Seminole Nation Official Campout Rules and Descriptions
GENERAL OVERALL/COUP STICK VOTING RULES
A. Tribes are encouraged to ask ANY Nation Officer for further explanation of a particular rule or a specific scenario that is not covered or understood herein, preferably BEFORE a Campout.
B. All crafts and invitations shall be a project completed since the last Campout.
C. Nation Sachems, Longhouse Chiefs, or Nation Officers will be utilized at each campout for the enforcement of these rules. However, Tribe Chiefs and their tribe members are expected to know and observe all rules. Live animals and/or fireworks are not allowed at the nation events without prior permission from the Nation Chief. Any concerns or complaints are to be brought to the attention of the Medicine Man, who, in turn, will convene the rules committee for discussion and possible vote. At NO time may any Daughters be present during these discussions.
D. Tribes will chose 5 Dad AND Daughter teams to represent their tribe. Each five Tribal Teams will get one voting slip allowing, one (1) first place vote one (1) second place vote and one (1) third place vote each. Tribes not utilizing all five voting slips will be docked one 1st, 2nd and 3rd place vote for each voting slip not turned in. Dads and Daughters are encouraged to discuss their vote before voting. Block voting or swapping votes with other tribes will not be tolerated and all such votes will be voided. All Dads must be with Daughters to vote. If a Daughter arrives without her father, she will not be allowed to vote and be asked to return with her dad. Voting by these Dad and Daughter teams will be done for the following events:
E. Tribes must participate in all events for the Weekend to qualify to win the Coup Stick (this excludes tribal property craft).
Remember if voting slips are not turned in or a tribal member does not participate in Wargames, (without informing a higher ranking Nation officer prior to the event) will by nature of the system lose points.
GENERAL EVENTS RULES:
A. Invitation: A dad and his daughter(s) create hand-made, non-digital invitations for all tribal members. The dad and his daughter(s) must hand deliver invitations to the homes of at least 70% of the families in the tribe. The purpose of the invitation competition is for dad and daughter(s) to spend time together thinking of ideas, creating an invitation, and driving to tribal members’ homes for delivery. Your daughter should be the primary person to hand the invitation to the family and invite her to her to the tribal night. This step is designed to help your daughter to build confidence and take initiative.
No food items, food packaging, or simulated food items or packaging may be used. This is not a largest pile of candy/dessert contest and the "spirit of the rule" will guide us in enforcement. Invitations should not be used as a forum to promote political, ideological, or religious beliefs. During any given year the Nation Chief may add one-time elements for the invitation. Invitations that do not comply with all of the rules will not be eligible to be submitted for judging and may not be allowed on the judging table. All disputes will be decided by Nation Leadership and will be binding.
All major components of the competition invitation must also be part of each and every invitation made for the other tribal members. For instance, while it is expected that the tribe will submit their best crafted invitaiton, you may not create a super enhanced version of the invitation for judging that is substantially different than the rest;
All invitations made, including the one submitted for judging, MUST be of substantially similar size and dimensions;
Invitations submitted for judging at a previous camp out may not be resubmitted for judging at a future camp out;
Invitations that are generated by a computer or electronic digital means are NOT eligible to be entered. For example, an invitation may not be created on a digital device nor delivered on an smartphone or iPad. It may not be emailed to a family for delivery;
There must be at least one picture of the multiple invitations that establish the 70% criteria and the picture(s) MUST BE texted to the Nation Chief, Med Man and Longhouse Tally Chief on the Friday of the event. Cell numbers are listed on this Nation web site under the Nation Business menu;
The picture(s) must also be shown to the appropriate Nation Officers and Longhouse Chief(s) during invitation registration at the event;
The ACTUAL INVITATION submitted for judging MUST BE readily identifiable in the picture(s) used to register the invitation for judging;
The picture(s) used during invitation registration MAY NOT be used as part of the invitation judging display;
Between production and judging of the competition invitation there shall be no changes, alterations, modifications or enhancements to the competition invitation’s major components or parts;
The invitation is to be displayed EXACTLY as it was delivered to tribe members’ homes or as it appeared after delivery, not both (for example, a balloon with an internal invitation that is popped can be displayed inflated or popped, but not both);
No additional support items, background displays or stands that were not part of the original invitation are permitted;
At the time of invitation judging only a single invitation may be presented for display;
During judging nothing can be given away, promised or alluded to as an inducement for votes;
No live animals, fish, insects or reptiles, fire, fireworks (including cold fireworks), explosions, sharp objects, or other inherently hazardous objects/situations may be used:
Voting is to be done privately with a father and daughter(s) tandem as assigned by the tribe’s chief. Voters may not group up with other families during the voting process:
Submissions meeting all criteria will score votes toward the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score;
Invitations that remain on the judging table and receive votes, but which DO NOT meet all of the above criteria may still be disqualified by Nation Leadership and if disqualified the submission will not count towards the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score.
B. Individual Craft: Each dad and daughter(s) tandem attending the craft meeting will create the same hand-made craft together. The purpose of the Individual Craft competition is for dads and daughter to spend time together creating and making a craft at one meeting while the other dads and daughters in the tribe simultaneously make the same craft. No food items, food packaging, or simulated food items or packaging may be used for the competition craft. This is not a largest pile of candy/dessert contest and the "spirit of the rule" will guide us in enforcement. Individual Crafts should not be used as a forum to promote political, ideological, or religious beliefs. During any given year the Nation Chief may add one-time elements for the Individual Craft. Individual Crafts that do not comply with all of the rules will not be eligible to be submitted for judging and may not be allowed on the judging table. All disputes will be decided by Nation Leadership and will be binding.
All Individual Crafts must be made at one tribal meeting that lasts 2 hours or less, and this includes the competition Individual Craft submitted for judging;
All Individual Crafts MUST be of substantially similar size and dimensions as all of the other crafts that were made at the same single Individual Craft meeting;
If a dad has multiple daughters, additional Individual Crafts for the other daughter(s) can be finished at a later time, BUT THOSE INDIVIDUAL CRAFTS THAT ARE FINISHED AT A LATER DATE CANNOT BE SUBMITTED FOR JUDGING;
Individual Crafts cannot be duplicates or substantially similar to ones submitted for judging by the tribe in the past 5 years;
Members making different component parts to be combined into a larger Individual Craft is not permitted and is considered a Tribal Group Craft, which is not eligible as an Individual Craft;
There must be at least one picture of the multiple Individual Crafts made at the meeting and the picture(s) MUST BE texted to the Nation Chief, Med Man and Longhouse Tally Chief on the Friday of the event. Cell numbers are listed on this Seminole Nation web site under the Nation Business menu;
The picture(s) must also be shown to the appropriate Nation Officers and Longhouse Chief(s) during craft registration at the event;
The ACTUAL INDIVIDUAL CRAFT submitted for judging MUST BE readily identifiable in the picture(s) used to register the Individual Craft for judging;
Between production at the craft meeting and judging of the competition craft there shall be no changes, alterations or enhancements to the competition crafts major components or parts;
The picture(s) used during craft registration MAY NOT be used as part of the craft judging display;
At the time of craft judging only a single Individual Craft may be presented for display;
No additional support items, background displays or stands that were not part of the original Individual Craft are permitted;
During judging nothing can be given away, promised or alluded to as an inducement for votes;
No live animals, fish, insects or reptiles, fire, fireworks (including cold fireworks), explosions, sharp objects, or other inherently hazardous objects/situations may be used;
Voting is to be done privately with a father and daughter(s) tandem as assigned by the tribe’s chief. Voters may not group up with other families during the voting process;
Submissions meeting all criteria will score votes toward the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score;
Individual Crafts that remain on the judging table and receive votes, but which DO NOT meet all of the above criteria may still be disqualified by Nation Leadership and if disqualified the submission will not count towards the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score.
C. Skit: Live Skits are to be a MAXIMUM of FOUR (4) minutes in length from the time the skit starts. Video Skits are to be a MAXIMUM of FIVE (5) minutes in length from the time the skit starts. Nation Officers or Longhouse Officers will keep time.
A skit that is longer than FOUR (4) minutes (live skit) or FIVE (5) minutes (video skit) will not be ended early, instead the skit will be disqualified after it is completed and will not be eligible to place or receive points for the event;
During any given year the Nation Chief may add one-time elements for skit;
Tribes will do their best to keep setup and cleanup times to a minimum and shall not damage the stage or facility during their performance. Any damage caused will be the sole responsibility of the tribe to rectify or pay for;
No giving away or throwing objects or items into the crowd, this includes, but is not limited to, candy, toys, glow sticks, raffle tickets, stuffed animals, etc…;
Nothing can be given away, promised or alluded to as an inducement for votes;
No live animals, fish, insects or reptiles, fire, fireworks (including cold fireworks), explosions, sharp objects, or other inherently hazardous objects/situations may be used;
Skits are to be rated PG and any skits that include content determined to be a rating more than PG will be stopped early and disqualified;
During voting tribes are to have one girl represent the tribe for skit. The representative may incorporate props or wear a costume used in the skit.
The performance order of the skits will be determined randomly prior to the event and there is no swapping or trading of the order;
Skits should not be a forum to promote political, ideological, or religious beliefs;
A Skit meeting all of the above criteria will score votes toward the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score;
A Skit that receives votes but which DOES NOT meet all of the above criteria may still be disqualified by Nation Leadership and if disqualified, it will not count towards the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score.
D. War-games: Participation is required by ALL daughters if they attend the camp out. If a father and/or daughter cannot compete in war games due to injury, physical disability, or other extenuating circumstances then it is the tribes’ responsibility to inform the Nation Officers of this IN ADVANCE of the start of war games. Any daughter(s) registered for the camp out that do not participate in war games will automatically be awarded third place in each war game (this lowers the tribe's overall war games score). We are cognizant of the fact that circumstances may arise where a father and/or daughter simply cannot participate in war games and this will be handled on a case-by-case basis by Nation Leadership based on the unique facts of each situation.
E. Costume: One Princess will represent her tribe in an Indian representation costume. The representation is to be complimentary, honorary, and respectful of Native American custom and culture. Tribes should select a new/younger Princess for this event and should use the costume competition as a rite of passage where the tribe's older girls prepare the costume, hair and make-up of the new/younger Princess as a way to welcome the new Princess into the tribe circle. The Princess will be allowed ONE hand held prop that conforms with the overall theme of the event (examples are an axe, spear, club, etc...). During any given year the Nation Chief may add one-time requirements or elements to this event
Props that include more than ONE piece MUST be approved by the Nation Officers before the event;
No part of the costume or prop may permanently rest on the ground;
No other individuals may help the Princess hold, support or display her costume or prop;
No stands, sets, backgrounds, or staging are allowed (includes floating stands, tepees, swings, toy boxes, etc...);
The costume and prop may not use the ground, ceiling, walls, or stage for structural support.
No electricity of any kind (AC or DC);
A Princess shall not repeat as a costume contestant;
Tribes are encouraged not to use daughters of Longhouse Chiefs or Nation Officers;
No live animals, fish, insects or reptiles, fire, fireworks (including cold fireworks), explosions, sharp objects, or other inherently hazardous objects/situations may be used;
Entrants meeting all criteria will score toward the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score;
Entrants that remain on stage and receive votes, but which DO NOT meet all of the above criteria may still be disqualified by Nation Leadership and if disqualified the entrant will not count towards the tribe’s overall Coup Stick score.
F. Tribal Group Craft: This craft consists of an item made in part by any/all members of the tribe. There are no time completion constraints, and no limit on the size of the craft. The Tribal Group Craft will get voted on by tribes as normal, and is awarded a Chevron Patch, but is NOT counted as part of the tribe’s overall Coup Stick competition score. Any Individual Craft submitted by a tribe which involves tribe members making component parts of a larger craft will be considered a Tribal Group Craft and will not score points towards the Coup Stick.
G. Tribal Canoe Race: The tribe that has won the previous canoe race at the last camp out is in charge of all aspects of the next race. This includes all rules and the canoe course to be raced. The rules and course must be announced at least one longhouse meeting prior to the next canoe race.
PINEWOOD DERBY RACE RULES:
Pinewood Derby Speed and Presentation Awards:
A. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places for speed; and
B. 9 years old and under: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, for "Most Indian Like", "Most Race Car Like", and "Most Original".
C. 10 years old and over: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, for "Most Indian Like", "Most Race Car Like", and "Most Original".
Pinewood Derby Rules(car building, dimensions, and racing):
All cars must be newly constructed for this event. Previously raced cars are not admissible. All cars may be powered ONLY by gravity, no additional propulsion means are allowed. The integrity system applies. If caught cheating you will be responsible to explain to your daughter(s) why your car has been disqualified from the race.
Maximum weight is 6.5 oz. as measured by the official scale at the weigh-in table. Cars not conforming at the weigh-in may be modified (a table with simple tools will be provided) and re-weighed up to two additional times. After a car is officially weighed in, no additional lubrication or alterations to the car are allowed. Additionally, once your car is officially weighed in the tribe running the event will take physical possession of your car and you will not be allowed to touch, hold, or have physical contact with your car until it is done racing.
Maximum dimensions: 7 inches in length; 6 inches high; 2.75 inches in width (including wheels).
The car must have at least 1.75 inches clearance between the wheels. The car body must have a bottom clearance of at least 3/8 inch between the car and track.
Only bodies, wheels, and axles provided by the Nation may be used.
Main body must be of wood. Additional items may be added for weight or design. Be creative, but you may not alter the wheels. No wheel bearings, springs, washers, or bushings are permitted. Also, wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled, or rounded. No modifications beyond polishing or smoothing to remove imperfections.
Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) may not be changed from those originally cut into the car body. Original axles(nails) must be used.
All four (4) wheels must be touching the track. Cars and NOT PERMITTED to ride on 3 wheels.
Wheel surfaces may be sanded flat and smooth, but surface areas that touch the track must be flat and the full original width.
Technical issues may be appealed to the host tribe at the time of inspection. Obvious rules violations may be protested at any time. The decision of the host tribe in such matters is final.
During the race, the decisions of the starting and finish line judges are final and not subject to protest or discussion. Good sportsmanship and respect are the values we are teaching.
Any car not made to comply with these rules by the time of the race will not be allowed to race and will not be eligible to win any awards. This includes the "presentation awards" if a car is not eligible to race it is also not eligible to win due to its appearance.