BSA and Troop policy requires that each Scout have a current BSA medical

form on file with the Troop for all activities. Cub Scouts crossing over from a

Pack must provide their Cub Scout health form with their application and a new

BSA medical form before summer camp. Adults participating in a weekend outing

or going to Many Point must also have the BSA medical form on file with the

Troop. These forms are available online at www.northernstarbsa.org under

“Resources” and “Forms.”

    This policy allows the Troop to have complete medical, immunization,

insurance, and other information to assist first-responders and camp medics and

to obtain prompt medical attention in the unlikely event of an accident. Troop 1 is

insured through the Northern Star Council’s group insurance policy.

    The Troop’s goal is that campouts are educational, fun, and safe. Common

sense and good conduct by all participants is required at all times.

For weekend campouts starting on Friday evenings, we’ll typically meet at

Minnehaha at 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. to load supplies that were organized at the

previous troop meeting. It’s important to arrive on time to ensure that there’s

plenty of help loading supplies and that we’re able to leave on time, get to camp,

and get set up, if possible before dark.

    Unless it’s specifically announced, Friday night doesn’t include dinner on

the road or at camp. Typically, there’s a cracker barrel upon arrival at Camp. But

this isn’t meant to be a substitute for dinner. Please see that your Scout is well

fed before arrival at Minnehaha or that he has a bag dinner to eat on the way up

unless dinner “on the road” is planned and announced.

    Campouts usually last from Friday evening to Sunday morning. Scouts

usually return to Minnehaha mid-morning but usually no later than 12:00 Noon.

You’ll get a more specific time when you drop your Scout off and a call on

Sunday morning if there are any changes. Please have someone there at the

given time to pick your son up.

    Only those items necessary for camping and Troop activities are allowed

on trips. Excess baggage, oversized mattresses, personal coolers and food, etc.,

should be left at home. Sharing meals and cooking duties is an essential part of

the Patrol Method. If your Scout has any food allergies, medical conditions,

medical or religious dietary restrictions, or takes any prescription or non-

prescription medications, parents or adults should discuss this with the

Scoutmaster well in advance of the campout. Use of prescription and non-

prescription drugs is subject to the Troop’s Medication Policy.

    Quiet time and lights out will be announced and observed by all

participants. Campouts are typically very busy and tiring so everyone needs to

get rest. By the same token, Scouts are expected to be awake and moving in the

morning to get their duties done.

The following rules are critical for safety:

 Shoes or boots with wool socks in long grass and water shoes or old

tennies in waterfront areas are recommended. Bare feet should be limited

to inspected swimming areas.

 No beverages (other than water), candy, food, or gum, and any beverage,

candy, food, or gum containers or wrappings in personal gear or tents.

Many campouts occur in areas where these items will attract animals that

can damage tents and injure people.

 Please leave cell telephones, music players, video games, and all other

electronic devices at home. Troop leadership will be responsible for a

weather radio and will have cell telephones for emergency use.

 Climbing is conducted under BSA Climb On Safely guidelines with trained

adult leaders. This includes fences and trees as well as bouldering walls

and climbing towers.

  No fireworks.

 No flames (candles, lighters, lit matches, etc.) in tents.

 Respect flora and fauna, other people, and their property.

 Pocket knives only with a Totin’ Chip. No hunting, sheath, or folding lock

blade knives with blades longer than four inches. The only exception is

kitchen knives from a patrol box kept in the patrol box or in the cooking

area and used for cooking only.

 Dispose of recycling and trash properly. Campsites will be left as clean as

or cleaner than they were found. We’ll patrol our campsite before we leave

to make sure that we do this.

 Boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and any other type of water

activities are conducted under BSA Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat

guidelines with trained adult leaders.

 No possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, personal firearms, or

tobacco. Use of prescription and non-prescription drugs is under the

Troop’s Medication Policy.

 Walk with care in camp. Branches, roots, shrubs, tent ropes and tent

stakes can be hazardous.

  Possession or use of cutting tools (axe, knife, etc.) requires successful

completion of Totin’ Chip training. Scouts may have to re-earn the Totin'

Chip if the privilege to use knives and other cutting tools is abused.  In any

case, axes and saws will only be used in a defined area and under adult

supervision.

 Possession or use of lighters, matches, or other fire building materials

requires successful completion of Firem’n Chit training. Scouts may have

to re-earn the Firem'n Chit if the privilege to use lighters, matches, and

other fire building materials and to build fires is abused. Fires should only

be built in an appropriate area in conformance with Firem’n Chit guidelines

and under adult supervision.

 Scouts, leaders, and adults should ask permission to enter or walk through

another group’s campsite.

 When traveling in cars or personal vehicles, each person must be secured

with a seatbelt. It follows that no Scout will ride on the outside of any motor

vehicle. These restrictions include hanging or riding on bumpers, in the

beds of pickup trucks, or in a trailer.

    Parents and adults are reminded that if these rules are violated, violated after a

warning, or if other serious behavioral problem occurs, they will be responsible

for bringing their son home from camp at their expense.