We would like to welcome you to our leaders guide in making your stay with us enjoyable for both you and your scouts. Guppy Gulch is an independent aquatic themed, high adventure water park and campground. We offer camping and programs catered for boy scouts. Join us this summer for week-long summer camp with our experienced staff at Guppy Gulch.
We have cabins for 40 campers, and several water front camp sites for tent camping. We also have pavilions, grills, picnic tables, full service trading post with a Amish bakery and pizza shop, bathhouse, camp office, and health lodge. All this on a 80 acre park setting with a clear blue 13 acre quarry with a white sandy beach with real palm trees, sand volleyball court, sand soccer field, and a turf dodge ball court formerly the NFL Baltimore Ravens game field.
Looking for a second week of camping with your scouts, or a week-long program for your older scouts or crew. In the morning we are offering one of a kind badges not found at most camps. In the afternoon your campers will enjoy our ever-growing water park with heart stopping activities, and new this year a full week of evening programs. If you have any questions or requests please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mike Sulewski Camp and Aquatics Director’ (443)604-3223
Steve Deem Camp Owner and Scuba Instructor (410) 458-8881
This is not a pool or a picture from a beach in Miami, this is our white sandy beach at Guppy Gulch.
Cost and fees
Cost per camper is $300 with meals
$220 own food
Cost per adult is $120 with meals
$60 own food
Day Visits from troops
Troops my visit our water-park for $20 a scout and leaders are free. The water park is open Monday through Friday from June 24- Aug 21. Hours of the water park is 1:30-5pm. Gates open at 11:30 for troops wanting to have lunch at the park. Troops may bring their own lunch or buy lunch from us for $5 a person. We also have a full service snack shop with a pizza polar, Amish bakery, ice cream, soda, candy, and t-shirts.
*There is added fees on Aviation, Scuba, Motor Boating, and White Water. Cost covers fuel, all equipment, and materials.
Aviation $90 (yes your fly)
Motor Boating $30
White Water $30
Scuba with PDIC Certification $225
Badges are all hands on, and my be taken for fun by crews and other groups. Groups will be separated so there is no interference with scouts taking them for requirements.
Reservations and Questions
call (410) 458-8881 or (443) 604-3223
Email us at lostpines@ymail.com
Meals
Guppy is offering 3 meal plans this summer.
Option 1: Units my bring in their own food for the week and cook at their campsite using troop or patrol method.
Option 2: Units my bring in their own food for breakfast and dinner and have Guppy supply a varied lunch during the week. Cost is $5 a scout per lunch.
Option 3: Guppy’s staff supplies all meals were units can eat at their campsite or at the pavilion. We are excited with the selection of menu that we have chosen for this summer that will only add to the total experience at Guppy.
BON APPETIT !
We have also a wide selection of restaurants, supermarkets, and smaller stores located in town just minutes from our gate.
Camping less than a week and extended stays
Mid week and week-end camping call for prices and availability.
Day campers coming from other camps are welcomed, please call for prices.
Troops and scouts are welcomed to stay longer than a week, call for details.
Site Reservation
A $150.00 non-refundable fee is required to reserve your campsite or cabin. A $50.00 deposit for each Scout attending camp is due by March 1. For all units making a reservation after March 1, the entire $150.00 site deposit and $50.00 deposit per Scout is required. All deposits and payments are credited to a unit’s total camp fee. All fees must be settled by the first day of your Troop’s stay in camp.
Reservations
To make a reservation for your Unit to attend Guppy Gulch, please contact: Steve Deem at 410-458-8881 or Mike Sulewski 443-604-3223
Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.
Refunds
Camp fees will only be refunded for medical or emergency reasons. Fees will NOT be refunded due to dismissal for violation of any camp policies. The Camp Director will answer any questions you may have regarding this matter.
2012 Camp Sessions
Guppy Gulch will offer eight week-long sessions starting on Sunday at 2 pm and running through Saturday with 9 am check outs
Session 1 June 24- June 30 Open to all scouts and crews
Session 2 July 1- July 7 Open to all scouts and crews
Session 3 July 8- July 14 Open to all scouts and crews (Mason Dixon Fair Wednesday Night)
Session 4 July 15- July 21 Open to all scouts and crews
Session 5 July 22- July 28 Open to all scouts and crews
Session 6 July 29- August 4 Venture Crew Week (all activities and adventures found no were else in scouting)
Session 7 August 5- August 11 Open to all scouts and crews
Session 8 August 12- August 18 End of Summer Water Carnival
Units should bring every thing they would bring to a traditional summer camp including their scout physical. Campers are asked to take their swim test before coming to camp and pass the swimmers test. We will perform swim tests for those who have not been to camp that summer.
Week’s schedule:
Morning:
8am Flag Raising
8:15 Breakfast
9am- 10:30 Class’s offered; Aviation, Chess, Oceangraphy, Life Saving, and Motor Boating
10:35- 11:50 Class’s offered; Aviation, Chess, Geology, Life Saving, and Motor Boating
* Scuba is both morning and afternoon
* White Water is offered in the evening
*Chess is again offered in the evening
12:15 Lunch
1:30- 4:50 Water Park Activities
5:45 Flag Lowering
6pm Dinner
7pm Evening Activities
Sunday: Beach bon-fire with music and water park
Monday: Game night, sand volley ball, and turf dodge ball
Tuesday: Movie under the stars on the big screen
Wednesday: Troop Night (campfire)
Thursday: Games and movie on the big screen
Friday: Slide show of the week on the big screen
10:30 Lights Out
Types of Camping:
Traditional Scout Camping
Units that come to Guppy Gulch have two types of camping options. Option 1 is cabin camping in one of 3 lodges holding up to 44 campers. Each lodge holds 16 campers with two buck-beds to a room a commons area and front covered porch.
Option 2 is tent camping on one of our several camp sites along the water. Troops will supply their own tents. Each site comes with fire pits, pavilion, and picnic tables. Water and bathrooms are nearby. Hot showers and flushing facilities are available for all campers at the shower house located at our main area.
Provisional Camping
For those Scouts who are unable to attend summer camp with their unit or looking for a high adventure experience not found in most standard camps, Guppy Gulch offers Provisional Camping each week during the summer. Guppy Gulch will provide all of the necessary camp leadership for
their week in camp. Scouts participating in the Provisional Camp will have all of the same opportunities as those camping with their units.
Beach Snack Hut
Guppy Gulch operates a beach snack hut that is stocked with an assortment of soda, snacks, candy and ice cream. In addition, we have fresh hot pizza, and a Amish bakery. We also have camp t-shirts on sale. We do not carry any scout items including blue cards or merit badge books. Scouts should bring those items with them to camp. The snack hut accepts cash, and checks.
Lost and Found
Guppy Gulch has two lost and found boxes in camp during the summer. Found items can be turned in to the Camp Administration Building. Items lost in or around the beach will be taken to the lost and found at the snack hut. Persons looking for their lost items are encouraged to check these two locations.
The Unit Leadership: Adults
It is the policy of Guppy Gulch that at least two adult leaders in attendance. At least one of them must be trained in Youth Protection. Summer Camp is no exception. At least one of the two leaders will be at least 21 years of age, the second adult must be at least 18 years of age. All leaders in camp are strongly encouraged to be trained in Youth Protection.
The Unit Leader is responsible for every Scout he or she brings to camp. Leaders should be able to account for all of their scouts at all times. A head count should be conducted every time the unit is gathered together including morning formation, before and after each meal, and before lights out. The Unit’s leaders are responsible for all of the actions and conduct of their Scouts. Please be aware of any special needs or accommodations your Scouts may have. If a Scout must leave camp early for any reason, it is the responsibility of the Unit Leader to ensure that the proper procedures are followed for releasing a minor. See the Camp Director for information regarding this policy.
Any person arriving at camp late, leaving camp early or just visiting camp, must check in at the Administration Building. Any person staying in camp for more than 24 hours must file a current medical form and have a medical re-check before participating in aquatic activities.
Uniforms
Bathing suit, water shoes, sun lotion, is the main uniform of the day. (We do strongly suggest foot protection for around camp and on the piers) (after all this was a slate rock quarry)
We leave it up to the individual units for their requirements as to what their scouts wear for meals, flag ceremonies, and Wednesday camp fire.
Camp Policies
• Alcohol and Illegal Drugs: Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs have no place in Camp. Possession, use, or being under the influence on Camp Property will be cause for immediate dismissal.
• Smoking: Smoking is permitted in designated areas by those permitted by law to do so. Under no circumstances should anyone be smoking in a tent or campsite.
• Hazing: Initiations or hazing in any form is a direct violation of Guppy Gulch. Such an infraction is cause for dismissal from Camp.
• Vehicles: Each unit will be allowed to take one vehicle at a time to the site to unload during Check-In. After Check-In, the only vehicles that are allowed to be driven in camp or stay at a site are those of the Camp Staff or for emergency reasons approved through the Camp Director.
• Leaving Camp: All campers or leaders leaving camp during the week MUST sign out (and sign in) at the Administration Building. Those Scouts leaving camp must have completed the proper procedures for the Release of Minors. The unit must maintain two-deep leadership in the site at all times.
• Firearms: Campers are NOT PERMITTED to bring personal firearms to camp.
• Fireworks: Possession or the use of fireworks in camp is strictly prohibited and is cause for dismissal.
• Liquid Fuel: Use of liquid fuel lanterns and stoves is discouraged. Battery lanterns are preferred. Propane lanterns and stoves must be used under the direct supervision of qualified Adult Leaders. Only adult leaders are permitted to change and refill propane containers.
• Camp Property: Damage to camp equipment , buildings, or property beyond the normal wear and tear will result in a monetary charge against the unit for all damages. Fees will be charged based upon the extent of the damage. See the Camp Director for more details.
• Personal Gear: Any personal equipment of great value should be left at home. Everything should be clearly marked for identification. Guppy Gulch is not responsible for lost or damaged items but will do everything reasonably possible to help recover any items.
• Pets: PA State Law prohibits pets in camp while in Session.
• Quiet Hours: Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and remain in effect until 6:30 am. Taps is at 11pm. No Scout is allowed out of their site without a leader after 10:00 pm.
• First Aid: All injuries and illnesses must be reported to the Administration Building for recording. Camp will provide a refrigerator and lock box for all prescription medications.
• Fighting: This behavior has no place in a camp. Fighting can be grounds for dismissal from Camp at the Camp Director’s discretion.
No fishing on camp due to scuba and snorkeling programs.
• First Aid Station
Located in the Administration Building is a First Aid Station. Locate any lifeguard and go to the Administration Building to take care of First Aid cases or other emergencies.
• Accident or Injury
Minor accidents can be treated in the campsite. All treatments MUST be recorded in the First Aid Log at the Administration Building. If there are questions, report to the Administration Building.
• Major Accident or Injury
Using the Buddy System, report to the Administration Building to report all accidents. Report all major accidents to the Camp Director; in his absence, notify the camp staff. Those reporting the situation should present all of the known facts and wait for instruction.
• Storms Should a severe storm happen (tornado, windstorm, thunderstorm, hurricane, etc.) follow the instructions of the Camp Staff. All persons will report to the Pavilion and await instruction there.
• Lost Camper Unit Leaders should be aware of the general location of all of their Scouts at all times. It is strongly encouraged to do head counts of your Scouts periodically during the day (meals, formations, and taps). If you believe someone is missing, conduct a search of the campsite and shower facilities. Should you find that you are missing a member, notify the Administration Building immediately.
• Lost Swimmer Safety is the number one priority of the aquatic staff. The aquatic staff will call periodic buddy checks. All swimmers will get out of the water and stand on the beach. A hand count will follow matching the swim tags to people in the water. Should there be a discrepancy, the aquatic staff will identify who is missing and try to resolve the problem. Should the individual(s) not be found, a Lost Swimmer Search would commence under the direction of the Aquatics Director. The same procedure will be followed for situations at the Pier.
• Fire During the summer time, there is always a risk for wildfires caused by drought or other factors. It is extremely important for units to follow all instructions from the Camp Staff related to fire restrictions and locations to burn. It is extremely important that all campers and staff make a conscious effort to reduce and eliminate the possibility of causing fire. Such actions that increase the likely hood of fires include: flicking matches, creating fires outside of an appropriate fire pit, and cigarette butts thrown on the ground.
Sunday Check-In
• Check-in begins at 2:00pm on Sunday afternoon at Administration. Please do not plan on arriving until 1:45 pm.
• Paperwork and fees can be settled with the Camp Director anytime until noon Monday.
• One vehicle at a time will be permitted to drive to the site to unload. Unit trailers will be permitted to stay in the site.
• No cars will be left in the site.
• After Checking-In at the Administration Building, each unit will be assigned a staff member.
This guide will help:
. Get your unit settled into your site
. Walk through the site with you to identify damaged equipment so the unit isn’t held responsible
. Take the unit on a tour of Camp
. Take the unit to medical re-checks
. Take the unit to their Swim Checks (troops are encouraged to do ahead of time)
. Obtain necessary equipment or replace necessary damaged equipment
Restricted Areas
Due to the nature of the programs and inherent danger associated with them, it is necessary to designate certain areas OFF LIMITS. No one should go near any of these areas unless accompanied by a trained and qualified instructor. Any violation of these areas may result in dismissal from camp.
Off limit areas include:
. Director.s tailor and grounds surrounding it
. Staff Areas
. Maintenance and Quartermaster Supply Area
. Other Unit’s Campsites (unless invited)
. Program Areas (unless accompanied by staff members)
. beach snack hut when not during normal hours
Beach and pier areas, boating, and water attractions.
Conservation Projects
While in camp, each unit is encouraged to participate in a camp conservation project. Projects can be tailored to a unit’s size, ability and interest. Projects can be obtained from your Camp Director. All tools and necessary equipment will be provided by Guppy Gulch. Please do not conduct any projects not authorized in advance by the camp. If your unit has a specific idea for a project, please notify your Camp Director.
Leader’s Meeting
During your week in camp, starting Sunday Night after dinner, we will have several Adult Leader Meetings to share and convey important information about programs and opportunities and to update everyone on changes that need to be made.
