. $20K Floor Linoleum 1995 25 yrs. Windows Double hung 1995 40 yrs. Paint Ext. latex 1995 7 yrs. $1K TOTALS: $33K $35K $40K Supervise Maintenance should be reviewed and all required permits obtained. • Environmental of a camp may require a number of environmental permits. Almost all camps will require some type of wastewater disposal authorization. Camps supplying drinking water will likely trigger “public water system” requirements, which include registration, basic equipment standards, periodic monitoring of water quality, and reporting, all dependent upon the number of individuals served by the water system. Most states also require a licensed drinking water system operator and an on-site operator (who often can be at a lower certication level). In Western states and some Eastern states, water rights may be an issue. In some areas, groundwater protection permits or air permits may be required. Facilities operating solid waste disposal areas are also likely to require a state plan or approval. Finally, the proper handling of hazardous and universal wastes and spent lead to prevent contamination is critical. The BSA’s Camp Standards Program The BSA operates hundreds of camps across the United States. The BSA has therefore established a system of standards that is used to ensure that these camps are safe and appropriate for use year-round. The standards cover a wide range of health and 4. Partner Committees With COPC Special Committees The COPC provides oversight and collaboration with Scouting program and bring expertise to the adventure, Council COPE/Climbing Committee If the council has or is planning to build or operate a Project COPE course with either low or high elements, or operate a climbing program that uses either natural rock or articial surfaces, a COPE/climbing committee oversees the construc tion, maintenance, operation, training, and stafng for the programs. A National Camping School–trained Project COPE director or a National Camping School–trained climbing director must chair the council COPE/climbing committee. In councils with large COPE and climbing programs, they may select to have a subcommittee to oversee the COPE program and a different subcommittee to oversee the climbing program. The two subcommittees will operate under the supervision of the council COPE/climbing chair. Council Health and Safety Committee • Participate • Promote physical • Camp Financing the Council’s Camping and Outdoor Program The COPC has an awesome responsibility to ensure the council has a well-nanced camping program that provides quality activities at modern, well-maintained facilities. Each council’s camping program is different, however. Most councils own or lease one or more properties at which they Some councils do not own or lease properties but still offer a through collaboration with other council or camp providers. Regardless of how the program is offered, the COPC has three key responsibilities when it comes to providing a Develop an annual operations plan that relates directly back to the council’s strategic plan. Financial Model and Analysis— Budgets and Management 2. Indirect expenses These costs usually are not charged directly to the cost centers, but are camp-related expenses, including professional staff members who serve in key camp management roles, and management overhead expenses. The percentage is found in the council’s Strategic Planning and Operations Model Strategic Planning for Council Camp Properties guide published in 2005, pages 29–32 and 67–70, Major Tasks of the District Camping and Outdoor Program Committee A district COPC does the following: ties (Boy Scout resident camp, Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout resident camp, family camps, teenage camps, and Venturing and Sea Scout outdoor activities). In cooperation with unit commissioners and Order of the Arrow chapter Work with commissioners to help Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews plan and carry out a year-round schedule of camping and outdoor program events. member of that committee’s promotion subcommittee. Eight Success Symbols for Filling Your Resident Camp Eight success symbols come from the experience of camp—where it all happens! They assist in lling any council’s camp. Listed in the appendix are eight items that were developed from a study of local councils that are have increased the numbers of campers and units and are Rate Your Camp Program This is a simple rating plan. Take a moment to check down National Support for Filling Summer Camp Resources Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities, No. 18-260 (available at www.scouting.org) Boosting Camp Staff Morale, No. 20-302 Boy Scout Outdoor Program brochure, No. 18-954 Camp Accreditation: Cub Scout/Boy Scout Resident Camp Project COPE Promote Boy Scout Resident Camp in the District, Resident Camping for Cub Scouting, Shooting Sports for Cub Scouting, Staff Training and Parent Orientation Guide, No. 13-167 Strategic Planning for Council Camp Properties, No. 20-940 (available at www.scouting.org) Summer Camp Staff Training and Development, Teaching Leave No Trace, No. 21-117 (available at www.scouting.org) Topping Out, Tour Plan, No. 680-014 Tours and Expeditions, Varsity Leader Fast Start DVD, No. AV-02DVD04 Venturer/Ranger Handbook, Venturing Leader Manual, Wilderness Use Policy, No. 20-121 Camping and Outdoor Program Committee • Coordinator campmaster/wagonmaster • Venturing • Boy • Cub • Tours expeditions: • Family • Aquatics • Project • Outdoor advocate (Leave Trace): • Shooting • Order Arrow • Order Arrow representative: • Venturing/Sea representative: • Health representative: • Risk representative: • High Adventure representative: • Maintenance: Duties • Recruits, volunteer levels • Oversees unit’s • Initiates marketing activities. • Supports activities levels society. • Oversees • Supports high-adventure activities. • Coordinates family • Coordinates • Helps approves overnighters. COPC and Partner Committees Properties and Maintenance • Maintenance representative: • Health representative: • Scouter work • Order Arrow representative: • Construction • Technical experts: Duties • Supervises development • Carries • Lists • Coordinates building improvements, year-round Conservation Promotion and Marketing • District • OA • High-adventure • Promotion • Special-needs • Needy • Staff • Venturing/Sea Teen • Executive Duties • Promotes year-round achieve • Promotes • Promotes OA • High-adventure reviewed. Partner Committees Venturing/Sea Scouting Camp Venturing is a relatively new and evolving program that serves • Are shower facilities male and female Venturers and male and female adults? • Can Boy activities? • Does college schedules? • Does facility have variety of activities? • Is available activities? • Are slips needed for the facility? • How far facility crews? Will crew required to arrange for its own transportation or will the council provide the transportation? • Will facility Questions and Tips for Marketing Resident Camps Marketing Venturing Camps Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers are different Leave No Trace Backcountry Guidelines The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of may have little signicance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone’s responsibility. It helps reinforce our mission and reminds us to respect the rights of other users of the outdoors as well as future generations. An appreciation for our natural environment and knowledge of the interrelationships of nature bolster our respect and reverence toward the environment and nature. It is an Leave what you have found area, try to leave it the same as you found it. The less impact we each make, the longer we will be able to enjoy our recreation sites. Even picking owers reduces seeds and means fewer plants for next year, thus denying others the Use established restrooms Grafti and vandalism have no place anywhere and they spoil the experiences for everyone. Leave your mark by doing an approved conservation or Key Aquatics Activities Local council aquatics committee activities should include but are not limited to: Training • Safe • Basic • Basic water-rescue • Development activities • Camp staff Aquatics skills Effective teaching of aquatics skills Attraction, Development, and Retention of Aquatics Leadership • Develop District COPC Work Plan Time: National Summertime Pack Award Troops—10 days and nights Teams—10 days and nights Crews in camp Units in council summer camp: Under adult leadership Total youth in camp IV. Develop local ‘‘where to go’’ book—plan its use. Pack No. Pack No. Troop No. Troop No. Team No. Troop No. Troop No. Team No. Crew No. Order of the Arrow report and plans High-adventure plans. Venturers and older Scouts V. Review progress charts. (Assign individuals to follow up on problem situations revealed.) Other business Time: A—On the Council Level June, July, and August • Fellowship • Executive • Carry organization • Encourage next season’s scoreboard chart showing sites and camp periods. • Human-interest newspapers • Send high-adventure experiences to news media. • Features newsletters • Organize wagonmasters fall camping. • Offer Powder high-adventure resources with Boy Scout and Venturing adult leaders. September, October, and November • Prepare distribution A year-round camping and outdoor program guide. A folder for youth and parents. Classify all units as • Assist • Recognize March, April, and May • Conduct explain • Troops, crews • Patrol hikes overnights boys • Order Arrow • Webelos Webelos-ree. Annual Self-Assessment of Camping and Outdoor Program Performance Rate Your Council Summer Camp Performance Below are eight objectives that can be used to measure summer camp performance and increase attendance. In measuring your performance, use actual numbers from the previous summer to guide your performance improvement goal-planning for the upcoming season. To score each objective, add one point for each achievement. Additional points are available for some achievements as listed below. Open for adventure! Score OBJECTIVE: Council makes maximum use of the camp during peak periods when schools are not in session. Camp offers minimum of ve weeks of resident camp (BS, CS, V, or any combination). Camp offers additional week(s) of resident camp (BS, CS, V, or any Add one point for each additional week of resident camping. Camp schedules weeklong training programs (NYLT, Wood Badge, NCS, PROMOTION Score OBJECTIVE: Council has an aggressive camp promotion program designed to increase resident camping attendance. A high-quality program this year will help sell next year. An outstanding camp program becomes a council “showplace,” which makes recruitment and fundraising easier when the community can see real evidence of an excellent camping program. Calendar for next season is available online before start of current season. OBJECTIVE: Increase utilization of the camp during the offseason. It’s much easier to sell a camp program that has been seen. Weekend adult leader training event(s). Score one point for each weekend training event scheduled during the year. Weekend volunteer work program(s) (“Beaver Days”) to help develop and maintain camp facilities and equipment. Score one point for each work weekend scheduled during the year. OA events such as conclaves, fellowships, and work weekends. Score one point for each OA event scheduled during the year. Family camping weekend(s). Score one point for each scheduled family camp weekend event. Score one point for each rental to a non-Scouting group. Camp is available for unit weekend camping, including winter camping. Weeklong inner-city youth program(s). Score one point for each weeklong event. ATTENDANCE Score OBJECTIVE: Create a year-round plan to increase attendance at camp. A quality program will sell itself! Overall resident camp season attendance averages a minimum of 75 percent of capacity. previous summer. Camp provides tents, cabins, and/or Adirondacks for campers. There are sufcient campsites to give each unit its own site during resident compared to previous summer. COPC includes some youth members such as OA leaders, camp staff OBJECTIVE: Hire a terric staff. The rewards will last long after the close of the camp season. Minimum tenure of camp director is two years. Council carefully searches A full week of camp staff training is conducted prior to rst resident OBJECTIVE: Recruit inspired volunteer committees. They can help the camp in so many ways. Order of the Arrow helps open and close the camp each year and helps with camp promotion throughout the year. The camp schedules at least one social event at camp each year to express appreciation to the camp volunteers and OA members who have helped throughout the year. A similar appreciation event may be appropriate for The camp recruits volunteer Scouters to help at camp. Examples include merit badge counselors, commissioners, provisional Scoutmasters, and EVALUATION AND REVIEW Score OBJECTIVE: Review weeklong and seasonal reactions from youth, leaders, staff, volunteers, and council leadership. Evaluations are an invaluable resource. are evaluated by council and camp managers. address successes, areas that need improvement, attendance, and facilities, and include employee evaluations. Council director of camping and camp director conduct a seasonal evalua The following list of training and publications is keyed to each of the seven items that successful councils use to ll their respective camps. The BSA expresses its gratitude for the publication of this Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Guide to the following Scouting volunteers and staff advisers. 2010 Camping Task Force Jim Blair, chair Mont Mahoney David Shows Pat Sheen Elliott “Chuck” Wimberly Darrell Winn John Van Dreese, adviser Acknowledgements 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane 611014 34786 2011 Printing