LEADERS' GUIDE Summer Camp 2026

Communicable Diseases

With Covid-19 essentially endemic, we are shifting back to a commonsense policy of preventing the spread of communicable diseases. In other words, any camper (Adult or Youth) or driver showing the following signs and/or symptoms within the 24 hours of arrival at camp, please stay home: Running a fever (>100.4 °F), Vomiting, Diarrhea, or New Cough. You must be symptom free without the use of medications.

Health

Health Facilities

Each Camp has a well-equipped Medical Lodge with a Health Officer trained to handle minor accidents and illnesses.

For each camp arrangements for treatment of more serious cases have been made with medical clinics and hospitals in the surrounding communities. If such treatment is required, attempts will be made to notify the camper’s parents. Their desires concerning further treatment will be accommodated wherever possible.

  1. It is the responsibility of the unit leadership to provide transportation for unit member(s) requiring services from a doctor or hospital. The camp will provide transportation only when a unit has inadequate transportation, or if an injury requires medical personnel with emergency requires medical personnel with emergency transportation.
  2. One adult leader from the unit must accompany the unit member(s) requiring services to the doctor or hospital. The adult leader must obtain the Scout’s health record and any insurance forms from the Camp Health Officer before going to the doctor or hospital. Also, two-deep leadership still applies.
  3. Since parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified of any serious illness or injury, they should provide information about where they can be located if they will not be at home during the week of camp.
  4. The Camp Health Officer must clear all cases requiring outside medical care. This is an agreement with the local health services facility and usually required by insurance companies for claim procedues.
  5. Those leaving camp for any medical reasons should check out with the Camp Health Upon returning to camp, they must check back in with the Camp Health Officer and show documentation of release and any medical restrictions and care.

If not returning to camp, notify your Unit Leaders at camp or leave a message with the Camp Office.

Health Personnel

A qualified Health Officer is on duty at all times during your stay. The Health Officer is located in the Health Office in the Camp Administration Building. The Camps have arrangements with a local clinic nearby and have access to an ambulance service and hospital in the event of an emergency.

Medical Emergencies

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency while at camp:

  • Camp Royaneh, the patient will most likely be transported to Russian River Health Center. Urgent Care cases will be sent to Urgent Care clinics in Santa Rosa. After hours cases will be sent to the Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital.
  • Camp Wolfeboro, the patient will most likely be transported to Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas, CA. Urgent Care cases will be sent to Urgent Care clinics in Arnold or Angels Camp.
  • Wente Scout Reservation, the patient will most likely be transported to Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits, CA. Urgent Care cases will be sent to Urgent Care in Willits.

Medications

The Scouting America National policy states:

“All prescription drugs (including those needing refrigeration) are to be kept in locked storage and in compliance with local and state laws. An exception may be made for a limited amount of medication to be carried by a Camper, leader, parent, or Staff member for life-threatening conditions, including bee- sting or heart medication, and inhalers, or for a limited amount of medication approved for use in a first aid kit.” Please see the most current rules and regulations for medication administration in the Guide to Safe Scouting: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss05/

All medications taken at Camp should be listed on the Annual Health & Medical Record and need to be available during the health screening. All prescription medications brought to Camp must have original containers and original instructions for administration. Lockers for Unit use will be provided in the Camp Health Lodge. The Unit leader will be given the combination to the locker. Alternatively, Troops may bring a secure lockable box to contain all medications and designate an Adult in charge of medication and medication logs. Adult Unit leadership will be responsible for seeing that the Scouts needing medication in their Unit take the necessary medications at appropriate times in correct doses. Medications must be recorded in the provided log. This log must be left in the locker or turned in to the Camp Health Officer at the end of the week.

Access to the lockers will be open 24/7 while Camp is in session to allow access to your Unit locker.

Dietary Needs

See Dining Hall.

Special Needs

Unit leaders should understand the limitations and strengths of the Scouts in their charge. In some cases, leaders may need additional guidance regarding the extent of appropriate physical activity from the Scout’s health-care provider, physical therapist, or teacher, in addition to the parents or guardians. Where a Scout is known to have special needs, it is essential that their Annual Health & Medical Record accurately reflect that condition. Likewise, the camp experience should not be an opportunity for a “medication vacation” – the Scout should maintain the normal prescribed medication while at camp to ensure a positive experience for the Scout and others at camp.

Many Scouts with disabilities can accomplish the basic skills of Scouting, but they may require extra time to learn them. Working with these Scouts can require patience and understanding on the part of unit leaders & other Scouts. A clear and open understanding should exist between the unit leadership and the parents or guardians of a Scout with a disability.

Scouts with special needs will be given opportunities to camp, hike, and take part in other unit activities based on their capabilities and safety. Using accessible facilities is an invitation for Scouts with special needs to feel welcome and able to fully participate. Camp operations may be able to work with the unit leadership to design a program for Scouts with special needs if given adequate advance notice. Please provide the camp staff of your destination camp with as much advance notice as possible, so we can work together to provide the best possible experience for your Scouts. You can connect with them through our Camp Staff Coordinator ([email protected]).

Insurance

Scouting America’s Annual Health & Medical Record form requests personal health and accident insurance carrier and policy number. This information is needed in the event someone has a life- threatening condition and is taken to the hospital, and the emergency contact person cannot be reached. Doing so meets requirements set by the Scouting’s insurance provider.

All Units attending camp must be covered by accident insurance.

Drugs, Alcohol, & Tobacco

Prescription drugs must be checked in to the Camp Health Officer. Non-prescription medications (aspirin, cough syrup, etc.) may be used only with the approval of the Camp Health Officers. Local authorities will deal with those using illegal substances at camp. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in camp! Anyone in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol will be escorted from camp immediately.

Smoking/Vaping Policy—All buildings and facilities are designated as nonsmoking facilities. Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere in camp. All activities will be conducted in a smoke-free environment.

If any Adult must use tobacco, they may do so ONLY in the designated smoking area.

Safety

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency, notify a member of Camp Staff immediately. Do NOT attempt to deal with the emergency yourself, regardless of the situation. If the situation seems at all dangerous, as in the event of wildfire, the priority is to evacuate all Scouts and Leaders from the immediate area. For all emergency assembly purposes, a siren will sound, fire bell rung, and ALL Campers should report immediately to the Camp Assembly Area to await further instructions. When your Troop arrives at the Assembly Area, take roll using your Unit Roster printed from Black Pug. A key member of the Staff will ask for a Troop Roll Call. If anyone is missing, Camp Staff or appropriate Emergency Personnel will initiate a search. More information on emergency procedures will be available on your first day in Camp. In all cases, vehicle owners are required to keep their keys with them at all times while in camp.

Emergency drills are held during each session of Camp. When the alarm sounds, all Scouts and Adult Leaders are to report immediately to the designated assembly area.

Fire Safety

National Camp Standards require that each Unit post a completed Unit Fireguard Chart in their Campsite. These forms will be posted on your Campsite’s bulletin board prior to your arrival.

Each Campsite has buckets, a shovel, and a rake. Do not remove these tools from your Campsite. Proper means of extinguishing fires should be on hand at all times. In case of extreme fire danger, the California Department of Forestry or the US Forest Service may temporarily suspend our Campfire permit.

Liquid or propane fueled stoves or lanterns are to be operated only under direct adult supervision. Any large quantity of fuel must be stored with the Camp Ranger.

Extreme caution must be taken whenever an open flame is involved. Camp can be a very hot and dry tinderbox during the summer. Be sure that all lanterns used are of approved status.

Fireworks of any kind are illegal and strictly prohibited in Camp. Possession of fireworks will be grounds for immediate dismissal from Camp property and could result in criminal prosecution.

Campfires

It is possible that all campfires including charcoal fires will be prohibited. The final decision rests with CalFire, the US Forest Service, & local Fire Departments. We strongly encourage units to purchase and bring a portable propane firepit for their campsite.

Fuels

Only propane- & butane-based stoves, lanterns, and firepits may be used in camp. All extra fuel not used for meal preparation must be checked in with the camp leadership upon arrival for storage in the secured camp fuel locker. Each unit must provide its own fire extinguisher.

Program Safety

Aquatics

All Scouts and Adult Leaders are required to take the Scouting America Swimmers Test before participating in any aquatic activity, no exceptions. Waterfront is off-limits when no Staff is present. No swimming is allowed anywhere other than the designated swimming area.

ATVs, COPE, Diamond R Corral

All Scouts and Adult Leaders should only enter these program areas with permission from a staff member who is present at the time. Appropriate safety equipment provided by staff must always be worn. These areas all require long pants and closed-toed shoes.

The ATV program requires ALL 4 of the following to participate:

  1. Shirt with long sleeves
  2. Long Pants
  3. Shoes that cover the ankle
  4. ATV Waiver that is complete and signed by a parent or legal guardian

Due to the course structure, any scout without all three pieces of safety gear and the permission slip at the beginning of the first ATV class will not be allowed to participate and will be dropped from the class.

Target & Range Sports

Permission from a parent or guardian is required for Scouts to shoot at any of our Camp ranges. A single copy of the Firearms Use Permission Slip is required. Troops will submit the completed forms alphabetically by last name. The Scout will then receive a wristband marked certifying that their Permission Slip is on file. The blank form can be found in the Appendix.

ALL personal firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment are prohibited in Camp.

Eye & ear protection will be required for all participants and spectators. Personal protective gear will only be allowed with Rangemaster discretion. Please present your eye or ear protection for the Rangemaster to inspect or be prepared to use what is provided. All safety equipment is inspected for safety and replaced as necessary.

Protective equipment for Archery is required to be worn by all participants, Scouts or adults. Archers will wear finger tabs or gloves and arm guards while actively practicing archery, no exceptions. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in dismissal from range activities.

  • If the RED flag is DOWN, the range is closed - - DO NOT ENTER!
  • If the RED flag is UP, staff is present, and the range is Open
  • Yellow rope or caution tape designates a restricted area - - DO NOT CROSS!

Personal Safety

  • Closed-toed shoes are required throughout all of camp. The ONLY exception is inside the pool or Waterfront areas.
  • Everyone should carry a filled water bottle at all times.
  • Travel only on designated trails.
  • Report safety issues to the Camp Office immediately.
  • All Camps operate on the buddy system. Scouts need to have a buddy in program areas, on hikes, and in any other activity they are participating.
  • Initiations and/or hazing are strictly forbidden by Scouting America National Council
  • Non-prescription drugs & alcohol have no place in Camp and are prohibited at all times.
  • No flames of any kind are allowed in tents or outside a designated fire ring at any time.
  • Fireworks are prohibited by County and State law at all of our Camps.
  • Pets of any kind are not permitted at any Camp.

Personal Projectile Throwers

Please leave all personal bows, firearms, and ammunition at home! No personal firearms may be brought to camp under any circumstance.

Knives

Knives may be necessary in the successful completion of an activity. For these activities, Totin’ Chip training is available. All Scouts who carry knives or use other wood-cutting tools must carry their completed Totin’ Chip card with them. NONE of the programs offered at camp require the use of a knife with a blade longer than four inches.

Plants & Animals

While most of the animals we have at Camp are harmless, there are some to be very cautious around. Rattlesnakes and cougars occasionally make their way into Camp. Yellow jackets, scorpions, ticks, and spiders can be found lurking just about anywhere; all of them bite or sting and are, in general, very annoying. Instructions on how to deal with each of these will be given at Camp.

Camp Wolfeboro has a real possibility of bears. Each Campsite is supplied with a heavy-duty bear locker. Full “smellable” precautions should be taken at all times as bears do make their way into camp from time to time. Each evening, all trash should be removed from Campsites and deposited in the appropriate location behind the Dining Hall. No food in any tents, as even mini bears (chipmunks and ground squirrels) can do considerable damage to tents and other equipment when searching out food.

Camp Royaneh and Wente Scout Reservation have the perfect climate for growing Poison Oak, and we have some nasty patches around. Make sure your Scouts and Adult Leaders know what it looks like (after all, it’s an advancement requirement). If you need help just ask a Staff member to point some out.

Valuables

None of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps are responsible for the security of campers’ valuables. Leave unnecessary valuables at home; this includes items of sentimental value, such as a compass that has been handed down from father to son. Scouts should not take certain items (jewelry, money, etc.) to the aquatics or high adventure program areas. Some troops bring a “lock box” to store valuables for scouts at camp, but they need to be secured.

Lost & Found

Prior to coming to Camp, Scouts are strongly encouraged to clearly mark all personal items with their name and Troop number for easy identification. Should a Scout inadvertently bring a valuable item, it can be locked inside the Camp Office. Each Camp has a Lost & Found located in the Administrative or Program Office. Describe your lost valuables to the Camp Administration to retrieve them. The Golden Gate Area Council, is not responsible for lost or stolen items at Camp.

Camp Royaneh’s Lost & Found, the “Honor Box” is the large metal box to the right of the Trading Post. Place clothing or other items in this box. Any items of value — knives, watches, etc. should be turned in to the Camp Office for safekeeping.

Camp Wolfeboro’s Lost & Found is kept up in the Program Office. Please talk with a staff member to retrieve an item.

Wente Scout Reservation’s Lost & Found is kept at the Trading Post. Items left in program areas will be turned in if not claimed by end of day.

Damaged Equipment

Each unit is responsible for taking care of camp equipment that has been issued for their use. If this equipment is damaged, the individual or unit is responsible for cost of repairs or replacement at the discretion of the Camp Director.

Health & Safety

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