TROOP CAMPING
Our council owns four sites available for troop camping. Each site has at least one winterized lodge with a furnace and indoor bathrooms. Each of the four sites also has other accommodations, such as cabins with a nearby water source and latrine, platform tent units and four-person cabin units. Learn more about each of our camps.
Troops also may go troop camping at sites owned by other Girl Scout councils or facilities at state parks and other youth camp sites. Private places such as a farm are also possible troop camping locations.
Is your troop ready for lodge or cabin troop camping?
As a troop, has the majority of girls:
If your troop can answer "yes" to all of the above, then you are ready to camp overnight in a lodge or cabin.
Is your troop ready for troop camping in a platform tent unit or a unit of four-person cabins?
- As a troop, has the majority of girls:
Camped overnight in a lodge or cabin?
- Cooked two or more meals outdoors together as a group?
- Used a kaper chart for meal preparation and clean up?
If your troop can answer "yes" to all of the above, then you are ready to camp overnight in a platform tent unit or unit of four-person cabins
What is troop camping? A troop of girls and their leaders together plan and carry out an overnight camping experience.
Is any special training needed?
When a troop goes troop camping, the leader or other adult working with the troop must be a qualified troop camp leader. An adult becomes qualified by participating in a Level 2 Troop Camp Training Course. Troop camp training should be taken before the troop plans a trip (approximately four to six months before the camping trip). See the Volunteer Development Catalog for course information, schedule and registration. An adult who currently is certified in First Aid and CPR also must accompany a troop while camping. See the Volunteer Development Catalog for course information and registration.
Why does an adult need to take training on how to camp?
Many adults have had experience camping either when they were children or as families. Camping with a group of girls is different. Group camping means that each person is responsible for his/her own gear and equipment and also carries responsibilities that benefit the group such as setting up the area, food preparation and health and safety. The Level 2 training covers those topics and more. The Level 2 trained adult is expected to work with the girls to prepare them for the camping experience.
What should our troop bring to go camping?
A successful camping trip starts with good planning! Below are some checklists to help you get started. Please also carefully read the information sheet for your specific lodge that came with your registration information for additional items to bring.
Gear Checklist for Overnight Event
Gear Checklist for Troop Camping
What should we do when we're camping?
Almost anything! Go for a hike, study the creek or pond, make new friends with other campers, make crafts, cook outdoors, watch wildlife, stargaze, make and give SWAPs, have a flag ceremony, create and perform skits, play games, do service projects, have a Girl Scout's Own... the only limit is your imagination! Don't forget to plan activities for those possible rainy days, either!
Archery and canoes are available at Ken-Jockety and Molly Lauman (you must have a certified instructor). Forms are available below. Please contact the Outdoor Programs department with any questions about the archery and canoe programs or to request a list of certified instructors.
Archery Request Form
Canoe Request Form
Ken-Jockety is also close to the Elam Environmental Center. The Elam Center has outdoor fun and educational programs year round for all age levels. Visit the Elam Environmental Center page for more information.
How do we sign up to go troop camping?
So the council is aware of plans, every troop planning to go camping must file a Site Reservation Request with the council office. This form should be filed no matter where a troop goes camping, including a site not owned by the council. This is the same form used to reserve a camp site at a council-owned camp.
Council Camp Site Descriptions
Beckoning Trails
One hundred eight acres of hilly, forested land with some open areas, small intermittent streams and a pond off the beaten path. Facilities on the site include Marlie Lodge, a platform tent unit and a cozy amphitheater. Camp is open year-round. Click here to download the Beckoning Trails tour.
Location: Hocking County about 2 miles south of Logan.
Special Features: Labeled hiking trails throughout the woods and over rather steep terrain, and a small Indian mound. Marlie Lodge sits on top of a hill perfect for star gazing and looking at the night sky. If you stay in Marlie Lodge on a snowy weekend, be sure to bring a sled for sliding down the hill! Animals seen at the camp include deer, wild turkeys and pileated woodpeckers.
Ken-Jockety
200 acres contain forests, open fields and a large man-made pond. A major feature of the site is the Big Darby Creek, a designated National and State Scenic River. Facilities include Chestnut and Trumbull Lodges, Shagbark and Redbud Cabins, seven ten units (not available in 2008), one cabin unit and two day-use-only units. Troop camp directors are on site during the fall, winter and spring weekends to help troops with coordination of facilities and programs. The Ginny and John Elam Environmental Education Center is located in the front of Camp Ken-Jockety. Camp is open from the weekend after Labor Day through the first weekend in June.
Location: Hubbard Road in Franklin County, about 20 miles west of Columbus along the Big Darby Creek. Easy access from I-70.
Special Features: Hiking trails between lodges and units as well as a Nature Trail along the creek. The pond is a great place for fishing, canoeing (certified adults required) and observing wildlife. Approximately mid-April through mid October, creeking (wading in the creek) is a favorite activity. Arrangements can also be made for archery (certified adults required). Many troops who camp at K-J make arrangements for a program or two at the Elam Center. Please note that time slots for programs fill up very quickly in peak months (April, May, September and October), and especially so on weekends. Therefore, it is strongly recommended for troops to sign up for programs as soon as their camping date is confirmed.
Molly Lauman
Camp Molly Lauman is located in Southern Ohio in an area some refer to as “The Little Smokies”. The camp is on the side of Henderson Knob, one of the highest points in the county. The camp has wooded areas, mowed lawns, streams and some open fields. Facilities include Lightfoot Lodge, Multipurpose building, Breckner Lodge, five platform tent units and one cabin unit. Also, a health cabin, pool and shower house, and paved access trail. Troop camp directors are on site fall and spring weekends to help troops with coordination of the facilities and program. LakeView Ranch horseback riding facility is located .2 miles down the road from the camp entrance. Camp is open from the weekend after Labor Day through the first weekend in June.
Location: on Big Bear Creek Road in Scioto County near Lucasville. Easy access from State Route 104.
Special Features: Hiking trails both in camp and in the forests adjacent to the camp. Bear Creek runs through the front of the camp and is a fun place to go creeking and explore. Spring wildflowers abound, fall leaf color is outstanding and winter is great for hiking.
Tea-Qui Mead
Tea-Qui Mead is 148 acres of land that is heavily forested and hilly with a small stream. Facilities on the site include Mahrt Lodge, Skipper’s Nest Cabin, a platform tent unit and amphitheater. Camp is open year-round.
Location: Ross County, south of Chillicothe.
Special Features: Labeled hiking trails through the woods and over rather steep terrain. Because the outdoor drama Tecumseh! is nearby, staying overnight at Tea-Qui Mead makes a memorable outing. Nearby Chillicothe has many places to visit relating to Ohio History including the Adena and Mound City Group.