Camp
John Mensinger is a Nationally Accredited
Camp by the Boy Scouts of America
and is owned and operated by the: Greater Yosemite Council, B.S.A.
4031 Technology Drive, Modesto California 95356
209-545-6320, 877-486-5519 toll free, Fax 209-545-6321
Registration: All units
and visitors must register (required for our national
records) upon arrival at camp in the Administration Building.
Units should plan on arriving at Camp Mensinger between
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tour permits are required
for all units attending camp.
Out of Council Units must
provide proof of insurance and insurance claim forms
from their insurance provider.
Telephone Service: There
is no public telephone service available at Camp Mensinger.
Cell phone service is only available for emergency calls
and limited camp business.
Camp Mail: A mailbox is located in
front of the dining hall. Mail normally is delivered
to and retrieved from the Strawberry Post Office on Tuesday
and Thursday. Incoming mail is placed in each troop’s
box in the Administration Building. The mailing address
for Scouts attending Camp Mensinger is:
Wednesday
Night Meal: (Very
important information, pay attention!) The
Wednesday night meal is cooked by your unit in your
unit's campsite. This meal will give your Scouts an
opportunity to complete some cooking requirements.
The raw food and some foil will be provided by the
kitchen staff. You will need to send two Scouts to
the kitchen to pick up the ingredients for the meal.
Units are encouraged to bring additional ingredients
to spice things up and make their meal truly unique.
Campsites & Capacity: There
are 15 campsites at Camp Mensinger that will accommodate
12 to 24 campers for a total of 264 per week. Campsites
must have a 75% youth occupancy for a campsite to be
used exclusively your unit. If a unit is added to your
campsite, the leaders from both units will be notified
and provided contact information for the other unit.
Physically Challenged Scouts: The Cedar
Grove campsite located near the Health Lodge
is available for the physically challenged. Please
check with the Greater Yosemite Council prior to
attending camp regarding availability the Cedar
Grove campsite.
Meals in Camp: Your troop
will be required to assign 2 Scouts per table plus 1
adult supervisor for each meal to assist with set up,
take down, and cleaning of the Dining Hall.
Special Diets: All special
dietary needs must be pre-arranged with the Camp Director
before camp opens.
Camp Trading Post: The
camp operates a Trading Post offering camp souvenirs,
merit badge pamphlets, handicraft items, soft 
drinks
and other snack items. The Trading Post accepts only
cash and checks.
Banking: A safe deposit
box is available for your troop’s use at the Administration
Building. We recommend that each troop acquire a box
to use as a troop bank. This not only assures that all
troop funds are safe, but also allows Scoutmasters to
ensure that Scouts manage their money wisely.
A Scout is Reverent: The
Scout Law emphasizes that a Scout is Reverent. A Chaplain
will conduct a non-denominational "Scout's Own" service
during the week. All are encouraged to attend.
Camperships: The Greater Yosemite Council
believes that each Scout should be given every opportunity
to attend summer camp. Camperships can help cover part
of the cost of a week at camp for members of the Greater
Yosemite Council. Applications should be submitted by
May 1st. of the year attending camp. Notification of
funding is not received until June. Although this can
be an inconvenience for the troop trying to settle their
camp fees, it is necessary that we wait until this notification
is final to approve any camperships. Applications are
available in the appendix of the Leader's Guide and on
the Greater Yosemite Council web site.
Uniforming: Units are to wear their
full field uniforms during any chapel services, evening
assembly, dinner and campfires. A more relaxed “ready
for a fun day” uniform such as Scout pants/shorts,
Scout socks, and a troop or camp t-shirt is acceptable
attire for morning assemblies and throughout the day.
Troops are encouraged to set a their uniform policy prior
to arrival at camp. Many troops display their pride with
troop shirts or hats. Scouting attire is appropriate
at all times and swimsuits are not acceptable at meals.
Registered Scouts/Sibling Policy: All
staff, participants at camp, Scouts and adult leaders,
must be currently registered members of the Boy Scouts
of America. Additionally, due to liability considerations
and the lack of appropriate facilities, the Greater Yosemite
Council must enforce the policy that only registered
Scouts and leaders attend summer camp. Children and/or
siblings of those registered cannot be accommodated and
will be sent home from summer camp.
Youth Protection/Hazing Policy: Please
share with all the members of your unit the BSA’s “Guide
To Safe Scouting” and the BSA's policies on youth
protection and hazing.
Visitors: We require all visitors to
register in the Administration Building upon arrival.
Accommodations for visitors are not available at camp.
Although family and visitors are always welcome, remember
Scouts are very busy experiencing camp. The camp is open
to registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. For
the safety of younger siblings and the integrity of the
camp program, siblings may not stay in camp. Due to the
large numbers of Scouts attending camp each week, it
is becoming increasingly difficult to order food and
supplies correctly. Please notify the camp administration
at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to purchase
a meal(s). Visitors may purchase meals in the Administrtion
Building at the following rates: 
Meal
Fees
|
| Breakfast |
$6.00
|
| Lunch |
$5.00
|
| Dinner |
$7.00
|
Provisional Campers: Individual campers
who are unable to attend camp with their unit are allowed
to attend camp when we can find a unit willing to take
them into their camp for the week.
