Q: I sent in an
online reservation request yesterday but still haven't received my confirmation
number. When will I get this information?
A: We strive to process
reservation requests within 24 hours however, please allow a minimum of 72 hours from the
time you submit your request until your receipt of the confirmation details.
Q: How often is
the reservation calendar updated?
A: The calendar is updated
whenever a new reservation is confirmed for a date during the month in question.
Even if the "UPDATE TIME STAMP" at the top of the page is several weeks old, it
does in fact reflect the most accurate scheduling information of confirmed
reservations.
Q: I see some
reservations on the calendar are in red, blue and black colors. What is the
significance?
A: RED signifies that a deposit
has not yet been paid. BLUE indicates that the deposit only has been paid and
BLACK signifies that the unit's camp fees are paid in full.
Q: What is the
significance of unit numbers on the reservation calendar that are marked with an
asterisk?
A: An asterisk next to a unit
number indicates that they are from a council other than the Chester County
Council, BSA.
Q: I made a
reservation back in October for a weekend in February, received my confirmation
number and have paid the fees in full within the required two weeks of the
confirmation. It is now December, and I have still not received my permit. When
do you send them out?
A: Camping permits will be issued
and emailed to the individual who made the actual reservation request on the
Monday PRIOR to your weekend event.
Q: When can I
make a reservation for the next winter camping season?
A: We will open registration for
the next season on August 15th.
Q: We're from a
different council. Is there anything special we need to do to make a
reservation?
A: All Out of Council units (non
Chester County Council) will need to have your home council issue you their
local tour permit
- BSA Form# 34426E.
Bring that along with your HSR Camp Use Permit and present it to the Campmaster
when you arrive.
Q: I'd rather
make a reservation over the phone. Can I do that instead of the online process?
A: Telephone reservations can be
made by contacting Amy Dalesandro at the Chester County Council Office
(610-696-2900 ext 26). Office hours are Monday thru Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm,
Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm.
For questions regarding the
facilities please contact the Ranger's Office (717-548-3352). The best
time to call is Monday through Friday between 8am and 9am or 4pm to 5pm. If you call and we
are not available, please feel free to just leave
us a message and we will get back to you ASAP.
Q: Can I make
payment online too?
A: Absolutely. Payment can be made
safely and securely online. Click
here
Q: What are our other payment
options?
A: You can take or mail your payment into
the council office, have the fees taken from your unit account (if you are a
CCCBSA group) or call the council office and give them your credit card
information over the phone.
Q: What time
does check-in begin on Friday?
A: Check in for both Camp Ware and
Camp Horseshoe starts at 6 pm on Friday.
Q: Can we check
in before 6 pm?
A: The campmaster is required to
be at camp no later than 6 pm. Occasionally a campmaster will arrive a little
early so there's no problem. Because the Rangers spend the entire day Friday
prepping both Camp Ware and Camp Horseshoe for weekend events, our day is
extremely tight and unfortunately we are unable to schedule an appointed time to check a group
or an individual in.
Q: Is there
drinking water available?
All of the cabins have
potable drinking
water. In Camp Horseshoe, Trailblazer and Campcraft both have frostproof
hydrants right in the site. At Camp Ware, Jubilee and Hawkeye have access to
drinking water within the site. For tent, adirondack and stockade sites, potable
water is available at selected convenient locations throughout both Camp Ware
and Horseshoe so you'll need some storage containers to carry water back to your
area.
Q: It's snowing
up here at my house and they're predicting a heavy accumulation. How will we be
able to find out if HSR will close due to the snow.
A: Barring the winter storm of the
century, the Horseshoe Scout Reservation
NEVER closes due to snow. All roads will be plowed and salted and in the best
possible shape in anticipation of your arrival. Please consider carefully your
decision to travel during inclement weather. You can also check this website
for daily updates on weather and road conditions by clicking
here .
Q: What kind of
programs do you offer in the winter?
A: By design, the
BSA promotes weekend camping as an opportunity for troops, packs and crews
to implement their own individual programs, which they tailor to the needs of
their units. HSR does however make the rifle ranges
available to groups with qualified range instructors. Also,
selected
Boy Scout merit badges are available on
a
year round basis.
The Order of the Arrow will also provide
certain program offerings during selected weekends throughout the winter season.
Q: What is a
Campmaster?
A: Campmasters are members of a
group of dedicated volunteer scouters with a strong camping and outdoors background
with many years of experience at HSR. During the weekend they serve as an
official representative of the Horseshoe Scout Reservation. Their
goal is to provide support to the units during their stay at HSR. Chester County
Council Campmasters are trained to ensure a safe and positive weekend camping
experience for the Packs, Troops and Crews that utilize the Horseshoe Scout
Reservation during the short term camping season.
Q: What's the
difference between "Site Inspections" and "Check-out"?
A: Site Inspection is when, on
your last day in camp for the weekend, your area is all cleaned, firewood
restocked and you're ready to go. You'll contact the Campmaster (or Ranger) and
he/she will physically walk through your cabin or campsite and "inspect" the area
for cleanliness and any damages that might have occurred. Once the Campmaster
has give you the OK, you're cleared to leave.
"Check Out" follows your site
inspection. You've settled up all paperwork with the campmaster or ranger and are leaving the property
headed for home (The
latest "check out" time for both Camp Ware and Horseshoe is 12 o'clock noon on Sunday).
Q: In the event
one of our parents needs to contact us while we are at HSR what number can they
call?
A: Your best bet is to give them
the number for the Headquarters at appropriate camp you will be staying at. Camp
Ware's Headquarters phone number is 717-548-2786. The phone number for the Camp
Horseshoe HQ is 717-548-2525. In the event that the Campmaster is out in the
camp assisting a unit, you can call the Ranger's Office 717-548-3352 and leave a
message.
Q: Can I make
an online reservation here for summer camp?
A: At this time we do not take
online reservations for summer camp. Please call the council office (610)
696-2900 and dial extension 25 for the Camping Department. The staff will be happy to help you with summer camp
reservations.
Questions?
Contact us!
