Camp Policies

Scouts and their leaders at camp are expected to always live by the Scout Law. Troop leaders are expected to instill this law in their Scouts and serve as an example to them. In addition to abiding by the Scout Law, Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base has set forth the following policies. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in helping us maintain high standards of conduct.

Alcohol and Drugs

The use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances is prohibited on any property owned or operated by Scouting America. This policy will be strictly enforced for all those who use or visit our camp facilities. Violations will result in expulsion from camp and/or will be reported to authorities. Please note that marijuana is not legalized for use in the state of South Dakota.

Tobacco

The use of tobacco products by anyone under the age of 21 will not be tolerated. BSA requires that adults use only the designated smoking/vaping area is in the camp parking lot at the entrance to camp, away and out of sight from any youth camper or youth staff member. Possession or use of a vaporizer by youth is not allowed. Adults, please treat this like you would other tobacco products.

Disposable Plates, Bowls, Cups, Etc.

Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base is proud to strive for 100% recycling. To assist in our efforts, units utilizing disposable plates, bowls, and cups must use paper products. Please bring your own trash containers and black trash bags for trash. Medicine Mountain will provide clear trash bags for recycling containers only.

Please do not bring Styrofoam or non-recyclable plastic products.

Vehicles

No vehicles are allowed in camp during camp operation. Troop trailers and gear are transported to your campsite by your unit. A maximum of 1 vehicle per unit will be permitted on the property at a time. Troop vehicles will be permitted to enter camp starting after Friday’s closing campfire to remove their Troop trailer and gear. A maximum of 1 vehicle per unit will be permitted on the property at a time. If non-camp vehicles are observed in camp throughout the week, a $100 fine will be billed to the unit, per vehicle, per day. This fine is not pro-rated and non-negotiable.

Uniforms

Scouts should be in a Field (“Class A”) uniform for assemblies, flag ceremonies, campfires, and other ceremonies where uniforms are appropriate. Otherwise, we recommend a troop t-shirt (“Class B”) or camp shirt be worn for other activities.

Pets & Animals

No Pets of any kind are permitted on camp property at any time. Please do not bring your pet home. Be sure to inform any visitors, parent drivers, or guests that they should also leave their pets at home. The BSA makes only one exception to this for resident Camp Rangers and their families. An additional exception can be made for service animals with appropriate paperwork.

Requirements for Participation

To qualify for participation in Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base activities, all campers, youth, and adults must have a completed and current Personal Health and Medical Record. (“Current” is defined as being signed by a doctor or approved medical practitioner, within 12 months of the day your unit departs camp.) There are no allowable exceptions to this rule. Children and/or siblings of those registered for a specific program, including Cub Scouts, are not permitted to attend unless the program has been specifically designed with adequate facilities to handle them.

Adult Leadership

Two adult leaders per unit must always be on-site. Both leaders must be over the age of 21; registered as leaders with the Boy Scouts of America. If proper adult leadership cannot be arranged for, the unit could be sent home. (If your unit is having difficulty finding 2 leaders, please contact the Camp Director as soon as possible so we can assist you in finding a second leader or arrange for a surrogate leader.)

Provisional Scouts

Scouts who are unable to attend with their unit may attend camp as a provisional Scout. Before camp, we will refer provisional Scouts to units that are willing to host them for the week. Please let us know if your unit is willing to host a provisional Scout. All provisional scouts must have at least one registered leader (parent) with them during their stay at camp with the partner troop they will be with that week.

Security Wristbands

The security and safety of all our campers are paramount. All campers, youth, and adult will receive a wristband with their unit number, campsite, and week of camp pre-printed on it upon check-in. Thereafter, anyone in camp without a wristband or a recognizable staff member will be treated as a trespasser and dealt with accordingly by camp management and/or the authorities.

Age Restrictions

In accordance with BSA policy, certain activities are restricted to or are recommended for Scouts aged 13 or 14 and older. For those activities, the age determination is based on the Scout’s age as of their arrival at camp. Restricted activities include High Adventure programs and some shooting sports activities.

Telephone

There is only one phone line in camp, and it is reserved for official camp business and emergencies. Adults who need to use the phone should place their call using their cell phone provider. Typically, cell plans that operate on Verizon or AT&T have the best success with service.

WIFI Network

Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base has 7 WIFI hotspots for unit leaders to utilize. Medicine Mountain utilizes network monitoring software to monitor internet usage and activity. Please be aware that camp management has the right to throttle the internet or cut off service with no warning. Typically, this will occur during special situations such as times when severe weather is approaching the property. This allows our camp management team to have maximum bandwidth to monitor the situation and to keep our campers safe.

The Medicine Mountain WIFI network is password-protected. Alternatively, there is a limited number of computers available in our leader’s lounge for adults to utilize to check the requirement statuses of Scouts. No youth will be permitted to utilize the WIFI network or computers in the leader’s lounge.

Firearms

No personal firearms, ammunition, or archery equipment of any sort may be brought to camp. Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base provides all necessary shooting sports equipment and ammunition.

Fireworks

All types of pyrotechnics (smoke bombs, sparklers, aerial fireworks, and other match-lit items) are strictly prohibited on camp property per BSA policy and U.S. Forest Service regulations.

Trailers & Truck Beds

No one is permitted to ride on a trailer or in the back of a truck bed. Remember, it is only a seat if it has a seat belt. Please see the Guide to Safe Scouting for additional information.

Expulsion for Behavioral Reasons

Campers sent home for behavioral reasons will not have any portion of their camp fee refunded.

Unpaid Fees

All unpaid fees are due upon arrival, before setting up camp or taking your tour. The final amount that your troop owes is determined by the Business Manager based on your online reservation. Transaction logs of all payments may be viewed 24/7 by visiting your online reservation.

Partial Week Adults

Medicine Mountain strongly encourages units to bring adults who can stay for the duration of camp. However, if it is necessary for an adult must be swapped with another adult mid-week, we provide a price reduction for the adults involved in the swap. Partial-week adults will receive a special color wristband depending on which half of the week they are staying to denote their status. Units that are found to keep partial-week adults more than half a week will be charged a fee of $200.00 per adult in addition to their reduced registration price.

Initiations

Older Scouts sometimes feel that new Scouts should be “initiated into the troop with a physical activity or another embarrassing stunt.” Leaders should be alert to this possibility and direct the Scouts’ efforts into meaningful programs. Behavior such as snipe hunts, running the gauntlet, belt line, or similar punishment has no place in Scouting and is not permitted.

Infectious Disease

Camp is a tight community where pathogens can spread rapidly. It is extremely important that units immediately report all illnesses to our health officers. If a participant is sick with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever prior to camp, please leave that person at home to recuperate. Camp Management and our health & safety team reserve the right to send a participant to a local health care facility to get checked out if they suspect a participant has a health concern that could affect the health & safety of the camp.

Emergency Procedures

On your first day in camp, emergency procedures will be explained to troop leaders and Scouts. In the event of an emergency, please notify a member of the camp staff immediately. Please do not attempt to deal with the emergency yourself, regardless of the situation. If the situation seems at all dangerous, the priority is to evacuate all Scouts and leaders from the area.

Bicycles

Medicine Mountain encourages youth and adults to bring their bicycles to camp. Having a bike at camp is a privilege that can be taken away if the following rules are not followed. All bikers must wear a helmet when riding. Bikes are to travel at a safe speed (under 5 mph). Bikes must be in good working order. Camp management reserves the right to inspect any bike at any time. They also reserve the right to restrict the riding privileges of an individual if unsafe riding practices are observed or if any rules are violated. Medicine Mountain is not responsible for any property damage, injuries, or stolen property during your stay.

Hammocks

Medicine Mountain encourages youth and adults to bring hammocks to camp. Please remember that South Dakota weather can be very unpredictable, and temperatures can fluctuate greatly in just a few hours. Hammocks are a privilege, and the use can be revoked by the camp at any time if the use of a hammock is determined to be unsafe.

To check-in, please pull into Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch & Adventure Base's parking lot. Located near the parking lot is the Ranger's Office. Please go there and check-in with our Ranger.

At the end of your stay, you may leave camp. Please be aware that our Ranger will check your area after you leave to ensure it is clean and found in a condition that was better than when you arrived. Failure to clean your campsite or rv site will result in cleaning charges being invoiced to you. The minimum cleaning charge is $50.00. Remember, A Scout is "Clean."

FAMILY CAMP REFUND POLICY

10% of your reservation cost is non-refundable.

No refunds will be issued unless it is due to medical or family emergency. If medical emergency, documentation from a medical professional will be required.

No shows or participants leaving camp for non-emergency reasons will have no fees refunded.

All refund requests are due in writing to the Black Hills Area Council Office no later than 1 week after the last day of the camp reservation.

Camp Personnel cannot authorize refunds

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR REFUND REQUEST IN WRITING TO: Black Hills Area Council, 144 North Street, Rapid City, SD

Campsites, RV Sites, Cabins, and Facilities are expected to be left in better shape than you found it. Please pick up all trash, take trash to the dumster (located near the gate to camp), and sweep floors (for cabins & building rentals). Failure to do so will result in cleaning charges being invoiced to you. The minimum cleaning charge is $50.00.