WHY SHOULD WE GO CAMPING?

- Camping is a major part of the scouting program.

- Scouts who camp on a normal basis get more out of the program and stay in scouts longer.

- Campers tend to advance more frequently.

- CAMPING IS FUN!!!!!

Dear Scouts & Scouters,

Camping is the very heart of the scouting program, and the foremost objective of the Order of the Arrow is to promote camping.  For this reason, Tsali Lodge proudly presents the 2006 edition of the Where to go Camping Guide.  This guide is made for all Daniel Boone Council Units to find new and exiting places to hike and camp throughout North Carolina.  Also included are various Costal Adventure and National High Adventure Bases.  Whether you’re just reserving a one-night campsite or planning to hike the Mountains-to-Sea trail, we hope to give you as much contact information as we can. For a printable version of the guide- Click here.

If you are reading through the guide and see that one of your favorite camping areas or hiking trails isn’t included, please let us know. For 2006 you can email me with the information you would like to include, or you can post the information on www.tsalilodge.org. We in the Camping Promotions Program of Tsali Lodge seek to include camping in all its forms. This includes local/District camping, Council Camps as well as National Programs. We sincerely hope that you will want to share any information which you might have with your fellow scouts.

Please remember while camping to uphold the high ideals of the scouting program. Do your best to keep the camps clean and usable for all of those campers who use it after you. Good Luck Camping and most importantly, Be Safe & Have Fun!!

Good Camping,

Mark Birdsong
diagma3@hotmail.com

2005 Vice Chief of Administration

2006 Camping Guide Editor

Tsali Lodge 134

What’s been added since the 2003 edition of the Tsali Where to go Camping Guide:

Color hiking maps

Extensive web links

Interactive CD with links to more information on the web

Listing of Reference books

Entire contents are also available on the internet – www.tsalilodge.org

Mountains-to-sea Trail

Over 100 new campsites and recreation areas

Hiking Safety

Thunder and Lightening

Be aware of thunderstorms and lightening. If you find yourself at the highest point around, which can happen on Balds, get down as quickly as possible. You can measure the distance between yourself and an approaching storm by counting the seconds between the flash of lightening and the clap of thunder. Five seconds equals a mile. If you are not far enough down the trail to be in a safe position by the count of 2 between lightening and thunder drop your metal pack, squat keeping on the balls of your feet and tuck your head down. This will allow you to have the least amount on contact to the ground possible. Do not seek shelter under a lone tree or a rock shelf.

Camp Fires.

Use a backpacking stove. Only consider having a campfire where regulations allow. Use only wood lying on the ground. When you choose to have a campfire make sure there is adequate water to put the fire completely out. If you will not put you hands in the ashes - it is not out.

Meeting others on the trail

Equestrians have the right away. Hikers and cyclists should get as far off the trail as safely possible. Let the equestrians direct you to help maintain the calmness of the horse. Mountain bikers should take care when coming around blind curves. Hikers, who are using a multi-use trail should take care to listen for others using the trail. It is often easier for you to stop or move aside. Hikers who are ascending have the right away over those descending. It is much easier for most to get started going down hill again.

Essential items.

Always carry these items when going on a trail:
map
compass
flashlight
whistle
pocket knife (check regulations)
watch
protective clothing (rain, wind, cold)
minimum first aid (in addition to your medications if any)
pen and paper
sun screen
insect repellant
extra food
bicycle helmet (for the sections you choose the bike)

Be aware that ticks, stinging insects, poisonous snakes, and poison ivy are present.

Pack proper clothing and equipment.

Be aware of hunting season. Wear hunter orange clothing during hunting seasons.

Refer to your map often and know where you are at all times.

Don’t expect a cell phone to help you—service is often unavailable in the mountains.

LOW IMPACT / NO TRACE CAMPING

If your troop or patrol comes up on a place in the woods that looks completely unused, odds are that the group before you used a technique called Low Impact/No Trace Camping. This technique consists of preparing your meals over stoves rather than fires, pitching your tents away from small plants, and packing your trash. Low-Impact Camping is a fun way to challenge yourself and help the environment all at the same time. This method also helps you travel lightly on the land. This method shows that you as a scout are living true to the high ideals of the scout oath and law.

WHAT IS THE ORDER OF THE ARROW?

The Order of the Arrow is the Scouting brotherhood of honor campers. The organization is a society of Boy Scouts and Explorers that functions as a part of the regular camping program of the Boy Scouts of America. The Order’s foremost purpose is to promote and enrich Scout camping. The Arrowmen in a local Scout council form a lodge (using the Indian tradition in the sense of the hunting lodge or the council lodge).

Elements of Indian tradition are used in Order of the Arrow ceremonies for dramatic effect. However, the Indian aspects of the Order, should never obscure the objectives. One becomes a member not so much for what he has done but for what he is expected to do.

ELECTION

To become a member of the Order of the Arrow; a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout is chosen by vote of the youth in his unit. This is a unique feature of the Order since the majority selecting OA candidates for this honor are not members of the lodge. However, lodge members of the unit do have a vote as well as nonmembers. In this way membership is controlled by the youth in their own units and not by established Arrowmen. Elections for the Order, are held once a year in each unit. Scouts through 20-years of age are considered to be youth. Youth candidates are elected by other youth in the unit. The unit’s committee may nominate an adult 21-years of age or older. However, the admittance of the adult as a candidate is under the discretion of the lodge executive committee.

To be eligible for election; a Scout  must have 15-days and nights of camping including at least one long-term camp (6-consecutive days). Scouts must be First Class to be eligible for election to the Order. There are no rank, requirements for Adults. Each candidate must be an active registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

INDUCTION

Candidates for induction have one year from the date of their election to be inducted, unless special arrangements are made through the lodge executive committee. Every candidate inducted into the Order of the Arrow participates in an Ordeal and ceremonies that are conducted in a serious and dignified manner true to Scouting tradition. All of the procedures have a deep meaning. The induction is not a hazing or an initiation ceremony.

The Order is not a secret Scout organization, and its ceremonies are open to any parent, adult leader, or religious leader. Since there is an element of mystery in the ceremonies, for the sake of the effect on candidates, Order of the Arrow ceremonies are not held as public gatherings. The ceremonies have been planned so that they are not objectionable to any religious group.

If you feel your unit is eligible to have members bear the high sign of the Order, then your unit leader must contact your area’s Chapter Chief. Contact the District Executive or Council Officer for your area for current information. After the Chapter Chief is notified, he will contact the unit leader and set up a time for the chapter to conduct the election within the troop. The Order of the Arrow is a great honor for both youth and adult. The order represents the highest ideals of camping and service.

TSALI LODGE wants to be a part of you unit’s program. If any newly chartered troops or troops with a large number of new scouts would like help in teaching new or different camping techniques, the local OA Chapter will gladly assist in any capacity. Again, contact the local Chapter Chief. We hope to grow together, unit and chapter, in fellowship and spirit.

GOOD LUCK CAMPING!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAMPSITE?

The goal of this camping guide is to make units in the Daniel Boone Council aware of camping areas both within and outside of North Carolina. This guide has been made to promote more camping. Promoting camping is the first and foremost goal of the Order of the Arrow.

TSALI LODGE has a great interest in learning about favorite campsites enjoyed by local Council units. Any new additions will be added as this guide is updated. Let us know about your favorite site, so we can spread the enjoyment of camping.