BLUE RIDGE SCOUT RESERVATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AGREEMENT

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS COUNCIL, BSA

The primary purpose of the Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation is to provide an outdoor retreat where units can participate in 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. If questions regarding policy arise, please ask the Camp Ranger or Reservation Program Director for clarification. General Camp Policies

1.  Before arrival, discuss Reservation policies with all attending individuals.  
2. Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult participants. Age and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided along with the minimum required leaders.  
   1. All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. Registration as a merit badge counselor does not meet this requirement.
   2.  Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. The parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader at any time they are with youth members other than their own child/ward.  
   3. Make sure at least one of your leaders is trained in First Aid/CPR and has an appropriate medical kit for your group. The trip leader should have medical history, emergency contact information, and permission to seek emergency treatment for all participants.
   4. Leaders must ensure that all participants abide by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Adult leaders and youth members share the responsibility for the safety of all participants in the program, including adherence to Youth Protection and health and safety policies.
3. Separate sleeping arrangements must be provided for male/female adults and for male/female youth.
   1. Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age. In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family, but in all other programs, youth and adults tent separately. Spouses may share tents.
   2. Whenever possible, separate cabins or lodging should be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. Where separate accommodations cannot be provided due to group size or limited availability, modifications may be made. Where separate accommodations are not available, additional supervision is required.
4. The buddy system must be used at all times in all activities.
5. The speed limit is on the road leading into camp is 15 MPH, and the speed limit in camp is 5 MPH.
6. Unit equipment may be transported to the campsite by vehicle, unloaded, and the vehicle immediately returned to the parking area.
7. Buses cannot be driven up the camp road and must be left at the warehouse parking lot. Please advise in advance if you are planning to use bus transportation so that we can coordinate transportation for your group from the warehouse to main camp.  
8. Strictly prohibited items on camp property include fireworks, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, pets, and personal firearms. Smoking is not allowed inside camp buildings, and it is not permitted around youth.  
9. Buildings should be left in better condition than they were found. The facilities and grounds may not be altered in any way. Do not move tent floorboards. Do not dig holes, build new trails, drive nails into trees or perform service projects without prior approval.  
10. Latrine washbasins should not be used to wash dishes or clean fish. No human-made trash or natural debris be placed in the latrine pits.
11. Campfires should be built only in designated areas and must always be supervised. Only dead wood may be used as a fuel source. Do not move the campfire rings. There is a statewide burning ban February 15 – April 30. Do not bring your own firewood to the property.
12. The use of lanterns and camp stoves should only occur under the supervision of an adult. Please do not hang lanterns from trees.  
13. No flames are allowed in tents, including heaters.  
14. Please take your garbage home when you leave, we do not have regular trash pickup in the off-season.  
15. All food and smellables should be secured when not being prepared or eaten. No food in tents.
16. Be conservation minded. Protect wildlife and vegetation so that future visitors may have the same quality experience that you had.  

Usage of Special Areas

1. Usage of the waterfront area is allowed only during daylight hours.
2. Youth are allowed to fish only under adult supervision.  
3. Swimming activities must be conducted in the swimming area under the leadership of a 21-year-old registered adult currently certified in Safe Swim Defense. The qualified supervisor must designate 2 lifeguards to supervise all water activities. A minimum ratio of 1 lifeguard to 10 swimmers must be maintained.
4. Boating activities must be conducted under the supervision of a 21-year-old registered adult currently certified in Safety Afloat. The minimum ratio is 1 lifeguard for 10 watercrafts in the water, with a minimum of 2 lifeguards.  
5. Only 22-caliber rim fire, bolt action, single shot rifles may be used by Scouts. In accordance with National Policy, Venture Scouts and Explorers may use pistols. Cub Scouts/Webelos are limited to archery, BB gun, and slingshot shooting, but must have properly trained supervisors present and BSA standards enforced.  
6. A 21-year-old or older Range Officer certified by the National Rifle Association, the U.S. military, or the BSA National Camp School must be present for the range to open. Unit leadership will assist the Range Officer in maintaining proper safety procedures and conduct while the range is in operation.  
7. Archery instructors must be at least 18 years old and possess either a National Camp School Shooting Sports Director Certification, National Archery Association Instructor Certification, or a Training Course Pocket Certificate (No. 33767) issued by one of the previously mentioned Instructors.  
8. Only individuals meeting both the Council COPE and Climbing Committee’s requirements and National Standards may operate our COPE and climbing facilities.  
9. With the exception of helmets and harnesses that must be approved by a COPE or Climbing Director, only council equipment may be used on the property.
10. Any group planning a hiking trip to the backcountry must submit a copy of their itinerary to the ranger.
11. Units should be knowledgeable of the seven principles of Leave No Trace and plan to adhere to those principles while on any trails.

Before you leave camp, please ensure the following:

1. The campsites and other areas used are clean with no trash, or human-made mess.  
2. Latrines and shower houses are clean.  
3. All fires are out cold and the pit is free of trash.
4. All unused firewood has been stacked neatly.
5. All camp equipment has been returned clean and in good condition.  
6. Any damage to facilities, grounds, or equipment has been reported to camp leadership and will be paid for by the person responsible.  

The Camp Ranger and Reservation Program Director have the responsibility and authority to expel any persons misusing camp property or violating camp policies. These camping policies are subject to change without notice.  

I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the rules and policies contained herein and agree to comply with all. I understand that failure to comply with the aforementioned rules will jeopardize the unit’s future opportunities to use the BRSR camps and/or facilities.  

Send email to  blueridgescoutreservation@scouting.org when checking in.

Send email to  blueridgescoutreservation@scouting.org when checking out.

Blue Ridge Mountains Council Refund Policy and Request Form

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council Refund Policy is intended to provide maximum flexibility to Scouts and Scouters while protecting the
Council’s pre-paid program expenses based on registration numbers. Once a registration has been paid, the Council will incur expense
related to the program supplies and food costs, not all fees paid are refundable.

1. Refund requestswill only be considered if the form below is submitted by emailto Blueridgescoutreservation@scouting.org or by mail to

Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Boy Scoutsof America

PO Box 7606
Roanoke, VA 24019
2. A transfer of fees, without penalty, to another Scout or Scouter attending the same program and not already registered may be
requested. All requests must be received in writing to the Council Service Center prior to the start of the program.
3. All refund requests will be reviewed by the Council Camping Committee. Scouts or adults unable to attend an event/activity due to an
accident, illness or death in the immediate family, or family relocation related issue will be considered but not guaranteed when
verified by a physician, military commander or such official. Examples of circumstances NOT qualifying are; conflicts between camp
and activities like sports, vacations, summer school, or deciding not to attend. Refunds for a camper leaving camp after the session has
begun will not be considered.
4. In cases where a deposit is held for the program, the deposit will not be refunded.
5. Approved refunds will be processed within forty-five days following the close of the event/activity and made by check to the original
payer for individual registrations or to the unit, in care of the unit contact, for group reservations upon conclusion of event/activity.
Summer Camp and Adventure Camps refunds will be issued in Mid-September.
6. If an event/activity is canceled or postponed and the participant cannot attend on the alternate date, the full fee will be refunded.
All Deposits will allow for a full refund (up until the arrival at camp) due to COVID-19.
7. All requests must have the Unit Leader’s approval (signature).
A 25% support service fee is deducted from the refund amount if this written request is received 30 or more days prior to the event/
activity. A 50% support service fee is deducted from the refund amount if this written request is received between 7 and 29 days
prior to the event/activity. Refund requests received less than 7 days prior to the event/activity are NOT available for refund. Refund
requests received after event/activity, or for “no shows” WILL NOT be honored.