Unit Leaders Guide-Additional Items

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Guide for District Unit Leaders

IV. Additional items

Behavior of all participants and staff.

1.	The Scout Oath and Scout Law as guiding principles for behavior. Because they will be representing all Scouts in the National Capital Area Council, all participants at the MVE should behave in an exemplary manner at all times while they are at the estate. Their actions should be guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law at all times; they should show respect to all people and property; and they should work to ensure that the encampment brings honor to themselves and to all other participants
2.	Unit leaders should assume responsibility for the behavior of all Scouts at all times. By continually stressing the need to maintain exemplary behavior, by leading by example, by complementing Scouts behaving in appropriate ways, and by quickly dealing with behavior problems if and when they arise, adult leaders can positively assume responsibility for the behavior of youth at all times during the encampment. Adult leaders should also inform adult leaders with Scouts participating in Saturday day programs if the youth they are supervising are behaving in inappropriate ways.
3.	Consequences of improper behavior. Campers or staff members who behave in inappropriate ways will be subject to immediate explusion from the emcampment and from the Mount Vernon property, which may entail a parent or guardian having to make a special trip to take possession of their child to take them home. Those who cause property damage will be liable for any damages they cause.
4.	Maximization of health and safety. All unit leaders should strive to maintain as healthy and safe an environment as possible at all times during the encampment.

Uniforms.

1.	Scout uniforms to be worn during public programs on Saturday and for Saturday evening events. In order to maximize the common experiences that Scouting provides and to present a favorable image to non-Scouts, all individuals participating in the MVE must wear Scout uniforms when they participate in programs during the day on Saturday and during special encampment programs on Saturday evening. For purposes of this encampment, a Scout uniform is considered to consist of the khaki Scout shirt (tucked into the pants) and olive-colored long pants (or pants of a deep earth tone). Neckerchiefs and Scout hats are not required, although Scouts are encouraged to wear them if they wish.
2.	Use of adequate clothing to keep participants warm and dry (even if it covers the uniform). Because this event will be held outdoors during a time of year when the weather can be cold or wet, common sense and sound judgment should govern the appearance of Scouts. Unit leaders should emphasize the need to have clothing that will keep individuals warm and dry, even if precipitation is falling and if conditions are such that outerwear completely covers a Scout's uniform. All participants should have adequate raingear, hats, gloves or mittens, and footwear.
3.	Prohibition of the use of military garb and fatigues. At no time during the encampment should individuals wear military garb and fatigues.

Quiet hours.
In keeping with the fifth point of the Scout Law, all campers and staff should observe quiet during the quiet hours each evening. (Those quiet hours are from 11:00 PM to 6:30 AM on Friday night/Saturday morning and from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Unit leaders should make sure that Scouts and adult leaders in their units are considerate of others by maintaining the quiet required for a good night's sleep.

Proper use of knives.
With the exception of cooking and possibly a few quick operations associated with setting up and striking camp, Scouts should not need to use knives. If they hold "Totin'Chip" rights within their home units, Scouts may keep appropriate knives with them while they are in the campsite, and they may use them in safe and appropriate ways as needed. Knives should not be taken into public areas on Saturday, however.

Prohibited substances.
In keeping with BSA policies, the following items are prohibited and should not be brought to or used at the encampment:

f	Tobacco products
f	Illegal drugs
f	Alcoholic beverages
f	Firearms
f	Fireworks
Possession of or use of any of these materials may result in the immediate expulsion of campers or staff members from Mount Vernon.

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