When you get to Big Mac, there are several things you should do as part of opening the camp.
First, unlock the main gate. You will be provided a combination when your registration is confirmed. This combo opens the main gate, the Mess Hall, and the Recreation Center.
Please park your vehicles only on the gravel areas by the Mess Hall and Barn. Do not park on the grass in front of the Mess Hall, or drive your vehicles down any of the dirt fire access roads.
Proceed to the Mess Hall, and follow the start-up procedures to turn on the electricity and water. The main breaker for the camp is located in the Mess Hall bunk room. Switches for the Recreation Center and the basketball court lights are in the Recreation Center itself.
Once the Mess Hall electricity and water are on, enjoy your stay!
When you are preparing to leave camp, please follow the shut-down procedures in the Procedures Guide. During the winter months it is critical that you properly winterize the Mess Hall, so that the pipes do not freeze and crack. You should bring some anti-freeze with you, in case there is none in the Mess Hall.
Please take all trash with you when you leave. Fauquier County operates a trash drop-off on Leeds Manor Road, just north of the railroad crossing. Remember to sweep out the cabins and Recreation Center, if used. Return fire extinguishers from the cabins back to the Mess Hall. Sweep and mop the Mess Hall floor. Close and lock all the windows and doors in the Mess Hall and Recreation Center. Finally, lock the main gate – be sure to ‘spin’ the combo so the locks remain locked.
Follow up with the Camp Directors on any positives or negatives of your stay. If you did any maintenance projects, let us know. If there are things that need to be fixed, please let us know. We depend on our guests to keep us posted on repair issues that need our attention.
Emergencies
In case of emergencies, contact the Fauquier County Fire Department. The Camp’s address is 12647 Moss Hollow Road, Markham VA 22643. But many will recognize the name “Camp Big Mac.” Make sure they understand you are at Camp Big Mac, and not at Camp Moss Hollow.
In the case of a power failure, check the breakers. If the breakers are okay, then you need to call Dominion Virginia Power at 1-888-667-3000, and reference the Camp’s address. Make sure you tell them you are a youth camp and they will expedite the repair. If you need to leave camp before they arrive (or the repair will take a long time), please do your best to clean up. Call or email the Camp Directors and let us know the situation. We will try to send someone out to help tidy up once power is restored.
Other Important Information
- Please take fire extinguishers (stored in the Mess Hall) to cabins when using wood stoves.
- Please leave a good stock of firewood inside the Mess Hall. Hopefully you found the same on your arrival. A small stock of wood in each cabin is sufficient.
- Please don’t cut live trees for firewood, pioneering projects, etc. There are plenty of dead and down trees on Big Mac.
- Remind your group to please not run in camp. There have only been 2 broken legs at Big Mac in 54 years, both attributed to running on the trails.
- Take all food out of the refrigerators and empty ice trays. Leave refrigerator doors open when leaving.
- If you need to fix or replace equipment, please do so. Contact the Camp Directors for reimbursement.
- Do not bring outside firewood to Big Mac, unless it is kiln dried. See http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/ for more information.
- From February 15 until April 30 Virginia has an outdoor burn ban in effect. This law prohibits outdoor burning before 4 p.m. each day if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials. See http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/burn-bans.shtml for more information.
- Lock all doors and windows in the Mess Hall & Pavilion when leaving from Big Mac.
- Do not chop or split firewood inside the Mess Hall.
- When leaving Big Mac, please sweep out the Cabins and sweep and mop the Mess Hall Floor.
- During the winter season (November 1st to April 15th) please bring anti-freeze with you.
- Refrain from using ‘anti-bacterial’ soaps in the kitchen or bathrooms. They are not good for the septic system.
- Any issues please contact the Camp Director (Paul Reinsel) at 703-627-1121 or Email pipes2211@verizon.net