Westchester-Putnam Council, BSA - Read Scout Reservation

Every Scout and every Adult Leader must know that deliberate damage to camp property may result in the person or persons responsible being immediately sent home without return of fee in part or whole. The cost to replace damaged camp property may be included in the unit's or individual's account. Best: Advise the Scouts and their parents at a unit meeting prior to camp of this policy.

Every Adult must be trained in the BSA Youth Protection Program. If a Troop leader (or any Adult Assistant) has not received such training, time will be provided within the first twenty-four hours of arrival for an introduction to youth protection training. Youth protection training is also available on line here.

Troop Leadership
In accordance with BSA policy, each unit in camp must have at least two adults in camp at all times. One must be a leader at least 21 years of age and the other serves as an assistant who is at least 18 years of age. Difficulties in locating leaders should be brought to the attention of the Camp Administration well before going to camp. In cases where there is not two deep leadership, the Camp Director will provide a staff member over 18 at an additional charge. Please advise the reservation office of any leadership changes that take place during your week(s) in camp.

Troop Rosters
Each unit in camp must submit a roster of all persons (adult and youth) in camp. Units are strongly encouraged to utilize the on-line advancement registration system. If you use this system, you will be required to input the roster information which will be submitted electronically through our secure system. In 2008 all adults must be registered prior to attending camp so that we may run them through the NY State Sexual Offender Registry as required by the Health Department.

	Summer Camp Unit Roster [XLS, 64K] Right-click on link and choose "Save Link As" or "Save Target as". Or press Cancel when presented with login screen.
	Summer Camp Unit Roster [PDF, 6K]

Individual Campers
Scouts who wish to come to camp for additional weeks, or who belong to a troop that is not coming to camp, are invited to come to Buckskin or Waubeeka as a provisional scout. Qualified adult leadership is provided to help scouts get the most out of their time at Read. To apply, complete and submit the application form, available below, along with the deposit to the council office.

Due to the volume of mail and packages received at camp, the use of the complete address above is important to ensure proper delivery. We will attempt to return items received after a Scout leaves camp. Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday. Each troop has a mailbox in the Camp office for incoming mail.

Each camp also has a mailbox for outgoing mail in the camp office. Stamps are available for purchase in the Trading Post.

UPS is typically the fastest package delivery service to Read Scout Reservation.

Telephone
Pay telephones are located on the camp office porches. We ask that calls be kept to a minimum. A scout cannot be brought to these telephones when called; a message will be sent to his campsite only. An adult leader must accompany any scout who wants to use the phone. Phones are off limits to scouts after 9:00 p.m. Only leaders and staff may use the phones after this hour.

Emergency or Camp business calls only may be made to the reservation office at (518) 494-2228, Summit Base: (518) 623-0747

Cell Phones
There is good Verizon cell phone service in much of Camp Waubeeka and in isolated spots in Camp Buckskin and Summit Base. We recommend that leaders discourage their Scouts from bringing cell phones to camp. Valuable cell phones may be accidentally lost or stolen, can prove to be a distraction for you and your Scouts, and detract from the peaceful outdoor environment at Read. Verizon has a digital cell tower in Chestertown on Panther Mountain. AT&T does not have coverage at Read although there are hot spots outside the Reservation. Nextel/Sprint's coverage stops above Lake George Village.

Internet Access
Wireless Internet access is available around each of the camp offices and at the reservation office. Our ISP restricts SMTP access to their SMTP server only. As the entire reservation shares a DSL line this service is meant for lightweight use only. This service is provided as a courtesy to our adult leaders. Scouts should not bring computers to camp.

Medical Exams
Before coming to camp, every Scout and every adult leader must have a physical examination; Scouts and leaders 40 years or under must have a physical within 36 months and leaders over 40 within 12 months of attending camp. The health history, including immunizations, must have been updated and signed within the last 12 months. Scouts 18 and under must have a parent or guardian sign their health history. All Scouts and leaders must have these completed medical forms with them upon arrival. Admission to camp is dependent on a satisfactory medical record. Those without them cannot be permitted to take part in activities until we have the form in our hands. Physicals must have an immunization history, with inoculation dates, in order to be valid. PLEASE make certain parents sign all Scout forms. The correct forms are available at no charge from the Council Service Center or can be downloaded below. Note that the Medical form required by Read Scout Reservation differs from the National form due to NY State requirements.

Each person staying in camp for twenty-four hours or more must have a completed medical form. This is a requirement of both the Boy Scouts of America and the New York State Health Department. The form must be filled in completely and must be signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine and by the parents of minors. By NY State law, all Scouts who attend camp for more than one week are required to complete an additional form about meningitis available below.

Additions to the Medical Form:
The New York State Health Code now requires information on three vaccinations that were not listed on forms prior to 2005 & 2006. Theses additional vaccinations are for haemophilus influenza type b, hepatitis b, and caricella (chicken pox). The new medical form includes these vaccinations. Please note that these vaccinations are not required to attend camp. A record of whether or not each Scout and adult has had these vaccinations and, if they had them, on what date, is required to attend camp. Standing orders for dispensing over the counter medications have also been added and must be completed. The medical form on below has had minor modifications last year. Both year’s forms will be accepted.

Health Lodge
The Read Scout Reservation has a fully equipped Health Lodge to provide first aid. The Reservation is staffed 24 hours a day by qualified health personnel. All injuries, no matter how small, should be reported to the Health Lodge or to your Camp Office. Persons with serious injuries or illnesses requiring hospitalization will be sent or transported to the Glens Falls Hospital, where the camp has an advance agreement for treatment.

Medications
Each person, youth or adult, who uses any medication, prescription or non-prescription, must ensure that they bring enough to camp for their entire stay. All medications must be in their original containers. While at camp, all medications must be held by the camp health officer and will be disbursed by qualified medical personnel. Emergency medication, such as heart medication, inhalers and bee sting pens can be held by individuals.

Allergies
Please ensure that the adult leadership going to camp has familiarized themselves with each youth’s medical. Camp leaders must be familiar with any allergies or special health conditions. Ensure that they are marked clearly on each Scout’s medical form.

Emergency Contacts
Be sure to obtain at least three emergency contact names and phone numbers for each of your Scouts. Keep these contacts with you in case the Scout’s parent or primary contact cannot be reached. Please obtain phone numbers that will be valid during the Scout’s time in camp.

Blood Borne Pathogens
All units are encouraged to take precautions when dealing with blood born pathogens. Gloves should be worn whenever a wound is treated. All contaminated materials should be set to the side to be properly disposed of by the camp health officer. Surfaces that have been contaminated are to be disinfected by the camp health officer.

Special Needs
Scouts or adults who have special needs due to a physical or mental disability will be accommodated to the best of our ability. Please inform the reservation office as soon as possible of any special needs or equipment. Scouts or leaders who need special diets due to medical or religious requirements will be accommodated if at all possible. Please send specific instructions to the Reservation Director at least a week before you attend camp so we can special order the needed food items. Please include a list of what can be eaten by the Scout or Leader.

Insurance
Our council carries accident and health insurance, through Health Special Risk, Inc. (HSR), on each scout and adult leader. The cost is included in the camping fees. Out of council units must provide their own accident and health insurance.

In the event a scout needs medical attention by an outside health care provider, all fees and bills should be handled in the following manner:

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that their son's claim (if any) is submitted and satisfied. Please do not ask the health care providers to forward claim information or additional bills to the Council or Camp. In the event there are difficulties with a claim, you may contact the Camping Secretary at the Council for information and assistance: (914) 773-1135 ext 233.

Parking/Automobile Use
There is a designated parking area in each camp. At Waubeeka, it is across the road from the retreat field. At Buckskin, it is on the corner of the retreat field, across the road from the Ecology area. Personal automobiles are prohibited from campsites and program areas. Any request to drive into a camp site or program area for health reasons must be submitted to the Reservation Director in writing. See Buckskin Camp Map, Waubeeka Camp Map.

Seatbelts must be worn by all vehicle occupants at all times. This includes when on camp roads.

No one may ride in the back of a pick-up truck, or in/on a trailer under any circumstances.

Leaving Camp
Anyone leaving camp during the scheduled camp session must sign out in their respective camp office. A sign out log will be kept in each office. A scout may not leave camp with anyone other than the unit leader or his parent or guardian, unless written permission is provided by the parent/guardian. This form is available below.

Visitors
Parents and other family members are welcome to visit camp. Visitors are required to report to the Reservation Central Office to obtain a visitor’s badge. The reservation does not provide overnight family accommodations; arrangements should be made at a local motel. Visitors may be served meals in camp. Meal reservations should be made in advance. See Tourist Information for information on local accommodations and restaurants.

To ensure that there is enough food at each meal, please inform the Reservation Office two or three days before expected visitors arrive. Due to the number of campers, seating for visitors may be limited at some meals, particularly Sunday evenings.

Alcohol/Drugs
Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or illegal use of prescription drugs are not permitted in camp. Anyone found to be in possession of or under the influence of such will be asked to leave camp.

Firearms/Archery Equipment
Personal .22 rifles and archery equipment are permitted in camp only if they are locked up after use at the range or in the camp office. Personal ammunition is not permitted in camp.

Other Prohibited Items
In addition to items outlined above, the following items are prohibited in camp: sheath knives, aerosol bug spray, pets, fireworks, and chain saws.

Taps
Each camp observes taps at 10:00 p.m. All scouts should be in their sites and ready to turn in.

Lights
The scouts' own flashlights furnish all of the light that is necessary. No open flames of any type are permitted in any tent. (This includes smoking!)

Equipment
See your commissioner regarding camp equipment. Available equipment includes rope for pioneering projects, tools for conservation and service projects, footballs, soccer balls, and much more.

The camp has hand-crank ice-cream makers. There is a fee of $10.00 per batch for ingredients.

If your troop wishes to have an outpost experience, you may wish to bring extra equipment, such as trail tents. We may be able to furnish you with cook kits and chef tools. Dehydrated trail foods are available at an additional cost; 48 hours notice is required for these. See Outpost Camping.

Valuables
There is a small safe in each Camp's office. We strongly suggest that adult leaders keep Scouts personal money in these safes. An envelope for your troop will be provided.

Camp Quartermaster
Various supplies, including latrine cleaning materials, toilet paper, trash bags, etc. are available from the quartermaster. Tools and equipment for projects are also available from the quartermaster. In Waubeeka the quartermaster's room is in the Commissary. The quartermaster's room at Buckskin is in the office.

Religious Services
Ecumenical services are available during each week at camp. Further details will be available at camp.

Troop Pictures
Troop pictures will be taken on Monday of each week. The photographer will be in Waubeeka at 11:45 A.M. and in Buckskin immediately following lunch. The price for 8” X 10” color Troop photo will be $6.00. It is suggested that troops collect money prior to coming to camp. Scheduling and ordering will take place at the time that the picture is taken. Troops will pay the photographer directly with a troop check or cash. Personal checks will not be accepted.

The Aims and Methods of Scout Camping
Camping is the great outdoor adventure of Scouting. As a Scout becomes at home in the outdoors he unconsciously absorbs some of the greatness of nature itself--the stillness of the forest, the merriment of the mountain stream, the breadth of the ocean, the freedom of the sky, the clearness of the wind, the beauty of the sunset. In working with nature to help provide his food and comfort, the Scout learns some of the skills; resourcefulness and self-reliance of the pioneer. The woods, the streams, the trails and the wild creatures that inhabit them become his friends and the outdoors a lifelong source of recreation.

It is in this spirit that Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation presents its outdoor opportunities; the woods and lake become the Scout's home during his stay. His unit leaders and the staff help him to appreciate and understand his new home. Their efforts urge the Scout to confront and overcome the challenges of the great outdoors and all that is within. This process, the program of the camp, is provided by the camp staff, and the unit leaders incorporate into their own unit's activities. The staff, therefore, provide counseling, instruction, coaching and supervision. The staff and leaders work together to ensure that the program meets these requirements.

Within the camp environment the needs of the Scout are important. Experience has shown that the patrol method provides the best means to accomplish this goal. The patrol relationships provide the Scout with the best opportunity to learn team cooperation and to develop a deep sense of loyalty. This is where a Scout learns to live in a democracy for the patrol is a small democratic group within the larger troop. Leaders are strongly encouraged to organize their troops in this fashion. Many of the camp activities are planned based on the patrol method.

While preparing the unit's program it should always be remembered that Scout Camping is more than fun in the woods. It provides the place, the people and the program that can achieve the purposes of Scouting. Scout camping can make a difference--a difference in youth, in troops, in people, in communities, in the nation and in the world.