Sierra Ancha Wilderness Unitarian Universalist Religious Association

General Use Policy

Adopted 4/18/02

Last Amended 3-9-2005
Generally, the purpose of SAWUURA is to provide a religious, educational, and spiritual center for members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist congregations.

--- Sawuura Mission Statement

Purpose of this policy: To achieve an atmosphere of respect, tolerance and safety for all visitors of the SAWUURA property. To allow for a variety of activities and uses of the property while protecting the basic character of the land as a religious wilderness retreat. To enhance each person’s enjoyment of, and relationship with the land.

Property Location: The SAWUURA property is located at the end of Forest Road 238 approximately 7 miles south of Young Arizona.

Facilities: SAWUURA is a primitive retreat with its own water, but no electricity or telephone. Water is available from a well and is gravity-fed to faucets along the course of the main road, at three of the four cabins, near campsites and at the kitchen area. There are solar-heated showers and pit toilets. There is a central bulletin board on the main road near the kitchen, with maps of the area and current news. The open air kitchen consists of a propane stove, two double sinks and counter tops. There are picnic tables in two covered ramadas and one fire pit.

Who may visit the property

Members/Guests/Registrants: The SAWUURA property may be used by SAWUURA members and their guests and registrants for SAWUURA sponsored events. Members may camp on the property by notifying a board member prior to the trip and completing and mailing (or delivering) a signed liability waiver to the SAWUURA secretary. Each stay is limited to a maximum of 14 days per individual. Non-members may use the facility only if accompanied by a member. A Board member must notify one other Board member of their intention to visit the property beforehand when practical, or within one week after leaving the property. SAWUURA is private property and trespassing is prohibited.

Cattle Ranchers: Owners or handlers of cattle that stray into the property are allowed on the property for the purpose of expediently removing the cattle. A designated SAWUURA contact person must be notified prior to entering the property, when practical. The contact person’s phone number will be made available to cattle owners in the vicinity.

Pets: No dogs or other pets are allowed except for working personal service animals.

Entering and leaving the property

For SAWUURA sponsored events, all visitors are to check in with the “host” on arrival. An orientation should be conducted by the event host. The orientation should include an overview of the items from this document (to serve as a master document), check-out procedures, and any other timely information. The main gate to the property is protected by a padlock. The gate can remain open during visits—the cattle guard will keep cattle out. The last individual/party to leave should close and lock the gate.

Liability Waivers

Adults: A signed liability waiver is required for each event/visit to the SAWUURA property, listing all attending adults and children. Liability waivers can be obtained from the forms area at http://www.sawuura.org. Waivers must be mailed to the Board secretary before visiting the property. Waivers will also be kept in the kiosk at SAWUURA. Drop in visits are discouraged, but in such a case, the waiver must be signed on arriving and mailed as soon as possible to the secretary. The duration of stay must be indicated on the waiver.

Children: Adults must list (by name and age) anyone under 18 years of age attending with them. A child visiting SAWUURA without a parent or legal guardian must also have a Liability Waiver signed by the parent or legal guardian, in addition to being listed on the waiver of the adult(s) who are attending SAWUURA with him/her.

Care of the facility

Vehicles/trailers: Vehicles should not be parked more than one car-length off of the main road. Travel at 15mph or less. Keep tires in the main ruts of the road, and off the center hump where the waterline is buried. The recreational use of bicycles is prohibited at SAWUURA sponsored events, and at all other times, bicycles are to be used only on the main road. All motorized recreational vehicles are prohibited. Loud vehicles are discouraged at any time out of respect for other people and wildlife. Tent camping is encouraged at SAWUURA, however the use of small camping trailers is possible. The road into SAWUURA is narrow and rough in places and can become muddy after periods of rain with very limited opportunities for reversing until well inside the SAWUURA property. Therefore, it is not recommended that you attempt to bring any trailer into the site that is over 16 feet in length.

Water: The water supply from the well is limited. Conservation of water is very important. Visitors should always bring emergency drinking water.

Natural resources: Potential impact to the natural resources, habitat and wildlife of SAWUURA should be taken into consideration in all choices of land use and human activities. Human use of the property should be concentrated in established campsites and common areas. A map showing established campsites is stored in the kiosk.

Toilets: There are containers of lime powder in the pit toilets --sprinkle a little after each defecation, and warn children not to touch it.

Trash: Dispose of trash in designated receptacles – never in the firepit or toilets. Bagged trash should be taken out of SAWUURA at the end of each visit.

Kitchen and Cabins: See “Fire Safety” and “Dangers from Animals”. Please leave all facilities as you find them, and follow the check-out procedures in the Orientation.

Artifacts: The area around SAWUURA has been inhabited by people for thousands of years. To show our respect for native people, artifacts should be enjoyed in place and not moved.

Trees and other Plants

Gathering firewood: Only dead limbs can be removed from trees for campfires. Use caution in cutting limbs. Brush may be collected. (See also "Camp fires").

Live plants: To allow for natural regeneration of the plants at SAWUURA, do not pick flowers or collect seeds. As part of an ongoing Ladder Fuel Reduction program, live trees and underbrush may be removed under the supervision of the board or camp host only.

Safety

Hiking off of the property: The entire property is fenced with barbed wire, and it is important not to stray outside alone. If you decide to hike outside the property, or leave the property for a day trip, tell the camp host where you are going and when you expect to return.

Hunting, weapons, illegal drugs: Hunting, weapons and illegal drugs are not permitted on the property.

Animals: There are many wild animals to observe at SAWUURA. While it is tempting to “get close” to wild animals, any contact with humans may alter their behavior. Please follow this rule of thumb: If you are changing the animals behavior, you are too close. Because of hanta virus danger, persons staying in any of the cabins should follow Public Health guidelines for cleaning and use. SAWUURA, as an all volunteer organization, does not and cannot maintain the sanitary condition of the cabins. Spiders, insects, and snakes, and even bears are residents here, so be watchful when hiking and climbing. It is very important to keep all food and scented items such as toothpaste and candy out of tents and cabins. Food should be stored in vehicles or hard-walled campers at night to discourage foraging by mice and large animals.

Medical emergency: For the unexpected emergency, medical services may be available from the clinic in Young. SAWUURA is out of cell phone range, but 9-1-1 can be dialed from Young, or with a cell phone from the intersection of S.R. 288 and the forest service road (238) into SAWUURA. It is expected that visitors will bring their own first aid supplies.

Emergencies: A large bell that hangs in a walnut tree near the main campfire area is to be used for emergency gathering ONLY. Three short blasts from a car horn can also be used to gather people in case of emergency.

*Note: A small dinner triangle located near the kitchen may be used to call people to meals or programs, but is not for emergencies.

Fire Safety

To prevent a ruinous forest fire the SAWUURA Board adopted a Fire Prevention Plan. This document is consistent with the adopted Fire Prevention Plan.

Cook stoves: are permitted in camp sites in an area that is clear from overhanging material. Stoves should be place on concrete pads near the campsites (when available) or a secure, non-flammable surface, off of the ground, with a fire extinguisher nearby. Cooking stoves will be allowed in the 2 screened summer cabins provided they are away from flammables, and must be off of the floor, with a fire extinguisher nearby.

Lanterns: To reduce the risk of forest fires, battery powered lanterns are encouraged. If using a gas powered lantern, do not hang it near the trunk of a tree or under any foliage.

Candles: are permitted on tables in the kitchen area. If a worship service will include lighting candles, the service should be held at the main fire pit.

Fires: No fire is allowed in the A-frame winter cabin. Fire is permitted in the wood-burning stove in the stone cabin by persons who have read the Stone Cabin Use Guidelines. A cook stove is allowed outside of the stone cabin on a solid, non-flammable surface with a fire extinguisher available. Built in stoves in motorhomes, campers or tent trailers that are parked in cleared areas are permitted. The kitchen stove should be turned off at the main valve when not in use.

Camp fires: Camp fires are only permitted in the fire pit near the kitchen. Fires or stoves should never be left unattended. Camp fires should be put DEAD OUT with water (not dirt alone) by the last person at the fire. A full 5-gallon water bucket and shovel need to be within 25 ft. of a burning fire at all times. (See "Gathering firewood"). We will honor Forest Service fire restrictions when they occur.

Smoking: Smoking is permitted near the fire pit, in the road and in vehicles ONLY. Please crush all cigarette butts and dispose of them in a trash receptacle or ashtray.

Conflict Resolution

In cases where conflict arises at a SAWUURA Sponsored event, the designated HOST and any present board members should collectively decide on a course of action to resolve the conflict. Members or guests who refuse to abide by the rules of this policy may be denied access to the property. The camp host is authorized to ask the person(s) who will not comply to the rules to leave the property.