Safety Page

Severe Weather Emergencies 

Designated members of the Camp Manatoc staff are responsible for monitoring weather  conditions. When the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a severe thunderstorm  warning or tornado warning, a member of the Camp Management Team or a designee will  immediately notify the camp, first by activating the camp warning siren system then via  Remind, camp’s text messaging system. In any event, when the siren sounds, adult unit  leaders shall take action to shelter their units. A list of shelters is provided in the Unit Orientation Packet. 

Other Emergencies 

Anyone coming upon an unreported incident should report the information to the nearest  staff member or unit leader. The camp office phone number is (330) 657-2592. Upon  activation of the emergency siren, all campers are to proceed to the nearest shelter, remain  there, and wait for instructions. 

If a fire is threatening tents and, if practical and safe, Units should drop tents that are away  from the fire and evacuate the campsite at once. Notify the camp office immediately. 

Medication Administration 

Each Unit handles the distribution of medications to their Scouts. Medications are to be  kept in a locked box in the Units’ campsite. Lock boxes are available at the Health Lodge if needed. Medications requiring refrigeration may be stored at the Health Lodge. Leaders will  need to summarize the medication for each Scout to aid in tracking the dosage.  

Non-Standard Medical Treatment 

If, due to religious or other beliefs, the process of medical attention that a parent/guardian  or a Scout wishes to receive differs from what is commonly accepted, the parent/guardian  must supply a signed letter detailing the proper instructions during check-in. This letter  will remain on file with the Health Officer and shared with the medical staff.  

Camper and Staff Identification 

Each camper (youth and adult) will be issued an identification wristband to wear during  the week. All visitors are required to stop at the Administration Building upon arrival to  camp, sign in, and receive a visitor’s identification wristband. All staff will wear an ID  badge. Report persons not wearing a wristband or ID badge to a staff member. 

Curfew 

Quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM unless a staff-run activity is held. All campers must be in  their campsites from 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM. Special requests for Units events beyond  curfew must be approved by the Camp Director. 

 Driving in Camp 

Safety in camp is our most important focus. To ensure the safety of our campers throughout  the week there are two gates that control traffic inside of camp, one by the Administration  Building and one by the Dining Hall. Except for camp vehicles, motor vehicles are  prohibited between the Administration Building and Dining Hall gates during camp.  Vehicles must be parked in the Dining Hall parking lot from 9:00 PM on Sunday night  through approximately 10:00 PM on Friday night. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS unless a  camper has a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires  the use of a motor vehicle for mobility. You must request a waiver from the Camp Director  in writing at or prior to your unit’s arrival on Sunday.

Scouting America Clothing Policy (NEW) 

The Scouting America Clothing Guideline aims to foster unity, respect, and safety during  Scouting activities. While the official Scouting America field uniform is encouraged,  participants can wear an activity uniform as needed during their summer camp activities.  First and foremost, all clothing choices should meet safety requirements and reflect the  values of the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Scouter Code of Conduct. Clothing should  follow Scouting’s safety standards and avoid offensive or inappropriate content. For  example, swimwear for aquatic activities must be designed for safety, such as fitted  swimsuits that won’t shift during activity. Additionally, clothing must not contain hate  speech, endorsements of illegal conduct, or offensive images. Headgear for religious or  medical reasons is permitted, but clothing that impedes vision should be avoided for safety  reasons. 

Units should create clothing guidelines for their unit. This should be done in collaboration  with volunteers, parents, and their chartered organization. When developing guidelines,  units should ask whether their proposed unit clothing guidelines are based on participant  safety, avoid imposing personal values, and accommodate personal needs, religious  practices, and cultural dress. If clothing concerns arise, unit leadership is responsible for  addressing them. Immediate safety concerns should be addressed first, and youth  participants should not be questioned directly by adults outside their unit unless there’s an  urgent safety issue. 

Scouting America Tenting Policy 

As stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting separate tenting arrangements must be provided for  male and female adults as well as for male and female youth. Youth sharing tents must be  no more than two years apart in age. Youth siblings of the same gender may share sleeping  accommodations regardless of age with permission from their parents or legal guardians. 

In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family. In all other  programs, youth and adults tent separately. Spouses may share tents. Campsites must be  arranged to separate genders adequately. This separation could be achieved through  natural barriers, physical distance, or by the campsite being divided, so long as the  separation achieves privacy for both adults and youth, as well as by gender. Adult leaders  are responsible for establishing the barriers and reminding Scouts that members of one  gender must not enter the tent/housing of another.  

Scouting America Buddy Policy 

The buddy system is designed to provide an additional layer of safeguarding by ensuring  no youth member is alone and that a buddy can get help in an emergency. The buddy  system is used whenever youth members are outside the line of sight of qualified adult leadership and specific activities where the buddy system is required for participation. Of  note: 

• The adult unit leadership oversees and approves buddies.

• Buddies are two and can also be three to prevent youth members from being alone. • A buddy pair cannot be mixed gender, where appropriate a third youth must be  added (for a buddy group of 3). 

• Youth siblings of the same gender may serve as buddies regardless of age with  permission from their parents or legal guardians. 

• Except for siblings, it is recommended that the age gap between buddies be at most  three years for all non-sleeping activities but must be no more than two years for all  tenting. 

• When exceptional circumstances warrant, a parent or legal guardian may serve as  a buddy for their child’s Scouting activities, but youth buddies meeting the above  criteria, if available, are always preferred. 

Scouting America Hammock Policy 

Campers must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maximum and minimum  hanging distances (the distances between solid supports such as trees). Hammocks must  be hung in secure locations, such as large trees or solid posts, and securely fastened with  proper knots. If using solid, living trees, special care must be taken not to damage the outer  bark. 

Hammocks may not be stacked. The lowest point of a hammock cannot exceed three feet.  Hammocks may not be hung above water. Swinging or standing on a hammock is  prohibited. 

Hammocks that have frayed or damaged ropes must not be used. Use only the  manufacturer’s replacement ropes. Do not put more weight into a hammock than  recommended by the manufacturer. 

Use tree straps, padding, or material to prevent damage to trees. Do NOT use thin rope, as it  cuts into the tree bark and causes damage. Please keep our trees healthy! 

Trash Disposal 

Units are expected to keep their campsites free from trash. Trash shall be bagged and placed  in the provided campsite trash receptacle. Units should not allow the trash receptacles to  overflow. 

Maintenance staff will pick up campsite trash on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Units that are patrol cooking will have their trash picked up every day. Dumpsters are  found at the Dining Hall and the Maintenance Area should Units need to dispose of trash at  other times.  

Scouting America follows the principles of Leave No Trace. LNT is dedicated to promoting  and inspiring responsible outdoor behavior through education, research, and partnerships.  It applies to all Scouting America youth and adult leaders. Please help us keep our camp  clean by picking up and disposing of garbage properly.

Smoking & Use of Tobacco Products 

Smoking or use of other tobacco products is not allowed in any building on the Manatoc  Scout Reservation. Leaders may not smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of  Scouts.  

Discipline, Hazing & Bullying 

Unit Leaders are responsible for the conduct of their Scouts. Discipline must be in  accordance with applicable rules and policies of Scouting America, state and federal laws,  and accepted practice. Abuse will not be tolerated. If you need help from the camp  administration, please ask, however unit leaders are expected to file incident reports or  “near miss” reports for incidents or “near miss” events per Scouting America and Great Trail  Council policies. Unit leaders MUST IMMEDIATELY report any threats of, or incidents of  physical violence, or threats of/attempts of self-harm to the Camp Director. 

Hazing has no place in Scouting and will not be tolerated by the Great Trail Council. Report  any suspected hazing issues to the Camp Director. Hazing in the State of Ohio is a felony  charge for each instance and individual involved.  

Bullying is not accepted at Camp Manatoc. Scouts or adults that are found to participate in  any form of bullying behavior will be removed from camp immediately, possibly removed  from Scouting America and/or face legal ramifications for the bullying behaviors. 

Liquid Fuel Use & Storage 

Adult leaders should supervise any use of liquid fuels in your campsite. Refer to the policies  in the most current Guide to Safe Scouting. Using liquid fuels for starting any type of fire,  including lighting damp wood, charcoal, and ceremonial campfires or displays is  prohibited. 

General Policies 

• The Scout Oath and Law are the basis of all that we do as Scouts and Adult leaders. The  Camp Director and the Director of Camping are responsible for the interpretation of camp  policy. 

• All campers must be registered Scouts or Unit Leaders. 

• The use of bicycles is restricted to staff members and unit leaders. Helmets are required, and bikers must remain on the roads. 

• Fires shall be restricted to the designated fire rings in the campsites, fireplaces or stoves in  buildings, the camp Council Ring, and ceremony locations. Report any fire out of control  promptly. All campsite or building fires shall be monitored or extinguished. 

• Fireworks are prohibited. Violators will be removed from camp. 

• Pets are not permitted. Service dogs (also known as “assistance dogs”) that are trained to  perform quantifiable tasks that directly ease the challenges associated with their owner’s  physical, psychiatric, sensory, and/or developmental disability are permitted by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects the rights of people with disabilities  to bring their service dogs with them to most public places, including restaurants, theaters,  shops, hotels, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Emotional support  animals are companion animals who help their owners cope with the challenges 

• associated with emotional and mental health conditions. Emotional support animals are  not covered by the ADA and are not allowed in camp without first requesting a discussion  to have an emotional support animal at camp with the Camp Director at least 30 days prior  to the participant’s arrival. 

• Possession of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs is not permitted by Scouts, leaders,  or staff and may result in removal from the Manatoc Scout Reservation. 

• The cutting of standing timber, alive or dead, is prohibited. 

• Scouts, leaders, and staff should not enter another unit’s campsite without asking  permission of the unit in the site. 

• During the week, vehicle traffic will be restricted to official camp use. When driving in  camp, the speed limit is 10 MPH. Pedestrians should be alert for vehicle, bicycle or tractor  traffic and give way. 

• In accordance with the policy of Scouting America, no one will be transported in the bed of  a truck. 

• Each unit is responsible for and will be charged for any unit-caused damage to camp owned equipment, including tents and tarps, at the discretion of the Properties  Superintendent or the Camp Ranger.