Camp Policies & Procedures

Program participants, adult volunteers, and staff are expected to follow all BSA policies as described in the Scouts BSA Handbook, Official BSA training materials, and as stipulated in the Guide to Safe Scouting. We also expect all youth, adults, and staff to follow the policies below as well as the directions given by camp staff (in some cases, policies described in the Guide to Safe Scouting are repeated here for clarity). Anyone caught not following safety guidelines may be asked the leave the event. We ask that unit leaders convey this information to everyone in there group that is attending the event. 

 

Every person coming to camp for any event at Camp John J. Barnhardt must be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America. Any adults attending camp with their Troop must have completed an adult registration prior to arriving at camp. This includes the criminal background check, required signatures, and Youth Protection Training.

All troops must ensure that they meet the BSA two-deep leadership requirement in camp at all times. BSA policy always requires at least two adult leaders be in camp; one must be 21 years or older. Leaders may rotate if necessary, but at least two adults must always be with the troop in camp. See Guide to Safe Scouting for clarification.

When small groups wish to register at an event with only one leader, they should contact the person responsible for the event. They will assist with pairing you with another unit in a similar situation or a small unit. In this instance, the troops will share leadership, camp together, and complete activities as if they were one unit. One of the troops in this situation might not get their desired campsite since the merged units would have to camp together. 

For Summer Camp: Upon arrival, each camper, adult leader, and staff member must present to the camp health officer or designee an up-to-date BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form signed by a licensed medical professional . Parts A, B, and C are required.

For Webelos Camp, Winter Camp, and other overnight camping event at Camp Barnhardt organized by the Council or a District: Upon arrival, each leader of a unit must have for each camper and adult leader an up-to-date BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form (parts A and B are required). These forms may stay with the unit leader. Staff members must present to the camp health officer or designee an up-to-date BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form (parts A and B are required).

During Summer and Winter Camp: The health lodge houses a Scouter that has completed the Camp Health Officer Training Course (and also sufficient medical training as specified in NCAP Standard SQ-405 such as holding RN, EMT, or paramedic certification). This individual will handle minor accidents or illness. All injuries, regardless of the extent must be reported to Health Lodge personnel. More serious cases may involve calling emergency services (911) or a leader transporting the individual to Atrium Health's Urgent Care Center or Hospital in Albemarle.

Year round camping: The health lodge is not staffed during the offseason. If an emergency arises when a troop is camping at Barnhardt, they should handle minor issues as possible and otherwise call emergency services (911) or transport the individual to nearby care. 

Nearest Hospital: Atrium Health Stanly, 301 Yadkin St., Albemarle, NC, 28002

Nearest Urgent Care: Atrium Health Urgent Care, 703 Leonard Ave., Albemarle, NC 28001

Atrium Health Urgent Care, 703 Leonard Ave., Albemarle, NC 28001
Atrium Health Stanly, 301 Yadkin St., Albemarle, NC, 28002

Camp John J. Barnhardt has an emergency alarm system that may be heard throughout camp. Emergency Procedures are posted in every campsite and program areas.

In the event of a general emergency: A loud alarm with volume that rises and falls will be sounded. This indicates that all individuals should return to their campsites.

In the event of impending severe weather: A single tone/ consistent volume alarm will sound. This indicates that every individual should immediately move into the nearest designated structure. 

For the safety of Scouts walking through camp, only one vehicle per unit will be allowed beyond the parking lot (i.e. ,to drive inside camp) for gear drop off during check-in times. If a trailer is used, the trailer may be unhooked and parked in the campsite. No vehicles will be allowed to stay in the campsite (this will be strictly enforced). Large troops may be allowed to drive a second vehicle into camp, but only after the first has returned to the parking lot. All other vehicles are to stay in the parking lots and any additional gear or Scouts will have to hike in. No vehicles are allowed into camp to drop off gear after the event has fully started (defined as the time check-in ends.

One vehicle will be allowed to drive into camp on the morning of check-out for gear pickup and to pull the trailer out of the campsite. 

For safety reasons, all persons must wear shoes at all times except at the pool, waterfront, and in shower facilities. Open-toe shoes are not permitted except in the showers, on the pool deck, or at the waterfront. While walking to the showers, closed-toe, hard sole shoes must be worn. There will be no exceptions.

Drones: Due to our proximity to an airport, no drones may be flown at Camp John J. Barnhardt.

Firearms, Ammunition, Bows, Arrows and Weapons: Personal firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows and weapons are not allowed in camp. Only those supplied by the camp are permitted, and only in designated areas.

Alcohol and/or Drugs: The use of alcohol and/or drugs on Boy Scout property is prohibited. Similarly, no individual should enter camp under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The policy will strictly be enforced for all those who use our camp facility. Violators will be asked to leave camp immediately. 

Tobacco Products: Camp John J. Barnhardt is a Tobacco Free Camp. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not use tobacco on camp. Adult leaders that choose to use tobacco must leave camp property to do so. 

Fireworks: Fireworks are prohibited at Camp John J. Barnhardt. 

Pets: No pets, except service animals with medical requirement, will be allowed in camp. Service animals will need prior approval from the Council Office before arriving at camp. There will be no exceptions to the requirement for prior approval. 

Verizon service is excellent at camp. AT&T is limited while others are very limited. The Camp Office does not have a telephone. The pool phone is for outgoing emergency calls only. Camp staff and event coordinators may be reached by phone using the numbers listed.
Camp John J. Barnhardt provides mountain bikes for Cycling merit badge sessions. These bikes may be used for recreational mountain bike rides during open recreational time or evenings under under the supervision of a staff member. Campers are allowed to bring their own bicycles as well. All of the following rules apply regardless of whether the bicycle is a personal or camp bike.
  1. Bicycles should only be used when properly functioning and with all of the appropriate safety gear. Always wear a helmet!
  2. Bicycles can be ridden only between sunrise and thirty minutes prior to sunset. For your own safety, no riding at dusk or after dark.
  3. Scouts must have a buddy when biking away from main camp.
  4. Bicycles should be parked in appropriate areas; Do not lean your bikes on the Dining Hall. Those biking to meals should park the bike against the tree line on the far side of the Dining Hall (near the cemetery) so as not to get in the way. Bikes should not be parked in shelters or buildings.
  5. Bikes should never be ridden in campsites or program areas. They must be parked prior to entering a program area.
  6. Other than camp bikes, only the owner of a bicycle should ride it at Camp John J. Barnhardt.
  7. Bikes should stay on paths/roads and stay to the right side. Cyclists should watch for pedestrians. Pedestrians have the right of way!

Camp John J. Barnhardt's bathhouses each have eight individual locking bathrooms with a sink, shower, and toilet. These are not designated as youth or adult as they are intended for only one person at a time (no more than one person should enter any one of these rooms at any time).

At the pool, there are four bathrooms designated adult male, adult female, youth male, and youth male. Each of these has multiple toilets and shower stalls. Adults should not enter the youth facility. Adults need to respect the privacy of youth members in situations where the youth are changing clothes, using the latrine or taking showers. Adults also need to protect their own privacy in similar situations. Cameras and/or video recorders are not allowed in any bathrooms or shower areas (see CNCC Standard FA707-1).

Year round camping: as part of winterization, one side of the bathouses are closed to prevent damages by freezing sometime in november.  All campsites outhouses are also wintereized to prevent damages. 

Golf carts will be permitted on an as needed basis. Those who are handicapped and have a placard for their vehicle will be able to use a golf cart on camp once cleared by the Camp Ranger. Any individual who wishes to use a cart but does not have a handicap-related need will have to be reviewed by the Camp Director/Event Coordinator and Ranger before arriving to camp. Further, the driver of the golf cart must complete online training prior to arrival and the golf cart must be inspected by the Ranger or designee. All permitted persons will read and complete a golf cart agreement. Golf cart approval is valid until the end of the calendar year. Reinspection may be required at any time. 
Unit leaders are responsible for maintaining discipline and overseeing the conduct of their units. The camp staff will not discipline any Scout other than intervening in a situation that creates a health/safety risk. The Unit Leader will be notified of behavioral issues. The camp staff is charged with the responsibility of providing program and support services to camp and its participants; they are not authorized to reprimand or punish Scouts. The camp administration reserves the right to remove any person from camp who is causing a major disruption.
We ask that any found items be taken to Montgomery Lodge. Lost and found will be held here until the end of the event. Items not claimed within 30 days will be given to a charitable organization. All property should be clearly marked with name and unit number.
All participants are asked to live by the Outdoor Code. Please don’t cut down or damage live trees. Make sure any fires are in properly designated fire areas. Please use existing fire rings rather than creating new ones.
Leaders and Scouts leaving early from camp must check-out through Montgomery Lodge. Scouts may not leave camp for any reason without the Scoutmaster or Advisor in charge of the unit signing him out to an approved adult. Unless other written information is presented at check-in (download the Camper Leaving Early Form here), Scouts will only be released from camp to their parent or legal guardian. We understand that emergencies will arise and parents will need to pick up Scouts without warning, but otherwise please otherwise use the Camper Leaving Early Form.

Scouts are not permitted to roam past the boundaries of the Cannon Scout Reservation (this includes not walking to or on the railroad tracks or into the cemetary). 

Outside of scheduled family nights/events, visitors and guests should be listed on the Unit roster and have taken Youth Protection Training. The unit leader responsible for the behavior of all guests visiting their unit or its members. They are also responsible for ensuring that the unit’s visitors and guests are aware of the camp’s health and safety rules and procedures, and that they are followed. Visitors and guests are not permitted to spend the night without being registered for the event. Visitors should sign in and out and Montgomery Lodge. 
We recommend that Scouts only bring needed items to camp. Computers, tablets, jewelry, and other valuable property are the responsibility of their owners. Remember that heavy rains can quickly occur and damage electronic devices. These and other personal items are not the responsibility of Camp John J Barnhardt or the Central NC Council, BSA. 
The Field Uniform (often referred to as a Class A uniform) only expected at Camp John J. Barnhardt during check-in, flag lowering ceremonies, dinner meals, and chapel services. At all other times, an activity uniform (often referred to as Class B) consisting of a troop or camp T-shirt is recommended. Troops may require Scouts to wear the Field Uniform more often if they wish.

Participants should practice Leave No Trace principles to the maximum extent practicable. If you packed it in - you pack it out! All units are expected to police their camping area and remove all trash to the dumpsters located behind the dining hall.

During offseason events, the dumpsters may reach capacity.  Trash that will not fit in the dumpsters becomes the responsibility of the unit to remove from the camp. Do not pile trash next to the dumpsters. If the dumpsters are full at time of checkout then units must pack out their trash and dispose of it properly.

The following areas are off limits to all campers: The Ranger’s home and maintenance areas, camp staff living areas, the kitchen and food storage areas (except for authorized volunteers), and any program area where staff is not present.