Camp Director Resources
This page is meant to have a place for directors of local council camps to access a variety of resources that may help your camp operation. Many of these resources are on the public domain and are not affiliated with Scouting America. We do not endorse any of these, we are simply listing here as a reference for you. if there is something you wish were here that we do not have, please let us know at outdoorprograms@scouting.org
General Resources
Long-term Camp Staff Training Guide – A guide for Camp Directors to use with pre-camp training of staff personnel.
MESH Facilitator Guide- An additional resource for Camp Directors to use with training staff to support campers who attend camp.
MESH Camp Staff Training – Support Slides for the MESH Camp staff training.
CD and PD continuing education process and application – Camp Director and Program Director Continuing Education process and application information.
CD and PD Continuing Education Application – Camp Director and Program Director Continuing Education application.
Understanding and Preventing Youth on Youth Abuse Training for Camp Staff and NYLT Staff – Facilitator Guide – This facilitator guide with the accompanying PowerPoint is for presenting to camp staff & NYLT staff during staff training. See NCAP Circular 24 for more information.
Understanding and Preventing Youth on Youth Abuse Training for Camp Staff and NYLT Staff – PowerPoint Presentation – See NCAP Circular 24 for more information.
Incident Reporting Requirements – The Scouting.org incident report landing page has been updated. Don’t forget that NCAP standard AO-808 requires camp leadership to review and certify they have read the current Scouting America incident reporting information.
American Red Cross – The latest online training options from the America Red Cross.
BSA Lifeguard Transition Webpage – Information about how your council can transition from BSA Lifeguard certifications to American Red Cross Lifeguard certifications.
American Camp Association (ACA) website – the link to the American Camp Association website. A site for all camp professionals. Some portions require membership.
Alliance for Camp Health – this site is helpful for health information for camps. Some portions require membership.
Emergency Care and Safety Institute – Link to Scouting America’s ECSI partnership page
Kid President Letter – A sample letter to your staff on the first day of camp – Resource from Kim Aycock.
Tent Maintenance – Here is a guide from WhiteDuck Tents about maintenance.
Closed Camp Checklist – A resource for camps who have chosen to close the property for some period of time.
Trading Post
Did you know when using the using the Scouting Outfitters Trading Post in a Box form, the average sale is increased 25 to 40-percent? We are happy to announce this year’s updated program is now available. Please visit https://distributor.scoutshop.org/b2b-docs to download the order form (you must have a distributer account login to access).
This Year’s Updates and Benefits:
- Top core camp essentials across the US
- Approximately 140 items
- Based on past sales history
- Reassessed this year to improve your margin
- Automatically calculates breakpoints for quantity discounts
- Allows customization of your order by modifying quantities.
Also, be sure to use our Wholesale website (www.Distributor.Scoutshop.org) and the 2025 Camp Director’s Guide (you must have a distributer account login to access).
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the order form, please contact your Territory Sales Supervisor.
Camp Security
Department of Homeland Security (Active Shooter, Bomb Threat, Suspicious Activity)
- DHS Bomb Threat Guidance Brochure
- DHS Bomb Threat Phone Call Checklist
- DHS Suspicious Activity Reporting
- DHS Securing Soft Targets and Crowded Spaces
- DHS K-12 School Security: A Guide for Preventing and Protecting Against Gun Violence
- DHS Active Shooter Response Booklet
Secure Community Network Homeland Security & Preparedness Training Center
Bomb Threat Webinar PowerPoint Presentation
Transportation Security Administration
ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training
ACA Resources on the Emerging Issue of Public Violence
U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC)
Webinar Resources
For Scouting America outdoor programs webinar resources visit https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/opp-webinar-series/
ACA webinar recordings – a list of webinars presented by the American Camp Association
Staff Training – Digital Resources
Camp Health Officer Training for DAY AND SHORT-TERM Camps – link to the camp health officer training (SQ–405)
Camp Health Officer Training for LONG-TERM Camp – Link to the camp health officer training (SQ-405)
Camp Chaplain Orientation – link to the orientation to be a Camp Chaplain
Leave No Trace – link to online leave no trace awareness training courses
Welcoming New Scouts to Camp – A training to be conducted by the camp director during staff week to help staff create a welcoming environment in camp.
Quizizz – FREE quiz development site to customize your own quiz or choose from available quizzes.
Kahoot!– interactive quiz development site to customize your own quiz.
Mental Health Resources
Scouting America Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) Planning Template for Councils – Scouting America Health and Safety
Children’s Mental Health – CDC
Teen’s Mental Health – National Library of Medicine
How Right Now – Resource from the CDC
Jed’s Foundation Mental Health Resource Center
Stress management – A checklist of signs of over stress by Dr. Anthony Rao PhD.
Stress management – Link to YouTube video on stress management
The importance of Sleep – Video on the importance of enough sleep
The Trauma Informed Camp – a Checklist for your Trauma response at your camp. Resource from Linda Erceg
Camper Mental Health – A discussion about mental health for Campers by Chris Thurber PhD.
Mental Health First Aid – Link for Mental Health for youth courses
Staff Recruitment and Hiring Resources
Project Real Job – link for staff recruitment and social media resources from the ACA
7 Practical Ways to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process – steps to take to recognize bias in hiring with questions not to ask.
CIT Counselor In Training Programs – Details on how to create and manage an effective CIT program at camp
Special Needs and Disabilities Resources
Inclusion Toolbox— link to Scouting America’s National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee Resource Page.
Scouting America National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee Landing Page
Able Scouts Resources by Scouting America National Special Needs and Disabilities Committee Landing Page
For further resources and information, please email us at SpecialNeedsChair@scouting.org
Food Service
Purell for food service Video – link for a video on food surface purell cleaner
Food Safety online courses – This link is to the ServSafe resource and offers some online courses related to food service
Program
ATV Recreational vehicle – link to Recreational Off Highway Vehicle Association (ROVA)Safety tips
Active Shooter Emergency Action Response Planning
CISA Active Shooter Preparedness Resources – Resources from CISA to help plan for these emergencies.
Active Shooter Plan Template
Active Shooter Emergency Action Planning Guide
CISA Free Services Catalog Link
Houses of Worship Self-Assessment Tool Link
