At Camp Norwood we care about your safety and we hope that you do too. Before arriving at Camp Norwood please read the following to be prepared for your visit. Always use common sense.
ALL TIME SPENT AT CAMP NORWOOD IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
NO OPEN FIRES OR FIREPITS EXCEPT FOR THE COMMUNITY FIREPIT LOCATED BEHIND THE MUSIC SHED.
Scott County Fire Station Number 2
Address: 1350 Sadieville Road (32), Sadieville, KY 40370
Phone: 502-857-2462 /911
Georgetown Community Hospital
Address: 1140 Lexington Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324
Phone: (502) 570-0007/ 911
Kentucky Urgent Care (Georgetown)
Address: 111 Osborne Way #101, Georgetown, KY 40324
Phone: (502) 868-1100 /911
NO PARKING OR BLOCKING THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY TO ALLOW ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
TICKS
Yes, ticks exist at Camp Norwood. Yes, during our cleanup, there were a lot. We’ve learned through that time ways to avoid them and are proud to say that we only experience them now while cutting trees in the thicket where they thrive. First thing to know is that all woodsy areas with tall grasses and deer are homes to ticks at Camp Norwood and beyond, including your own backyard. Short grasses, gravel, and woodchips help to prevent their travel. It is best to STAY ON THE TRAIL. While going off trail and exploring is certainly fun, your chances of getting bit are increased exponentially. While you may be able to avoid off-trail exploring, your pets may not. For this reason, KEEP PETS LEASHED AND ON THE TRAIL. Even if you stay on a trail, there is no guarantee that a tick may not hitch a ride on you or your pet’s body. REGULAR BODY CHECKS are certainly helpful on you, your friend, and your pet. If you have an itch on yor body, take a peek. Ticks enjoy damp areas, so be sure to check along your waistlines, bra lines, arm pits, and other sweaty areas. TALL SOCKS and HATS are certainly helpful, as well as tucking in your shirt. While sprays like permethrin and deet maybe helpful, we have found them to not be 100% and may be more harmful on yourself. After exploring, a quick change of clothing or A SHOWER is best. If you find a tick on your body, DON’T PANIC. Simply flick it off of your skin. If it is attached, you can use a pair of tweezers (or your fingernails) to PLUCK IT OFF at the base. Tweezers are kept at Camp Norwood HQ at the front door, on the bar at the music shed, and in the bathroom at the polebarn. Once plucked, if attached, CLEAN THE AREA with soap and water. DISPOSE OF THE TICK in the jar labled, “Tick Juice”. NOT ALL TICK BITES CAUSE LYMES DISEASE, though they all can be very itchy. After cleaning, APPLY AN ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT and/ or RUBBING ALCOHOL to disinfect the area. Both are located near the tweezers. WATCH FOR SIGNS of Lyme’s Disease which may include a fever, a headache and a bullseye shaped rash. Should you have any concern, a PRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTIC is your best bet, though you’ll want to visit sooner than later to avoid further infection. Every urgent care in the area will have that available.
SNAKES, SPIDERS, GLASS, POISON IVY, OTHER WILDLIFE INCLUDING COYOTES
Camp Norwood is located in a beautiful peaceful area surrounded by natural surroundings. USE COMMON SENSE while visiting. Staying on the trails is always best. Yes there are poisonous snakes in the area (we have yet to see them) and very large spiders. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and watch where you walk. If you are lifting rocks or branches while volunteering, WEAR GLOVES and be FULLY COVERED. Marmots, turkeys, coyotes, deer, owls, snakes, turtles, frogs, cats and more have been seen at Camp Norwood. It is always best to WATCH FROM A DISTANCE. We have yet to see a bear, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. If you see a visitor, take a picture and let a camp counslor know so that we can log it in our book. It is always a good idea to KEEP A PHONE ON YOU for contact should an unforseen event occur. It is best to BRING A FRIEND and not travel alone. We do our best to clean up the mess on the property that existed before we arrived, but many times we will discover large pieces or glass or metal popping up from the ground. it is best to AVOID BARE FEET. If you see something, you may carefully remove the item to be placed in a trash can located thoughout the property or let a camp counselor be aware for disposal. When picking flowers or foraging through the greenery, be aware of poison ivy.. LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE.
CHILDREN AND PETS
Children and pets are certainly welcome at Camp Norwood, though must be WITH AN ADULT at all times. ALL PETS NEED TO BE LEASHED. NO OFF TRAIL EXPLORING and if you are hiking along the street, HUG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD and use a short leash. PLEASE PICK UP WASTE FROM DOGS to be thrown in the trash. NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE POOL OR THE POLEBARN ALONE. NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE POLEBARN DURING ADULT HOURS.
BRING A FLASHLIGHT, BRING A FRIEND
When there is a new moon, it gets dark. So dark that you can see the milky way, but can’t see the ground. BRING A FLASHLIGHT if you are going out side at night. Bringing a cellphone as you hike around the property is always a great idea to take pictures, identify plants and animals, and to use as an emergency flashlight. A cellphone can be used to make phone calls as well, but keep in mind that cell service in this rural area can still be questionable. For this reason we suggest that you always BRING A FRIEND on any hike. It is best to not be alone in case of an emergency.
DANGEROUS LOCATIONS
Besides the deep dark woods, there are dangerous locations at Camp Norwood that should be avoided. The LOG PILE (future parking lot), the LOG CABIN, and the SCRAPS PILE are OFF LIMITS. Please do not explore those areas without a camp leader. The front porch ot the log cabin is accessible, but with EXTREME CAUTION as some of the boards are not attached.
THE WEATHER
The weather around hear is no joke. 90 degree weeks, tornado sirens, floods, trecherous winds, 3 inches of ice, hail, snow, thick fog, heat lightening… we have seen it all. sometimes many from above in the same day. Despite that, we feel lucky to be located in a “holler” that’s surrounded by tall hills and next to a dry creek. With that said, we are always watching the weather and we suggest that you WATCH THE WEATHER as well. Do not travel the back roads during a flash flood warning and if you do, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. If you are camping, BE AWARE OF DEAD TREE LIMBS AND RUN-OFF WATER AREAS that are known to flood intermittently. STAY HYDRATED (the water at headquarters and the polebarn is filtered). BRING BOOTS if you plan to hike. Future plans include woodchipping all trails, but we aren’t quite there and when it rains, those trails can get swampy.