Camping
Below are some of the places we like to camp
A.W. Marion State Park
Named after Ohio's 1st Director of Natural Resources, A.W. Marion State Park is located in Circleville, Ohio and has 310 acers with 2 group campsites that are perfect for Boy Scout and Cub Packs. There is a 5-mile hike around Hargus Lake (that has helped our scouts meet their 2nd Class 5-mile hike requirement). Also, one of our scouts completed an Eagle Scout project there.
Burr Oak State Park
Located in Glouster, Ohio, Burr Oak State Park has a lot of activities for scouts to participate in. The hiking trails around it are connected to the Buckeye Trail. The group campsite used to be an old Scout camp, and can be rented fairly cheaply for Boy Scout troops.
Camp Falling Rock
Our scouts have been traveling north every summer to Camp Falling Rock to attend BSA Summer Camp for almost 30 years. It is affectionally known as "The Rock" due to the natural rock formations (scouts can repel down some of them). Halfway down Cardiac Hill is a beautiful amphitheater in front of the falls. It is there that each summer camp, the Ledged of the Falls is recited to each generation of scouts. At the bottom of the hill and through Pappy Hayes' covered bridge, lies Lake Peewee (which as legend has it there is a tractor at sunk at bottom of it). And if your scouts are adventurous, they can also try to find the crashed Three Niner Juliet airplane on the property.
More information about the history of Camp Falling Rock can be found here.
Camp Hugh Taylor Birch
Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio (and in the Tecumseh Council), Camp Hugh Taylor Birch has a large lake, Olympic-sized swimming pool along with a COPE course. We have used it as a base station for hiking around Clifton Gorge, John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen Nature Preserve. In the fall the Miami Valley Astronomical Society holds their sky viewing party in the parking lot of John Bryan State Park, which is right next door. Also, the United States Air Force Museum is located 30 minutes away in Dayton, Ohio. The scouts can earn their Scouting Aviation Heritage Program award by visiting different landmarks in and around Dayton. As an added treat after a long weekend's camp, the scouts like to stop by Young's Jersey Dairy on the way home.
Camp Lazarus
Just north of Columbus, in Delaware County is Camp Lazarus. Deeded to the Boy Scouts in April of 1925, it contains BB/Rifle and archery ranges, a pond for fishing, a swimming pool, two activity fields, and a large dining hall. As the city has encroached closer to Camp Lazarus, the Boy Scouts have moved their summer camp to Camp Falling Rock, and the camp is primarily used in the summer for Cub Scout Day Camps and for Boy Scout Spring and Fall Camp-o-ree events. It is also home to the annual Monster Mash event and Maple Syrup Festival (it is easy to spot the maple trees in the winter since they are tagged).
Camp Oyo
Sitting close to the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Ohio, is Camp Oyo. The camp can be used as a base station for high adventure activities such as 50 mile canoe trips and hiking around the Shawnee State Park. Simon Kenton Council typically holds their National Youth Leadership Training event there in the summer.
Kiwanis Cabin
Located near Lancaster, Ohio and sitting near Christmas Tree Rocks State Preserve, our scouts have used this wonderful cabin for winter campouts and hiking up Jacob’s Ladder to get a beautiful view of the Arney Run valley.