Your First Day at Camp Early Arrivals Units wishing to arrive on Saturday must submit the Early Arrival Form found in the Administration Guide and receive approval from the Camp Registrar. Please understand that there are no services provided by the camp on Saturday so units must provide their own food and programming. Please be mindful of our wildlife policies and instruct your youth that the waterfront is off limits. Official check-in will still be on Sunday at 1 P.M. at the Welcome Center. Arrival on Sunday Troops must register as a group at Camp Powhatan between 1:00 and 3:00 pm on Sunday. Checking in as a group means that your trip leader has the rosters for each program the unit is participating in that week (i.e. Mountain Man, High Knoll, New River, Brownsea, Foxfire, Voyageur, Claytor Lake, and Fish Camp). Please understand that additional participants cannot be added on Sunday. All registration must take place through the Camp Registrar. A staff member will greet you in the parking lot and direct your trip leader toward the Camp Director who will register your group. Meanwhile, a staff guide will lead the rest of the unit to the troop site where an inspection will be conducted of all tents and facilities. Please understand that campsites are assigned based on special needs and numbers of participants: units are not guaranteed certain campsites, most campsites will contain multiple units and, in most cases, adults will be sharing a tent with another adult leader. Units traveling with gear in a trailer will be permitted to drive the trailer to their campsite; however, we do not guarantee space to park a trailer in the site. After the inspection, all Scouts and leaders not participating in an aquatics merit badge during the week should quickly change into their swim trunks to take the swim test. Swim tests may not be conducted prior to camp. Do not use this time to set up camp! Only one vehicle per troop is allowed in the campsite at a time to unload so consolidate your gear in the fewest vehicles possible. Check-In and Paperwork Please refer to the unit check list found in the Administrative Section to help ensure your unit has all the necessary documents for camp. Your Trip Leader s first stop will be with the Camp Director who will check for a Tour Plan, proof of Troop Insurance, and make sure all registration is correct. All outstanding fees must be paid at this time so please bring a check for this purpose. If you feel your account balance is in error or would like to request a refund, we will facilitate communication with our Camp Registrar who is located in Roanoke. The Camp Director will need to collect one copy of the roster for each camp your unit is attending please have these completed before you arrive! The Camp Director will provide a wristband for each paid participant. This is both your meal ticket and identification as a camp participant. Lastly, you will receive a copy of the Blue Book which contains materials such as the fire guard chart and camp Emergency Forms. The Powhatan Program Director, New River Program Director, and Brownsea Island Director will be available to answer your program questions and make sure your scouts are signed up for their respective activities. Camp Tour Medical Recheck (During the camp tour, your troop guide will point out all camp landmarks and program areas.) Remember to bring both your medical form and Prescription Medication Dosing Form to the OA Shelter. The medical recheck is designed to make sure that there have been no significant changes in the participant s health since his or her last physical exam. Please notify our staff of any campers with limitations, special needs, or life-threatening conditions at this time. If all signatures and required information are present, then a buddy tag will be issued to the participant. Troops are encouraged to place their forms alphabetically in a three ring binder to speed up the process. Please do not put the forms in plastic sheet protectors. If your unit has a youth or adult taking medications, please review the Administration Guide for proper management and storage. For the latest version of the BSA Medical Form (which can be filled out online), visit: http://www. scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/ahmr.aspx Quartermaster The Quartermaster will issue any gear that your group might need throughout the week for cleaning or camp projects. The Quartermaster also controls access to the fuel storage area where your group may store propane and flammable fuels. Swim Check At the waterfront, the Aquatics Director will explain rules and procedures surrounding the use of the camp swimming and boating areas. All participants who are not signed up for an aquatics merit badge should take their swim test at this time. This includes participants in the Voyageur and New River Adventure programs. Those participating in Aquatic Merit Badges will take their swim test on the first day of class. Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 1
Your First Day at Camp Dining Hall This is a very important stop as your group will meet with members of our Food Service Team who will instruct your group in proper dinning hall etiquette and procedures. If you have participants with special dietary needs, this is a great time to introduce yourself to the Head Cook and Dinning Hall Manager. Please remember that a Special Needs request must be completed at least a week prior to arrival informing our staff of the participants Dietary needs. We do our best to accommodate most food allergies but cannot be held accountable for the management of these allergies. Severe allergies (such as gluten) that require special food items must be provided for your child on the day of arrival at camp. We will happily store food items and assist with preparation; however, we request that one adult leader be assigned to help make sure the scout is supplementing and preparing the food items correctly. Parents should feel free to call the camp one week prior to arrival to discuss any concerns. Leader s Meeting Your Week at Camp Following dinner, a Camp Leader s Meeting will be held at the OA Shelter located adjacent to the Parade Field. This is a very important meeting where you will be introduced to Powhatan s senior staff, be given important information, and have an opportunity to address any concerns. Senior patrol leaders do not need to attend this meeting, they will meet later in the week. Opening Campfire The purpose of the opening campfire is to introduce the Powhatan Camp staff and to set a mood for the week. Units should assemble in Class A uniform at the parade field by 8:30 p.m. Meals All meals are served cafeteria-style in our dining hall. There is a vegetarian option at each meal. Participants with other food allergies should contact the camp prior to arrival. We request that troops wear their Class A uniform to dinner each night. Troops assemble on the parade field before dinner. Daily Schedule 7:00 a.m. First Breakfast 7:45 a.m. Flag Raising/Second Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Leader s Meeting 9:00 a.m. Merit Badge Block 1 Brownsea Island Participants meet at the Chapel for opening ceremony at 9:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Merit Badge Block 2 11:00 a.m. Merit Badge Block 3 11:45 1:15 p.m. Open Lunch - eat lunch within this timeframe as your schedule allows 2:00 p.m. Merit Badge Block 4 3:00 p.m. Merit Badge Block 5 4:00 p.m. Merit Badge Block 6 5:30 p.m. First Dinner Shift 6:15 p.m. Dinner/Flags followed by 2nd dinner shift 7:15 p.m. Evening Activities Begin (see next page) 8:00 p.m. Trash Run 11:00 p.m. Quiet Hours Begin (scheduling is subject to change) Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 2
Evening Activities & Special Programs Below is a partial list of programs that will be offered during your week of camp. Fly Fishing Join one of our avid fishermen and learn the basics of Fly Fishing. Pow Wow A display of Native American dance and music. Nature Show Hosted by the Nature Lodge staff, the Nature Show is both entertaining and informational. Come see some local and exotic wildlife up close (but not too close!). You will learn about the many different snakes on our reservation, both venomous and non-venomous. Sunrise Yoga Begin your mornings with this spiritual and physical discipline overlooking the Powhatan Lake. Camp Leader s Award Scouters can earn the Leader s Award simply by staying active with their unit throughout the week and helping out with camp operations. Culinary Cook-off Bring your best dish and our renowned culinary judges will determine who is the best chef in camp. Come prepared with ingredients to compete in the dessert or main dish categories. Owl Prowl Join the nature staff as they hike into the woods one evening in search of our elusive friends. Between the owl calls participants will learn about the characteristics and habits of our owl population. Staff vs. Scoutmaster Volleyball Game In true Powhatan tradition, we end the week with a high-spirited, always-entertaining game of volleyball between Staff and Scout Leaders. Open Area Activities Rifle range, shotgun range, archery range and waterfront. A Scout is Reverent The Scout Law emphasizes that a Scout is Reverent. During the week, a Camp Chaplain will conduct a non-denominational vesper service, following the 2nd meal. All Scouts and leaders are encouraged to attend. Adult Program You might not be able to earn merit badges any longer, but camp is anything but dull for Adult Leaders at Camp Powhatan. Expect a full schedule of activities and a wide array of trainings and certification courses. Please refer to the Scoutmaster Training Program document for a detailed list of available courses and an explanation of how to sign up. Possible Activities: 5-Stand Shotgun Hillbilly Golf Pistol Shooting Culinary Cook-off Scoumaster vs. Staff Volleyball Conservation Activities Trainings: Red Cross First Aid / CPR Youth Protection LNT Trainer LNT Awareness SM Specifics Climb on Safely IOLS (Intro. to Outdoor Safe Swim Defense Leadership Skills) Safety Afloat Trek Safety Scoutmaster Roundtable Camp Safety Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 3
Frequently Asked Questions A password to access our on-line registration system will be mailed out after your troop has made its April 1st payment. Your troop will be able to register for merit badges two weeks prior to your arrival with this code. Registration will close 24 hours before you arrive at camp. Please refer to the Base Camp Leader s Guide for more information about merit badges and activities. Answers to the most commonly asked questions: 1. Merit Badge sign-ups are on a first come, first served basis. The on-line system will automatically close classes when they are full. 2. Yes, the Scout must take both hours of a class consecutively if the class is scheduled for two hours. Badges which require two hours include Environmental Science, Plant Science, Pioneering, Horsemanship (your road travel time is a part of the two hours), Rifle, Shotgun Shooting, Archery, Personal Fitness, Climbing and Inventing. 3. Mile Swim, BSA Snorkeling and Advanced Handicraft are not merit badges; they are basic skill instruction. Mile Swim is an all-week event. Scouts must come each day to practice. 4. The Brownsea Island Adventure is an all day, all week program. If your Scouts want to take a variety of merit badges, they should be in the merit badge program, rather than Brownsea. If your Scouts need some instruction on a few of the skills required for 1st Class, we ask that the troop contact either their Commissioner or the Scoutcraft department to arrange for some private instruction. 5. The schedule of evening events will be announced upon your arrival at camp. 6. Look at the Program section of the Leader s Guide for the prerequisites to merit badges that can be done prior to coming to camp. 7. Climbing and Horsemanship Merit Badges must be paid for within 20 minutes of registering for the courses. Some merit badges such as or require additional supplies that may be purchased at our online trading post before you arrive: http://blueridgescoutfitters.org/. Those not pre-purchasing materials may do so at camp in the trading post. 8. No swim checks can be completed before arrival at camp. Powhatan Camp Song & Reservation Grace Powhatan Camp Song High above the Big Mack s waters in among the trees Floats the flag of old Camp Powhatan waving in the breeze. Hail to Powatan. Hail to Powhatan with her Scouts so true. May the spirit of Good Scouting trail along with you. Camp Grace for the Blue Ridge Mountains Reservation For this food, and for friends and family, for these mountains and for all of your creation, for life itself and for our faith which gives life meaning, we thank thee, oh Lord. Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 4
Information for Week s End: Check - Out Friday Night after the Closing Campfire: Have Scouts pack all their belongings except those needed for Friday night and Saturday morning. Pack all troop gear. Check the awards packet to make sure all Merit Badge Completions and other awards are there. If something is missing or incorrect, please see the appropriate area director after the campfire. Please note that the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation does not provide or use blue cards. Forms will be provided showing completed and partial merit badges for each Scout. Check your advancement packet for medical forms, camp patches, and advancement completion or partial slips before leaving camp. If leaving before 6AM on Saturday, please schedule a time to be checked out on Friday with the Head Commissioner. Saturday Morning: Check out starts at 6AM. Make a Troop Reservation for the next camping season! Police the campsite area and collect stray items please leave the site better than you found it. Finish packing and, if using camp transportation, place the gear neatly beside the road for pickup. Be sure the troop site, latrine, and shower are clean before leaving camp. Show that your troop members are good campers by leaving the troop site clean for those checking in on Sunday. Set trash bags beside the road for pickup. Return all issued equipment including latrine-cleaning materials to the Quartermaster. Close all tent flaps. Complete a closing inspection with a staff member. Make sure that all Scouts and leaders are accounted for before leaving camp. Wait until all transportation has arrived before leaving camp. The shuttle to other camps leaves at 7:30AM and returns at 10AM. * Note: Saturday breakfast is a noncooked, travel-style meal served 7:30 8:30 a.m. Have a safe trip home! See you next summer! Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 5
Important Information At-A-Glance Please read the Administration Guide for Complete Details Camp Leadership and Visitors Continuity of adult leadership at camp is one of the keys to a successful week; however, we understand that leaders are often forced to switch out due to work obligations. If your unit must rotate leadership, please remember that the number of adults in camp cannot exceed the number of paid leaders. For example, if you have paid for 5 leaders (spending the night), there must be no more than 5 leaders (spending the night) at any time. Leaders should switch at the Camp Office where there is a sign in/ sign out log and where a new wristband may be issued. If you have a visitor coming for the day, please remind them to sign in at the office and receive a visitor wristband. Visitors are required to pay for any meals they plan to eat in the dinning hall ($4 for breakfast, $5 for lunch, and $6 for supper). Anyone who stays the night must pay the weekly fee; we do not prorate fees, so please make sure that all of your parents and leaders understand this. Some visitors have chosen to stay in a local hotel if they want to visit for more than one day. Pets are not allowed at any time on the Reservation! Wildlife and Bears The Blue Ridge Scout Reservation is blessed with an abundance of wildlife ranging from raccoons to bears and strict management practices are enforced to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Any food or smellables brought to camp must be stored in a secure location when unsupervised. The Camp Ranger will fine those individuals found feeding wildlife or failing to secure smellables. Please read the Wildlife Best Management Practices section of the Administration Guide for more information. Tent Damage Participants will be housed in either tents or Adirondack cabins during their stay at camp. Your leadership should conduct a careful inspection of the campsite along with your staff guide to document any existing damage (usually cuts in the tents). Troops are responsible for all property damage found during the check-out process and will be charged $25 per inch for new tent damage. Contagious Disease The Blue Ridge Mountains Council takes the safety and welfare of its staff and participants very seriously. All units will be stopped at the entrance and asked if anyone has experienced nausea/vomiting or fever during the last 48 hours. Sick individuals and often entire units will be quarantined if our health officers suspect a risk of contagion. Please ask anyone with a recent sickness to stay home. Refunds can be issued with a doctor s note by completing a no-show form at check-in. Please do not put the health and safety of others at risk by violating this policy. Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 6
Unit Number: Camp Roster Week Attending: Name of Adult Leader Date of Birth Address Phone 1 2 Scouts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 7
38 39 Archery Rifle Range Boating Pine Tree Multipurpose Range Lake Powhatan Parade Grounds Dining Hall Little Max Big Max Health Lodge Hilltop Shawnee Chopto Trail's End Crows Nest Alapocus 33 Wico Minsi Tipi Cherokee Shelter A A B Chanco Parking Amphitheatre Boat House Chapel Campsites for New River Adventure To: COPE/ Jersey/ Hemlock Grove Foot Bridge Trading Post 6 OA Shelter Wi-Fi Staff Village Office Rock Ridge Achgetum Eagle Nest Overflow & Hunter s Parking Max Creek 16 Huron Keeney 43 42 Kaymoor 51 Burma 44 45 50 Narrows 52 53 54 55 Tawneys 46 47 48 49 Pond LEGEND 1. Bowles Lodge 2. Scout Craft Shelter 3. Handicraft Shelter 4. Admin./Quartermaster 5. Gazebo 6. Trading Post 7. O.A. Shelter 8. Women s Shower 9. Cook Cabin 1 10. Cook Cabin 2 11. New River Building 12. Dining Hall 13. Health Lodge 14. Nature Lodge 15. New River Staff Shower 16. Water Tower 17. Minsi Shower 18. Rock Ridge Shower 19. Tipi Shower 20. Crow s Nest Shower 21. Chopto Shower 22. Boat House 23. Rifle Range 24. Archery Range 25 30. Staff Cabin 31. Staff Shower 32. Climbing Tower 33. Wico Adirondack 34 38. New River Staff Cabin 39. Well House 40. Hand Wash Stand 41. Life Guard Tower 42. New River Shower 43 55. New River Adirondacks 56. C.O.P.E. Storage 57. Staff Cabin 58. Max Creek Shower 59. Cherokee Shelter Camp Powhatan Blue Ridge Mountains Council Boy Scouts of America (540) 980-3787/Camp 20 4 5 36 35 37 NRA Staff 15 13 12 14 7 40 11 9 10 25 27 26 29 28 31 58 57 30 56 23 24 Directions: From the North and East: Interstate 81 South to Exit 94. At end of ramp turn left onto Route 99. Proceed to stop sign at a "T" intersection, turn left on Rt. 100 for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto 672 for 3.6 miles. At T-intersection, turn right on Rt. 693, go 1.8 miles (over a mountain), cross a narrow bridge and turn left at Route 655. Follow 655 to camp entrance road. 32 From the Southwest: Interstate 81 North to Exit 94 (service exit) mile marker (94). At bottom of ramp turn left onto Rt. 100. Proceed under railroad trestle to Route 672 (1st right). Turn right onto 672 and proceed as above. 21 Brotherhood Ring 17 18 19 41 2 22 3 Swinging Bridge Staff Parking B 34 58 8 Shotgun Area 59 Dam Revision 12/07/09 Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 8
2014 Camp Powhatan Merit Badge Schedule Nature Handicraft Scoutcraft Shooting Sports Waterfront Health Lodge Fitness Zone Bird Study will be offered at 7 a.m. based on interest. Breakfast Shifts 7:00 a.m./7:45 a.m. 9:00 E. Science: 9-11 Plant Science: 9-11 Forestry Nature Mammal Study Indian Lore Wood Carving Inventing: 9-11 Pioneering: 9-11 Orienteering Fishing Rifle: 9-11 Archery: 9-11 Shotgun: 9-11 Lifesaving Rowing Kayaking BSA Lifeguard (all day) First Aid Personal Fitness: 9-11 Climbing: 9-11 Sports 10:00 Geology Reptile Study Weather E. Science: 10-12 Art/Model Design & Building Woodcarving Orienteering Archaeology Horsemanship: 10-12 Fishing Lifesaving Rowing Kayaking First Aid Search & Rescue Sports 11:00 E. Science: 11-12 & 2-3 Fish & Wildlife Mgmt Forestry Mammal Study Reptile Study Insect Study Open Lunch 11:45 1:00 Woodcarving Indian Lore Art/Model Design & Building Game Design Geocaching Orienteering Rifle: 11-12 & 2-3 Archery: 11-12 & 2-3 Shotgun: 11-12 & 2-3 Beginner Rowing BSA Snorkeling Kayaking First Aid Medicine Personal Fitness: 11-12 & 2-3 Climbing: 11-12 & 2-3 Chess 2:00 Nature Forestry Reptile Study E. Science: 2-4 Art/Model Design & BuildingWoodcarving Game Design Wilderness Survival Pioneering: 2-4 Geocaching Lifesaving Kayaking BSA Snorkeling First Aid Medicine Athletics 3:00 E. Science: 3-5 Soil & Water Conserv. Geology Nature Insect Study Woodcarving Indian Lore Inventing: 3-5 Wilderness Survival Horsemanship: 3-5 Geocaching Shotgun 3-5 Rifle: 3-5 Archery: 3-5 Beginner Mile Swim BSA Snorkeling First Aid Search & Rescue Athletics Climbing: 3-5 Personal Fitness: 3-5 4:00 Reptile Study Mammal Study Insect Study Weather Nature Woodcarving Art/Model Design & Building Wilderness Survival Archaeology Open Swim/Boat (Monday Friday) Dinner Shifts 5:30 p.m./6:15 p.m. Climbing Merit Badge also offered 7PM-Dark. Evening Programs and other Merit Badges as announced at camp. Brownsea Island participants must register their name on the merit badge pre-registration form with BSI in all time slots. They will spend all day with Brownsea Island. Athletics Camp Leader s Guide 2014 Camp Powhatan Page 9