Camp Visitation Area 2 Northeast Region
Welcome REGISTRATION INTRODUCTIONS SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY ASSIGNMENTS
Training Goals • Present the process of camp visitation • Review the current National Camping standards to be used for a camp visit • Visitation organization and procedures • Other issues for camp • Discuss the new camp accreditation process
PURPOSE AND PROCESS OF CAMP VISITATION
READ 388 Where are the Area 2 camps?
Why? AREA 2 COUNCILS OPERATE 24 CAMPS • 10 Cub Scout/Webelos resident camps • 11 Boy Scout resident camps • 2 High Adventure programs • 1 Venturing program • 12 C.O.P.E courses
Why do we have National Standards? Provides an avenue to “accredit” a camp to show that they are meeting the standards Sets a level of expectations for a quality program 7
What is the purpose of this process? • Youth and their safety are our #1 concern • Standards were developed to protect the youth, the Council, and the BSA • Provide the best possible environment • Helps maintain the entire year’s program • Assists the council to provide “Mountain-top ” experiences 8
What is Camp Visitation? • Assists scout councils with operation of camps to meet the minimum standards of the Boy Scouts of America • Theses criteria ensure safety, training of staff, program development, and good facilities so Scouts and leaders can have a good experience.
Visitation Process and why • Records maintained in the National Office • Maintains the same standards worldwide • Assists the councils by providing guidance for year round programs 10
Visitation Process and why This is a National Process • Coordinated through the Outdoor Program Group of BSA • Visitations are performed by Area volunteers and staff 11
What are we doing? Helping councils to “Deliver the Promise” Remember: We are not the “Standards Police” 12
Visitation Positions Regional Visitation Coordinator Provides guidance in the region to all of the Regions’ Area Coordinators Area Visitation Coordinator Provides leadership to Area volunteers to visit all facilities 13
Visitation Positions Area Director Provides guidance and leadership to the Area Coordinator National Outdoor Program Team Provides support throughout and maintains the official records 14
Visitation Positions Camp Visitation Chairman Is the lead Visitor to a facility/program who guides the process to be an ambassador for the council, region, and the National Standards 15
Visitation Positions Camp Visitor Is a trained volunteer that becomes the eyes and ears of the National Council and the 297 local councils to maintain a quality avenue nationwide to deliver the best and safest possible programs for the youth in all facilities operated the Boy Scouts of America. 16
Who is a Camp Visitor? • Regional volunteers from Area 2 councils • Experience from camping committee, camp staffs, unit leaders, outdoor program training • Understands the aims and methods of Scout camping
When are Camp Visits conducted? • First week of operating sessions at camps • Pre-camp meetings are held if camp has been conditionally accredited the previous year
How are Camp Visits conducted? • Councils provide visit information to Camp Visitation Chairman and visitors prior to camp • On-site review with concurrent review of key standards • De-briefing with team and camp staff in a time-effective manner
How are Camp Visits conducted? • De-briefing with team and camp staff in a time-effective manner • Written follow-up of visit summary with recommendation to camp and council • Day camps and family camps follow this procedure, but the council volunteers staff this as a self- conducted visit
DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS
NATIONAL CAMPING STANDARDS
National Camping Standards Minimum standards from BSA to ensure Camp safety Quality camp program
How Many Types of Standards? • Resident Camps (area visitors) • High Adventure Bases (area visitors) • C.O.P.E./Climbing (area visitors) • Day Camps (in-council visitors) • Family Camps (in-council visitors)
MANDATORY STANDARDS RESIDENT CAMPS • 73 mandatory standards critical to health and welfare of campers • Lack of compliance will result in – CONDITIONAL ACCREDITATION – CAMP CLOSURE • No waivers can be granted by visitation team; Scout Executive & Region must be contacted
QUALITY STANDARDS RESIDENT CAMPS • 48 quality standards ; desirable practices essential for a good camp • To be a Nationally Accredited Camp 25 quality standards comply for Cub Scouts 33 quality standards comply for Boy Scouts 25 quality standards comply for Venturing
MANDATORY & QUALITY STANDARDS FOR DAY CAMP • 51 Mandatory Standards for Cub Scout Day Camp MUST be met • 12 Quality Standards for program to ensure a safe, fun-filled experience • Nationally Accredited Day Camp meets 55 or more of all standards (90%)
What are the focus of Standards? • Pre-camp preparation • Safety and regulatory management • Facilities operations and conditions • Personnel selection and training • Program development, operations and equipment
Pre-Camp Preparation • Council conducts inspection of camp facilities after conclusion of summer operations • Action plan to correct deficiencies created • Scout executive certifies corrections to be addressed in “intent to operate camp” application
Personnel • Review camp standards AND state and local requirements for camp personnel • Develop/review job descriptions • Regional camp school attendance for new certification or re-certification • Documentation to verify compliance with standards
Health and Safety • Water sources • Emergency services • Materials management • Food handling • Camp infrastructure
Training • National Camping School certifications • Camp staff training – minimum requirements • CPR and first responder certifications • Training documentation
Facilities and Operations • As-built documentation • Materials management • Camp vehicles • Camp equipment • Repair and maintenance management
Program • Cub Scout resident requirements • Boy Scout resident requirements • Venture resident requirements • High Adventure requirements • C.O.P.E/Climbing requirements • Cub Scout day camp requirements
DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS Area Responsibilities for Team Formation and Leadership Top 10 Standards missed in 2011 New Accreditation Program in 2013
THE CAMP VISIT
Planning for a Camp Visit • Assign a Camp Visitation Chairman (Team Leader) • Teams created • Pre-visit information received by team • Camp Visitation Chairman make visit assignments before arrival to ensure concurrent review at camp
Conducting a Visit • All members are uniformed • All members arrive at appointed time • Observe all camp rules for check-in and identifications • Be courteous and “a friend of the camp ”
Concluding a Visit • Be inclusive in de-briefing the visit • Do not repeat the visit in the de-briefing • Summarize key parts of visit – strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations • Address compliance and corrective measures as required by national standards
Celebrate the Visit • Present the certificate and flag so the camp staff and campers can observe and celebrate if invited • Offer thanks to the camp staff for their assistance during the visit • Do not “gossip” about the details of the visit
Visitation: the view from the camp • Preparation • Meeting Campers and Leaders • Meeting with Camp Staff
DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS
BREAKOUTS • NEW VISITORS • RETURNING VISITORS • CAMP VISITATION CHAIRS • DAY CAMP
THE VIRTUAL CAMP VISIT
Virtual Visit of Specific Situations Tent/Sleeping Areas Waterfront Protocols Camp Safety Quality Standards Food Service Operations Youth Protection and Supervision
Tent/Sleep Area Is this a safe arrangement? Does it violate any standards?
Tent/Sleep Area What observations do you have about this site?
Tent/Sleep Area This tent is a 10 x 10 with 2 bunk beds. Do these quarters conform to BSA standards?
Waterfront Protocols Venturing Crews come to camp; we welcome co-ed units. The buddy system is in use. Are you concerned about what you see?
Waterfront Protocols At a Water Carnival, scouts are encouraged to make cardboard boats. Can you waive the requirements for PFDs?
Camp Safety You are visiting a campsite and find an adult leader using a chainsaw to cut firewood for an campfire. What question should you ask your camp guide?
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