Summer Camp FAQs & Policies

-Registrations must be made as a Troop. No individual reservations will be accepted. If you need assistance accessing your Unit account, please email 492.camping@scouting.org.
-Female and Male troops cannot be on the same reservation but can site and leadership share (let us know in the notes during registration).
-Make sure you have 2 adults on the reservation for youth protection coverage. If you are leadership sharing with another Troop, please indicate this in the notes.
-National Standards state every scout has a buddy at camp. Reservations must have a minimum of 2 youth and 2 adults. If you only have one adult but are leadership sharing with another Troop, please indicate this in the notes during registration.

It is always preferred that scouts come to camp as part of their home pack or troop. A primary goal of camp is making the pack or troop stronger for year-round operation. For safety and behavior reasons, it is also important that scouts are supervised by leaders who know them well. Many camps that focus on different goals than Scouting support individual youth sign-ups and are likely better options for youth who need to attend camp without their home pack or troop. There are exceptions:

Scouts BSA Troops

A registered Scout may come to summer camp with a different troop only if invited by that troop’s adult leaders. The Scout must be registered under their BSA Troop number.

Cub Scouts

Cub camp can accommodate a Cub and their parent or legal guardian coming to camp if they cannot come with their home den/pack. They will participate as a member of a “camp den” for the session for all stations, meals, and activities.

Scouts BSA Troops

At time of registration: A non-refundable deposit of $10.00 per Scout is paid to secure a reservation. Minimum of 2 scouts and 2 registered leaders required for all reservations. Linked Troops must complete separate registrations.

March 1st Commitment Payment Due: A non-refundable, non-transferable $100 per youth deposit is due to continue to hold spots (this is an additional $90 for spots already held by the first $10 deposit). Although adult deposits are not required for reservation, accurate adult numbers help camps to plan for the upcoming season.  Please do your best to provide the most accurate adult numbers possible when making a reservation.

June 1st: Balance paid in full and all youth will qualify for free incentive.

Between March 1 and two weeks prior to camp, unneeded spots may be refunded, minus the $100/scout non-refundable deposit.

Two Weeks Prior to Camp Session: At this point, spots are considered ‘locked-in’ and full payment is due for each youth spot whether or not they attend camp. No refunds are made after this date unless the unit submits a refund request form online.  The Refund Request Form lists acceptable refund situations (i.e. death in family, serious illness, etc); refunds will not include the $100 non-refundable deposit.

Cub Scout Packs

At time of registration: A non-refundable  of $10.00 per Scout is paid to secure a reservation. While individual Cub/Parent reservations can be accomodated, we strongly recommend coming to camp as a pack or at least a den as all activities are built around a den model. All registrations must be made in Pack accounts. 

May 1st Commitment Payment Due: A non-refundable, non-transferable $100 per youth deposit is due to continue to hold spots (this is an additional $90 for spots already held by the first $10 deposit). Although adult deposits are not required for initial reservation, accurate adult numbers help camps to plan for the upcoming season.  Please do your best to provide the most accurate adult numbers possible when making a reservation.

Between May 1 and two weeks prior to camp, unneeded spots may be refunded, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit.

June 1st: Balance paid in full and all youth will qualify for free incentive.

Two Weeks Prior to Camp Session: At this point, spots are considered ‘locked-in’ and full payment is due for each youth spot whether or not they attend camp. No refunds are made after this date unless the unit submits a refund request form online.  The Refund Request Form lists acceptable refund situations (i.e. death in family, serious illness, etc); refunds will not include the $100 non-refundable deposit.

Changes must be made to your reservation by calling the Camping Department at the Council Service Center in Portland or by emailing 492.camping@scouting.org.  You will need to include your unit number, reservation number, changes requesting, name of person requesting the changes, and a phone number. After May 1st, it is necessary to have changes in writing to ensure that your reservation is correct.

Up to two weeks prior to camp, please email refund requests to 492.camping@scouting.org. Include the reservation number, unit number, camp, session, name of Scout(s), and reason(s) for absence. Within two weeks of camp, please submit a Refund Request Form to the business manager upon arrival at camp. List the specific reason each Scout was unable to attend. All refund requests will be measured against the refund policy.

Planning and purchasing for camp happens long before camp begins and is based on your reservation of spaces at camp. Consequently, refunds are made as follows:

Scouts BSA

• Cancellations made before March 1st, a refund of all fees paid, less $10 per scout is made.
• Cancellations between March 1st and two weeks prior to camp: a refund of all fees paid, less $100 per Scout is made.
• Within two weeks of camp, no refunds are made unless the Scout in question finds himself in one of these circumstances:
  a) there is a death or serious illness in his immediate family requiring his attendance.
  b) he himself becomes ill and unable to attend camp.  Last minute cancellations due to chronic conditions may not meet the criteria of becoming ill.

If a refund is granted, it will be for fees paid minus the $100 deposit.

Refund Request Form

Cub Scouts

• Cancellations made before March 1st, a refund of all fees paid, less $10 per scout is made.
• Cancellations between May 1st and two weeks prior to camp: a refund of all fees paid, less $100 per Scout is made.
• Within two weeks of camp, no refunds are made unless the Scout in question finds himself in one of these circumstances:
  a) there is a death or serious illness in his immediate family requiring his attendance.
  b) he himself becomes ill and unable to attend camp.  Last minute cancellations due to chronic conditions may not meet the criteria of becoming ill.

If a refund is granted, it will be for fees paid minus the $100 deposit.

Refund Request Form

All refunds are mailed to the currently registered Unit Committee Chair. Refunds are not made to individual families. Camp refunds are combined with other refunds due the unit, minus any outstanding unit debts to the council, into one check or invoice. Refunds are mailed in September.

Scouts in need may apply for scholarships here. Camp scholarships are funded by donations from our Camp4All campaign and are limited to youth members of Cascade Pacific Council. Funds are only available while supplies last. Applications for camp scholarships can be submitted as early as January 1st but must be received no later than May 1st.

Two adults minimum per unit must attend camp to provide leadership, supervision, and coaching for Scouts (required by Youth Protection).

• For Cub Resident Camps: The recommended ratio at camp is one adult per six Cub Scouts (while maintaining the minimum two adults).
• For Scouts BSA Camps: The recommended ratio at camp is one adult per eight Scouts BSA members (while maintaining the minimum two adults).

Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over present for any activity involving female youth. Units that cannot fill the two-adult minimum are advised to pair up with another unit from their district (each unit must have its own reservation). Camps cannot assume responsibility for organizing minimum leadership; this is a unit responsibility.

Adult fees cover food, utilities, and other expenses and are to be paid by all adults staying overnight (there is one free adult per reservation). Pre-paid adult fees are fully refundable. Adult fees may be paid upon arrival at camp.

• Butte Creek or Baldwin Webelos Camp: Adult fees $105. 1-8 youth = 1 free adult, 9-16 youth = 2 free adults, 17+ youth = 3 free adults. ($45.00/day pro-rated)
• Scouts BSA Summer Camp: One free adult per reservation. Additional adults at Meriwether are $269. Additional adults at Baldwin and Pioneer are $259. $45.00/night pro-rated.

*Additional adults, while welcome, do take up space that could otherwise be occupied by youth Scouts. Although there is no set limit on adults, units are encouraged to bring only the recommended number.

Yes. Day visitor meal fees (for visitors not staying overnight) are $10 per meal.

Yes, daytime guests are welcome to visit camp. Please make sure they check in at the camp office and pay for meals ($10 per meal) they consume while visiting.

Camp is restricted to registered Scouts of the participating units only. National standards do not allow siblings or non-registered youths to stay in camp.

Units are welcome to share campsites. Please note that units MUST make separate reservations and will need to note the unit number of the unit they want to share with when making the reservation.

Yes. Units traveling more than 200 miles to camp can arrive on Saturday evening for a one-time $100.00 fee. Email 492.camping@cpcbsa.org so that a note can be added to your reservation.

The camp can make minor substitutions, but it is unable to completely re-work the menu for severe food allergies. In these cases, it is best to bring supplemental food items. Menus are posted online by May so you may review them before you leave. Note that these menus are subject to change without notice. Please submit a Special Needs form so the camp can anticipate your needs. Many times you may have a chance to talk to the camp director or cook directly to help clarify your needs.

Individual Scouts may join another unit for the camp session, but they MUST make a separate reservation under their own unit number after getting approval from the other unit. Indicate unit numbers on both reservations so the camp can match the Scouts up in the same campsite.

NOTE: At all camps it is a good idea to bring several extra tents to allow flexibility in sleeping arrangements.

Camp Meriwether: “Mini-dacs,” (2 person, wooden-walled platforms with a metal roof) in most sites. A few have “Adirondacks,”(three-sided cabins with bunks).

Camp Pioneer: Two person canvas tents on wood platforms.

Camp Baldwin: Most sites have two person canvas tents on wood platforms, three have mini-dacs.

Butte Creek Scout Ranch: Mini-dacs  (2 person, wooden-walled platforms with a metal roof).

Generally, low sugar substitutes for diabetic persons are available at each camp. Please submit a Special Needs form so the camp may anticipate your needs.

Smoking, vaping, and tobacco products are not permitted in camp buildings, campsites or anywhere visible to youth. Each camp has a smoking area, often in the camp parking lot.

Yes. Please use them away from Scouts to prevent homesickness issues. Not all camps have cell service; most have spotty coverage at best.

No.  National standards do not allow personal firearms of any kind at camp (including archery). Firearms may not be stored in vehicles on property.

No. Alcohol and marijuana are not permitted at any time on any Scout property.

Yes. Out-of-Council units must provide proof of insurance. All Cascade Pacific Council units are included in the council-provided accident insurance.

Some resident camps do permit one vehicle to drop gear at the trailhead to campsites on opening day. This occurs during specific times, so please ask your camp director about vehicle use in your camp. A good time to get all your questions asked is at the Pre-Camp Meeting, where you will have a chance to meet with your camp director in person.

Access varies from camp to camp. Please submit a Special Needs form to let your camp director know about access needs.

No. ATVs are not permitted on Cascade Pacific Council Property.

Camps maintain portals with the most current program and other information. Check them often as these are in draft form until March, and close to final form in early May. Merit badge and other program offerings may change depending on staffing and as program plans are finalized.

On arrival at camp. Those few merit badges and activities with capacity limits are managed through a lottery done at camp. Find out more at a pre-camp leader meeting.

Yes! camp directors would like to meet with you in June at the Pre-Camp Meeting to answer questions and share information to enhance your camp experience. The Leader Guide will answer some general camp information, but the camp directors will be able to answer more camp-specific questions and give you insight on anything that is new at camp!

Maps for each of our camps are located here and can also be found in the back of the Leader Guides.

Yes. Between May 1 and June 15, save 20% by pre-ordering t-shirts and hats for pickup on arrival at camp at our Pre-Camp Trading Post

Yes. Scouts love getting mail. Addresses are printed in the Leader Guides and are also found on the right side of each camps webpage. Select the camp you wish to find the address for in the menu on the right. Please make sure to include the Scout’s name, unit number, and week that he will be at camp. It is suggested to send things early to ensure delivery.

Significant liability risks, sanitation, and negative interactions with wildlife, along with the allergies or phobias of other campers all generally make Scout camp an inappropriate place for domestic animals. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by Council Headquarters using the Special Needs form and accompanied by documentation describing the specialized tasks the animal has been specifically trained to do.

Pets: No participants or visitors may bring pets of any kind to camp, including dogs of any size, leashed or not. On occasion and with prearranged permission from the council office, permanent or resident staff may be allowed to have their pet confined to non-program areas and otherwise leashed.

Service Animals are dogs, miniature horses, and pigs trained to do specific tasks that their owners cannot do for themselves. When service animals are allowed, they must always remain leashed and wear identifying gear. Unless necessary, they will not be allowed in food preparation or serving areas. Their sanitation must be provided by the owner or troop.

Support Animals and Therapy Animals: “A “comfort” or “emotional support” animal, or one that provides aid without performing a specific task or duty, means that it does not meet the definition of service animal. If the animal is not individually trained to do work or perform a task, it is considered a pet under the ADA. Obedience training alone is not a sufficient qualification to make a service animal.” (Disability Rights Oregon, 2019). To ensure the safety of campers and staff, in all but the most extreme circumstances even with documentation, and then only with pre-approval, support, comfort, and therapy animals will not be allowed in camp.

Ref: https://droregon.org/topics/service-animals/