McGregor Smith Scout Reservation

Located 60 miles north of Orlando, this BSA operated camp provides a world of Scouting adventure on 6,000 acres of paradise located on the Withlacoochee River in Citrus County near Inverness, Florida. This facility contains several operations: Camp Lone Oak offering Weekend Troop Camping, and Family Camping and the Charles Topmiller Canoe Base are located on the reservation.

 Camp Lone Oak offers 12 campsites that include picnic tables, campfire rings, restrooms and showers.

 Troop Weekend Camping: Troop program features that include swimming in a junior olympic pool, hiking on the 10 square mile reservation, canoeing and rowboating in the camp lake, volleyball court, rifle range, archery range, shotgun range, and the vastness of the reservation lends itself to be a tremendous laboratory for all the nature and ecology merit badges as well as the hiking and orienteering interest areas. By appointment, the trading post can be opened. A program shelter is available for inclement weather.

 Two shelters, a kitchen, main campfire arena, and a meeting hall are based on availability. The main shelter located in the center of camp offers seating for 500 and includes a full service kitchen, mens and ladies rest rooms, electricity and a sound system. The second shelter is a training shelter located behind the trading post, and offers electricity and seating for 50. The main campfire arena is located on the camp lake and offers electricity and a campfire ring.

 The Charles Topmiller Tropical Canoe Base offers three high adventure week long trips. The base also can support weekend trips. Over 110 miles of canoe trails, which have been mapped out with overnight campsites, afford a wide variety of canoe trips.

Many groups enjoy weekend trips to canoe, swim and fish in the river and while camping along its banks. In support of these trips the Canoe Base is prepareed with equipment and services; canoes, paddles, life jackets, canoe trailers, shuttle service if needed, campsite information and an inventory of lightweight trail food. The fees include all food, nylon screened tents, backpacking gear, canoes, paddle, life jacket, cooking utensils, accident insurance, maps, orientation, and shuttle service pick-ups and drop-offs along the river.

Family Camping is also available on the reservation. There are two, three-bedroom and four, two bedroom cabins available for Scout Families. Each has central air, heat, and a complete kitchen. Each bedroom has 2 twin beds with pillows. The cost is thirty ($30.00) per two-bedroom cabin per night and forty ($40.00) per three-bedroom cabin per night without linens, they are available at three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per person, per stay. Availability of the cabins is on a first-come, first-served basis. To assist with the maintenance and cleaning costs, users of these cabins are requested to leave them cleaned. Scouting families are welcome to enjoy canoeing, swimming, and hiking on the Reservation. Sites are also available for tent camping, 2 day minimum on weekends. (All cabins are reserved on a 2 day minimum

 

F E E S

Reservations for McGregor Smith should be done at least four months i advance of your scheduled date of attendance. Upon submitting a Local Tour Permit a $15.00 Non-Refundable Deposit per campsite/cabin is due with the reservation. Your reservation fee will be applied to your total camp fees.

Reservations are made at the South Florida Council Council Service Center, 15255 N.W. 87 Ave., Miami Lakes, FL 33016, 305-364-0020

Non-Refundable reservation $15.00 per campsite or cabin
Camp fee per person for registered S. Fl. Council units. $1.50 per day
Camp fee per person for Out of Council Scout groups. $1.50 per day
Camp fee per person for other yourth groups for non-scout usage. $3.00 per day
Canoe rentals per canoe on reservation $6.00 per day/weekend
Main Shelter and Kitchen: $150.00/day.

For more information about summer camp, please contact the council office. Canoe packages are available year round. Reservations made by phone must be paid two weeks prior to attending camp. A tour permit must also be on file. Any reservation that does not meet this criteria will be available for other units to reserve.
Note: No vehicles are allowed in campsites. All vehicles must park at the main parking lot and campers must hike in all equipment. Units are allowed to park a troop trailer in their campsite.

Camp Guidelines for Use

Upon arrival at McGregor your unit will immediately check in with the camp ranger, who will review the camp policies with the unit leadership. The ranger will be on the property for your entire stay, should you have any questions or concerns please seek the ranger out and ask his advice. Should you have any questions prior to arrival please ask the ranger at check-in.

All units will be expected to adhere to these policies. Any unit grossly abusing these guidelines will be politely asked to leave the property.

Your cooperation with these guidelines is appreciated by all.

Parking: All motor vehicles are to be parked in the designated parking area only. Driving directly into the camping area is not permitted at any time. Recreational vehicles and trailer campers are permitted in the designated parking area only. NO hook ups are available.

 Registration Procedure: All units must complete and file a local tour permit with the Camp Ranger in advance. Units must check in and out of camp with the Ranger on duty. Completion of the attendance portion of the tour permit form is required before departure.

Canoes and Row Boats: Canoes and row boats are available to units whose adult leadership hold a valid "Safety Afloat" card. All units are expected to use the safety afloat guidelines for all boating operations.

Pool Use: A current "Safe Swim Defense" card is required of unit leaders supervising group swims.

 Fires: Build fires only in designated areas. Fires must be attended at all times. After use, fires and surrounding areas should be drenched with water. Digging fire holes is discouraged.

Wood: No chain saws allowed. Use only dead wood for fires. Tree cutting is not permitted.

 Garbage and Trash: Please put all refuse in containers provide at each campsite and lodge. burying of any waste material is not permitted.

 Fireworks and Firearms: Fireworks and firearms are not allowed at any time for any purpose, on Scouting properties. Violators will be asked to leave. *NOTE: A rifle range and marksmanship program are available at McGregor Smith Scout reservation-rifles and ammunition are provided. Personal firearms are not permitted). NRA certification to conduct range program is required of leader.

 Camp Boundaries: Boys and young adults using properties must stay within camp boundaries.

 Ditching Tents is not permitted. "Proper pitching avoids ditching"

Fishing: All fishing activities must be in accordance with current State and Federal fishing regulations. If you intend on fishing, please check in the regulations as they frequently change.

Damages: Units will be responsible for any damages that might occur during their use of Scouting properties.

Roads: Confine the use of motor vehicles to established roads. Speed limit is 15 mph. No riding in the back of pick-up trucks is allowed.

Non-Scout use of Camp Facilities: Non-Scout groups, representing responsible community organizations, may make reservations through a written request to the Council Camping Committee. these groups are subject to established guidelines governing the use of Scouting properties.

Rangers: South Florida Scouting's Rangers are supported through South Florida council's year-round budget operation. Their only job is to help you, your boys, and young adults have a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.

Adult Leadership: A responsible leader, 21 years of age or older, (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Explorer advisor, parent approved by the Unit Committee, or other mature adult endorsed by the Unit Committee or sponsoring institution) must be present at all times during unit outings. Coed groups must be chaperoned in accordance with the National Policy for Coed Groups.

Pets: Health and safety regulations do not permit pets in camp.

First Aid: Your unit is required to have a first aid kit available for emergencies. Any emergency that you are unqualified to handle should be directed to the Camp Ranger.

Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic Beverages are absolutely not allowed at any Cub Scout, Scout, or Exploring function. Persons under the influence of alcohol and/or bringing alcoholic beverages into camp will be removed from the camp properties. (Note: Please do not put volunteers, Camp Rangers, or Staff in the unhappy position of requesting that your unit leave camp for violation of any of these policies.)

Your Units Responsibility

  1. Provide responsible two deep adult leadership during all times that your unit is in camp. Co-Ed units must provide adequate co-ed leadership.
  2. Police campsite thoroughly prior to your units departure.
  3. Assist in cleaning the facilities that your unit used during your stay at Camp Sawyer. This would include but not be limited to the, shower, toilets, dining shelter, and chart room.
  4. Take full responsibility for any damages that were caused by the misuse of your unit.
  5. Use the Safe Swim Defense Plan and Safety Afloat Plan.
The above listed guidelines are for everyone's benefit. All groups will be expected to honor them. The Rangers, as official representatives of South Florida Scouting, have full authority of enforcement. Your continued support through the South Florida Council's annual Sustaining Member ship Program, can continue to make this experience available. 

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Created on Friday, 27 Dec 1996 at 14:10:33 Hours.
Last Updated by Jess Olonoff   Tuesday, 21 May, 2002 17:28 Hours