Minto Rendezvous

September TBD, 2023

Bovay Scout Ranch
3450 County Road 317
Navasota, TX 77868

Minto Rendezvous is an annual regional event where Sea Scouts test their knowledge and skills. The competition includes over 20 events that test a ship’s teamwork, training and preparation in a variety of nautical-related events.  Some events such as navigation, first aid, knot tying relays and marlin spike require study and practice.  Other events like blindfold canoe race and no paddle canoe race require luck and laughter to run the course.

Ships from across Texas and Oklahoma look forward to the fun and fellowship. The highlight of the weekend is the annual Flotsam Flotilla race of homemade vessels made from a variety of materials.  

Registration

Early registration Through August 15, 2022 $70 per person, includes meals and a t-shirt
Registration August 16-30, 2022 $80 per person, includes meals and a t-shirt
Late registration After August 30, 2022 $90 per person, includes meals; doesn't include a t-shirt

At checkout, pay with a credit card or electronic check. Council refund policy.

Register

Boarding Manual

Printable View

Check-in: Event check-in starts Friday night. Units will be assigned a campsite at that time and participants will need to set up camp. Dinner will not be provided. A Skipper/Boatswain meeting will be held at 2000 and will be followed by cracker barrel at 2030 in the dining hall.

Meals: Meals will be provided in the dining hall beginning with breakfast on Saturday and ending with breakfast on Sunday morning. Each ship will be required to provide assistance in serving meals and cleaning the dining hall after meals are completed.

Billeting: Unit sleeping accommodations will be in tents provided by the unit. Each individual is responsible for their own sleeping equipment. A schedule will be provided at the first Skipper/Boatswain meeting assigning units for cleaning the shower/restroom facility that is nearest their campsite.

Medical: Each ship will provide current BSA Annual Health and Medical Records (part A&B for all Scouting events) available at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx for each youth and adult that will be on-site during the event. Any injury shall be immediately reported to the medic for treatment. In case of a serious injury, the medic will notify the event chair and council representative.

What to Bring

Suggested Personal Gear

  • BSA Health and Medical form (part A & B) required for every participant
  • Water bottle, hydration system to carry during the day
  • Activity uniform (Scout t-shirt) or field uniform (Scout uniform)
  • Sea Scout uniforms (for uniform inspection and awards ceremony)
  • Clothes and change of clothes appropriate for outdoor weather
  • Closed-toed shoes (no open-toed shoes)
  • Modest swimwear (when competing in water events only)
  • Wet socks or water shoes (required for all waterfront events including sailing); no bare feet
  • Jacket/sweatshirts 
  • Rain gear
  • Hat
  • Toiletries – soap, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, deodorant
  • Personal medications
  • Pajamas/nightwear
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Hand sanitizer, optional
  • Insect repellent, optional
  • Eat dinner before arriving on Friday night

Camping gear

  • Ground cloth
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Extra blanket
  • Pillow
  • Camp chair, optional
What NOT to bring to camp:  Flip-flops, tank-tops, halters, tube-tops, open-toed shoes. Alcohol, electronics/game equipment, firearms, guns and ammunition, sheath knives, fireworks, illegal drugs, liquid fuel lanterns or stoves, pets, scooters, skates, skateboards, valuables

Schedule

Friday

1700 Begin checking in, campsite setup (eat dinner before arriving)
2000 Skippers, boatswains and judges meeting
2030 Cracker barrel
2200 Lights out

Saturday

0600 Reveille
0700 Breakfast 
0800 Flag ceremony 
0810 Competition events
1200   Lunch 
1300 Mariner’s Quiz
1330 Competition events
1730 Competition ends
1800 Flag ceremony 
1800   Dinner 
1900   Flotsam Flotilla Race
2200 Lights out

Sunday

0700 Reveille
0800 Breakfast
0840 Interfaith worship service
0930 Uniform inspection and awards ceremony 
1100 Camp inspection
1130 Check out

General Orders

Adult Leadership: Each unit must have at least one adult leader for each 10 youth with two adults minimum. Units with female members present must provide appropriate female adult leadership. Arrangements with companion ships may be made to share gender responsibility so long as the ships are immediately adjacent in camping location and the responsible adult understands and conscientiously accepts the increased responsibility. All adults are expected to cooperate and participate when called upon by the rendezvous staff. Adult participation includes judging of events, campsite monitoring, kitchen staff, score sheet control, timekeeper, service watch, or other duties assigned by the event chair.

Courtesy: Leaders should impress upon their members the necessity of exemplary conduct at all times. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated! 

Smoking: An important way adult leaders can model healthy living is by following the policies on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Leaders should support the attitude that they, as well as youths, are better off without tobacco in any form and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems that simulate tobacco smoking. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. Source

Adult Responsibility: Units are responsible for their camping areas and their bathroom facilities. Facilities will be inspected prior to check out Sunday. Other adults will be responsible for the final cleanliness of the dining hall (including restrooms).

Shore Leave: There is no shore leave. All youth are responsible for staying within the limits of Bovay Scout Ranch. Ship officers and adults are responsible for compliance with this rule.

Swimming: Swimming is not permitted except as part of scheduled events.

Campfire: Campfires may not build; outdoor cooking is not allowed during the event.

Bathhouses: Facilities will be clearly marked for youth male, youth female, adult male, and adult female.

Liquor or Drugs: Possession or consumption of intoxicating products or drugs of any kind by participants, guests, or adults will not be tolerated at any time during the rendezvous.  Violation of this regulation will result in immediate expulsion from the rendezvous.

Medications: Anyone requiring refrigeration for medication should notify the event medic.

Special Accomodations: If special accommodations are necessary for anyone attending the rendezvous, the unit leaders should notify the organizers prior to the event.

Food Allergies: Special dietary needs or specific food allergies must be listed on the registration form and submitted on time.

Events, Scoring and Rules

Please read the page on events, scoring and rules carefully. The scoring and participation may not be the same as other rendezvous. Teams participating in trial events will receive participation points.

Events, Scoring and Rules

Awards

Awards will be presented to each participating ship. First, second, third and fourth places will be presented in addition to participation awards. Leadership and conduct will receive a special recognition.

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility posterThe BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. 

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

  • Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
  • One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. 
  • The buddy system should be used at all times. 
  • Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

    Guide to Safe Scouting    Sweet Sixteen    Enterprise Risk Management

Safe Boating and Sailing Standards       Boating Incident Review

Contact 

For additional information, contact Cassie Johnson at ch.johnson@sbcglobal.net or Richard Lipham at lipham@aol.com.