Scout Camping Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) Updated May 2017 1. How many Scouts are able to camp at the Flying Circus? 2. When do you allow scouts to camp at the Flying Circus? 3. Are there any time when camping is not available? 4. Is Potable water available? 5. Are there real restrooms or just port-a-johns available? 6. Are showers available? 7. Are campfires permitted? 8. When should we arrive? 9. Where do we setup camp? 10. Where can we unload all of our equipment? 11. Are there picnic tables available? 12. Is cooking permitted in the campsite? 13. Where can I wash my dishes? 14. What do we do with the trash? 15. Is there nearby shelter in the event of inclement weather? 16. Is the pavilion available for use? 17. What activities are available at the Aerodrome during the week or on Saturdays? 18. Can the scouts get tours of Hangars or Aircraft?? 19. Can we take an airplane ride? 20. Are there any age requirements for taking a flight in one your aircraft? 21. How much does an airplane ride cost? 22. What is the cost if we stay for the Airshow on Sunday? 23. Will Photography and Video be allowed during the entire weekend as well as during the air show? 24. Where is the nearest emergency response (Fire/Rescue) unit? 1. How many Scouts are able to camp at the Flying Circus? There a number of factors, but primarily it is based the unit type (shown below) and number of attendees: A. Camporees. Camporees are organized structured events with a single leadership group that handles registration, camping assignments, and
logistics. Our facility has accommodated Camporee groups of approximately 600 scouts without getting crowded. B. Troop/Patrol (BSA & GSA) Camping. These are older (age 10-18) scouts, that are usually more experienced in camping and are used to camping as a unit and camping around other units. We can usually accommodate multiple Troops/Patrols, but try to keep it to 1 4 units at a time. C. Cub Scouts. Camp only as Packs. Because Pack camping is Family Camping there is a mixture of Cub Leaders, Cub Scouts, Parents, Siblings and sometimes Boy Scout Den Chiefs. These groups generally have little unit camping experience and their campsites tend to be very spread out. Due to the somewhat chaotic (but fun) nature of Pack campouts, we generally limit camping to one or two packs at a time. D. Daisy/Brownie/Juniors. Usually inexperienced in unit camping, but tend to camp in smaller groups than Pack camping. Can accommodate multiple units but try to keep it to 1 4 units at a time. E. Other Youth Groups & Mixed Groups. This is determined on a case-bycase basis. 2. When do you allow scouts to camp at the Flying Circus? Camping is available year-round. However, permission for camping is required. Camping permission can be obtained by contacting the FCA Scouting coordinator, Joe Callen (Scouts@FlyingCircusAirshow.com). 3. Are there any time when camping is not available? Yes, some weekends have been reserved for specific groups or other special events such as company picnics and scout camporees. Additionally, during the weekend of the Annual Balloon Festival no camping is permitted. 4. Is Potable water available? There are several water spigots available, they are located at the corner of the Flying Circus Staff area located near the ticket booth, at the rear of the snack bar, and behind the restroom building. Water is only available during the airshow season (May-Oct). In the off season (Nov-April) the water is shut off when we winterize the facility. So, you must be prepared to bring your own water supply during our off-season. 5. Are there real restrooms or just port-a-johns available? YES, during the airshow season we have restrooms available, there are also several port-a-johns year round. Note: (1) Restrooms ARE NOT to be used for dish washing. (2) During the off season, November thru April, the water is shut off and the restroom facility is closed & locked. 6. Are showers available? There are no showers yet, but we are looking into adding shower facilities sometime in the near future.
7. Are campfires permitted? Camp fires are permitted, but they MUST BE in either the existing permanent fire rings, or in a raised (at least 4 above ground) platform such as a patio fire pit. No other in-ground or on-the-ground fires are permitted. Fires must be attended at all times, and must be constantly supervised by an adult or a Scout with the "Fire'em" Chit (or Girl Scout equivalent). Campers violating this policy will be asked to leave the property During dry periods, Fauquier County may impose burn restrictions (http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/burn-bans.htm), during those periods open fires may be restricted or prohibited. Virginia Department of Forestry Warns against moving firewood as it spreads Tree-Destroying Insects and Diseases. Any deadfall laying in the woods, or cut-wood near the fire rings may be used for the campfires. Units are responsible for cleaning out the ashes from the fire pit before breaking camp please contact the scouting coordinator, or see one of the FCA staff for instructions on how to dispose of the COLD ashes. 8. When should we arrive? That is entirely up to your group, but we do ask that groups arrive during daylight hours. This is so your group can easily find your camping area and that you do not disturb other campers. Instructions on opening/closing of the gates will be provided by the scouting coordinator. 9. Where do we setup camp? Depending on the size of the group, camping is available in the picnic area, and in the large field to the right of the main entrance. Four patrol sized camping areas complete with picnic tables and fire rings are available in the wooded area at the back of this field. The scouting coordinator will assign you to an area based on your needs and the number, size and composition of the groups camping that weekend. Groups camping in the areas adjacent to the Pavilion and picnic area must strike camp by 11:00 on Sunday to allow our customers to have access to these facilities. 10. Where can we unload all of our equipment? Units will be allowed to unload their vehicles on the gravel road adjacent to the campsite area. All vehicles are required to be moved into the parking lot immediately after unloading. If ground conditions permit, one vehicle may be used to bring a troop trailer to the campsite. The troop trailer may remain at the campsite, however it must be unhitched from the tow vehicle (which is then to be parked in our parking area). During periods where the ground is soggy due to rain or snow melt, ALL vehicle unloading (including troop trailers) will be limited the gravel road (to prevent tire ruts the camping areas), and supplies will have to be hand carried to the camp sites.
11. Are there picnic tables available? In the field camping area, no picnic tables are available (troops are expected to provide their own). However, in a couple of the in-the-woods camp sites there are picnic tables and established fire rings. Picnic tables are also available for use within the picnic area NOTE: The moving or Re-location of any picnic table or fire ring IS NOT PERMITTED. Campers violating this policy will be asked to leave the property. 12. Is cooking permitted in the campsite? Cooking is allowed in the campsite; please ensure that all food and trash is disposed of properly. Please do not dig grease pits for disposal. 13. Where can I wash my dishes? As is true in most troop camp outs, cleanup (including dish washing) is to be handled at the camp site. Please DO NOT wash your dishes at the water spigots, or in our restrooms. 14. What do we do with the trash? There is a large green dumpster at the far end of the parking area (past the restroom building). All trash is to be placed INSIDE the dumpster (NOT ON TOP! Yes, every year someone does this!). There are several trash cans around the facility; these are not to be used to dispose of your troop s trash from camping. These cans are set up every Sunday morning by our ground crew in preparation for the airshow crowd It is not fair for them to have to cleanup trash left by troops that are too lazy to walk their trash all the way down to the dumpster. 15. Is there nearby shelter in the event of inclement weather? We have a large (30x60) Pavilion that will provide shelter for a large group. 16. Is the pavilion available for use? The pavilion has many picnic tables that can be used during the campout (if multiple units are camping, please share the facility with the other units). On Sundays, the pavilion may be rented out by a group (signs will be place on the picnic tables). If the Pavilion is rented, you must be prepared to relinquish the facility. If the pavilion is not rented, then it is open to all who wish to use it. 17. What activities are available at the Aerodrome during the week or on Saturdays? There are no Flying Circus provided activities on non-airshow days. 18. Can the scouts get tours of Hangars or Aircraft?? If one of the Flying Circus staff is available, they are usually happy to give a short tour and talk about the aircraft. It is preferable that just one of the
scout leaders make the request, rather than have the entire troop show up enmass. Tours on Sundays are not always available as we are setting up everything for the airshow (but it doesn t hurt to ask) 19. Can we take an airplane ride? BSA requires that each Pack/Troop complete and submit a "Flying Plan" to Council. Accompanying the Flying Plan, must be an "Activity Consent Form" for each scout that will take a flight. The Activity Consent Form form must be signed by both parents. These forms are available on the Scout section of the Flying Circus web site: (http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/scouts.html) 20. Are there any age requirements for taking a flight in one your aircraft? No. However, the pilot has the final decision on any passenger flights. Scouts younger than 8-9, will be better off in the Cub or Champ (closed cockpit), or flying with a parent/leader in the dual passenger, open cockpit Waco. All others should have no problem flying in the open cockpit aircraft. 21. How much does an airplane ride cost? There are several type of airplane rides available, they include the closed cockpit Cub or Champ ride, The Standard Open Cockpit Ride (and Double Ride in the Waco), and an The Aerobatic Ride. Each is price differently, but all prices can be found on the Rides webpage: (http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/rides.html). Please note that BSA Policy does not permit scouts to participate in Aerobatic rides as part of a scout event. 22. What is the cost if we stay for the Airshow on Sunday? Units and individuals that wish to remain for the Sunday Airshow are invited to do so. The scout rates will apply to all uniformed scouts & leaders. Parents and non-scout siblings will pay the regular rate (http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/prices.html). Uniforms can be either Class-A (full uniform), or Class-B (Pack or Troop T-shirt, etc.) depending on you unit s policy. Current admission pricing information, along with the scout discounted rates are listed on the Flying Circus Website (http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/prices.html) 23. Will Photography and Video be allowed during the entire weekend as well as during the air show? Yes, and if the pictures turn out well, please send a link to the Flying Circus Webmaster (webmaster@flyingcircusairshow.com) and he might use them on the website. 24. Where is the nearest emergency response (Fire/Rescue) unit? For any emergency always call 911. The Lois Volunteer Fire Department (12067 Marsh Rd, Bealeton, VA 22712) is located only 1.4 miles from The Flying Circus Airport