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TROOP CAMPING
Our council owns eight sites available for troop camping. Each site has at least one lodge, some of which are winterized with a furnace and indoor bathrooms. Each of the sites also has other accommodations, such as cabins with a nearby water source and latrine, platform tent units and/or four-person cabin units.
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.
Important Camping Forms:
Site Reservation Request Form - Fill out to reserve all Ohio's Heartland campsites or to inform the council you're camping.
Archery Request
Archery Standards (a signed copy of this form must be included with archery requests)
Canoe Request
Canoe Standards (a signed copy of this form must be included with canoe requests)
Crooked Lane Learning Center Sprayground Usage Agreement
Gear Checklist for Troop Camping
NEW! Camp Resource Guide - Lots of important information about camping at Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council sites. Includes camp descriptions and features, fees and reservation information, site rules, helpful tips, and much more. An essential to planning any camping trip!
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 Troop Camping Planning and Preparation course and The Outdoor Experience course. Troop camping 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 Troop Camping Planning and Preparation and The Outdoor Experience courses cover those topics and more. The 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! The Gear Checklist for Troop Camping will help you get started. The Camp Resource Guide is also helpful for planning. Please also carefully read the information sheet for your specific lodge that came with your registration information for additional items to bring.
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. See top of the page for request forms and procedures.
The Elam Environmental Center is located at Camp Ken-Jockety. The Elam Center has outdoor fun and educational programs year round for all age levels. Visit the Elam Environmental Center page for more information.
Lakeview Ranch is a short walk from Camp Molly Lauman. Horseback riding is available for troop camping at Molly Lauman. Or, sign up for one of the overnight programs at the ranch and camp in the bunk house there! Please visit the Lakeview Ranch 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 form (see top of this page) with the Columbus 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.
What Activities Are Available At Camp?
Please see "Council Camp Site Descriptions" below for more activities at camp.
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Archery* |
Canoeing* |
Sprayground** |
Teams Course* |
| Crooked Lane Learning Center |
x |
x |
x |
x |
| Camp Ken-Jockety |
x |
x |
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x |
| Camp Molly Lauman |
x |
x |
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| Camp Wakatomika |
x |
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x |
* Certified personnel must conduct the activity
** Must also rent upper level of Wawinges Lodge
Council Camp Site Descriptions
Much more detailed information can be found in the Camp Resource Guide.
Beckoning Trails
Location: Hocking County, about 2 miles south of Logan.
Description: 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, large shelter house, and a cozy amphitheater.
Special Features: Labeled hiking trails through the woods and over rather steep terrain, as well as a small Indian Mound. Marlie Lodge sits in an open area 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. Large shelter house near the lodge.
Local attractions: Hocking Hills State Park is located in Hocking County south of the camp. At Old Man’s Cave there is a naturalist on duty. Go to www.hockinghills.com for other ideas.
Availability: Year round except for a week in June for day camp.
Camp Cornish
Location: Knox County, east of Mount Vernon.
Description: Fourteen and one half acres of forested land bounded by a creek. Facilities on the site include Cornish Lodge, a platform tent unit, small shelter house, and an area to pitch tents.
Special Features: Cornish Lodge has a sleeping loft, beautiful indoor fireplace, and basement activity area. A plat map on the fireplace shows the layout of the town of Cornish which never materialized.
Local Attractions: Camp Cornish is just west of Holmes County which is Amish Country. The Kokosing Gap Trail, a 14 mile paved path connecting Mt. Vernon and Danville, follows the old railroad bed and is good for walking, jogging, biking, or roller blading. Check out the Knox County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau web site for more information.
Availability: Year round.
Crooked Lane Learning Center
Location: Morrow County, north of Mount Gilead.
Description: 226 acres of forested land with some open areas, stream, and a pond. Facilities on the site include Wawinges Lodge, a platform tent unit with a pavilion, pavilion overlooking the pond, amphitheater, sprayground, and a pavilion on the edge of the woods.
Special Features: Labeled hiking trails through the woods, teams course. The pond is a great place for fishing and canoeing (certified adults required). Arrangements can also be made for archery (certified adult must be provided). Mid-April through mid-October creeking (wading in the creek) is a fun way to look for wildlife.
Availability: Year round except Crooked Lane Learning Center is closed during ALL Deer Hunting Seasons.
Falls Run
Location: Washington County, 18 miles west of Marietta off of Route 550.
Description: Remote many acres of hilly and heavily forested land with a small stream and small wetlands. Facilities on the site include unheated cinder block lodge with kitchen, nearby latrine, platform tent unit with shelter house, and remote unit for jungle hammocks . Note: There is no water available on the site. No indoor plumbing in the lodge.
Special Features: Wildlife observation deck attached to back of lodge. Room to pitch tents in platform tent unit. Campers must carry their gear to the jungle hammock site located about 8 to 10 minute walk from the lodge. The jungle hammocks are furnished as are directions on how to set-up and use the hammocks and how to make and use a “cat hole” for bathroom facilities. Also on site is a teams course.
Availability: Year round.
Ken-Jockety
Location: Franklin County, about 20 miles west of downtown Columbus, along the Big Darby Creek.
Description: K-J’s 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 tent units, one cabin unit and one day-use only or primitive camp unit. A site host is on duty fall, winter and spring to help troops with coordination of facilities and programs. The Ginny and John Elam Environmental Education Center is located in the front of the camp.
Special Features: Hiking trails between units and lodges, and a Nature Trail along the creek. Becky’s Pond is a great place for fishing, canoeing (certified adults required) and observing wildlife. Mid-April through mid-October creeking (wading in the creek) is a favorite activity. Many troops camp at K-J and make arrangements for a program (or two) at the Elam Center. Arrangements can also be made for archery (certified adult must be provided.)
Availability: After Labor Day through the last weekend of May.
Molly Lauman
Location: Scioto County north of Portsmouth.
Description: One hundred sixty and a half acres of woods, lawn, streams and some open field; located on the side of Henderson Knob. Facilities include Lightfoot Lodge, Bear Creek Lodge, five platform tent units and one cabin unit. The Webster Center is located in Brechner Lodge. A site host is on duty in fall, winter and spring to help troops with coordination of facilities and programs. LakeView Ranch horseback riding facility is located .2 miles down the road from the camp entrance. Overnight horseback riding programs are accommodated in bunk houses at the ranch.
Special Features: Hiking trails are both in camp and in the forests adjacent to 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. Upon request, staff can be available to provide environmental education programs for day users or troop campers. Fall, winter and spring troop campers at Molly Lauman can sign up for horseback riding activities at the ranch. Canoeing and archery are also available to troops providing properly certified adult supervision.
Availability: After Labor Day through the last weekend of May.
Tea-Qui Mead
Location: Ross County south of Chillicothe
Description: The camp’s 148 acres is heavily forested and hilly with a small stream. Facilities on the site include Mahrt Lodge, Skipper’s Nest and an amphitheater.
Special Features: Labeled hiking trails through the woods and over rather steep terrain.
Local attractions: 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 Adena and Mound City Group.
Camp Wakatomika
Location: Northeastern Licking County between Fallsburg and Martinsburg.
Description: The camp’s 262 acres is wooded with steep, hilly terrain. Facilities on the site include Aspen Grove, Letz Lodge, Dogwood Lodge and Dogwood Cabins, all of which are heated. Also four platform tent units and Sholly-O unheated dining facility.
Special Features: Sholly-O labeled hiking trail, hiking trails between tent units and down to Wakatomika Creek, teams course (trained facilitator required, and arrangements can be made for archery (certified adult must be provided). Troop camping with a core staff (food service and activities included in fee) is offered selected weekend in May.
Availability: After Labor Day through the last weekend of May.
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