2025 North Star Campout Rules

1. Follow all local laws and ordinances.

2. Follow all rules and guidelines set forth by El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara. (https://elcapitancanyon.com/resources/#policies; https://www.sunoutdoors.com/california/sun-outdoors-santa-barbara)

3. All attendees are expected to adhere to a code of conduct consistent with the values of our Catholic community.

4. Although the North Star Campout is not a school-sponsored event, the St. Paul the Apostle Parent-Student Handbook sets forth standards of conduct that must be followed whether on or off school grounds, and all participants are expected to comply with the behavior guidelines in that Handbook.

5. Parents are responsible for their children and their safety at all times, and will:

Know where their children are and know what they are doing.
Supervise their children at all times around any campﬁre, BBQ, camp stove, or open ﬂame.
Observe a curfew of no later than 11 pm. Curfew means all children must be inside their cabins, RVs, or tents by the curfew time.

6. Participants will put safety first, and:

Take extra care to review proper bicycle, campfire, pool, and wildlife safety precautions with your family prior to arrival and throughout the North Star Campout.
Observe 5 mph speed limit for all motorized vehicles.
Wear a helmet whenever riding a bicycle or scooter.
Practice safe riding techniques of their bicycles at all times, including never riding with excessive speed or reckless attitudes.
Will NEVER handle another person’s bicycle without their knowledge and express permission.
Not leave alcohol unattended and/or accessible to minors.
Prohibit BB guns, sling shots, firecrackers, drones, weapons, etc.
Will not put propane canisters, sodas, trash, lighter ﬂuid canisters or other ﬂammable or dangerous items into the ﬁre pits.
Will NEVER leave campfires or smoldering embers unattended.

7. Participants will be a good neighbor, and:

Observe Friday and Saturday night quiet hours of 11pm to 8am.
Respect the property of others.
Keep water play away from cabins, tents, RVs, picnic tables, fire pits, etc.
Tents may only be set up in designated tent sites.
Vehicles may be parked only in designated areas.
Help keep campgrounds clean.

8. While this is not a school-sponsored event, only current school families may attend.

9. School families are not permitted to bring relatives/friends/guests/visitors who are not currently part of the school.

10. Nannies or babysitters are not permitted to attend.

11. Outside vendors (caterers for hire, rentals, etc.) are not permitted to enter campgrounds. (Outside deliveries may be made to the front entrance kiosk.)

12. Each child attending must have an identified parent/guardian responsible for that child present on site at all times.

13. If a parent chooses to send a child to attend with another family, that child’s parent must also sign a release to authorize the family to take responsibility for their child in the parent’s absence.

14. While school families are permitted to bring their own children who are older than 8th grade, school families are NOT permitted to bring any older children who are not part of their immediate family (even if those non-family members are associated with the school community).

15. Parents will advise their child(ren) to be respectful to the staff of El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara.

16. El Capitan Canyon has adopted a “car-free” policy to maximize guest safety and preserve the natural ambiance of the Canyon. With the exception of unloading after check-in, NO CARS WILL BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE CANYON DURING THE NORTH STAR CAMPOUT. Day campers or those who need in and out access over the weekend, MUST park at the Canyon Market or designated parking lot to help ensure the safety of children walking and riding bikes and scooters throughout the canyon all weekend.

17. Any child using the pool must be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian/adult at all times. Unaccompanied children will not be permitted to swim.

18. The use of electric bikes and scooters is prohibited during the North Star Campout.

19. Please follow and adhere to all warning signs posted at El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara. Please exercise caution while biking and do not attempt to bike up or down hiking trails or steep inclines (including the path between El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara).

20. Please stay away from the creek due to dangerous and significant health and safety risks that currently exist in and near the creek, including unstable creek banks.

21. If you can no longer attend the North Star Campout, you agree to notify the North Star Campout Committee so your reservation, accommodation and/or RV spot can be assigned to another family. Please be advised that El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara will only create/amend/cancel reservations from information provided by North Star Campout Committee.

22. Per our insurance policy and agreement with El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara, we are unable to allow pets of any kind at El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara during the North Star Campout.

23. Per our agreement with El Capitan Canyon and Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara, please do not affix or erect any signs, banners or displays that would cause permanent and physical damage to the cabins or otherwise interfere with the scenic beauty of the campground.

24. Tiki torches are strictly prohibited.

25. Smoking (including e-cigarettes/vaping) and/or any illegal drug use is strictly prohibited.

26. Failure to adhere to the foregoing North Star Campout Rules may be grounds for your expulsion and result in a prohibition against future participation.

27. The North Star Campout is open to families whose children currently attend SPA, provided however that SPA students who are not in good standing due to prior expulsion, ongoing suspension or other disciplinary action, will not be permitted to attend, observe, or participate in the North Star Campout in any manner.

28. The North Star Campout Committee reserves the right to deny any parent, guardian, child, guest or any other person admission to and/or participation in the North Star Campout at its sole and absolute discretion.