Howdy,

Our troop is looking for a summer camp for this coming summer. We have some older boys and about eight incoming Scouts that are bridging from Webelos, so it needs to have a good high adventure program as well as the standard "Road to First Class" type program. We would prefer somewhere NOT hot, as they absolutely roasted last year at a camp in Texas. Looking for recommendations please. We did Camp Alexander, CO a couple years ago and it was terrific. We might go back there but would like other options.

Thanks!

Growing up in SHAC we did El Rancho Cima almost every year. We did do Sid Richardson and I remembered it being a great change of pace. This was also 20+ years ago and now El Rancho Cima is being developed into luxury retirement community and I have no idea if Sid Rich even exists anymore.

We had a good trip to Camp Hale in Oklahoma last summer. It was warm for sure but not roasting can't sleep at night hot. It's northeastern Oklahoma in the edge of the Ozarks. We didn't have any boys do the high adventure program but I know they have one.

Food was good, camp was well run, and our 7 first year scouts had a good experience with the path to first class program. I would go back.

cherokee, constantine, sea base, philmont

Worked 6 summers at Camp Constantin on PK, not hot at all. I kid, it ranges from very comfortable down near the water, to competing for the highest temperatures in the state up on the hill. The area around the camp has developed a lot in the 20 years since I worked there (hell, apparently we have several OB posters that had me as a shotgun or Environmental Science instructor---if you were at Constantin 93-98, I was Waldo". The waterfront area is pretty hard to beat (though I never actually worked down there except as an extra lifeguard on family night). Twenty years later I can still happily sleep while sweating my butt off.

I liked constantine because of all the water activities they have available and cliff jumping and going to hell's gate was always fun.

i always found cherokee more comfortable though

I'm not familiar with the specifics since I had just eagled out before this and it may not work depending on your troop size but my old troop was smaller. But they offered a 10 day trip where they went to Colorado did hikes, fishing and rafting. While driving down the road the younger scouts just cranked out as much of as many merit badges as they could while riding in an RV. Sounded like a cool idea to me if it works for you.

My only experience with camps in Texas were Camp Perry (also worked there twice) and el rancho cima. Our troop really enjoyed Cima because it was different and the water was clear.

Doing high adventure I did Philmont and Sea Base. Philmont was tons of fun! First time I ever saw snow was on top of Mt. Baldy in June. Sea base was fun because it was pretty much just a vacation. All we did was fish, snorkel, go to Key West and occassionally cleaned the boat that we were on.

San Isabel Scout Camp outside of Rye, CO.

It's been a while since I went to Daniel Boone in NC, but my younger brother went a few years back with my dad and they had a great time.

Tailgate88 said:

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Howdy,

Our troop is looking for a summer camp for this coming summer. We have some older boys and about eight incoming Scouts that are bridging from Webelos, so it needs to have a good high adventure program as well as the standard "Road to First Class" type program. We would prefer somewhere NOT hot, as they absolutely roasted last year at a camp in Texas. Looking for recommendations please. We did Camp Alexander, CO a couple years ago and it was terrific. We might go back there but would like other options.

Thanks!

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Boy Scout summer camp is supposed to be hot and kinda suck, forces bonding of the guys and toughens them up. I spent 6 summers at Constantin sweating in the shade in hammocks.

This place was pretty awesome too...

http://www.riograndecouncil.org/camping-adventure/laguna-station-sea-base/30813

Outside of Philmont, this was the best camp I went to by a long shot.

https://bsa-brmc.org/ottari

Best I went to as a Scout was Kanderstag Switzerland, Berchtesgaden, Lake Chiemsee and Camp Freedom in Germany,

Of course, I lived in Germany. Definitely not hot in the summer. Camp Freedom is closed now.

I'd be interested in checking out Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, up near Red Feather Lake in Colorado. Never been to camp there, but it was cool and really pretty when I got to tour the place.

Granted, when I was touring the camp it was because National sent me up from Philmont for 2 days to help them beef up their bear procedures following a minor bear attack.

Just a point of reference---Texas troops going out of council to bear country is really annoying. Make sure your kids strictly follow bear procedures. At Philmont and Colorado council camps, if there is a campsite bear incident, one of the first questions that generally pops up is "Is it a Texas crew?". I am really not kidding about that.

Did Buffalo Trails near Fort Davis when I was between 7th and 8th grade I think. That was almost 20 years ago (wow) but it's a great change in scenery if you're from the eastern part of the state and they offer multiple programs. We had a huge troop that went out on a charter bus. Most of the troop stayed down in base camp and did the regular camp routine working on merit badges. I was part of a group that was going to Philmont the next summer, we did their "Outback Backpacking" program that week. It was a perfect intro/warm up to mountain backpacking before going to Philmont. Can do anywhere from 12 - 65 miles depending on what program you choose. Around 9000 acres to backpack around with some pretty decent elevation and topography for Texas. Like a said perfect trial run for guys who want to do Philmont.

Oh and if you are worried about the heat make a stop at Balmorhea state park and take a dip in the Texas state pool to cool off.

Make sure the boys do scorpion checks in their boots and sleeping bags.

ursusguy said:

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I'd be interested in checking out Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, up near Red Feather Lake in Colorado. Never been to camp there, but it was cool and really pretty when I got to tour the place.

Granted, when I was touring the camp it was because National sent me up from Philmont for 2 days to help them beef up their bear procedures following a minor bear attack.

Just a point of reference---Texas troops going out of council to bear country is really annoying. Make sure your kids strictly follow bear procedures. At Philmont and Colorado council camps, if there is a campsite bear incident, one of the first questions that generally pops up is "Is it a Texas crew?". I am really not kidding about that.

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BDSR was another camp I went to in my time. Good camp experience and one thing that always stuck with me was how the staff were all very proactive with making sure everybody at camp was drinking enough water to stay ahead of dehydration at that altitude.

RIP - Camp Strake.

Staffed there from '89-93

We did BDSR last summer, and it was FANTASTIC! Our troop was large enough that we ran our own TFC program, but no doubt that camp would have a great program. The weather was amazing and the hiking trails and everything were great. They did have an issue with being understaffed, but hopefully that was a one summer problem.

I would have no problem recommending Hale in Ok. I haven't been personally, but I have heard very good things about it. They have a "Soaring to Eagle" (TFC) and a really cool Kianichi(so?) Warrior program where the older boys make a patrol and set out for the week!

Grew up at Constantin, so I think it's a fun place. With their ski boats and on PK it's a classic way to spend the summer. But, it's gonna be HOT!




Talking summer camps really makes me pissed that my ex wouldn't keep taking our sons to Scouts after I moved...

HumbleAg04 said:

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Growing up in SHAC we did El Rancho Cima almost every year. We did do Sid Richardson and I remembered it being a great change of pace. This was also 20+ years ago and now El Rancho Cima is being developed into luxury retirement community and I have no idea if Sid Rich even exists anymore.

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When were older there was a program for older scouts where they took us to another camp near by where we had abbreviated sessions to earn badges and then we went on a three day canoeing trip.

marr710 said:

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Outside of Philmont, this was the best camp I went to by a long shot.

https://bsa-brmc.org/ottari

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I really liked Camp Ottari. The High Knoll Trail was my first big hiking trip.

I also liked going out of Camp Orr in Arkansas and canoeing the Buffalo River for the week.

Both camps had High adventure and base camp options.

Went to Goshen Scout Reservation in Virginia ( http://www.ncacbsa.org/outdoors/goshen-camps/ ) about 25 years ago. We went the first week of July. I remember it being unusually hot that week during the day (maybe 95) and about 45 degrees at night. We had a blast.

Appreciate all the feedback! Keep the recommendations coming!

Camp Fawcett is a fun one north of Uvalde. Camp Whinahpay in New Mexico was a blast too.

Picture running the Constantin shotgun range for 4 summers. At the time I would be up there twice a day for hours at a time. During my years as the shotgun instructor there was no shade on the range, and we were required to wear Class A all the time. For the most part I am pasty white, but I can get pretty dark. Needless to say I went to school with some really odd tan line......nope, not hot at all, especially those random days the wind did not blow.

I can't remember if it was 97 or 98, we had a 4 day stretch where even at night we weren't dropping out of the high 90's and 2 night we got down to 100. At the time staff didn't have AC so we were pretty well acclimated (not going to lie, it sucked), but campers were dropping like flies.....So I had kids clearing and dragging brush.

Sid Richardson is still around, and still offers a High Adventure camp.

Worth Ranch is still one of the best Summer Camp programs around. Just go in June, and you won't have to worry so much about roasting.

ursusguy said:

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Picture running the Constantin shotgun range for 4 summers. At the time I would be up there twice a day for hours at a time. During my years as the shotgun instructor there was no shade on the range, and we were required to wear Class A all the time. For the most part I am pasty white, but I can get pretty dark. Needless to say I went to school with some really odd tan line......nope, not hot at all, especially those random days the wind did not blow.

I can't remember if it was 97 or 98, we had a 4 day stretch where even at night we weren't dropping out of the high 90's and 2 night we got down to 100. At the time staff didn't have AC so we were pretty well acclimated (not going to lie, it sucked), but campers were dropping like flies.....So I had kids clearing and dragging brush.

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I have always found it odd, that the preeminent camps for the Circle Ten and Longhorn Councils, are within 4 miles of each other in Palo Pinto County.

I did Delatour in CO, Will Rogers in Ok, Cima, Strake, and Kia Kima in Arkansas. Kia Kima or Delatour are the two remaining camps that have what you are looking for.

Mainly went to El Rancho Cima myself, but a few years we went to Camp Orr (Westark Area Council if I recall correctly) near Jasper, Arkansas. Bordered a national park, and it was beautiful and much cooler than Cima. Strongly recommend (if it still exists).

Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch

I went 3 times (twice for high adventure). Last time was about 12 years ago but my fondest memories from scouting are from those backpacking trips.

Did BTSR about 6 years ago and it was the worst backpacking experience I've had by a long shot. The guys in camp had a great time from what I understand. I also had to leave a few days early to fly to a rugby tournament so I may of missed something cool

Growing up in New Mexico, Camp Wehinahpay was our go-to camp if you weren't going to Philmont. You could do everything you could do at Philmont except for the long treks. Worked on staff there a couple of summers and attended as a camper another 3 or 4. I kinda hope I can talk my 10 year olds troop into going when he gets into boy scouts in a couple of years. It's probably been 25 years since I've been, and I'm interested in how much it has changed since then.

http://www.wmc-boyscouts.org

I basically grew up at Tahuaya south of Belton when I was a kid. It'd be great for your young guys. Not sure it would meet the needs of a group of older scouts looking for a more adventure experience though.

Wait what is going on with Cima!?

I'll put in a plug for BTSR & Camp Orr. They were both very enjoyable. My memory or BTSR was our troop was so big that summer that our campsite was on the auxiliary parking lot at the way back of the camp. In addition to a long walk to anything we couldn't get our tent stakes into the ground more than a few inches. We had canvas wall & baker tents(has anyone priced one of those in their adult lives?! What I wouldn't give to have one today) They blew down every night until about halfway thru the week one kid found an old railroad spike that was sharp & we used it to make holes for our tent stakes. We had some restful nights of sleep after that.

Camp Orr had nice weather, lots of ticks, and a flagpole way up on a mountain that troops would hike up to & fly their neckerchief or flag or shirt & it was a big deal at every supper to announce who's flag was taken down. I think they either gave them back to you or they were hung in the dining hall.

will.mcg said:

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Wait what is going on with Cima!?

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They're shutting it down and selling the property. After river camp was destroyed in the 2015 Blanco floods, they decided not too rebuild due to costs and it was already operating at a loss.

They are putting all their money into the new camp Strake instead of keeping 2 big camps.