Alcoholic Beverages, Marijuana, or other Unlawful Drugs

No alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other unlawful drugs are permitted on camp property.

Scouts are not allowed to smoke or be in possession of any tobacco products and are not allowed to vape. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy. One strike and you will be asked to leave camp property. The consumption, possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs or controlled substances while participating in the program is not permitted. The camp staff will enforce all local, state, and federal laws when a violation involving the above substances is reported. Violators will be asked to leave the camp immediately.

Per the Guide to Safe Scouting, smoking or vaping by youth at any Scouting event shall not be tolerated. “An important way adult leaders can model healthy living is by following the policies on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Leaders should support the attitude that they, as well as youths, are better off without tobacco in any form and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems that simulate tobacco smoking. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. As outlined in the Scouter Code of Conduct, scouting activities are not a place to possess, distribute, transport, consume, or use any of the following items prohibited by law or in violation of any Scouting rules, regulations, and policies: alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, including marijuana. In addition, the Code of Conduct specifies that if you are taking prescription medications with the potential of impairing any functioning or judgment, you will not engage in activities that would put Scouts at risk, including driving or operating equipment.”

Smoking by adults is not permitted in any tent, pavilion, or building. Smoking is also not permitted in the dining hall at any time. While we highly discourage smoking while in camp, adults who choose to do so in the designated areas must not smoke within sight of any youth. Moreover, in the event of a burn ban, smoking may be prohibited on the property. Please check with the camp office to determine whether such a burn ban is in place.

Appropriate Attire

Proper clothing for camp activities is always required. The official uniform for Scout and adults is field uniform and activity uniform. Participants are to be in field uniform for the evening flag ceremonies and evening meals as well as campfires. Activity uniforms (Scout t-shirts and caps) are appropriate for day wear, including morning flag ceremonies. Weather in the Southeast Texas area tends to be hot and humid. It is a tropical climate where afternoon rain showers are common. Campers should carry a daypack with rain gear and a water bottle. There are water stations located around the camp for filling water bottles. No hats are to be worn in the Dining Hall.

Behavior Guidelines

All members of the BSA are expected to act according to the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, theft, vandalism, insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout’s membership. Unit leaders are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. The leadership of the camp will determine if misbehavior warrants expelling a camper from the property, and it is the unit and parent’s responsibility to transport them home. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting’s values. Corporal punishment is never permitted. Disciplinary activities involving isolation, humiliation, or ridicule are prohibited.

Buddy System

The Buddy System is to be always followed. Buddies should know and be comfortable with each other. Self-selection with no more than two years age or significant differences in maturity should be strongly encouraged. When necessary, a buddy team may consist of three Scouts. No youth should be forced into or made to feel uncomfortable by a buddy assignment.

Bullying

Verbal, physical, and cyberbullying are prohibited. Bullying is never allowed. Bullying always involves one person or group trying to intimidate a target (victim)—often repeatedly. It might involve a physical act: hitting, kicking, biting, or shoving. It might also involve verbal or emotional abuse: teasing, put-downs, name-calling, hazing, hurtful joking, or intimidation. Bullies also sometimes use racial or sexual slurs or make threatening gestures. Bullying in all forms is prohibited from Scouting.

Closed toed shoes must be always worn in camp. Flip-flops are only allowed in the showers.

Criminal Background Check

The state of Texas requires that the council conduct a criminal background check and sex offender database check on every adult who will be at camp. All adults attending camp in any capacity must complete an Adult in Camp Compliance (ACC) form a minimum of two weeks before camp, to allow sufficient time for the background checks to be completed. Visitors should also complete an ACC form; visitors who have not completed an ACC form will have to be escorted by an adult from the unit the entire time they are on camp property and will only be permitted to enter camp if an adult member from the unit is available to escort them.

Field Uniform

Scout Field Uniform, correctly worn, is required for evening flag ceremonies and campfires.

Hazing

Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.

Health, Medical, and Safety Issues

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

• Two-deep leadership on all outings required.

• One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.

• The buddy system should be used at all times.

• Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the “Sweet Sixteen” of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting Sweet Sixteen Enterprise Risk Management

Inappropriate Technology Use Prohibited

Inappropriate use of cameras, imaging, or digital devices prohibited. The use of any device capable of recording or transmitting visual images in or near shower houses, restrooms, or other areas where privacy is expected is inappropriate.

Internet Access/Phones

There is no Internet/Wi-Fi at camp. Telephones for Scout use are not available at camp. You are strongly encouraged not to let your Scout bring a cell phone to camp.

Leaving and Returning

Everyone leaving camp must sign out at the camp office. Parents are encouraged to allow the Scout to remain at camp until final check out. This reduces unnecessary traffic in and out of camp and allows youth to have the complete camp experience with their troop. Youth will only be allowed to check out from camp prior to final checkout by an adult authorized on Part B of the Scout’s BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. Please ensure that parents in your troop have included all authorized adults on this form. Without this authorization on the form, only an adult from the Scout’s troop registered for camp or the parent signing the form will be allowed to remove the child from camp prior to the final checkout. No one, including a Scout leader or parent, will be allowed to leave camp with a person under the age of 18 without having checked out at the winter camp office and receiving a ticket which will be taken by security just before you reach the exit of the camp. During checkout, on the last day of camp, adult leaders will receive exit tickets for all youth in their troop from their camp commissioner once they have successfully checked out.

Nonparticipants in Camp

For liability reasons, unregistered adults, youth, siblings, or friends, who are not registered as a member of Scouts BSA in a troop, crew or ship are not allowed to participate in camp programs.

One-on-One Contact

One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. In situations that require personal conferences, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths. This includes digital communication.

Opposite Sex

No members of the opposite sex are allowed together inside tents, cabins, bathrooms, etc. National youth protections guidelines will be applied to every situation.

Privacy of Youth Respected

Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations. Many individual shower and restroom stalls are in use at Scott Scout Ranch.

Pets

No pets are permitted in camp. Dogs that are trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities are permitted but vaccination records must be given to the Camp Director three weeks before Winter Camp. You are responsible for cleaning up after your service animal. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, therapy or emotional dogs / pets are not considered service animals and they are not permitted in the camp. For questions regarding dogs, contact the Camp Director. It is mandatory to let the Camp Director know at least three weeks in advance if a service animal will be attending SSR with his/her disabled person.

Personal Firearms, Ammunition, Bows and Arrows, and Fireworks

Personal firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows and fireworks are not allowed in camp. Scott Scout Ranch is private property and does not allow concealed carry or open carry of firearms. Fires are to be built only in the designated areas and under proper supervision. Liquid fuels are not permitted. Propane is to be used only under adult supervision. Empty cylinders and cans must be given to the camp quartermaster for disposal. National policy prohibits the use of open flames in tents and includes mosquito coils, catalytic heaters, gas lanterns, stoves, candles, and smoking materials.

Quiet Hours

Between 10pm and 6am, campers should remain in their assigned campsites. Quiet hours begin at 10:30pm. Please be considerate of your neighbors.

Secret Organizations.

The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

Separate Accommodations.

Separate accommodations for adults and Scouts required. When camping, no youth may share a tent (Camp Rules cont.) with an adult or a person of the opposite sex. Assigning youth members more than two years apart in age to sleep in the same tent should be avoided unless the youth are relatives. No adult may share a tent with the opposite sex unless he or she is that adult’s spouse.

Special Accommodations

If a participant has special medical needs, such as refrigeration for medicine, please ensure that information is included in the online registration. CPAP machines must be battery-powered, there are no electrical outlets at campsites.

Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act

In order to protect the health and safety of youth attending residential camps in the State of Texas, the Texas legislature has enacted the Texas Youth Camp Safety and Health Act. While many portions of this statute concern the facilities and staffing of a youth residential camp, portions of this law affect troops directly.

All adults coming to camp, whether working on staff or not, must complete the Adult in Camp Compliance form no later than October 28, 2022. Completing this form allows the council office staff to complete a criminal background check on each adult in camp (regardless of time spent in camp).

Two Deep Leadership

Two Deep Leadership is to be always followed. “Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.” (BSA YPT Requirements) “All adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as leaders. The 72 hours need not be consecutive. One-on-one contact between adult leaders and youth members is prohibited both inside and outside of Scouting.” Adult leaders may rotate in and out as needed so long as there is always sufficient supervision on the property. Register the adult that will be arriving first. When such rotations occur, adults must check-in and out of the camp office so that the camp staff is made aware of the identity and contact information for all adult leaders for each troop in camp. Every adult must complete an Adult in Camp Compliance form.

Vehicles

No vehicles are permitted in camping areas. Vehicles must always remain in their designated parking area. Vehicles needing for off-site use must use the main parking lot.

Wild Animals

Scout camp is an outdoor experience, and as such, we are visitors to the camp’s natural area. As Scouts, we must remember to live up to the Outdoor Code and be considerate in the outdoors. Throwing rocks at or attempting to catch animals such as rabbits, snakes, armadillos, etc is not only dangerous to the animal, but to campers as well. Please report any troubles with snakes or other animals to the camp staff immediately.

Youth Leaders Monitored by Adults

Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by youth leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.

Youth Protection

As a residential camp accredited by the Boy Scouts of America, the staff closely follows all youth protection policies set forth by the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, the State of Texas has enacted statutes and regulations concerning youth protection which also applies to the camp. No exceptions to these policies may be made.

Youth Protection Training (YPT)

Every adult in the camp must have current Youth Protection Training (YPT) online at My.Scouting.org (expires every two years). A copy of the Certificate of Completion for every adult attending camp must be provided to the camp office on or before the first day of camp. A roster printed by each unit displaying that the adults are up to date on their YPT Training will be acceptable.