This is the smaller of the Chief Seattle Council Camps, and it is right next to Camp Edward, where many of you went to cub scout camp.
Pros: Camp staff is really fun and enthusiastic, super close to home
Cons: This year the camp canceled some weeks because of low attendance, so it's possible the week we choose won't be available
Unique things about this camp: COPE courses (high and low), vast shooting sports program
Driving Distance: 45 min
Years Attended by Troop: 2018
2022 list of Advancements not available
This is the scout camp for the Mount Baker Council, the council to our north: our troop went here in 2021. The camp would look different this year since they're returning to a pre-COVID model of programming.
Pros: Strong merit badge program (scouts typically got 4-5 MBs each when we went here)
Cons: Food wasn't amazing in 2021, but that could have been because of supply chain issues
Unique things about this camp: New COPE course, 1000'+ zipline, mountain boarding, mountain biking
Driving Distance: 2h15
Years Attended by Troop: 2017, 2021
A premier scout camp, this is the oldest camp west of the Mississippi, and it's right in our Chief Seattle council. Several of our older scouts have been here many times and liked it.
Pros: Great pier right on the Hood Canal, lots of water activities, strong merit badge program, staff is supposed to be very strong, each campsite has flush toilets
Cons: The Hood Canal is cold to swim in
Unique things about this camp: ATV riding for scouts 14+, one of the few camps that uses an open water saltwater base for all aquatic activities and extensive watersports including motorboarding, SCUBA certification and merit badge for scouts aged 14+
Driving Distance: 2h15
Years Attended by Troop: 2015, 2016, 2023
Located on the Oregon Coast, people travel from all over the world to attend this scout camp.
Pros: Super organized camp with good staff and good food, mild weather
Cons: Because it is on the ocean it can be cold and rainy
Unique things about this camp: one of the only scout camps located on the ocean; activities includes sandboarding, sea kayaking, sandsailing, full beach access
Driving Distance: 4h40
Years Attended by Troop: 2022
Renowned as a high-adventure Scout camp, this is in the same council as Camp Meriwether.
Pros: Many unique programs in high adventure, including horseback riding (largest horse herd of any BSA camp in America)
Cons: Relatively short list of Merit badges offered, hot and dusty (high desert-steppe dry climate), was understaffed in 2022 and had to cancel climbing program
Unique things about this camp: Scouts cook most meals in the campsite (camp staff deliver raw ingredients 2x day); Camp Baldwin offers horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing on real rock faces, whitewater rafting (troop could do a day-long rafting trip for $65), windsurfing, and mountain boarding. Scouts 14+ can participate in a wrangler-in-training program to learn advanced horse skills.
Driving Distance: 4h30
Located on the east side of Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, this camp has a sandy beach and an emphasis on the aquatics program.
Pros: Food is supposed to be good, offers "self-paced" merit badges for shooting sports and handicraft so scouts who excel at quickly learning skills can finish in minimal time
Cons: Attendees in 2022 said staff was not as inspiring as at other camps
Unique things about this camp: Comprehensive aquatics program including waterskiing, motor boating, sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA, 24-man war canoes, and water toys including a trampoline, slide, and climbing summit; can leave camp and do a Zipline Adventure course (additional $109)
Driving Distance: 5h
2022 list of Advancements (p9-11)
This is a small true "mountain camp" in the same council as Camp Meriwether.
Pros: Focus on outbound adventures (overnight hikes) to ice caves, lakes, mountains
Cons: hot and dusty (high desert-step dry climate), relatively limited merit badge offerings because of the small size
Unique things about this camp: the Cascade Rangers program for Scouts 14+ lets scouts plan and launch a 2+ backpacking trip into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness
Driving Distance: 5h15