Rev up Polaris ATV fun at a council camp near you

Your Scout is looking forward to new experiences and lots of fun at summer camp — one of which can be driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

Every year, Polaris Industries donates 150 ATVs to select BSA council camps. It’s part of a 10-year partnership with the BSA, started in 2014, that provides top-of-the-line off-road vehicles, safety equipment and training to help deliver an exciting program for youth. This year, the camps outfitted with ATVs will be:

ALABAMA

• Camp Horne, Cottondale, Ala.
• Camp Tukabatchee, Prattville, Ala.

ARKANSAS

• Kia Kima Scout Reservation, Hardy, Ark.

CALIFORNIA

• Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley, Valley Springs, Calif.

FLORIDA

• Camp Shands, Hawthorne, Fla.

IDAHO

• Camp Grizzly, Harvard, Idaho

INDIANA

• Ransburg Scout Reservation, Bloomington, Ind.

KANSAS

• Falley Scout Reservation, Oskaloosa, Kan.

LOUISIANA

• Lost Bayou Scout Camp, Landry, La.
• T.L. James, Downsville, La.
• Kinsey Scout Reservation, Stonewall, La.

MARYLAND

• Henson Scout Reservation, Rhodesdale, Md.
• Broadcreek, Whitefird, Md.

MICHIGAN

• Owasippe Scout Reservation, Twin Lakes, Mich.

MINNESOTA

• Many Point Scout Camp, Ponsford, Minn.

MISSOURI

• Camp Lewallen, Silva, Mo.

NEBRASKA

• Camp Cornhusker, Du Bois, Neb.

NEW MEXICO

• Gorham Scout Ranch, Chimayo, N.M.
• Wehinahpay Mountain Camp, Sacramento, N.M.    
• Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, N.M.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Griswold Scout Reservation/Camp Bell, Gilmanton Iron Works, N.H.

NEW YORK

• Camp Turrell, Cuddebackville, N.Y.
• Camp Wakpominee, Fort Ann, N.Y.

NORTH CAROLINA

• Camp John J. Barnhardt, New London, N.C.
• Cherokee Scout Reservation, Yanceyville, N.C.

OHIO

• Woodland Trails Scout Reservation, Camden, Ohio
• Camp Berry, Findlay, Ohio
• Camp Falling Rock, Newark, Ohio

PENNSYLVANIA

• Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, Loysville, Pa.
• Resica Falls Scout Reservation, East Stroudsby, Pa.
• Heritage Reservation, Farmington, Pa.
• Camp Acahela, Lake Ariel, Pa.

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Camp Old Indian, Travelers Rest, S.C.

SOUTH DAKOTA

• Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch, Custer, S.D.

TENNESSEE

• Skymont Scout Reservation, Altamont, Tenn.
• Latimer Reservation, Spencer, Tenn.

TEXAS

• Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp, Graford, Texas

WISCONSIN

• Camp Long Lake, St. Cloud, Wis.
• Camp Tomahawk, Birchwild, Wis.

WEST VIRGINIA

• Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, W.V.

You can find a map of each camp here. One of the great aspects of the program is that, depending on the camp, your unit could book a riding experience during other parts of the year. Just contact a council leader from the list of camps to see if that option is available.

Stay safe

Polaris is a member of ATV Safety Institute and strongly encourages the institute’s “Golden Rules“:

• Always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.
• Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law.
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV.
• Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
• Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
• Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed. Follow speed limits and trail conditions for which they are meant to operate.

Scouts and Venturers age 14 and older may drive ATV equipment only at council-run ATV programs after receiving safety instruction from an institute-trained instructor. Trained instructors can be found at the camps listed above. Upon completing the instruction, Scouts can receive a safety patch and certificate.

With the exception of council-run ATV programs, ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides are banned from program use, a restriction that includes their use within units. Read more at this BSA Safety Moment page.