General Information

Rangers / Campmaster

Bovay Scout Ranch is served by a camp director and two rangers in residence at the camp. Unit needing assistance during their time at camp should contact one of the rangers. During most weekends, there will be one or more campmasters, volunteers who provide additional support to the weekend activities. The campmasters are located in the check-in building near the entrance to the camp.

Bovay Scout Ranch Ranger: Dean Tartt – 936-827-9583

Parking / Driving

Camp has been designed to minimize driving on the site. Once personal vehicles have been checked in at the camp entrance, drivers will be directed to the appropriate parking area for their campsite. Vehicles will be parked near the assigned campsite, and remain there during camp activities. The camp trail system and facility layout provide for foot traffic to all camp activity locations. It is not necessary, nor permissible, to drive personal vehicles around the camp. Participants with mobility concerns should coordinate with the camp director for assistance in meeting transportation needs. Unit trailers will be parked in the same lot as other vehicles.

Vehicles must stay on roads at all times. Passengers are not permitted to ride in the bed of trucks or in trailers.

Bicycles at Camp

● Bicycles in working order (good brakes) are allowed. Riders (youth  and adults) must wear properly fitted helmets at all times, no exceptions.
● Pedestrians on roads and trails have the right of way.
● Scooters, razor scooters, skates, and roller blades are not allowed.

Bovay Camp Rules

● No pets.
● Campers should drive only on the roads at the posted speeds and never drive or park on grass. Park close together at the campsites to fit all vehicles in. Overflow parking is in the headquarters parking lot - offload gear and move vehicles to overflow.
 No driving from campsites to the dining hall or program areas.
● Every camper should have their own water bottle and remember sunscreen.
● Closed-toed shoes - no sandals, flip flops or open-toe or back footwear.
● Pavilions have power - can accommodate two plugs, No power strips and only outdoor rated cords. Designed to support CPAP needs not run small appliances or multiple fans, etc.
● Trash - there are trash bins at each campsite. Please only use the trash bags you receive at check in for your campsite. There are dumpsters at the back of the dining hall for trash. 

Medications

The camp medical officer will review the health form provided by the Scout for instructions regarding medications that may be administered to the Scout. If no “over the counter” (OTC) medications are listed on the medical form, then it will be necessary for the medical personnel to attempt to contact the parent or guardian for permission to administer such medications (Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, aspirin, etc.). If they are unable to reach a parent/guardian, then the Scout will need further medical evaluation by the designated camp physician or hospital facility.

The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual’s parent or guardian. Unit leaders should ensure that prescription medications for their scouts are properly stored and administered.

Dietary

Allergies and special diets are common concerns. If a Scout requires a special diet, the unit leader must enter the information in the online registration system at least two weeks prior to arrival. The camp's food service providers are very experienced with accommodating most diets; however, not all diets can be accommodated. The unit leader will provide a parent and/or adult participant's email and phone number in the online registration system whenever a special diet is requested; the food service provider might contact the adult participant or a Scout's parent/guardian to discuss unique special requests.

The following diets can be accommodated: vegetarian, kosher, halal, no pork, no beef, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and lactose intolerant. Shellfish is not served at camp. The only peanut product served in the dining hall are peanut butter in the extra food bar.

Not all diets can be accommodated; if the camper has a unique request, the details should be entered into the online registration system.  Be aware that we are unable to completely change the menu or purchase specialty items.

  • While at camp, participants could participate in many dining styles such as family-style dining, cafeteria-style dining, and/or self-serve bars.
  • It is the expectation that all campers have the necessary knowledge of their diet and can manage their food choices.
  • Camp staff cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Careful consideration needs to be taken for campers with severe allergies, particularly those susceptible to airborne transmission.
  • If a camper has a severe allergy or dietary restriction, contact the camp directors to discuss if the camp staff is properly equipped to manage needs.
  • While the staff works to meet all dietary requirements, food is prepared in an area with milk, eggs, peanut, tree nut, wheat, soy, fish, and cross-contamination may occur.
  • It is the camper's responsibility to identify themselves to the kitchen staff then cooperate in helping the camp staff meet their need(s).

Depending on the need, it may be necessary for campers with special dietary requirements to bring food items to supplement items available at camp. Participants with special diets can request access to refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves to heat food, but actual cooking must be done at the campsite.

Special Accommodations

Scouts requiring special accommodations should list those in the online registration system. Common requests include needing refrigeration for medication, electricity for CPAP machines, etc. The camp staff will do everything they can to accommodate requests.

Quartermaster

If your unit needs trash bags, latrine and shower cleaning supplies, toilet paper, or cookies a helpful Quartermaster will assist you. The camp Quartermaster is not a substitute for units providing their own unit equipment. We will provide one 5-gallon water cooler per campsite. Hours will be posted as to when the Quartermaster is open. Units with Scouts that may have special needs (mobility, equipment, other), please complete the Special Needs Request Form at Appendix 5.

Uniforms

 All Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to wear their field uniform for the evening flag ceremonies, dinner and opening/closing campfires.

Personal Possessions

The use of personal electronic devices detracts from the outdoor experience provided by the camp. Personal valuables (watches, wallets, money) should not be in the open at camp. It is not possible to provide security for these items. It is recommended that each unit bring a lockable storage container to secure valuables while not in the campsite. All items are to be permanently marked with Scout’s name and unit number. Do not leave electronic devices unattended while charging anywhere at camp, including the camp office.

Camper Accountability

Family/Unit leaders should have a unit roster readily available of their participants that contains contact information for parents or guardians. Should a primary leader change during camp, the transfer responsibility of unit leaders must be clearly communicated to the Camp Director/Health Officer.

Family/Unit leaders will ensure that all campers are in their assigned campsite each evening before “lights out” and “quiet time.” Any missing scout will be reported immediately to the Camp Director.

Family/Unit leaders should know where their scouts are supposed to be at all times. They should encourage the use of the buddy system for their family/unit members. Monitoring of scout attendance at program activities is encouraged to ensure all campers are accounted for.

All camp-wide games, hikes, overnighters will be guided by staff that are informed and trained on how to manage the activity. Staff must know at all times the names and numbers of campers present. Two-deep leadership is a requirement. We will maintain the necessary camper to staff ratio of at least 1 staff member per 10 campers.

Waste Disposal/Recycle

All waste/trash generated at the campsite should be collected, bagged, and dropped in the dumpsters just north of the ranger station near the entrance of the camp. There are no recycling bins. Please take recyclable items home to recycle.

Medical Information and Emergencies

Emergencies: The camp has emergency phone numbers posted near all telephones, and FM radio communication throughout the camp. In an emergency, the camp ranger, or designee, will initiate emergency procedures depending upon the situation. During emergencies, adult leaders should supervise their own unit’s response appropriately. If an evacuation is necessary, it will be initiated by the camp ranger.

Emergency signals: There are two types of emergency alarms. The first is a solid tone for general emergencies. When you hear the camp alarm (Siren), you must IMMEDIATELY assemble with your Unit/Family at your campsite, take a headcount, have your Unit Leader report your attendance to the Staff member in charge, and await further instructions. If for whatever reason the campsites are unsafe, the staff will direct people to the camp headquarters parking lot as a secondary assembly area. Stay at the assembly area until all clear is given.

The second type of alarm will be a pulsing siren. This signifies a weather emergency. This part of Texas is prone to afternoon thunderstorms during the summer, with the potential for the formation of tornadoes. Whenever a serious storm approaches, everyone in camp should move into the nearest designated shelter. All permanent structures at the camp are suitable shelters during an emergency.

Emergency Evacuation: In the event of a fire or other hazardous condition that requires evacuation of the camp, instructions will be provided by the Camp Staff the camp headquarters parking lot on procedures to follow to exit camp as quickly as possible while maintaining accountability of staff and campers.

Drills: In accordance with National BSA camp policy, an emergency drill will be conducted each week of camp. Every person must report to their campsite when the alarm is sounded, drill or no drill!

Hospital Treatment: Should any participant require medical treatment beyond the first aid capabilities provided by unit members, they should be evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility by unit leaders. The closest hospital to the camp is:

CHI St Joseph Health Grimes Hospital 210 South Judson St (~15 minutes away; open 24 hours)
Navasota, TX 77868
936-825-6585

Health Lodge: The health lodge is open 24 hours a day and is prepared to handle minor injuries and illnesses. Any emergency that cannot be treated at the Health Lodge will be referred to a local hospital or doctor’s clinic. The family/unit leader or assistant will transport the patient to the outside medical facility.

Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency report to the health lodge at the camp headquarters building. The waiting area for the health lodge is on the porch area just outside the building near the entrance to the Health Lodge. A screening will be conducted on the porch before any person is brought into the lodge for treatment.

  • If the medic is not in the office, follow the instructions on the door on how to reach them.
  • Every Scout and adult who attends camp MUST have an annual health history form completed within the last 12 months prior to attending camp. A copy of your health form will be turned in during check-in at camp.
  • The camp reserves the right to refuse admittance to a Scout who, in the opinion of the camp health officer and the camp director, has any physical or medical problem that could present a hazard to themselves or other Scouts. 

Camp Staff

A staff of outstanding Scouts and Scouters has been assembled at our camps to meet the needs of our Scouts and leaders. The council recruits staff from the area colleges (e.g., Texas A&M University, University of Texas, Sam Houston State University, Texas State) as well as from the Order of the Arrow, and NYLT staff and participants. Those interested in serving as camp staff can apply at shacbsa.org/camp-staff.