Members Use of Camp

Member Use of Maple Valley Conservatory (Dog Scout Camp)

One of the perks of membership is the eligibility to use the Maple Valley Conservatory. As a local member, you can visit and hike the trails and let your dog run in the fenced dog run area when ever the facility isn’t otherwise occupied. As a member, you can reserve a campsite or room in the lodge for a week or just a weekend, at the standard rates.

Any individuals who wish to use the camp facility with their dog(s) must provide proof of current immunization against the common infectious dog diseases, and rabies. They must also be parasite free (worms, heartworm, fleas/ticks). Your dog must be on some type of preventative that will preclude infestation with these organisms. This is for your own protection, as well as those who follow to visit the camp in the future.

DSA Troops (all of which are made up of members of DSA) are allowed to reserve the camp for weekends or weeks for their troop activities at no charge for the facility itself. There is a charge for any campers staying onsite, and using the campsites or bunkhouse (standard rates apply). Repeated use of the facility for such troop campouts hinges on the members’ responsibility in cleaning up after themselves and not destroying things while here. Any damage done will be billed to the troop, and they’ll have to work it out with the offending troop member. If matters are not resolved, the troop may lose the privilege of using the facility in the future.

Troops that use the camps repeatedly for outings or campouts may get a discount for good behavior, if everything is left in the condition in which it was found. This is at the discretion of the Maple Valley Conservatory, and discounts can be revoked at any time.

If your troop is planning to use the Dog Scout Camp facility, you must make sure that each person attending is a member in good standing with DSA. In other words, if a member only has individual membership, but wishes to bring a spouse and/or child, that person must obtain a family membership, which will include any and all individuals planning to participate in the on-site activities. This includes meaningful others, friends, and relatives. All must be members of DSA before coming to the facility. All people attending facility functions will sign a release form, and will accept all responsibility for their dog(s), both for damages to property and to other people and/or dogs while at the facility. Everyone attending functions at MVC will also read the rules for campers in the “For Campers Only” section of this web site. That section is for people registered for one of the summer camps, but the rules apply to everyone who visits the facility, and each person is responsible for informing themselves of the rules for participation.

For groups, a person who is designated as “in charge” of the group must be identified. Whether it is the troop leader, or some other person, this person must be responsible for making sure that all participants follow rules, sign release forms, and have their memberships up to date.

Please see the Maple Valley Conservatory facility brochure online (For Campers Only pages), to get an idea of what the camp is like, and what amenities are available.

Standard room rates for renting the camp:
Bunkhouse room (shared room) - $15.00 per person, per night.
Private room - $40.00 per room, per night
Campsite with Electric - $12.00 per night per RV (or Tent, or Vehicle, etc.)
Campsite with no Electric - $8.00 per night per RV, Tent, or Vehicle
Off-site motel rooms are available for $40.00 - $45.00 (please reserve well in advance)

Call Lonnie at 989 389-2000 to reserve on-site lodging
Call Trails End Motel 989 389-7929 for off site reservations

No deposit is required, but you will be expected to pay for anything that is damaged, due to your or your dog’s actions.

Remember:

Facility use is for members only. Every person in your party must be a member of DSA.
Everyone in your group must sign a waiver of liability form, and be responsible for their own actions.
No Smoking in any part of this building, or in any building on the MVC campus.
Do not allow dogs loose in the room when you are not in attendance (and AWAKE).
If your roommates agree on a “loose dog” arrangement, see #2 (talk to them first).
Quiet time is before 7:00 am and after 11:00 pm, please respect others’ need for quiet.
You will be expected to pay for anything that is damaged, due to your or your dog’s actions.
It is your responsibility to make everyone aware of the camp rules and procedures.
Fire danger has been high all summer due to low precipitation, please drown all campfires.
Be careful at the beach—due to the lower water level, you may find the drop-off before you’re at swimming depth. Children must wear life jackets in the beach area.
It is everyone’s responsibility to clean their room and clean up the lodge before leaving. Please get everything back the way you found it.

*Extra services:

Copy machine is available. You can use it for a photo copy here and there, but if you’re running off mass quantities of handouts or something, please leave 5 cents per copy in the donation bank.
Ice is free, but please don’t fill coolers, and be sure to refill the ice trays.
Laundry machines are available for $1. per load.
Local calls made on line 2 are free; please use a calling card for long-distance calls: use of the internet is $2.00 per connection.
You are responsible for providing your own paper plates, etc. or washing your own dishes and keeping the dining hall and restrooms clean. Please observe the scouting rule, and leave things cleaner than you found them, if possible.
Camp store is available to your members while you’re here. Everyone can run a tab if they like, and pay before they leave with check or credit card, children are not to be in the camp store (or anywhere else on the facility) unattended.
Craft supplies and instruction are available for $5.00 per craft. There are a number of projects available, including: Dog message board, Cement stepping stone, Macrame Dog Necklace/Collar, Photo Album…