The safety of all of our Scouts and their families is our primary concern. After that, our goal is to provide a positive and fun environment for our Scouts to develop leadership schools and like lessons though experience in the outdoors. To that end, here are the policies for the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. Please note that if the the Guide to Safe Scouting or local regulations are more restrictive, then they will take precedence.
In addition to following the Scout Oath and the Scout Law and the GTBAC Camper Code of Conduct, all campers are expected to abide by the following policies.
GTBAC Important Policies For Camps
Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Boy Scout Camps are Private Camps
The ranger has the right to stop any activity and remove anyone from camp.
No Personal Vehicles on Camp
Personal golf carts, Utility Vehicles and ATVs are prohibited on camp property unless authorized in advance every time they are brought onto camp. Proof of appropriate training and insurance must be provided.
No Charging Electric Vehicles on Camp
The power grids at our camps are not set up for the load generated by the chargers. Charging an electric vehicle on camp presents a fire hazard and is not allowed.
No Alcohol or illegal Drugs
If alcohol or illegal drugs are found those parties will be asked to leave. The authorities may be notified and possible revocation of BSA membership status may result from bringing alcohol or illegal drugs onto camp property.
No Pets Allowed Except Service Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not allowed on Camp. “Service Animal” means any ADA recognized animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Pets providing emotional support, wellbeing, or comfort companionship are not recognized service animals under ADA regulations. Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a violation of Florida State Statute.
No Firearms Allowed
The BSA does not permit carrying or possessing a weapon or items that can be perceived as weapons on Council property or carrying a concealed weapon. Please keep any firearms securely locked in your vehicle while visiting our camps. Outside firearms are prohibited unless law enforcement.
BSA Policy on Personal Firearms
The BSA has specific policies regarding handguns or other firearms at Scouting activities.
- While various state laws have authorized individual Scouters to legally carry or conceal firearms, Scouters/parents/volunteers are not permitted to carry them while involved in Scouting activities outside of the shooting sports program.
- This applies to all persons involved in the activity, as the activity should be under the control of an appropriate Scouter.
- The BSA policy in the Guide to Safe Scouting in both the Shooting Sports section and the unauthorized activity listing (see p.39 for full listing) states, “Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdictions, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities except for those specifically planned for target shooting under supervision of a currently certified BSA national shooting sports director or National Rifle Association firearms instructor.”
Camping Reservation Policies
Site Reservation
- Please only book one site unless you are beyond the site capacity.
- Site reservations may be moved within a camp based on size.
- Units reserving more than one site may be combined into a single large site.
Reservation Blackout Windows
- Reservations for camp sites must be made 2 weeks in advance.
- Reservations for amenities and activity areas must be made 4 weeks in advance.
Payment and Changing Headcount
- Payment for the estimated number of attendees is made at the time of booking.
- Please contact Christine at 813-872-2691 or at christine.chansley@scouting.org to adjust your headcount. To allow the rangers adequately prepare, please let us know the adjusted headcount as soon as possible.
Cancellations and No-Shows
- Cancellations for program areas must be made 4 weeks in advance of booking date or they may incur a 50% cancellation fee (up to $200 max).
- No shows/no calls may result in a $100 per campsite/program area cancellation fee. Cancelations can be made by calling the office at 813-872-2691 or via email at christine.chansley@scouting.org. If cancelling the day of the reservation or the Friday before a weekend reservation, you must call the office.
- Weather related cancellations will result in a full credit being issued.
Reconciliation of camping reservations
- Any unit seeking a reconciliation of camping reservations must be done within 2 weeks of the reservation date.
- If families on your reservation cancel due to illness or family emergency, we will give a credit for their reservation in the system. We do not credit for no-shows.
- A Scout is Honest – if more people attend camp, please call the office to reconcile.
- Any damage or cleaning fees will be assessed to your unit.
- All bills will be paid online with the reservation system. Invoices will be sent via email. All outstanding camp reservation balances must be paid before the Council will renew the charter for the unit.
Program Area Reservations:
Shooting ranges, climbing or aquatics are for the facilities only. Your unit must provide the appropriate volunteers with credentials to the camp master or ranger to be given access to the facilities. The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will not be able to provide individual units with staff for program areas. If your unit does not have qualified volunteers, please visit the Program Area Training webpage to find out about training courses. You can also reach out to the program area leads to see if they can find volunteers to staff your request. Please remember that our program teams are volunteers and there is no guarantee that they can staff a specific date.
Visit the Camp Facility Usage page to discover:
- What training my leaders need to open a program area
- What activities are available to my scouts in each program area
- How to get an instructor for my unit.
Don’t forget Council Activity Days!
Each of the program committees (shooting sports, climbing and aquatics) will be scheduling days throughout the year to open the facilities. You will be able to sign up for them as any other event. This allows our volunteers to maximize their time and serve as many youth as possible while also giving your Scouting Families more choices in activities throughout the year.
Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Swimwear Requirements
Swimwear should be appropriate, functional, and provide sun protection as feasible. All swimwear must follow Scouting’s Barriers to Abuse statement: “Appropriate attire is required for all activities”. The following requirements are set for all participants at Greater Tampa Bay Area Council events. This includes Scouts, staff, siblings, family members and guests. Individual units may choose to be more restrictive in their swim wear requirements for their members.
For everyone: the swimwear must be:
- Designed as swimwear.
- Appropriate to the activity.
- Secure enough to not shift or fall off while participating.
- Anyone not potty trained must wear a swim diaper.
- Footwear is required outside all swimming/boating areas and MUST be closed-toed. Inside swimming/boating areas, if footwear is recommended or required, it may include flip-flops or sandals.
For females: one-piece swimsuits (best for swimming classes) or modest bikinis with a top similar to a sports bra to provide full cleavage coverage and full coverage brief bottoms are appropriate.
For males: swim trunks (best for swimming classes) or board shorts with at least a 3 inch inseam are appropriate; tight-fitting swim briefs / shorts are not appropriate.
Recommendations: It is highly recommended that a rash guard or swim shirt, full brim hat, sunglasses, and sunblock also be worn during the day. For Scouts participating in canoeing, kayaking or other boating activities, wear shoes that can (and will) get wet.