CAMP BETZ RULES & GUIDELINES

ACTIVITIES

All activities at Camp Frank S Betz should be run in accordance with the National Camping Standards of the Boy Scouts of America, The Guide to Safe Scouting, and the Health and Safety Guide of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Two-deep leadership, BSA Youth Protection policies, and buddy system must be enforced at all times.
• Adult leaders are responsible for the actions of their group.
• Scouts and leaders should not enter closed program areas, construction sites or maintenance and storage facilities.
• Everyone should obey all notices and signs posted in camp.
• Only those over the age of 18 may operate any power equipment in camp, including personally owned equipment.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES/NON-PRESCRIBED DRUGS:

Intoxicating beverages and illicit drugs are not allowed in camp.

• The Ranger and Camp Master have been instructed to enforce this policy and will ask the person(s) in violation to remove themselves from camp immediately.

Violators are subject to a permanent ban and possible revocation of BSA membership.

VEHICLES

• Camp Betz speed limit is 5 miles per hour.
• All vehicles are allowed only on designated camp roads and must be parked in the main (upper) parking lot by Peace Pony or in the lower parking lot.
• Private vehicles are not allowed on campsite trails or service roads, no exceptions!  Only a trailer and two vehicles may be parked at buildings during unit use.

PARKING/VEHICLE ACCESS

• A trailer and up to two vehicles may be parked in the designated parking areas near the Thunderbird Dining Hall, Pinetree, North Cabin, or South Cabin when units are renting those facilities.
• All other vehicles must be in one of the parking lots.
• No other vehicles are permitted beyond the parking lot.  Exceptions to this rule are as follows:
  • Emergency vehicles
  • Vehicle needed due to medical reasons.
  • Camp vehicles and authorized work vehicles
• No Recreation Vehicles are allowed in campsites. RVs must remain in the parking lot at all times.

CAMPFIRES

• No outside firewood is allowed at Camp Betz.  We have plenty of firewood for your use, please use some of it up, by enjoying a fire during your stay.
• Campfires are allowed only when the Scouts have earned the Firem’n Chit card and must have the card with them.
• Permission must be secured from the unit leaders before starting a fire.
• Fire must be always confined to the established fire ring and under adult supervision.
• Follow Leave No Trace Guidelines and BSA safe campfire practices.
  • Use existing fire rings – do not create new fire rings or ground scars.
  • Do not leave fires unattended.
  • Build fires appropriately sized for their use.
  • Have a fireguard station nearby (tools, water)
  • Keep tents & flys a safe distance away.
  • DO NOT EXTINGUISH CAMPFIRES –  EXTINGUISH EMBERS!
    • Let campfires burn all the way out.
    • Use only enough wood as you are willing and able to stay up to watch.
  • If there is partially burned wood in or near your fire ring, use it to feed fires.
• Keep firewood rack/supply neat and orderly.
• Please re-stock from nearby pile if available

BUILDING GUIDELINES

• Sweep and mop floors  before leaving. 
• Clean all kitchen equipment including the grease trays on the stove and griddle. 
• Do not use the safety rails on the bunk beds to climb into the top bunks, as this will damage the beds.

CAMPSITE GUIDELINES

• Tents are only permitted in official campsites.  Keep tents out of roadways and fields.
• Do not infringe on other campers - use only the site assigned to your unit.
• Keep inside your site boundaries – do not set up tents or other equipment on the road or in pathways.
• Do not move picnic tables from another site to yours.
• Respect other campers:
  • Do not enter another unit’s site without permission.
  • Observe quiet time (10 pm to 7 am)

FOOD/COOKING/CLEANUP

• Secure all food in lockable containers or in your unit trailer. 
• Do not leave waste or extra food out for animals. 
• Clean dishes in your campsite, not in the restrooms.

GARBAGE

• Units are required to remove all trash from their site or building to the dumpster before being allowed to leave camp.
• Garbage cans are provided in campsites during the summer months.
• Garbage cans are available from the Camp-Master during the winter months.
• The unit is responsible for retrieving and returning the can to storage.
• Use bags inside the cans. Units supply their own trash bags.
• Dumpster is in the main parking lot from late Fall through early Spring, and near the Maintenance Barn the rest of the year.
• No food, trash, or dishwater should be dumped in the washstand or restroom  sinks.

GENERAL RULES FOR CAMP

• Scouts will use the buddy system for all activities at camp.
  • All BSA rules and guidelines) regarding woods tools (including Totin’ Chip must be enforced by units in camp. 
    • No sheath knives are permitted on camp property.
• Closed toe shoes must be worn outside at all times.
• Prohibited Items:
  • Firearms or ammunition.
  • Fireworks of any kind.
  • Drugs or alcoholic beverages.
  • Smoking: Scouts are prohibited and adults are asked to do it out of sight of the Scouts.  
  • Aerosol cans
  • Personal chainsaws are prohibited in camp per order of BSA National
  • Riding in the back of open trucks, trucks with toppers or trailers is NOT ALLOWED at any time.
  • No tent trenches.
• Restricted Activities:
  • No camp gadgets are to be constructed without the permission of the Scoutmaster.
  • Running is not permitted in campsites, buildings or on camp trails.
  • Tree climbing is not permitted.
  • Cutting of live trees is not permitted.
  • Stoves, lanterns, heaters, or any appliance using liquid fuel are to be used under adult supervision.
  • Bulk storage of liquid fuels must be in accordance with accepted safety standards as outlined by BSA policy.
  • PETS: No pets of any kind are permitted in camp.
    • Pets owned by the camp's resident Ranger and the Ranger's family are exempted.
  • Marking, embellishing, or driving nails or screws into camp property.
• Shooting Sports:
  • Firearms are not permitted in camp unless they are being incorporated into an established range activity being operated under BSA standards.
  • Prior arrangements must be made with the Pathway to Adventure Shooting Sports Committee Chair before entering camp with firearms or bow and arrows.
  • Firearms and bow and arrows must be surrendered to the Camp Master upon entering camp.
  • The Camp Master will store all firearms, bow and arrows, and ammunition.
  • See special program requirements for use of the rifle and archery ranges.
• FISHING:
  • Fish in the fishing area only, do not fish in the swimming area.
  • An adult must be present at all times on the waterfront to fish.
  • Michigan fishing licenses are required.

CAMP FRANK S. BETZ  -  CHECK IN PROCEDURES

• You will get a call or email from your Camp Master some time during the week prior to arrival.  
  • Please inform himor her of your approximate arrival time (Chicago Time).  
  • Be sure to get a cell phone number for the Camp Master for your weekend.
• Each unit MUST turn in a complete list of all participants with an emergency contact name & number. This is required!
• When you arrive at camp, follow the "Unit Check-In" signs to check in with the Camp Master at Anderson Lodge.
  • This is the first cabin you see on the left as you enter camp.
  • If the Camp Master is not present, call him or her on the cell number you received earlier in the week, as they may be checking in another unit.
• VEHICLE USAGE IN CAMP: 
  • THE SPEED LIMIT IN CAMP IS 5 MPH.
  • Driving off the roads or on campsite trails is not permitted.
  • One trailer and up to two vehicles may park outside North, South or Pine Tree Cabins.  
  • All other vehicles must be parked in one of the two parking lots.
• Unit leader and Camp Master will go through the building or campsite and check its condition.  
  • Any prior damage needs to be noted on the check-in form.  When you check out you will go through this again.
• Please remind Scouts to use be careful entering the bunk beds, using only the ladders or end to pull themselves into the bunk.

The Frank S Betz Properties Committee has undertaken a program to continually upgrade the camp. This effort is being funded by voluntary donations, Takhone Lodge, Order of the Arrow, and Pathway To Adventure Council.  A lot of the work is done by volunteers.  Please respect the property and be sure your Scouts do not vandalize it.  Please leave the property  as you would like to find it when you arrive.

If you are looking for a service project, your Camp Master can help you find a project.  It is best to ask for your service project during the call or email prior to coming to camp.

Camp Frank S Betz - Check-Out Procedures

Prior to checking out with the Camp Master:

• All unit and personal gear must be removed from campsites.

• All garbage must be removed from the campsite and/or building.

• Garbage must be placed in the camp dumpsters before you leave camp.

• Restroom facilities must be cleaned and free of garbage.

Unit Check-Out

Please leave the camp in the condition you would like to see when you arrive. 

Once your unit is ready to leave, contact the Camp Master, who will inspect the building or campsite with the unit leader.

The Camp Master will lock doors and secure the buildings.

Cancelations must be received via email to PTAC.Camping@Scouting.org no less than thirty (30) days prior to arrival at Camp for a refund.

No refund if less than 30 days.

When renting building(s) and/or campsites please leave everything in the same, if not better condition than you found it. A cleaning fee will be assessed if property is not left in an acceptable condition.

• All garbage must be removed from buildings and campsites and placed in dumpster.
• Building floors are to be swept and mopped. 
• All itsy-bitys in campsites are to be picked up.