Camp Fees and Attendance Requirements

Ockanickon Scout Reservation
2008 Program and Leader Guide

WHETHER you have done this all before or you are new at it, moving your troop to summer camp and having a great week doesn’t just happen. Like any endeavor, success tends to be proportional to effort. In this section we have listed some recommendations and ideas from Scout troops that have “done it all before”. We hope you will find this information valuable as you plan for your week of camp at Ockanickon.

Adult Leaders In Camp

Two-deep leadership is the rule for any troop outing and the same applies to summer camp. You must provide at least one adult 21 years of age or older and another adult 18 years of age or older during your troop’s entire time at Ockanickon.  Leaders are given steep discounts on their stay because of how much help they provide their Scouts.  Please remember this necessity as you plan your summer camp week.

Medical Forms

Status Requirements
Boy Scout, Explorer, Venturer, Team Member, or Adult Leader under 40 Class 1 & 2 or class 3 Medical form completed by a physician within the last 36 months and annual health history page completed within the last 12.
Adult leader over 40 (regardless of length of stay) Class 3 medical form completed by a licensed physician within the last 12 months.
Accepted Medical Forms

The standard Class 1 and 2 Medical Form (No. 34414) which includes an annual health history signed by parents or guardians, supported by a medical evaluation that was completed within the last 36 months by a physician licensed to practice medicine may be used by anyone under 40.
3 Medical Form (No. 34412) may be used by both those over and under 40 if completed within last 12 months.
A Medical Form from any of the BSA High Aventure Bases (Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base and Philmont Scout Ranch) may be used by both those over and under 40 if completed within last 12 months.
A Medical Form for the National Jamboree may be used by both those over and under 40 if completed within last 12 months.
Other forms such as sports physicals or physicals for non-Scout camps may not be accepted!

Physicals Reminder

All physical forms require more than one signature and many blank spaces to complete, during check in our staff will check for the following:

  • Physician signature and date
  • Parent signature (where appropriate) and date
  • Immunization history
  • Allergies and chronic conditions
  • Current medication
  • Any other conditions of which the health officer should be aware

Physicals are merely an overview of a Scout's health.  Remember to ask Scouts how they're feeling before they come to camp and take appropriate action. 

Don't let a sick Scout ruin your troop's stay.  Scouts that miss camp due to illness that purchase the Travmark Camp Insurance are covered and will receive a refund.
Scoutmaster Tool

Always travel with current copies of each Scout’s medical form (in the troop first aid kit for example). Please note that the medical forms of any Scout or adult who receives first aid treatment while at camp will not be returned.

PLEASE MAKE COPIES BEFORE COMING TO CAMP

Holding a Troop Summer Camp Meeting

Sometime in the spring, many troops hold a special “Summer Camp Meeting” for the benefit of the boys and their parents. The purpose of such a meeting will vary from troop to troop. Here are some possible topics of discussion that would be beneficial for such a meeting.

  • Your troop’s travel plans (maps, departure & return times) and other information
  • Collection of medical forms, camp fees & merit badge selections
  • Time to counsel individual Scouts on their summer camp plans and to review pre-requisite requirements
  • Selection of troop and patrol activities for the week.
  • Confirm Adult Leadership for the week of camp
  • Question and answer time for parents and curious Scouts

Getting Summer Camp Commitments from Webelos

If your troop is associated with an established Cub Pack, it is important that you always maintain a healthy relationship with that Pack. Cub Scouts are the primary source for new boy Scouts. To make sure that Webelos crossing over have the opportunity to come to summer camp at Ockanickon, it is important that you start talking to them about summer camp, as soon as possible. Here are some suggested ways to get Webelos signed up to go to summer camp with your troop:

Scoutmaster Tool
Invitations
Send a special letter to every graduating Webelos Scout inviting them to summer camp with your troop. 		Promotions
Arrange for your S.P.L. and some Scouts to stop by a Webelos Den meeting, teach a skill and talk-up summer camp 		Blue & Gold Banquets
If you’re Cub Pack has a Blue & Gold Banquet plan on stopping by this year with a few Scouts and some camp pictures.

The task of being a unit leader may seem thankless, but a little bit of planning can help you guarantee a smooth camp stay and make it through to all the thank yous you'll get (or should get) for your Scouts.

To Do List:

January to March

April to June

On Arrival at Camp

Summer Camp Fees, 2008

Our camp program is the best around and we structure our fees to make this experience accessible to everyone.  Listed below are the camp fees for summer camp 2008.  Please note that when your Scouts commit to camp early by paying early we, as a camp, are better able to save them money through better planning.
Rate Type (see below details) Due By Camp Fee 100% Ockanickon Discount
Special Discounted Rate February 22, 2008 $297.00 $281.00
Special Webelos Crossover Rate May 30, 2008 $297.00 $281.00
Regular Camp Rate per Scout April 25, 2008 $315.00 $299.00
Late Camp Rate per Scout May 30, 2008 $338.00 $321.00
Walk-In Camp Rate after May 30, 2008 $350.00 $337.00
Provisional Camper Rate (1st stay) arrival at camp $380.00 N/A
Provisional Camper Rate (2nd+ stay) arrrival at camp $292.00 N/A
Adult Leader Slot Rate May 3, 2008 $102.00 N/A (see below)
Week 8 (Aug 10-16) 2nd Visit Special   $200.00 N/A
Camp Fees are Not Refundable      

 

Notes and Explanations of Above Fees
Special Discount Rate All monies paid by your troop before February 22, 2008 (including any monies rolled over from your 2007 account and $25 of the original $100 enrollment fee) will reserve and secure space for your troop in your week at camp at this Special Discounted Rate.
Webelos Crossover Rate Webelos who crossover to your troop can still qualify for the Special Discount Rate if they are paid in full by May 30, 2008 with copies of crossover applications.
100% Ockanickon Discount Cannot be applied to Provisional Camper Fees or Adult Leader Fees. Your troop must have been to summer camp at Ockanickon in 2007 to earn this discount.
Free Weeklong Adult Leaders Each 10 youth your unit pays for entitles your unit to a free weeklong adult leader.  There is no maximum and your unit is guaranteed 2 free weeklong leaders regardless of contingent size.  Free weeklong leaders must meet the following qualifications: They must commit to attend camp for the entire week at the May 3th Leader Meeting and at least one full time camp leader must attend the May 3th Leader Meeting
Leader Slots Traditionally, Ockanickon has charged a day rate for any leader not staying the whole week.  Instead, now units will purchase leader slots.  Each leader slot allows a unit to have a single adult stay with the unit regardless of how this slot is filled during the week.  The leader slot can be filled by a single leader all week, or a leader that stays until Wednesday followed by a new leader for the remainder of the week.  A unit may not fill a slot by having two leaders stay for first half of the week.  Please note that there is no longer a day rate so a leader that would like to come up for two days would require an entire leader slot.  There is an exception for leaders helping with arrival or departure and information is available below.
Leaders Helping with Arrival and Departure Many units have significant transit times and sometimes leaders wish to stay over Sunday to Monday to help arrival or Friday to Saturday to help departure.  These leaders were previously charged a day rate despite rarely staying a day.  Now, these leaders may simply pay the meal fee for Sunday's Family Picnic or Saturday's Quick Breakfast.  There are some restrictions on this option.  First, leaders that help with arrival and departure will not be counted with the unit's head count for the purpose of assigning beds and should plan on bringing a tent.  Second, leaders will not be included with the head count for meals and will not be covered for Monday Breakfast or Friday Dinner and seats for these meals may not be available depending on seating
Week 8 2nd Visit Special Units and Scouts that have already attended at least one week already in 2008 may register to return week 8 (Aug. 10-16) at a much reduced rate.  Week 8 is a great opportunity to finish up badges or try new program your unit may not have tried during your first visit in 2008.  This rate will apply until the week is full or at the prerogative of the Camp Director.  Please indicate that this is your unit's second visit on your registration form to receive this reduced rate.
 

Summer Camp Fee Policies

  1. Your Troop will be billed at the prevailing rate for the number of campers that you tell us you are bringing to camp. No matter how hard we try, your best quote will always be better then our best estimate of your troop’s attendance. Please update your numbers often.

  2. All fees must be paid with a troop check made payable to: "BCCBSA"

  3. Camp fees must be sent to the office address below and processing will be delayed if fees are sent to camp

    All camp fees must be sent to:
    Ockanickon Summer Camp
    Bucks County Council, BSA
    One Scout Way
    Doylestown PA 18901
     

  4. When paying camp fees, your troop is reserving space for individual Scouts at the prevailing rate. That payment locks out other potential Scouts from attending and directly affects a refund. (See refund policies) Therefore, any and all monies paid before the due date will reserve those spots for your troop. Example: If your troop is bringing 15 Scouts and pays $2,780 by the February due date, 10 will be completely paid for. The remaining 5 and any additions to your roster will be billed at the next higher rate. (Remember your confirmation either reserves enough spots for your group or locks out other campers from attending)

  5. As noted above, camp fees do increase as we get closer to the opening of camp. To insure fairness, we use the postmark date on the envelope to determine all rates.

  6. Camp fees are transferable to any Scout in your troop but not transferable to any Scout outside of your troop.

  7. Camp fees are not refundable.  Families may purchase Camp Cancellation Insurance as detailed here.

  8. A final roster is due 3 weeks prior to arrival.  An additional charge of $100.00 will be applied if the roster arrives after the 3 week deadline. All persons placed on the roster agree to allow their likeness to be used in future camp publications like slide shows and the web page.

TROOP PHOTOS: Venture Crew 507 will take Troop Photos during the Dinner meal on Sunday. 8x10 color photographs and 5x7 color portraits of a Scout or Scout family will be available. All pictures are developed at the Ockanickon Photo Lab with photo proceeds funding the youth photography program.  The current price of a 8x10 Troop photo is $7.00 and $5.00 for a 5x7 individual or family photo. Be ready for camp, bring your order form! The order form is available here as a pdf or here as an rtf.

LEADERSHIP MEALS: If space permits, registered adult leaders from your unit may eat in our dining facility. Those leaders must be listed on your unit's summer camp roster on Sunday. Meal costs are - Breakfast: $5.50, Lunch: $6.50, Dinner: $6.50. No visitors are permitted.

ACTIVITY FEES: To help keep individual camper fees down and finance future program improvements we may be charging fees for certain extra programs and services. These fees, if any, will be announced at the May Leader Meeting.

SUMMER CAMP 2009: You will have an opportunity to sign up for summer camp 2009 while at camp. A $100 (non-refundable) deposit will be required to reserve a spot for next summer. Visa and MasterCard accepted.  $50.00 will be applied to your 2009 Camp Balance and $50.00 will be kept for processing.

REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds. Families have an opportunity to purchase Camp Cancellation Insurance.  This will protect their camp investment should their son be unable to attend due to illness or other covered issues.  Click here for more information about Camp Cancellation Insurance.

PROVISIONAL CAMPERS: Scouts who come to camp without their troop are provisional campers. Troops that choose to host provisional campers receive a $10 credit for each provisional camper that they host. The credit will be applied to the troop’s 2009 summer camp fees. The fee for the first time a Scouts attends camp as a provisional camper is $380.00. The fee to attend Ockanickon for a second week is $292.00, this includes Scouts who attended their first week with their troop not as a provisional camper.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS: Qualifying Scouts may receive camp scholarships. More information concerning the Ockanickon Campership program and an application are available from the Bucks County Council Service Center in Doylestown.  This application can also be found on the Documents Page. Application deadline is April 1, 2008.

GOLD CARD DISCOUNT:  Bucks County Council Troops may qualify for an additional discount if they earned Gold Card status with Bucks County Council.  This adjustment will be made in the June 2008 account statement.  Leader's fees are already significantly discounted and are not further discounted with a Gold Card.

Pre-Ordered Shirts: Units may now order Ockanickon shirts and hats in all available sizes two weeks before their arrival and have these items ready for pick-up at the Trading Post when the unit arrives. The order must be received two weeks ahead of time so Ockanickon can get the appropriate sizes and payment must be included. Complete the Shirt Pre-Order Form and send it in to guarantee your Troop keen Ockanickon wear.

Custom Shirt Orders: Units may now get custom-made shirts with their unit number and a custom design through Adventuring in Design, information available here.

Sunday Picnic and Saturday Quick Breakfast: Guests coming Sunday to help with dropping of your unit and gear are welcome to buy tickets to the Sunday Unit Picnic at unit check-in. These tickets cost $7.00 for adults and $5.50 for children under 11. Guests coming Saturday to help with your unit's departure may purchase tickets to the Saturday Quick Breakfast for $3.00 at unit check-in. A purchase form is available here.
Scoutmaster Tool
Visiting camp is not permitted. Visiting your son at camp is permitted on Sundays and Saturdays only.  This policy helps to minimize homesickness amongst the campers.  For security reasons, restricting visitation enables us to better  control who is on the property and protect all of our campers

If there is a necessity for parents to see their Scout during his week at camp, as Scoutmaster, you can make the necessary arrangements for parents to sign-out their son and go off camp property during Sunday’s check in.

Continue to Part 2: Program and Ages & Stages

Ockanickon Scout Reservation Program and Leader Guide

Bucks County Council, Boy Scouts of America

Looking for a specific topic?  Try the Program and Leader Guide Index or the FAQs.  Direct questions about fees and registration to registration@ockanickon.org and program, facilities and all other questions to questions@ockanickon.org.