NOW /Pre-Camp

Severe Weather Emergencies

Designated members of the Camp Manatoc staff are responsible for monitoring weather conditions. When the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning, a member of the Camp Management Team or a designee will immediately notify the camp, first by activating the camp warning siren system then via Remind, camp’s text messaging system. In any event, when the siren sounds, adult unit leaders shall take action to shelter their units. A list of shelters is provided in the Troop Orientation Packet.

Other Emergencies

Anyone coming upon an unreported incident should report the information to the nearest staff member or unit leader. The camp office phone number is 330-657-2592. Upon activation of the emergency siren, all campers are to proceed to the nearest shelter, remain there, and wait for instructions. 

If a fire is threatening tents and, if practical and safe, troops should drop tents that are away from the fire and evacuate the campsite at once. Notify the camp office immediately.

Medication Administration

Each Troop handles the distribution of medications to their Scouts. Medications are to be kept in a locked box in the Troop’s campsite. Lock boxes are available at the Health Lodge if needed. Medications requiring refrigeration may be stored at the Health Lodge. Leaders will need to summarize the medication for each Scout to aid in tracking the dosage. 

Non-Standard Medical Treatment

If, due to religious or other beliefs, the process of medical attention that a parent/guardian or a Scout wishes to receive differs from what is commonly accepted, the parent/guardian must supply a signed letter detailing the proper instructions during check-in. This letter will remain on file with the Health Officer and shared with the medical staff. 

Camper and Staff Identification

Each camper (youth and adult) will be issued an identification wristband to wear during the week. All visitors are required to stop at the Administration Building upon arrival to camp, sign in, and receive a visitor’s identification wristband. All staff will wear an ID badge. Report persons not wearing a wristband or ID badge to a staff member.

Curfew

Quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM unless a staff-run activity is held. All campers must be in their campsites from 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM. Special requests for Troop events beyond curfew must be approved by the Camp Director. 

Swimwear Policy

Swimwear must be modest. For males, any type of tight-fitting swim briefs or pants or swim bottoms short enough to allow exposure are not allowed. For females, bikinis or two-piece swimwear are not allowed. Modest tankinis or one-piece swimsuits that are not cut high on the sides or cut low on the front or back are appropriate. Shorts over the swimwear for males or females are also appropriate. 

BSA Tenting Policy

The Guide to Safe Scouting states: “Separate tenting arrangements must be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age. In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family. In all other programs, youth and adults tent separately. Spouses may share tents.” 

BSA Hammock Policy

Campers must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum and minimum hanging distances (the distances between solid supports such as trees). Hammocks must be hung in secure locations, such as large trees or solid posts, and securely fastened with proper knots. If using solid, living trees, special care must be taken not to damage the outer bark.

Hammocks may not be stacked. The lowest point of a hammock cannot exceed three feet. Hammocks may not be hung above water. Swinging or standing on a hammock is prohibited.

Hammocks that have frayed or damaged ropes must not be used. Use only the manufacturer’s replacement ropes. Do not put more weight into a hammock than recommended by the manufacturer. 

Use tree straps, padding, or material to prevent damage to trees. Do NOT use thin rope, as it cuts into the tree bark and causes damage. Please keep our trees healthy!

Trash Disposal

Troops are expected to keep their campsites free from trash. Senior Patrol Leaders should conduct daily site inspections using the camp supplied Daily Site Inspection Sheet. Trash shall be bagged and placed in the provided campsite trash receptacle. Units should not allow the trash receptacles to overflow.

Maintenance staff will pick up campsite trash on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Troops that are patrol cooking will have their trash picked up every day. Dumpsters are found at the Dining Hall and the Maintenance Area should Troops need to dispose of trash at other times. 

The Boy Scouts of America follows the principles of Leave No Trace. LNT is dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor behavior through education, research, and

partnerships. It applies to all BSA youth and adult leaders. Please help us keep our camp clean by picking up and disposing of garbage properly.

Smoking & Use of Tobacco Products

Smoking or use of other tobacco products is not allowed in any building on the Manatoc Scout Reservation. Leaders may not smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of Scouts. 

Discipline & Hazing

Unit Leaders are responsible for the conduct of their Scouts. Discipline must be in accordance with applicable rules and policies of the BSA, state and federal laws, and accepted practice. Abuse will not be tolerated. If you need help from the camp administration, please ask, however unit leaders are expected to file incident reports or “near miss” reports for incidents or “near miss” events per BSA and Great Trail Council policies. Unit leaders MUST IMMEDIATELY report any threats of, or incidents of physical violence, or threats of/attempts of self-harm to the Camp Director.  

Hazing has no place in Scouting and will not be tolerated by the Great Trail Council. Report any suspected hazing issues to the Camp Director. Hazing in the State of Ohio is a felony charge for each instance and individual involved. 

Liquid Fuel Use & Storage

Adult leaders should supervise any use of liquid fuels in your campsite. Refer to the policies in the most current Guide to Safe Scouting. Using liquid fuels for starting any type of fire, including lighting damp wood, charcoal, and ceremonial campfires or displays is prohibited.

Health Lodge Flag System

Camp Manatoc uses a colored flag system to advise campers on the current heat conditions. The colored flags at the Health Lodge are flown from a flagpole in front of the building and on your mobile device at now.manatoc.org. The colors are as follows:

Green - Temperature is cool, make sure to drink water.

Yellow - Temperature is on the rise, drink water more often.

Red - Temperature feels like 95-103. Drink plenty of water. Retreat will be shortened so that scouts are not standing on the parade field for a long time.

Black - Temperature feels greater than 103. Drink water every 15 minutes. Seek shade. Areas such as the tower are closed due to the extreme exertion required.  Retreat is not held.

General Policies

The Scout Oath and Law are the basis of all that we do as Scouts and Adult leaders. The Camp Director and the Director of Camping are responsible for the interpretation of camp policy.

All campers must be registered Boy Scouts or Unit Leaders. 

The use of bicycles is restricted to staff members and unit leaders. Helmets are required, and bikers must remain on the roads.

Fires shall be restricted to the designated fire rings in the campsites, fireplaces or stoves in buildings, the camp Council Ring, and ceremony locations. Report any fire out of control promptly. All campsite or building fires shall be monitored or extinguished.

Fireworks are prohibited. Violators will be removed from camp.

Pets are not permitted.

Possession of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs is not permitted by Scouts, leaders, or staff and may result in removal from the Manatoc Scout Reservation.

The cutting of standing timber, alive or dead, is prohibited.

Scouts, leaders, and staff should not enter another unit’s campsite without asking permission of the unit in the site.

During the week, vehicle traffic will be restricted to official camp use. When driving in camp, the speed limit is 10 MPH. Pedestrians should be alert for vehicle, bicycle or tractor traffic and give way.

In accordance with the policy of the Boy Scouts of America, no one will be transported in the bed of a truck.

Each unit is responsible for any unit-caused damage to camp equipment, including tents and tarps, at the discretion of the Director of Camping or the Camp Ranger.

Driving in Camp

Safety in camp is our most important focus. To ensure the safety of our campers throughout the week there are two gates that control traffic inside of camp, one by the Administration Building and one by the Dining Hall. Except for camp vehicles, motor vehicles are prohibited between the Administration Building and Dining Hall gates during camp. Vehicles must be parked in the Dining Hall parking lot from 9:00 PM on Sunday night through approximately 10:00 PM on Friday night. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS unless a camper has a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires the use of a motor vehicle for mobility. You must request a waiver from the Camp Director in writing at or prior to your unit’s arrival on Sunday.