A Guide to Camping and Campgrounds in Pennsylvania

Columbia Montour

Council

Boy Scouts of America

WHERE TO GO CAMPING 

 INTRODUCTION

As Scouters, we are always looking for new and interesting places for our Troops to camp.  Some Troops like to camp in “old, familiar” camps.  Others prefer to change their Camping Program from year to year.  One of the primary purposes of the Order of the Arrow is to promote Scout Camping.   This guide, “Where to Go Camping,” is a means to that end. 

 In Scouting, we believe that each Scout should have the maximum opportunity to enjoy and learn from the outdoors.  Each Scout can learn to appreciate the grandeur that is Nature -- from the majesty of the forests to the vastness of the oceans.

 This is the 2007 edition of the latest “Where to Go Camping.”  It is by no means complete; nor is it meant to be.  The Editors believe that this should be a continuing “work in progress,” which will be added to and deleted from by successive Camp Promotion Committees and Troop Committees.  By doing this, each Troop can add to its “camping database” and, we hope, have a more complete “camping experience.”  The Editors also desire that, as Troops learn of new and interesting places to camp, they will not keep this information secret.  Rather, they should “pass along” the information to other Troops or the Lodge’s Camp Promotion Committee.  This way, all Troops can enjoy the various camping possibilities.   Click Here to Pass along any information (Please include as much information as possible, location, web address, phone numbers, any interesting facts, ect.)

This guide is as accurate as the information that we received from the various Councils, etc.  In this edition we concentrated on Boy Scout Councils in Pennsylvania.  If you know of any errors or omissions, please let us know.  We are only as good as the information we have at hand.  If you know of any places that you think we should include in future editions, please let us know.  If you know of any good places “outside of Scouting,” please let us know.  There are many State and County parks, forests and nature reserves where we can camp.  Also, there are many commercial possibilities, such as Canoe/Rafting trips on various rivers.  These also add to the outdoor experience.  Please share them with us so that we can share them with others.

THE ORDER OF THE ARROW 

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s “Brotherhood of Honor Campers.”  We promote camping and the outdoor experience.  We are a regular part of the BSA’s camping program.  We participate at both the Troop and Council levels.  We are guided by the principles of Cheerful Service.  This guide is an example of that cheerful service.

 Purpose of the Order of the Arrow 

1. To recognize those campers -- Scouts, Venturers and Scouters -- who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition, cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner to warrant recognition.

2. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.

3. To promote scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the Unit camping program, and to help the District and Council camping program both year around and in the Summer Camp, as directed by the Camping Committee and the Council.

4. To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

TOUR PERMITS

If a unit plans a trip within 500 miles of the home base, it is important that the unit obtain a local tour permit.   The Columbia-Montour Council policy is that local tour permits be submitted for approval at least two weeks prior to the activity date(s).  A national tour permit is required for trips in excess of 500 miles from home or outside the continental United States.  As national tour permits are issued by the Region or by National the must be submitted for approbal at least one month prior to the activity date(s) (See samples of both in the appendix B.)

Tour permits have become recognized by national parks, military institutions, and other organizations as proof that a unit activity has been well planned and organized and is under capable and qualified leadership. These organizations may require the tour permit for entry.

Most short, in-town den/troop/crew trips of a few hours do not require a tour permit; however, it is recommended that groups obtain permission slips from parents.

Commercial Driver's License Compliance

The following questions and answers may help you understand how Scouting drivers fall into a category of private motor carriers that are subject to the commercial driver's license (CDL) rules:

1. What is a "private motor carrier of passengers"?
   A private motor carrier of passengers does not offer transportation services for hire but (a) transports passengers in interstate (some state regulations apply to intrastate) commerce, and (b) uses a vehicle designed to carry more than 15 passengers, which includes the driver, or a vehicle that has a gross vehicular weight greater than 10,000 pounds.
2. What are some examples of usage of a private motor carrier of passengers in Scouting?
   • Scouting units that use vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers, such as buses, is one example. The driver in this case is often a volunteer driver of a "Scout bus" that is owned or leased. This category is referred to as nonbusiness private motor carrier of passengers and is probably the most frequent Scouting usage subject to the rule.
   • Councils that operate camps and include transportation fees in their program are subject to the rule when using buses or other vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers or that have a gross vehicular weight of more than 10,000 pounds.

Neither of these examples would be considered a private motor carrier of passengers if the transportation were extended beyond Scouting participants to the general public, because in that case it is considered transportation for hire and is subject to federal motor carrier safety regulations.

3. What about Scouting use of school buses?
   In most states, Scouting units or councils that contract with schools to use buses fall into the for-hire category, and the school is subject to the federal safety regulations. Since public school transportation vehicles are not subject to CDL rules when transporting students, the school may not realize that the for-hire regulations apply. The consequence could have a ruinous effect on a planned Scouting activity.
4. How will the rule be enforced?
   The primary enforcement activity of both categories, business and nonbusiness, is the driver/vehicle inspection. Inspections can be performed anywhere on the road or at destination points such as parks, sporting complexes, etc. Only the business category is subject to compliance reviews and record keeping, but if serious safety problems are identified in either category of vehicle usage, the operation of the vehicle is subject to being discontinued.
5. Are Scouting operations subject to the drug and alcohol testing portion of the rule?
   As of January 1, 1996, all operators of vehicles who are required to have a commercial driver's license are subject to drug and alcohol testing. There are no exemptions for the nonbusiness private motor carrier of passengers category, which includes Scouting volunteer drivers. Local councils should establish guidelines for volunteer drivers based on the requirements of the state where located.
6. How do Scouting officials obtain the Department of Transportation identification number required for all vehicles that are subject to the CDL rule?
   Form MCS-150 should be requested from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Motor Carriers, in the council's state. The completed form would be sent to the FHWA's office in Washington, D.C., where a DOT number will be assigned. This number, as well as name, city, and state, should be displayed on the side of the vehicle. An education and technical assistance (ETA) package can be obtained from the local FHWA office.

Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings

1. Two-deep leadership:
   Two registered adult leaders, or one registered adult and a parent of a participating Scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips or outings. There are a few instances, such as patrol activities, when no adult leadership is required. Coed overnight activities require male and female adult leaders, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older, and one of whom must be a registered member of the BSA.
2. During transportation to and from planned Scout outings,
   1. Meet for departure at a designated area.
   2. Prearrange a schedule for periodic checkpoint stops as a group.
   3. Plan a daily destination point.

A common departure site and a daily destination point are a must. If you cannot provide two adults for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more youth members—never one on one.

3. Safety rule of four:
   No fewer than four individuals (always with the minimum of two adults) go on any backcountry expedition or campout. If an accident occurs, one person stays with the injured, and two go for help. Additional adult leadership requirements must reflect an awareness of such factors as size and skill level of the group, anticipated environmental conditions, and overall degree of challenge.
4. Male and female leaders must have separate sleeping facilities. Married couples may share the same quarters if appropriate facilities are available.
5. Male and female youth participants will not share the same sleeping facility.
6. Single-room or dormitory-type accommodations for Scouting units:
   Adults and youth of the same gender may occupy dormitory or single-room accommodations, provided there is a minimum of two adults and four youth. A minimum of one of the adults is required to be youth-protection trained. Adults must establish separation barriers or privacy zones such as a temporary blanket or sheet walls in order to keep their sleeping area and dressing area separated from the youth area.
7. When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian.
8. If separate shower and latrine facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers. The buddy system should be used for latrines by having one person wait outside the entrance, or provide Occupied and Unoccupied signs and/or inside door latches.

Adult leaders need to respect the privacy of youth members in situations where the youth are changing clothes or taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults also need to protect their own privacy in similar situations.

9. Two-deep adult leadership is required for flying activities. For basic orientation flights, the adult licensed pilot in control of the aircraft is sufficient for the flight, while two-deep leadership is maintained on the ground.