Blue Ridge Mountains Council

Campmaster Corps

Many councils around the nation have implemented successful campmaster corps programs. The key Scouters who make up these service groups have positively impacted unit level camping and advancement. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is blessed with an excellent Scout Reservation that is too valuable to be unused for any period of time. Realizing that no Scouting program can be successful without a strong outdoor component, we believe that a strong campmaster corps will both stimulate increased outdoor use of the council properties and globally improve the scouting program.

Campmaster Code

We can lead by selling instead of telling.

We can be firm without being tough.

We can be humble without being weak.

We can be positive without being arrogant.

We can be gentlemen without being soft.

We can respect other men's emotions without being emotional ourselves.

What is the Campmaster Corp?
The Campmaster Corps is a group of selected, trained and registered Scouters who serve at the Reservation whenever groups, teams, packs, crews, posts or troops are using any part of the camp property. Campmasters select their own time and frequency of service, but usually serve two to four times a year. The group is organized under the leadership of the Council Camping Committee. The entire project and its personnel are responsible to the campmaster chair and Council program director. The Campmaster Committee meets twice per year to evaluate its program, schedule ahead and arrange for the training of any new members.

Campmasters are selected on the basis of their ability in several areas: outdoor skills, specialized knowledge of nature and conservation and leadership skills. All campmasters must have a record of demonstrated ability to get along with people, to lead, and to act in an emergency. All campmasters must have a working knowledge of Scouting, troop and team operations, Scout advancement and Webelos camping. Experienced and registered Scouters, with the exception of unit leaders, are eligible for consideration as campmasters. (It is generally concluded that the unit leader's major concern must be the particular unit served.)

With an ever-increasing tendency toward the regulating and licensing of camps and camping, the legal aspect becomes apparent, even urgent. Any Scout camp, with its devices and equipment, becomes a highly "attractive nuisance" not only to Scouts but also to trespassers. With only a resident camp ranger on duty, the supervision of the Reservation and its programs is at times problematic.

Most councils now believe they can no longer afford unprotected property and equipment or an unsupervised short term camping. The answer to this is a strong, well-oriented campmaster corps, which officially represents the council and has the power to act. When the health, safety and welfare of Scouts (even trespassers) are at stake, and when council liability is imminent, we can do no less than have adequate supervisory personnel at camp whenever camp is in use.

The Campmaster Program:
The Campmaster Corp will serve in four major areas:

1. New Troop Weekends: Newly recruited units often lack the proper gear and trained leadership to host their first camp outing. The campmaster corps will supply veteran Scouters who will utilize Reservation resources to provide these new units with a positive outdoor experience. During the weekend, both youth and adults will learn about the methods of Scouting and gain a better understanding of how to implement their own successful outings in the future.
2. Scoutreach: The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is proud to host a number of units composed of disadvantaged youth. These Scoutreach units are lead by paraprofessionals, but there is often little or no support from the youth's families. Scoutreach weekends will be designed around the specific unit's needs but will often focus on basic Scout skills and advancement. This area of campmaster will enlist the aid of youth and adult arrowmen who are participating in the Order of the Arrow mentorship program.
3. Specialty Weekends: These exciting weekends will be lead by skilled experts from around the Council and will be aimed at exposing units to new or advanced outdoor skills.
4. Weekend Warriors: Weekend Warriors are volunteers who assume responsibility for one of the Council camps while summer camp is in session or during the off season when units or outside groups are utilizing the property. These volunteers assist the camp staff and rangers by serving as camp hosts capable of answering questions, providing leadership during emergencies and enforcing reservation rules. This program will be limited to adults who are over 21 years of age.

How to Become a Campmaster:
All campmasters must complete the Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation Campmaster training session. Requirements for campmaster includes:

1. Registered Scouter in good standing with the BSA.
2. Youth Protection Trained.
3. "Trained" Leader.
4. Some areas of campmaster may require additional training.

*When youth are scheduled to assist with a campmaster weekend, standard BSA youth protection procedures must be followed.

Campmaster Camp Duties:

1. Our main job as campmasters is to help visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. As such, make sure the visitors know that you are there to help in any way possible and make sure the units know how to find you throughout the weekend.
2. You should be in camp Friday evening as soon as possible after work and plan to stay until noon on Sunday or until the last unit checks out. Campmasters provide their own transportation, food and bedding.
3. Check-in with the camp ranger before entering camp to obtain keys and permits. (Appendix 3)
4. Provide a camp orientation for each unit as they arrive. Give them the checkout form now so they will know what to expect. (Appendix 1 and 2)
5. Check out any tools that the unit will need from the quartermaster. Please make sure all tools and equipment are returned. Use of Council vehicles and heavy equipment is at the discretion of the camp ranger.
6. If the unit's facility use form indicates that they will be using camp facilities, conduct a pre-inspection with the adult leadership. Use of camp facilities not specified in the facility use form is not allowed. The campmaster may not change camp permits without approval from the ranger or the program director.
7. If the unit has already arrived, visit them. Introduce yourself and see that everything is okay.
8. If the rules of the camp are violated, immediately meet with the trip leader to make sure the infraction is stopped. In these situations, remember the Campmaster Code. If the violation is continued and a visitor's safety is in question, notify the on-call ranger or Scouting professional.
9. Should there be an accident, follow the steps detailed on the accident report (Appendix 4 and 5). Be sure to leave your copy in the campmaster log book.
10. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual. Late night walks are a good idea. Refer to the procedure for intruders if anyone suspicious is seen in camp (Appendix 6).
11. Complete the troop checkout sheet for each unit before they depart. Report all damages to the camp ranger.
12. Make sure all facilities used have been left clean and secure.
13. Be sure the Campmaster's Lodgings are left clean (take all food out of the refrigerator).
14. Before leaving, drop all keys and the campmaster's log by the ranger's house.
15. Any hazards seen in camp by the campmaster should be reported to the camp ranger and recorded in the campmaster's log.
16. Additional specialized instructions may be provided by the camp rangers or Scouting professionals.

The Campmaster Corps and the Camp Ranger:

In order for the Campmaster Program to run efficiently, there must be a cooperative and close relationship between the volunteers and camp rangers. The camp ranger is responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and proper use of all facilities; any support he or she can receive in this endeavor is welcome. Although the campmasters are usually in the position of being aids, helpers and assistants to the camp ranger, they report specifically to the campmaster chairman and professional advisor. Likewise, the camp rangers are full time employees of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council and answer only to their professional supervisor. Neither the campmaster nor the ranger has the authority to change Council policies or physical facilities.

Reservation Rules and Policy:
The primary purpose of the Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation is to provide an outdoor retreat where units can play the game of Scouting in a safe and affordable environment. All visitors are requested to adhere to the tenets of the Scout Oath, the Scout Law and the Outdoor Code. The official camping policies of the Boy Scouts of America are found in the Guide to Safe Scouting and the Health and Safety Manual. Specific rules for the Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation are attached to this guide. If questions regarding policy arise, please ask one of the camp rangers or Scouting professionals for clarification.

Procedure for Campmaster Substitution

1. Locate a replacement campmaster from the roster (Appendix 9).

If no results:

2. Contact the vice chair in charge of your program area.

If no results:

3. Contact the campmaster chair.

If no results:

4. Contact the professional advisor.
5. With the exception of emergencies, all substitutions should be completed at least one week prior to your scheduled weekend.