General Camp Policies

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General Camp Policies

Matagorda Island High Adventure is a temporary primitive scout base maintained by theKingwood Varsity Units of the Flaming Arrow District in the Sam Houston Council of the BoyScouts of America on a Texas barrier island of the Gulf. The primary responsibility of maintenance of the facilities of the camp rests with the Camp Ranger and a dedicated corps of volunteers. Scouts and leaders need to be aware that they must be respectful of the facilities of Matagorda Island High Adventure so that others may enjoy it also.Camp Site and Equipment Maintenance: Each site is equipped with sand, Gulf water and native plants. Scouts are responsible to bring their own equipment. Additional equipment, on anavailability basis, may be secured from the Camp Quartermaster. Teams must be cleared by theRanger’s staff prior to leaving camp on Friday.Equipment Policies: All equipment and other property of the camp is provided and maintainedfor the benefit of all campers. Please impress upon the Scouts that it is their obligation to properly care for this property. Horseplay and vandalism will not be tolerated.Uniforms: It is recommended that all scouts have and properly wear a complete Boy Scoutsummer uniform. The summer uniform consists of a Scout short-sleeved shirt (khaki), ScoutShorts (olive green), and Scout Socks. Neckerchiefs and hats are at the individual team’s preferences. This uniform should be worn daily for the evening flag ceremony and all camp-widecampfires. At all other time scouts are encouraged to wear their Scouting t-shirts withappropriate shorts.*Note to leaders: Please request that scouts leave articles of clothing at home which mayadvertise or promote anything that may contradict the values and ideals of Scouting.Curfew/ Quiet Time: Rest at camp will affect the person’s ability to function in a cheerful andsafe manner. Scouts need 8-10 hours of rest daily. Leaders are expected to set the example byrespecting quiet times for the benefit of neighboring campers and themselves. Please keep allnoise level low and activities to a minimum between the hours of 10:30 pm and 6:30am. Duringthose hours, campers may not be out of their site without adult supervision.Automobiles: According to national policy on transportation of Scouts, the following guidelineswill be enforced at camp:Drivers must be 18 years old or older and posses a valid license. Vehicles must have a validinspection sticker, be in good mechanical condition, carry a minimum liability insurance of $50,000- $100,000. Truck beds may not carry passengers. There will only be one passenger per seat belt. Traffic regulations must be adhered to and driving should be done during daylighthours.Liquid Fuel Stoves and Lanterns: Liquid and propane fuels will be allowed in camp. They are to be lighted and filled under direct and qualified adult supervision. Lit stoves and lanterns will not

be allowed in tents. All surplus fuels will be stored in the designated “liquid fuel storage area”located at the staff camp. Minimum amounts of fuel are allowed in the campsites.Wood Cutting: No wood cutting of standing trees for use in campfires, pioneering projects or anyother purpose allowed. This policy concerns trees living or dead. Any trees already on theground can be used. Contact the camp ranger or camp office if a tree appears to be a safetyhazard or poses another concern.Smoking is not approved.Running in camp is not permitted due to the presence of many tripping hazards such as treeroots, rocks and uneven ground. The only exception is during a camp-wide game or any camp program under staff supervision.Knives, Saws & Axes may be used only in campsites and program areas. Sheath knives are not permitted in camp. Proper axe-yards and Totin’ Chip rules should be followed.

Camp Director.

Aquatics in Camp: In order to insure the safety of the Scouts in camp, the Aquatics Director is“in charge” of all swimming, boating, canoeing, and other aquatic activities. Team leaders will be instructed in “The Safe Swim Defense Plan” and “Safety Afloat”. This instruction will occur during Monday’s program.Buddy System: The buddy system of having two or more campers together is to be used in allaquatics, hiking, backpacking, and/or off camp activities. Camp staff leaders are to enforce thisrule.Buddy Tags: Along with the Buddy System we use Buddy Tags for keeping track of Scouts andScouters in camp. These tags are given out at the Summer Camp Leaders Meeting and at arrivalat camp. They are to be filled out with scouts name on front and unit # on back. They are to behung on the buddy boards at the pool, boating area and dining hall. You must have one stamped by the Health Officer to do any aquatics.

Prohibitions in Camp

Hazing: There is no place for hazing, such as initiation, and bullying of any campers in Scoutcamp. Scout leaders will see to it that all campers are properly oriented on reporting anyimproper incidents immediately to the Camp Director. Please read the section entitled “The NoD’s” in this guidebook for more information and insight.Drugs and Alcohol: All forms of alcohol and drugs, with the exception to prescriptions(medication prescribed by a physician), are prohibited at Matagorda Island High Adventure.Violators will be asked to leave camp.

Fireworks: Firecrackers and other fireworks are not permitted in Scout camp. Violators will beasked to leave camp.Matches and Fire Safety: Only Safety matches are to be used in camp. Butane lighters are prohibited unless under adult supervision (mainly for lighting gas stoves).Fire in unit campsites, whether campfires or cooking fires, are to be attended at all times; they just be extinguished completely before leaving the immediate area.Flames in Tents: Under no circumstances shall flames of any kind be carried into, or used intents. Battery powered lights such as flashlights, which do not impose the hazards of fire andasphyxiation, are the only acceptable lights for use in tentsRaiding: There is no reason for Scouts to enter other team sites without permission. Any raidingof campsites occupied or unoccupied is strictly prohibited and Scouts involved will beresponsible for replacement of any damaged materials. Vandalism and destruction of camp property are not only contrary to the values of Scouting, but can result in significant financialloss , injury, loss of program, and potentially closing the camp, affected facility, or program area.***Any and all violations can cause your immediate dismissal from camp. ***Our entire staff strives to instill a sense of pride and stewardship in our campers. As a unit leader,we hope that you will support us in our efforts to eliminate pranks and vandalism.The end result will help in utilizing our dollars for the benefit of the campers rather thanunnecessary maintenance.

Emergencies Procedures in Camp

The best defense against an emergency is preparedness for what might happen. Thedevelopment of clear-cut, well understood policies and practices governing the actions of staff and campers in such emergencies is a responsibility of the local council and camp administration.The staff is made familiar each year in how to handle all types of emergencies and they spendtime in practicing these procedures. The staff, led by the Camp Director, Health Officer, CampRanger, and Program Director is capable and ready to deal quickly and efficiently with anyemergency situation.In an emergency, the first step is to notify the Camp Director. Any staff member with a 2-way radio can reach him. If the Camp Director is not on the property, you should notify theCamp Ranger, Health Officer or Program Director. Once the emergency is established the alarmwill be sounded by the person in charge. There may be times when the alarm cannot be heard inthe outer areas of camp due to weather conditions. When this occurs runners will be sent to eacharea to notify the campers.

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