General Camp Information
RegistrationTo register for Summer Camp, contact the Camp Director at 864-233-8363 or 800-277-2724 to check site availability. Then mail in your reservation form and check for your deposit.
Adequate Leadership
Each troop must have two registered adult leaders in camp at all times, one of whom must be 21 years or older.
Youth Protection
One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. If the need for a personal conference arrises, it should be held in the open in plain site of other adults and youth.
Dress Code
Youth and adults are to be in appropriate dress at all times; most of the time this will be the Class B Boy Scout or Venturer Uniferm. At dinner, chapel service, and the Evening Flag Ceremony, the Class A Boy Scout or Venture Uniform is the only appropriate dress. Occasionally other dress may be acceptable. For example, those taking the COI Ranger program will need to wear rugged clothing for rappelling one day of the week and swimwear another day. While swimwear is appropriate at the waterfront, both male and female youth and adults are reminded to wear appropriate covering to and from the waterfront. Males and females should wear a shirt over their swimwear while walking to and returning from the waterfront. All are to be mindful of the their dress when going to and from showers as well. Leaders and Advisers are responsible for insuring that youth and adults in their Troops and Crews are dressed appropriately. Remember that both males and females may be in camp. Closed-toe shoes are generally recommended; however, if open-toe shoes are worn, socks must be worn as well (even if going to the shower or waterfront). Socks must be worn at all times while in camp. Sock wearing in camp sites, and other rules will be up to the SPL and Scoutmaster of each troop.
Check In/Check Out
Anyone leaving or arriving at times other than Sunday check-in or Saturday check-out should sign in and out at the Health Ldoge.
Release of Minor Campers
No camper who is a minor will be released into the custody of an adult other than the legal parent or guardian unless written permission is provided to the camper's unit leader. No camper who is a minor will be allowed to leave camp with anyone for any reason except as part of official camp programs or with special written parental permission. Any special arrangements should be made before camp.
Pets
No dogs or other pets may be brought into camp at any time, except for those aiding the blind. NO EXCEPTION.
Telephone
The camp's telephone number for administration and emergencies is (864) 895-8989. This phone is not available for use by the campers. A phone will be provided for use by adult leaders; please bring your calling card or call collect.
Mail
The camp has daily mail service. No mail should be sent to the Scout after Wednesday because it will not arrive in time. Mail should be addresed as follows:
Scout or Leader name___________
Troop or Crew No. _______
Camp Old Indian
601 Callahan Mountain Road
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Vehicles
Absolutely no vehicles will be allowed beyond the Parking Lot. At check-in and check-out, troop equipment will be moved by staff using a camp truck. All vehicles must be parked in the large parking area. The small lot at the Thackston Lodge must remain clear for emergency access.
Visitors and Guests
Parents and family are encouraged to visit Wednesday after 5:00PM. Guests other times during the week will disrupt the campers' program and are not permittend.
Leaders: Camp programs are designed for Scouts, leaders, and advisers. Please share the following policy with parents and adults who accompany your unit to camp: children who are not registered Boy Scouts or Venturers (e.g. younger siblings and Cub Scouts) are not permitted at camp any other time except Visitors Day.
Health and Insurance
Insurance
Blue Ridge Council units use the council police (information and forms were provided to each unit). Other units must provide their own accident insurance. Unit leaders must bring to camp check in: 1.) Policy number, 2.) Claim forms, 3.) Name of insurance carrier. Camp medicals must be complete! Medical expences incurred by youth and adults while in camp (doctor, hospital fees) will be paid by the council or unit insurance policy and/or parent/guardian's insurance. Leaders should be ready to provide the Scouting insurance number as well as parent/guardians insurance numbers in an emergency. It will be the responsibillity of the Scout's parents and unit leader to make any claims for insurance. the parent or guardian's insurance will be the source of primary coverage. Parents will be called if a Scout has to be taken to the doctor or hospital.
Medical Forms and Physicals
Each participant (youth or adult) must complet the camp medical form during the year he or she will be attending camp. Anyone arriving without the form completed and a physical must leave camp until an exam can be completed at the participants own expense.
Instructions for Youth and Adults (under 40) in Regular Programs
Complete sections I, II, III, IV, and VI; these sections provide personal and health history. If a physical has been performed within the last 36 months (3 years) from the date of arrival at camp and if a photocopy is available attatch a copy of the physical and omit sections V and VII of the medical form. Other wise secure a physical excam and have medical personnel complete sections V and VII.
Instructions for Anyone taking High Adventure Programs and Adults 40+
High Adventure programs include Rangers, Foothills Trek, and Adventure to Eagle (ATE). Complete sections I, II, III, and VI. These sections provide personal and health history. Secure a physical exam and have medical personel complete sections V and VII.
Unit leaders will be asked to provide transportation if one of their Scouts needs to be taken to the local doctor or emergency room. In the case of serious, medical emergencies, transportation will be provided by EMS. The State of South Carolina requires all immunizations listed on the medical form prior to camp.
Emergency Procedures
Limitation of Activity
Campers and leaders will be notified as necessary if activities must be limited or altered due to safety reasons.
Emergency Call
The general emergency call will be the ringing of the bell near the Dining Hall accompanied by the call of the bugle. When this call is heard Units should line up in the meadow as they do for a normal assembly.
Fire
In case of fire, evacuate the tent, building, or area immediately. Notify a staff member immediately.
Medical
Stay Calm! Immediately notify the camp Medical Officer. All first aid must be logged at the First Aid Lodge.
Child Abuse
Suspected child abuse--whether physical, mental, emotianal, or sexual--should be reported to the Camp Director or, if he's not present, the Program Director. DO NOT TRY AND SEEK PROOF YOURSELF.
Flood/Earthquake/Severe Weather
TAKE COVER. The program or camp director will assemble units if required. Commisioners may be sent to each campsite to give appropriate instructions.
Lost Person/Swimmer
If you suspect a lost person or lost swimmer, immediately notify the Program or Camp Director.
Unauthorized Persons
If you suspect unauthorized persons have intruded onto camp, immediately notify the Program Director, Camp Director, or Ranger. Authorized visitors must sign in at the Health Lodge.
Order of the Arrow
National Policy Regarding OA Ceremonies
Youth and adults elected into the Order have earned the exclusive privilege of learning...concepts aimed at developing leadership through a safeguarded ceremonial induction. The Order's ceremonies are not public nor are they in any way meant to be a social affair. Although the content of the ceremonies are private, they were written to avoid offending any religious belief and have recieved the approval of religious leaders. The ceremonies are true to Scout tradition within the spirit of the Scout Oath and Law. (From Order of the Arrow Handbook.)
Leaders: Please advice non-OA memer including parents, adults, and other leaders reguarding OA ceremonial policy: Ordeal and Brotherhood Ceremonies are not open to non-members! The Callout on Wednesday and the "Tap-Out" are the only public recognition ceremonies. The National Policy prohibits non-members from viewing OA ceremonies. Please discuss with the OA Lodge Advisers any questions about ceremonial policy procedure. Camp will adhere to National policy reguarding OA ceremonies.
Camp Facilities
Lodging
Camp Old Indian houses its campers and leaders in permanent housing. Campsites are comprised of either cabis or adirondacks. Adirondacks are three sided units with an over-hanging roof. Most hold four persons and their gear. Some adirondacks hold eight persons and have a build-in table shelter.
Showers/Restrooms
Latrines are located throughout camp, in or nearby all camp sites. Hot showers are available at all shower-houses.
Field Sports Area
The Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery Ranges have been built and certified according to Boy Scouts of America standards. The camp furnishes .22 caliber rifles, archer equipment, and shotguns for use on the rancges. Field Sports will offer free (unscheduled) shooting durring Twilight. There's no charge for archery, but shotgun costs $2.00 per five shots and rifle is $0.25 for five shots. Twilight is extended Monday an extra 30 minutes. Shooting durng 6th period will be offered only to those Scouts taking shotgun, archery, and rifle shooting merit badges. A charge of $1.00 will be made for each lost or broken arrow. The Field Sports Director has absolute authority for all activities at the Field Sports Range.
Scoutcraft Area
The Scoutcraft Area includes a program shelter and tarps with tables for merit badge instruction. It also features displays of Scoutcraft skills, a rope yard, and an axe yard.
Handicraft Lodge
The Handicraft Lodge offers leatherwork, wood carving, and other craft supplies for sale. It also houses tools for merit badge work and craft work.
Nature Lodge
The Nature Lodge houses resources for ecology-conservation related merit badge classes. It includes animals, displays, literature, and other items.
Waterfront
The Camp Old Indian Waterfront includes lakes for snorkeling, swimming, rowing, canoeing, and fishing. Scouts and leaders may swim at the first lake during the times listed on the program schedules. "Free Swim" is open to everyone accroding to the their swim classification. Non-swimmer instruction will also be available during the week. A swimmer must accompany a non-swimmer in a row boat. And only swimers are allowed in canoes unless the non-swimmer is with a 21-year-old certified lifeguard. Everyone using row boats and canoes must wear a life jacket. Absolutely no camper or leader will use the waterfront without a medical form and swim test. The Aquatics Director has absolute authority for all activities held at the waterfront area.
There are three classifications of swimmers at camp. Scouts and leaders will take a swim check test Sunday afternoon to determine their swimming classification. The classification and swim test requirements are listed below.
1. Non-swimmer - get in the water
2. Beginner - jump into water over one's head, level off, swim 25 yards, turn sharply, and return to start
3. Swimmer - jump into water over head, level off, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using side, breast, crawl, or trudgen strokes. Then swim 25 yards using an elementary back stroke. At the end of the 100 yards, show rest by floating.
Trading Post
New in 2000 was camp's walk-in Trading Post and conference center. The Trading Post has Scout literature, t-shirts, souvenirs, and refreshments for sale. It also serves as the camp post office and lost-and-found station. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
Health Lodge
The Peden Health Lodge seves as a 24-hour contact location for a unit's first aid needs. The Health Lodge features an isolation room and bathroom for sick campers. The lodge is also the location for camp sign-in and out.
Dining Hall
Completed in 1994, the Patterson Lodge is a state of the art dining facility. It features dual cafeteria-style serving lines and seats up to 420 persons.
1. Units will be assigned tables on Sunday afternoon and will sit at these tables for every meal.
2. Table waiters will be assigned for every table and will serve for three meals beginning Sunday evening, then rotating with other Scouts in the troop.
3. Table waiters will report to the Director at the dining hall at 7:45 a.m. for breakfast, 12:15 p.m. for lunch, and 5:45 p.m. for dinner.
4. Table waiters will set up their Troop seating area before meals, and will clear the area after meals. Clean-up includes wiping tables and sweeping around the tables.
5. After the meal, no one is to leave the dining hall until they are dismissed by the Director.
Most unit tables will have a seat reserved for a Camp Old Indian staff member. The table waiter should pick up the totem for the staff member he wants and place it at his table. Totems allow for positive interaction between the Staff and Scouts. No wet bathing suits, chewing gum, hats, hiking staffs, or flag poles are allowed in the dining hall.
Dining Hall menus are well-balance and designed to feed hungry boys. In addition to the main entree offered at each meal, other options are available for those with special dietary needs. Cereal and bagels are breakfast options; peanut butter, jelly, and a salad bar are available at most noon and evening meals. Be sure to notify the Director of any special needs before camp.
Handicap Accomodations
Camp Old Indian believes that all registered leaders and members deserve to experience summer camp. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to attend. The Maria Dukes Lodge is camp's handicap accessible facility. It features a wheelchair ramp and a built-in shower/restroom. Preference will be given to units with participants requiring special accommodations.
All information from the Blue Ridge Council