What is a Campmaster?

Table of Contents

Section Page Number

Introduction with Frequently Asked Questions 1-1

Program Procedure (step by step guide) 2-1

Weekend Camping Program 3-1

National and Council Policies 4-1

Trading Post Operation 5-1

Conservation and Camp Projects 6-1

Recognition 7-1

Forms and Maps 8-1

Campmaster Roster; Schedules 9-1

Emergency Procedures 10-1

First Aid

Responding to an Emergency

Updated Programming 11-1

The Campmaster Corps

Thank you for volunteering to be a part of program that opens up Seven Ranges Scout Reservation, Camp McKinley and Camp Rodman to over 10,000 Scouts and Scouters.

In any given year the Buckeye Council will play host to over 40 council and district activities, 120 in-council Troops and 50 out-of-council Troops, plus over 20 non-scouting groups coming to its camps throughout the nine month period of off-season camping. Without you, the Campmaster, the Buckeye Council camps would not be able to host these campers.

The following is a short list of questions a "New" Campmaster (and a Campmaster long in the tooth) would ask. Please review this list of questions. If you have additional questions which need to be answered just look to the last question.

Who are the Campmasters?

The Campmasters are a group of Scouters organized as part of the Boy Scout Camping Committee under the leadership of the Buckeye Council Head Ranger. The entire program and its personnel are responsible to the Buckeye Council Program Director or his designee.

How are they selected?

Campmasters are selected on the basis of their ability in several areas. Example of some of these areas are leadership skills, counseling skills, first aid knowledge, outdoor skills, knowledge of nature, crafts, Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, the patrol method, advancement and Family Camping. All Campmasters must have demonstrated the ability to get along with Scouts, Scouters and the public. Any registered Scouter is eligible for consideration as a Campmaster.

Will there be training for a Campmaster?

A "First Time Campmaster" will have an orientation meeting before his first weekend. The Campmaster Corps will meet a minimum of 4 times per year to review any procedural changes, to schedule weekends and to review how units are using camp property. At each of these meetings there will be short updates on basic skills. All Campmasters are expected to attend these sessions. Each Campmaster is expected to complete Cub Scout, Boy Scout and/or Venture basic training and to have a basic knowledge of first aid and emergency response. The knowledge and skills of the Wood Badge Trained Scouter supports the skills of a Campmaster. Any Scouter, having served three years as Campmaster, should consider Wood Badge "a must."

How many weekends will I be expected to complete each year?

Each Campmaster is asked to sign up for two or more weekends each year as time and (un)scheduled weeks permit. Campmasters are encouraged to sign up with other Campmasters when all scheduled weekends are taken. There are times when two (2) Campmasters per weekend is preferred (i.e. Camporees, Show-in-Do, large number of units etc…).

Is there "Recognition" for becoming an active Campmaster?

There is a recognition program with awards based on the number of full weekends each Campmaster has completed. There is a section labeled "Recognition" in this guide where the details regarding the recognition plan is laid out.

Who do I call if I have a question?

Skip Eidam Buckeye Council Head Ranger
Camp McKinley (330) 424-0256

Seven Ranges (330) 738-2085

Jeff Pickett Council Program Director
(330) 580-4272
(800) 589-9812

It is the responsibility of the Campmaster to act as an ambassador of our weekend Scouting programs and camp properties.

Attend the 4 meetings a year of the Campmaster Corps for updates, changes, or general information needed to perform the duties of Campmaster.

On the Monday night preceding your weekend duty, call Ranger Bob Kenyon at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation or Ranger Skip Eidam at Camp McKinley to obtain the unit numbers, leaders name and telephone numbers. (This can also be obtained by calling the council office on Monday morning.) Also, let the ranger know the time you will be arriving on Friday.

Personally contact the leader of all units coming to camp on your assigned weekend at least 3 days prior to the weekend. Introduce yourself, insure they know the way to camp (new units), let them know the location of check-in, ask if they have any special needs and offer assistance in planning or camp equipment needs for the weekend. Also if there is a "Weekend Camping Program" schedule invite the unit to join in.

At least one Campmaster should be at camp before the first unit arrives. Any other Campmasters should arrive at camp as soon as possible.

Upon arriving at camp, let the Camp Ranger you have arrived. Check-in material and other necessary materials and instructions will be located on the center of the desk in the Campmaster’s office. Inform the Camp Ranger if you would be leaving camp for any short period of time within the weekend.

If there is only one Campmaster in camp, open all buildings to be used before the first unit arrives. This will prevent any problems if two units show up at the same time.

Unit Check-in.

Upon the arrival of each unit, insure proper cabin is assigned or assign campsite as needed. Provide to the Sr. Patrol leader, Crew Leader, or lead adult if a Cub Pack a copy of a blank roster and check-in form. Inform them to do a complete inspection of the building or campsite and note any item broken or not up to standard equipment and return the signed form to you with a complete roster within one hour. Ask if any other youth or adults will be coming later or on Saturday. If yes, ask that they add their name to the roster with a note of estimated time of arrival.

I will be noted on the "Campmaster Weekend Report" if the unit has paid their rental fee. If a unit has not, collect the fee and request the Camp Ranger to complete a "Camp Cash Receipt".

Note: A troop is lead by boy leaders, let the adult leaders know it is the youth leader who is responsible for check-in and check-out.

Let the unit know if there are any problems with their cabin or campsite to note on the check-in form. Any damaged or broken material is to be noted on the form. The unit may be responsible for damaged or broken material not noted on the form at check-out time.

Ask the unit leader for their planned check out time to insure two or more units will not need final inspection at the same time. If there are two units requesting the same time, ask one or both units to move their time up or back to sure the Campmaster will be available for a smooth and fast check out.

Ensure the unit complies with the Boy Scouts of America Guidelines for Youth Protection (two-deep leadership in place).

If the unit is from out-of-council, request their tour permit. Sign your name, date and location on the bottom of the form at the space provided and return the form back to the leadership. If the unit does not have a tour permit, supply a copy for them to fill out. Then attach this tour permit to the unit roster and turn in to the ranger at the end of the weekend.

If there is a "Weekend Camping Program" in progress, invite the youth and adults to join in the program. Let them know the time and location the program will take place.

Offer any special Scouting skills you may have to the their unit to help with their program.

Make every effort to promote conservation by encouraging leaders and their units to complete or work on a conservation project. Discuss the Outdoor Code.

Let the units know when and if the Trading Post will be open.

Though out the weekend, visit each cabin or campsite as often as possible and is practical to ensure safe camping and to get to know the adult leaders, thus promoting a better camping spirit and cooperation. Instruct unit leaders concerning safe conditions of campfires and that all campsites must be clean and in good condition when vacated.

The Campmaster will open and operate the off-season Trading Post.

Campmasters should determine that each unit has made adequate plans so that each Scout can properly fulfill his/her religious obligations. Assistance may be offered by the Campmaster in coordinating transportation to local churches. Church-sponsored units, in many instances, will have plans to conduct their own services. Campmasters should assist such units wherever possible and may even give leadership to the planning of a Scout-conducted religious service for boys who can fulfill their obligations in this manner.

The use of the lake or swimming pool for swimming and/or boating are approved through the Buckeye Council. The Camp Ranger is the Health and Safety Officer of the camp.

Fishing is permitted in the camp lakes: fishing from the shoreline only and no fishing in a swimming area. Catch and release all fish. Note: If a Boy Scout is working on Fishing merit badge, one fish may be used to meet cleaning and cooking requirements if the counselor is present.

Check-out

Request each unit to send a runner to the Campmaster Building to let the Campmaster know they are ready for final inspection. If the unit has given you a time for this inspection, show up to the cabin or campsite on time.

Go over the check-in form with the Sr. Patrol Leader and inspect the general area. Keep in mind that the cabin or campsite needs to look ready for the next group, including clean floors, no ashes in stoves, fire rings in good shape with all wood ashes removed and replace any wood used.

Smoke detector working.

Fire extinguishers are inspected, seal is not broken and extinguisher is charged.

Have the Sr. Patrol Leader sign the completed form.

Should one or both Campmasters leave the camp for any reason, the Camp Ranger should be notified first.

Campmasters will wear the official Scout leader’s uniform or proper Scout golf shirt at all times while on duty.

Campmasters will call the Camp Ranger in case of any serious emergency.

The Campmasters are provided quarters and simple cooking facilities. They shall supply their own transportation, bedding and food. The Campmasters’ quarters and cooking facilities shall be left, each weekend, in a clean and sanitary condition for the next campmaster.

From time to time, a unit will invite the Campmaster to a meal or activity. Acting as an ambassador, please attend as many as you can.

Campmasters are to remain on site until all units have checked out and departed from the camp.

Before leaving, fill out the "Usage Summary Sheet" and all needed paper work including "First Aid Log Book".

All paper work and camp keys are to be left on top of the Campmaster’s desk.

Turn the thermostat down to 45 degrees.

Clean and sweep floor and equipment as needed and remove any trash.

Please lock the outside door upon your departure.

If the unit invited you to dinner or did a special project for camp, write and mail a simple thank you note to the leadership within one week.

SOME TYPICAL HELP A CAMPMASTER MAY OFFER

Assisting new leaders in getting the patrol and troop camp set up.

Assisting two or more units in holding an inner-unit campfire.

Helping develop and carry out plans for religious services, unit or campwide.

Advising Unit Leaders and/or administering first aid.

Helping Unit Leaders give map and compass instruction

Meeting with leaders in regard to conservation and related Camp Good Turns.

Being the supper guest of a unit

Organizing and conducting nature hikes

Arranging a convenient check-out schedule

Securing loan of camp equipment.

Assisting Webelos Scouts, Cub Scouts, moms and dads in camp setup and program.

Counsel group leaders using the methods common to the Commissioner Service and Wood Badge.

Check for basic Health and Safety issues.

Use intelligent and diplomatic methods and procedures in dealing with discipline problems through the group leaders.

Support the Scouting program and the relationship of the Sr. Patrol Leader to his troop and its programs.

Support "The Guide to Safe Scouting".

Support "Policies and Guidelines" for the Buckeye Council and all council operated camp properties.

How do you know if I have done my job?

If the unit leaves camp and said "We have enjoyed our stay and would like to come back!" you have done your job.

Desired outcome of Campmaster Corps Program.

A challenging and satisfying outdoor program is vital to the success of all Scout units. Even more important is the promise made to each Scout that he is joining a program of "fun and adventure" in the outdoors. He has visions of camping and hiking which must become real!

Camping at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation or Camp McKinley with Campmasters in attendance should result in a guided experience in short-term camping led by the unit’s own leaders, but under the coaching and positive influence of experienced and dedicated volunteer Scouters. It should also provide an experience designed to get the new units and/or new leaders off to a running start in using the best methods of Scout camping.

Many times, like a good teacher in school, we as Campmasters can not see a direct result, but in the long run we will see: