06/16/2026
A Scout is Prepared!!
Safety is paramount in all that we do in Scouting. While our Scouting Community is enjoying a great week at Summer Camp at Camp Buffalo, potentially severe weather could have an impact on that experience. In Scouting, we pride ourselves on “Being Prepared” and Camp Buffalo is no exception. Last week we completed our 2026 National Camp Accreditation Procgram Assessment and were recognized as "Nationally Accredited."
Below is an excerpt from our Camp Emergency Plan pertinent to weather of this nature.
Compliance: All camp emergencies will be handled under the supervision of the Camp Director, Jennifer Vandeburg. Emergency situations must be reported immediately. In the interest of safety and in handling emergencies quickly and decidedly, everyone must cooperate fully and without question. All Scouts and Scouters must be familiar with the following procedures and camp emergency signals. "Drills" will occur each week in order that we are well prepared for any emergency that might happen.
Severe Weather Alert: Inform staff by radio and sound camp siren.
Severe Weather Procedure & Drill:
There will be a severe weather drill on Sunday afternoon just before supper to allow everyone to practice our Severe Weather Procedure, which is:
• Douse fire if one has been lit.
• All people will walk, with purpose, to the Dining Hall.
• At the Dining Hall, the Senior Patrol Leader will conduct a headcount, then report the number of youth and adults to the Camp Director
• Once EVERYONE in camp has reported to the Dining Hall and been accounted for, the rest of the evening’s activities may proceed. We will all wait until all individuals are accounted for.
Ironically, Wednesday is Family Night at Camp and we are preparing for severe weather.
Visitors:
All visitors should use the main parking lot or park along Boy Scout Road. All visitors MUST check in outside the Camp office /trading post before entering camp. Each visitor will be issued a wristband that must be worn in compliance with the youth protection standards. Campers should plan on meeting their parents/visitors at the Trading Post porch to es**rt the visitors back to the Troop’s campsite. People with mobility limitations should notify the Commissioner or Camp Director, preferably prior to their arrival, so transportation can be arranged to the campsite. You can email Camp at [email protected].
General Procedures:
1. The proper emergency signal will be given on the camp siren.
2. All program areas will close.
3. All staff will report to their assigned locations per instructions as to the type of emergency.
4. All Scouts and leaders will report to the dining hall (unless otherwise directed) and assemble for roll call by their Senior Patrol Leader.
5. Senior Patrol Leaders will report to the Camp Director or staff members in charge and account for their Scouts. They will then await further instructions.
6. Scouts and their leaders will remain in their assigned areas or building until they receive further instructions or until the "all clear" is announced.
7. In the case of a serious or fatal accident, notify the Camp Director immediately.
8. The three major emergencies which are signaled throughout the camp by a continuous siren are lost Scout, severe storm alert, and fire in camp. The fourth emergency which is signaled throughout the entire camp by an interrupted siren is waterfront emergency (Pond, Lost Bather Drill). In this situation, staff responds to pond and campers to the dining hall where senior patrol leaders take roll call and gives to staff member in charge. All campers to remain at dining hall until further instructions are given.
Natural Hazards Specific to Camp:
Lightning: See previous statement.
Severe storms: Weather Emergency - continual sounding siren
Procedure (staff): If imminent danger, close down program area- Move campers to designated location. Move campers to designated location or other safe areas (deep ravine, side of hill, etc,)" Keep off high ground and away from tees and electrical lines.
Procedure (campers): Follow instruction of camp staff or troop leaders. Scoutmasters should take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of campers. The Dining Hall, Ivey Lodge, and Rifle Range buildings will open as soon as the siren is sounded; Any further instructions will come over the loudspeaker or sent by radio or runner.
We hope this communication eases any concerns that you have in the event that we have incelement weather. We do ask that you DO NOT just show up at camp and remove your Scout without notifying the Camp Director. At any point in time we know exactly how many staff, volunteers, campers, and guests that we have on the proprety. It is vital that we can account for everyone at all times.
In the event that we need to communicate to families that aren't in camp, we will use the email address that we have on file through the Summer Camp registration process which is who is receiving this communication. Emergency contacts are noted on all Scouting America Medical Forms and will be used accordingly, if needed by our leadership or medical staff. We will also post on the Sagamore Council page and the Camp Buffalo page but those communications may not be as timely.
Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to respond in the comments and we will get your answers straight away.
Yours in Scouting,
Bryon Haverstick
Asst. Scout Executive/Chief Operating Officer
765-250-6139
[email protected]
