Campground

A. Purpose:

The purpose of this area is to provide a suitable location for overnight camping by scouts, bcc iwla members, or persons from other non-profit organizations. The campground will be available for camping for small groups not larger than 60 campers. All groups will be accompanied by and responsible to a unit leader. All groups will have a sufficient number of adult leaders to maintain proper control of the group. Permission to use the camping facilities must be obtained from the campground committee chairman. This requirement to get permission applies to both bbc iwla members as well as non-member groups.

B. Boundaries:

The big woods along the west bank of the east fork of horse pen branch has been designated as the campground. Camping outside the boundaries of this site may be permitted by special arrangements granted by the campground committee chairman and the board of governors. No camping and no council fires will be allowed east of the stream.
The open field east of the campground site may be used for sports, such as foot racing, baseball, etc.

C. Parking:

All cars must be parked in front of the sign "no parking past here" sign, down past the crest of the hill. Cars should not be driven in the tracks of other cars, but should fan out so as not to start ruts. All camping equipment and supplies must be carried from the cars to the campground.

D. Fires: (use only the wood on the ground)

Fires will be built only in the campground area at the designated fire sites. Under no circumstances will fires be permitted outside of the campground perimeter. All flammable material, such as leaves, must be raked back at least three (3) feet from the perimeter of the fire. Fires will not be left unattended at anytime. When a fire has served its purpose, the margins will be dug down to a sufficient depth to safeguard against fire eating out into adjacent wood soil. The fire should be put out thoroughly by dousing with water -- when you can stick your hand into the coals the fire is out.

Never cover live coals with dirt

Shovels, axes and grub hoes (or similar suitable equipment) must be available at the campground at all times for use in the control of fires. Any wild fire discovered on chapter property or adjacent land by campers shall be reported at once by telephone. Dial 911.then control the fire if possible.

E. Water:

The well contains drinking water. Never drink the creek water -- use it for putting out fires.

F. Trash and garbage:

Trash and garbage is not collected from the campground, therefore each troop is responsible for taking their own garbage home with them. Trash and garbage must not be buried as animals will dig it up and scatter it; also the holes cause erosion. Cans, bottles and all other noncombustible material must be packed out.

G. Trees and shrubs:

No standing tree or shrub may be touched with a knife, axe, saw, hammer or nail.

Note: non-member campers are not allowed to bring axes, sheath knives or hatchets onto the iwla property. Only bow saws may be used to cut designated firewood. Tote 'n' chip qualifications are the responsibility of the scout unit leader and he is authorized to bring these tools for that purpose only.

H. Latrine:

The latrine has been built at considerable expense and a lot of hard work for the campers' convenience. Abide by the sign at the latrine site. Bottles, cans or other similar debris must not be thrown into the latrine pit. Violators will be barred from future use of the area. The latrine must be washed down with pine-sol before leaving the camping area.

I. Out-of-bounds:

The small pond, cabin, orchard, chapter house, rifle and pistol range, shotgun range, archery range, gardens, and immediate surrounding grounds are out-of-bounds for all campers unless accompanied by a chapter member. Under no circumstances will campers be allowed to use the chapter house for camping or overnight sleeping, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a chapter member.

J. Nature trail:

The use of the nature trail is permitted so long as their leaders accompany the groups.

K. Fishing:

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter – IWLA: Fishing, Ponds, and Streams Management Rules and Regulations – October 2008

A. The B-CC ponds and streams are managed to provide fishing and aesthetic satisfaction for chapter members and their escorted guests.
B. The management of the ponds and streams is the responsibility of the Ponds and Streams Committee.
C. No animals or plants are to be placed in the ponds without approval of the Ponds and Streams Committee Chair and with the concurrence of the B-CC Wildlife Committee Chair.
D. No chemical control treatment may be carried out in B-CC ponds and streams without written approval of the ponds and streams Chair and with the concurrence of the B-CC Farm Committee Chair and informing the B-CC Board of Governors.
E. Boats, canoes, rafts, or other watercraft or floating devices may not be used on the ponds without the permission of the Ponds and Streams Committee Chair and with concurrence from the B-CC Board of Governors.
F. Only earthworms, blood worms, insects, or similar bait may be used for fishing. Minnows and live fish are not to be used for bait. Plugs, spinners, and artificial flies are permitted. Digging for worms or other bait is not permitted around the pond. Stones and logs may be turned over to search for live bait, but must be replaced to their original position before being disturbed.
G. All trash and garbage, however small, must be taken with you when you leave the pond. Keep the ponds and banks clean and beautiful.
H. The following activities are not permitted:
1. THROWING MATERIAL OF ANY KIND INTO EITHER POND.
2. CAMPING AT THE LITTLE OR BIG POND without approval.
3. SWIMMING IN EITHER POND.
4. USE OF LIVE MINNOWS OR OTHER FISH AS BAIT.
5. ICE SKATING.
6. WATERFOWL HUNTING ON LITTLE OR BIG POND.
I. Care or other vehicles may be driven to the Big pond only for management work.
J. Retriever training is permitted and governed by the current Maryland State rules and regulations and any additional B-CC Chapter restrictions.
K. ALL FISHING AT THE SMALL AND LARGE PONDS AND IN STREAMS IS CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. All rules and regulations pertaining to fishing established by the state of Maryland must be observed. All persons 16 years of age and older must possess and have on their person while fishing a valid Maryland fishing license. All bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and catfish are to be returned to the water alive and in good condition.
L. Always check the bulletin boards at the Big pond, at the beginning of the Nature Trail, and at the B-CC Chapter House for any current changes in the above regulations.
M. For questions and additional information contact the Ponds and Stream Committee Chair or the BCC Board of Governors.

L. Breaking camp:

Before leaving the campground area, check your camp to be sure it is left in good condition. "It should be cleaner when you leave that it was when you came."

M. Registration/fees:

A registration form (attached) must be completed, signed and submitted with two checks ($5.00 fee and $10.00 key deposit). The usage fee of $5.00 will be charged each camping group for using the camping area, regardless of length of stay. Make checks payable to bcc-iwla (please - no cash).

Campground will be closed during deer hunting season, the day of the squirrel hunt breakfast, all muzzleloader seasons, the late muzzleloader season, the firearms season for deer, spring turkey hunting season and youth spring turkey hunting season. . The wildlife chairman will notify the campground chairman of the specific dates and times of these seasons each year

N. Access to the campground area:

When requesting use of the campground area, the campground committee chairman will issue a combination lock number in order to access the campground. The gate to the campground should be locked when the campground is left unattended, during the night, and must be locked when you leave.

O. The campground will be inspected after you have left.

Any damage to the property, buildings, bridges or equipment will result in the user group being responsible for the repair costs associated with the damage, and these groups will be barred from further use of the area..