Camp Policies

The Sand Hill Summer Camp Site™

2010 Adult Leadership

Each troop is required to have at least two adult leaders or one registered adult and a parent of a participating Scout in camp during the entire week at camp, and one of these two adults must be at least 21 years old. Leaders may rotate, as needed, as long as the "two deep" leadership requirement is maintained.

Under the troop system of camping, the troop leader is in charge of the troop at all times. Organization and discipline are the responsibilities of the Troop leader. The camp staff will work with the troop leader, as advisors, and will help to provide an environment in which the troop can grow into a better organized, better prepared, and more independent organization.

Experience shows that having at least one leader stay at camp for the entire week provides the most effective leadership. This provides an important continuity of supervision and organization.

2010 Camp Physicals

The BSA has adopted a new Annual Health and Medical Form.  Part B of this form is completed by a physician annually for all members (youth and adult) and will be required for any activity that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, resident camps, or for strenuous and physically demanding activities. In addition, there are new weight restrictions for activities where the Scouts & leaders will be more than 30 minutes away from an area where they could be picked up by an ambulance. The new form will be required for summer camp. There is no substitute to this form. The medical for is available online here.

2010 Provisional Camping

Provisional camping is a program that allows Scouts to attend camp without their troop. Provisional campers are grouped with other troops and supervised by the adult members of that troop.

Provisional Scouts must fill out an application and return it to the council service center along with the appropriate fee at least two weeks in advance. The Camp Director can make exceptions to the two-week notice.

Scouts approved to camp provisionally check-in at the Administration Building at 3:00pm on Sunday.

2010 Tour Permits

Every troop is required to have a tour permit on file in the Council Service Center. West Central Florida Council troops are required to have a tour permit, since they are not completing a camp usage permit for Sand Hill Scout Reservation.

Remember to file your tour permit at least two weeks in advance and bring it to summer camp.  Out of council troops that are more than 500 miles (one-way) need to file a national tour permit.

2010 Tobacco Products

In accordance to the national policy of the Boy Scouts of America, Adults are asked to use discretion when using tobacco products and should avoid using them in the presence of campers. Smoking is not permitted in camp buildings nor is the use of tobacco products by those under the age of 18.

2010 Controlled Substances

In accordance with the national policy of the Boy Scouts of America, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on camp property. Discovery of these items will result in immediate dismissal from the property and/or criminal prosecution. All medications must be under lock and key. Medications must be turned in to the camp health officer on Sunday to be placed under lock and key in the health lodge.

2010 Firearms

Firearms and ammunition are available at the camp for use in the Shooting Sports area. Personal bows, shotguns, and other firearms are not allowed on camp property.

2010 Footwear

Except when at the pool or boating area, or when taking a shower, closed-toe shoes must be worn in camp, no sandals or flip-flops.

2010 Youth Protection

One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require a personal conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of others.

Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing into swimming suits or taking showers at camp and intrude only to the extent that health and safety requires. Scout campers must extend the same courtesy.

When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than that of his parent or guardian. Shower facilities at the pool house are available for Troop leaders. When female leaders are present in camp, signs are available to indicate the sex of the latrine or shower occupant.

2010 Visitors / Volunteers

All visitors and camp volunteers must check in at the camp office in the main parking lot upon arrival on the property. Visitors will receive an ID badge that must be returned prior to leaving. All volunteers must be approved by the camp administration.

2010 Vehicles

All vehicles must be parked in the camp parking lot following Sunday unloading and prior to Saturday loading. No vehicles are allowed in camp without the express permission of the Camp Director. Approved vehicles will be given a pass that must be visible (on the dash). No one is permitted to ride in the back of pick-up trucks or trailers. 

2010 Friday Family Night

Friday evening is a special time when visitors and guests are invited to camp. Visitors are encouraged to come to camp after 5:00 pm on Friday and eat dinner in the dining hall. Guest meal tickets are available during the week for $7 each. Leaders are encouraged to communicate meal costs with parents prior to Family night.

Visitors may stay for the closing campfire, which begins at 9:00pm. The time between dinner and the closing show is reserved as a special time for Scouts to visit with guests and no camp wide programs are generally planned.

Parents and guests are expected to park in the camp parking lot and follow all camp rules during their stay. Please inform parents that this is a camp, so our walking distances are far and that, for some, walking can be difficult. Advise them that they are not able to drive to every location they may want to. Also, advise Scouts that they may not want to escort their parent or guardian to every part of the camp.

Visitors must leave camp after the closing show is over. Hotels are available in the area if you would like to stay over night.

2010 Telephone and Mail

The camp emergency phone number is (352) 596-6082 and is to be used only for camp business or emergencies. Parents and others should remember that due to the camp size and individual schedules, it is not possible to locate campers or leaders at a moment's notice. Mail is delivered daily (excluding Sunday) to Sand Hill and should be addressed with the Scout's name and address.

2010 Uniforms

In an effort to instill a sense of pride in his uniform, each Scout should arrive at camp in either a troop uniform or the Boy Scout uniform. Everyone should properly wear the complete Boy Scout uniform (Class A) to dinner meals, vesper services, and campfires.

2010 Leaving Camp

Anyone, Scout or leader, who leaves the camp property, must checkout with the camp office. If a Scout is planning to leave camp (i.e., summer school, soccer game, etc.), a "Permission to Leave Camp Form" should be on file in the camp office in order to facilitate a speedy checkout. 

Please, advise all parents that they will have to prove their identity when checking a Scout out of camp and please understand that we need you (the troop leader) to be present at the time to verify that the Scout is allowed to leave with this specific person, even if they are the parent. Though they may be the parent, they may not be the parent that is allowed to have access to the child.

2010 Electronic Devices

Radios, video games, and other electronic nuisances are prohibited in campsites and program areas. Sand Hill cannot ensure the safety of these items. Also, past history has shown them to be disruptive and annoying to troop program as well as the general camp environment.