Page 1 of 8 BSA UNIT CAMPING AT FORT HOOD S CAMP FINLAYSON There are NO daily users fee required for use of the Camp Finlayson facilities. Camp Finlayson is U.S. Government property designated for shared family recreational use and is NOT a BSA controlled property. It consists of two camping areas and a reserved fenced chapel area. There can be two different groups allowed to camp simultaneously in this shared area. Longhorn Council has approved this camp for BSA Camping Activities. While at Camp Finlayson, Scouting Units must follow requirements in The Guide to Safe Scouting concerning camping and activities that take place in National and State Parks, adhering to Youth Protection Requirements and the Buddy System. All scouting units must provide their own firewood, trash bags, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, toilet paper, paper towels, camping equipment, etc.; because this is a shared-facility, other groups bring out their own firewood for use in the near future. Do not assume just because it is there, it is for anyone s use. No alcoholic beverages or possession/use of drugs, smoking, foul language, lewd behavior or acts perceived as detrimental to either the U.S. Army or family activities in general are permitted. PRIORITY GROUPS: 1. Fort Hood Open Circle (authorized DA religious group) 2. Fort Hood Child Youth Services 3. Boy Scout & Girl Scout scouting units (within 15 mile radius of Fort Hood) ** Priority Groups may reserve Camps 6 months in advance (current month + following 5) ** Priority Groups may not displace another Priority Group; however, they may choose to share use of the Camp. Open Circle has the right to bump anyone; Open Circle has the full backing of the Fort Hood Command Team. As such, since a Scout is Reverent, we respect Open Circles right of refusal. In the event that Circle decides to bump, it is possible to work a shared use arrangement. Do not plan of booking on the following dates: Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, Halloween and Winter Solstice. Additionally, if a new moon or full moon is in the forecast, Open Circle will be using the chapel. (http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml). Leon Valley District has a calendar of the Open Circle s scheduled events.
Page 2 of 8 OUTSIDE GROUPS: (ANY Scouting Unit outside Leon Valley District, Longhorn Council, BSA): May reserve camp only when not reserved by Priority Groups; can be preempted by a Priority Group which gives at least 30 days notice. Outside Groups may not displace another; however, they may choose to share use of the camp. + Outside Groups may reserve Camps two months in advance (current month + 1 month) Access to the fenced Chapel area is restricted to the Fort Hood Open Circle religious group. Open Circle is the only group who can reserve Camp Finlayson for sole use only and has 24/7 access year round. During sole use, no other groups are allowed to use Camp Finlayson. In inclement weather during joint use, Open Circle will have sole use of Octagon Building #93013 as long as they are utilizing the camp. What is and is not the Fort Hood Open Circle? The Fort Hood Open Circle is a faith based non-denominational contemporary Pagan religion. The U.S. Army and BSA recognize many faith based religions outside of Christian or Jewish traditions. Contemporary Pagans do not consider themselves pacifists; rather, most adhere to their own version of the just war doctrine (as set out by Augustine of Hippo in the 6 th century A.D.). The Open Circle received initial permission to conduct outdoor rituals in August 1997, with the only modification being a ban on ritual nudity. Open Circle has more than 300 members, with up to 100 regular attendees at seasonal and lunar rituals (About 42,000 soldiers are stationed at Fort Hood, our Nation s largest U.S. Army post). Follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law, especially leaders and adults to show an example to both scout and others who refer to or show contempt for those of the Open Circle. Showing contempt, sarcasm or snide humor toward those Judaic, Buddhist, Hindu, or Pagans is called religious persecution. A Scout is Reverent He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. If your Scouting Unit has the time and opportunity, we highly encourage you to visit the 1 st Cavalry Division Museum, located on Tank Destroyer Ave in Building 2218. They are open M-F 0900 1600, Sat 1000 1600 and Sun 1200 1600. This Scouting Units Guideline is to simplify procedures and requirements necessary while visiting Fort Hood and complying with the Fort Hood Outdoor Recreation Centers, Camp Finlayson SOP 1-01.
Page 3 of 8 PROCESS GUIDELINES STEP-1a The Unit Point of Contact, POC, will make a reservation request at Fort Hood either in-person or by telephone. In person at REC, Building 4930 (on Clear Creek Road across from Fort Hood National Bank). Operation Hours are 1 APR - 31 OCT, 1000-1700 MON-SAT; 1 NOV - 31 MAR 1100-1600; CLOSED on ALL Federal Holidays. (for map, see Appendix) Or, Telephonically at (254) 287-4126 or (254) 287-1853 Any reservation request will include the name of the Camp, date(s) requested, Name of requesting organization, estimated number of participants, name of POC, work/home telephone numbers of the POC. STEP-1b Notify the local Leon Valley BSA District of your reservation dates and contact information by email: Camping-FtHood@leonvalleydistrict.org. We ask this because we are the local BSA contacts that Fort Hood command will use when questions or problems occur. Once we have your contact information, we can email you current/updated SOPs (standard operation procedures) and/or notify you of any scheduled events concerning camping at the shared camp facility and maps. Multiple Leon Valley District members monitor this email to ensure no one is overlooked. STEP-1c Notify your Council and file your appropriate Camping Tour Permit. STEP-2 Verify your reservation the week prior by telephone, since this is a shared event area, you can be bumped but it very rarely happens. STEP-3 To enter Fort Hood, ALL drivers must have the following documentation to receive a temporary pass: proof of current vehicle registration, proof of financial responsibility from insurance company, current driver s license. ALL individuals 18 years of age or older must be able to present a state issued ID card or driver s license prior to gaining admission. Everyone must go to the Fort Hood Main Gate and stop at the Visitor's Center. Drivers must go into the Visitor's Center with their paperwork and ID as listed above, take a number, and wait until called, for a temporary pass to be issued.
Page 4 of 8 ALL vehicles and individuals may be subject to search and inspection when entering and being on Fort Hood. STEP-4 The unit POC, if they have not checked out a key to the campsite prior, will need to follow the map (see Appendix) to the Outdoor Recreation Group and sign out a key to the joint-use Camp Finlayson. They will meet the rest of the unit at the Camp Finlayson. The POC is the one individual who will make the reservations for Camp Finlayson use, pickup & return keys, ensure the Camp is left in a satisfactory condition, ensure the Entry/Exit Checklist Report has been submitted and report any problems to the REC. The Scouting Unit s POC will: A. Make arrangements to pick up the keys at the REC. B. A written Entry/Exit Checklist Report is provided when signing out the keys to the Camp. Upon entering Camp Finlayson it is to be filled out & after the final exit from the Camp. C. Ensure no possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession/use of drugs. D. Ensure that the Fort Hood No Smoking Policy is followed. E. Ensure that the Camp is left in a satisfactory condition STEP-5 EVERYONE other than the POC will proceed to Camp Finlayson, following the map, observing posted speed limits, yielding to soldiers, and NOT using cell phones while driving on Fort Hood. STEP-6 - Camp Finlayson Rules & Guidelines: Follow ALL Camp Finlayson Rules and Guidelines in addition to BSA s Guide to Safe Scouting and adhering to Youth Protection Requirements and the Buddy System. Fill out the written Entry/Exit Checklist Report PRIOR to unloading and setting up camp. Keep the scouts OFF the roads around the camping area, ESPECIALLY at night! Open Circle must drive on the road, past the camp areas to access their outdoor chapel. All scouting units must provide their own: firewood, trash bags, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, toilet paper, paper towels, camping equipment, etc. Because this is a shared-facility, other groups bring out their own firewood for use in the near future. Do not assume just because it is there, it is for anyone s use. No alcoholic beverages or possession/use of drugs, smoking, foul language, lewd behavior or acts perceived as detrimental to either the U.S. Army or family activities in general are permitted.
Page 5 of 8 STEP-7 - Camp Finlayson departure: Police all areas of trash. All garbage and trash is removed and placed in the dumpster by the Camp s front gate. Do NOT place any Fort Hood equipment, including trash barrels into the dumpster, if they are broken, report it to REC. Fire pits are free of debris and ready for use. All Unit & Personal belongings removed from buildings, latrines, and grounds. Where applicable, lights are turned off, telephones are hung up, refrigerator is clean, buildings are swept out, furniture and floors are free of spills and dust. Buildings and gates are locked upon departure. The main power box at Camp Finlayson will be left ON and not turned OFF. Fill out the exit portion of the written Entry/Exit Checklist Report Leave nothing behind, Take only memories. STEP-8. Key return process The Scouting Unit s POC will: A. Return the keys on the day of checkout to the REC no later than 1100 hours on the day after the reserved booking date period. Failure to return keys as specified will result in the group being denied use of any Camp for a 30-day period beginning on the date that the keys are returned. If keys are lost or not returned, the POC will be charged the cost of replacing both the locks and the keys. B. The written Entry/Exit Checklist Report is to be turned in upon return of the keys to REC. STEP-9. Please return the Fort Hood passes to the Visitors Center where they were issued or shred and destroy them once you have returned home! Drive SAFE and Thank YOU for visiting!
Page 6 of 8 MAP APPENDIX Visitor Center to REC for keys to Camp Finlayson
Driving from Visitor Center to Camp Finlayson (3 views) Page 7 of 8
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