New Cub/Boy Scout Resident Camp Rules for 2010
There are 2 major changes in procedure that need the attention of all troop & pack leaders planning to attend Boy Scout Resident Summer Camp and/or Cub Scout Resident Camp programs in 2010 at Paul Bunyan Scout Reservation and Camp Rotary that involve the new BSA Annual Health & Medical Record (health form) and the new State of Michigan Registry Clearance Guidelines.
New BSA Health Form
Effective January 1, 2010 the only health form that we are allowed to accept is the new BSA Annual Health & Medical Record. This form is available at the Council Service Center and on the LHAC website and will be distributed to troops at the pre-camp program planning meeting (Chili Dinner). In addition to the new Health Form, the Release of Campers Form is also required (page 5 of the new Health Form posted on our website). The Release of Campers Form includes information regarding who the Scout may leave camp with, in addition to permission to treat each Scout by the camp’s Health Officer. Troop/Pack Leaders need be sure that each youth & adult has the new health form and all youth have the new Release of Campers form. No Scout or Adult will be admitted into camp without them - This is a MUST! There will be no refunds for anyone who forgets these forms. Please also be advised that the new health form must be renewed annually for both youth & adults.
All adults planning to be at camp longer than 72 hours (3 days) must have the new BSA Annual Health & Medical Record. Adults without this form will not be permitted access to the waterfront or be allowed at camp longer than 72 hours. Adult leaders will also be required to go through a health check with the troop at check-in.
State of Michigan Registry Clearance
The State of Michigan has a new rule for resident camps requiring all adults (21 and older) that are on camp property to go through a Central Registry Clearance with the Department of Human Services of Michigan (DHS). Although the rule states that this pertains to “staff”, the state defines “staff” as either a paid employee OR a volunteer who has responsibility for the direct care or supervision of campers or who has unsupervised contact with campers. The state of Michigan requires us to document that EVERY individual aged 21 and older on camp property be cleared by the Central Registry / State of Michigan - this applies to both Boy Scout & Cub Scout Resident Camping programs held at both Camp Rotary & PBSR.
If you are 21+ years of age and plan to attend or visit Camp Rotary or Paul Bunyan Scout Reservation this summer, a letter from the State of Michigan stating you have been cleared by the Central Registry must be on file in the camp office. You will need to submit a Department of Human Services (DHS) Form 194 to your local DHS office which requests DHS to provide you with a Central Registry Clearance on yourself; this is a one time clearance at no cost to the person asking for the clearance. The State says there is a 10 day turn-around for clearance requests, however, it is strongly recommend that your get all adults cleared ASAP. Upon approval, the person seeking a clearance will receive a form letter, DHS 1910, from the State of Michigan showing that you have been cleared. You should keep a copy for your records and a copy needs to be turned in at camp with your health form upon your arrival at camp. This new rule applies to anyone 21+ years of age who wishes access to camp; you will not be allowed on camp property without Central Registry Clearance this summer. DHS Form 194 is available on the LHAC website, Council Service Center, or the State of Michigan website. For non-Michigan residents, please visit the State website
for instructions to get your clearance. To ensure that your troop family & friends who will be visiting you this summer do not get turned away, please notify your troop/pack families of this new State of Michigan rule. We will do everything possible to accommodate all adults wishing access to camp, however, we must follow the law!