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WHERE TO GO CAMPING GUIDECreated By:

Pachsegink Lodge #246BSA Affairs Department

May 2010

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MAQUOKETA CAVES STATE PARK10970 98th St.

Maquoketa, IA 52060563-652-5833

Reservations: 877-427-2757

Maquoketa Caves State Park has more caves than anyother park in Iowa. There are over a dozen caves,although most of them are small, and require a bit ofwriggling to explore. This is a great park to learn thebasics of caving, and is appropriate for any age scout.The limestone caves and bluffs are very scenic, andthe park has beautiful trails to hike, for those non-cavers.

Dance Hall Cave is the largest cave in the park, and inmost areas, you won’t even have to bend over to walkthrough this cave. (See photo on left) Some of themore fun caves, however, are the ones that arechallenging to enter. The park also boasts a naturalbridge, which spans across the canyon 50 feet aboveRaccoon Creek.

Wye cave is also very large once you get past theentrance. It floods frequently, but when it is notflooded, it is one of the most cavernous caves in thepark, and perfect for those scouts that love to explore.

Directions from Council:Take Ogden west for 1.6 miles to I-294 north.Take I-294 north for 1.5 miles to I-88 west.

Take I-88 west for 103 miles to Exit 36 toward US-30W/ClintonContinue to follow US-30W for 44 miles to US-61 north

Take US-61 north for 21 miles to Exit 312A toward Cedar Rapids/MaquoketaTurn Left onto CR-Y31 and travel 6 miles to 98th St.Turn left onto 98th, St, it will be ½ mile on the right.

Miles from Council: 180 (3 hrs, 15 min)

Campfire Rules: Ground fires and wood gathering ispermitted at this park.

Accesibility: Handicap accessible group and family sitesare available, and some of the hiking paths by the cavesare also accessible by wheelchair.

Water: Water pumps and showers are usually on by midApril.

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Seasonal information: Park is open year-round for camping (caves are always the same temperature year-round!) Caving at Maquoketa is excellent any time of year, although fall is probably ideal. Some caves are floodedin the spring (like Wye cave), in the summer the scouts tend to not wear enough clothing to protect from scrapesand scratches while crawling through the caves, and in the winter hypothermia can be an issue if the scouts crawlout of the caves wet with mud or water. Most of these caves are dry, but no doubt your most adventuresomescouts will find a way to crawl through water and mud while exploring.

Area Attractions: Caving! This is a great trip to earn Geology merit badge. Not only is there plenty of exposedrock that tell a fantastic geologic history over the past several hundred million years, but the cave formations areamazing. There are also plenty of signs and kiosks by the caves that explain the different geologic features andsignificance of the rock formations. There is even an interpretive facility with tons of teaching materials on thegeology of the park.

Activities inside the park: Caving, camping, hiking, and biking.

Additional Comments: Kneepads and elbow pads are very helpful. A hardhat is important too, and always keep2 sources of light on you at all times. And don’t forget the camera! Some of the most popular caves include DanceHall Cave, Wye Cave, Barbell, and Fat Man’s Misery.

Interesting fact about the park: The park was once featured on an episode of Rescue 911 when a hiker hadfallen while at the park and was injured.

Must do before you leave: Explore Wye cave! It is a straight drop to get into the cave, but once you are inside,it is very cavernous, and has some tough places to get through for those looking for more of a challenge.

Reviews:“This is a great cave to learn caving basics. There are a lot of tough caves to get into, which is great for thoselooking for a challenge.” -Chris Brown, ASM Troop 337

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STARVED ROCK STATE PARK2668 875th Road

Oglesby, IL 61348815-667-4726

Starved Rock State Park, located along the Illinois River, iswell-known for its beautiful canyons and waterfalls. Thispark is very scenic, and is a great park for day hiking.Have a picnic by one of the many waterfalls in the backcanyons, or climb the stairs to the scenic overlook of theIllinois River and dam. For the history buffs, hike up thestairs and learn about the history of Starved Rock, or enjoythe Nature and Visitor Centers’ fun exhibits and souvenirs.For the adventurers, explore the back of the park, wheresome of the more majestic canyons reside, such as LaSalleCanyon.

Starved Rock and the surrounding areas have been usedby humans for over 5,000 years. Prehistoric occupantssurvived on hunting and fishing, and created housing frommud and rock. Native Americans have also occupiedStarved Rock, and many artifacts have been found in andaround the park. Starved Rock is still an archeologicalhotspot today. Starved Rock earned its name after thelegendary story of the Illini tribe, who was trapped on therock by a neighboring war tribe. The neighboring tribesurrounded the rock, prohibiting any members of the Illinitribe to escape with their life. Most who stayed on StarvedRock eventually starved, with no access to food.

History is rich in these parts, and you can even visit theOld Kaskaskia village, or the Zimmerman site across fromStarved Rock. This is an old village from the 1600’s thatwas ideal for farming. Marquette visited this site whenoccupied by Native Americans, and several tribes haveoccupied this site over the last 1,000 years.

Directions from Council:

Take Ogden west to I-294 southTake I-294 south for 3.5 miles to I-55 south

Take I-55 south for 27 miles to I-80 west (Exit250B)

Take I-80 west for 45 miles to IL-178 (Exit 81)Turn left on IL-178 and continue for 2 miles

Turn left onto Church St/IL-178Maker an immediate right onto Mill St/IL-178

Continue for another 1.5 milesFollow the signs for Starved Rock State Park into

the park

Miles from Council: 83 (1 hour, 30 min)

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Campfire Rules: Campfires are only permitted in designated firepits. The campground has a campground storethat opened in 2009 that sells firewood ice, and other camping essentials.

Accesibility: Seven of the 133 campsites are available via wheelchair. There is also a youth group camping area,which you must reserve via permit.

Seasonal Information: The park is open year-round, but the best time to go is the Spring. With the melting ofthe snow, the waterfalls are in full effect, and the flowers are in full bloom. If you plan on playing in the water,however, you may want to wait until it gets warmer in the later summer months. Winter can be very scenic aswell, with beautiful ice formations from the waterfalls. There are plenty of events hosted year-round at the park,including Oktoberfest, nature hikes, and classes to learn about the park history, nature, and geology of the park.Take a look at the calendar of events at starvedrockstatepark.org.

Area Attractions: If you can’t book a reservation at Starved rock State Park, Mattheissen State Park is rightaround the corner! Some troops only book reservations at Mattheissen, and take the 5 minute drive to StarvedRock State Park during the day. Mattheissen State Park has slightly more rugged campsites and fellow campers,and its own abundance of fun hiking trails and scenic wonders. Mattheissen also offers cross-country skiing in thewinter. Equestrian camping is available along Route 178 (not part of the park), and equestrian trails and horserental is available near the park on Route 71. The city of Ottawa is only a short drive away, and boasts theNational Scout Museum and the gravesite of the founder of the BSA, William D. Boyce, in the Ottawa AvenueCemetery.

Activities inside the park: Starved rock State park has 13 miles of clearly marked trails. The main trails at thefront of the park are paved and/or planked, but the back of the park (near the best waterfalls and canyons) aredirt. Fishing is available, and catfish, bullhead, white bass, sauger, walleye, carp, and crappie may be caught in theIllinois River. Boats can be launched at the west end of the park, and paddleboats are available for rental.

Additional Comments: If hiking in warm weather, bring a towel and sandals. It’s going to be hard for yourscouts to resist playing in the water under the beautiful waterfalls. Have a picnic next to/behind one of thewaterfalls during the day, and don’t forget to relax every now and then to take in the sights. The best trails are inthe back of the park.

Interesting fact about the park: On March 14th, 1960, three women were murdered in St. Louis Canyon. Alodge employee named Chester Weger confessed to robbing and killing the three victims, and is currently serving alife sentence.

Must do before you leave: Make sure you visit the canyons in the back of the park. If you have time, a visit tothe Scouting Museum in Ottawa can be very fun and educational. Many troops visit Starved Rock State Parkwithout any knowledge that the Scouting Museum is only a short drive away (15 – 20 minutes).

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WATERFALL GLENIntersection of Cass and Northgate Roads

Darien, IL 60561630-933-7200

Waterfall Glen is a great place to gocamping, or even just enjoy a day hikewith your troop. Possibly the mostattractive feature of this forest preserve isthe orienteering course that is set up forthe public to use and enjoy. Severalcourses are available, and are designatedby difficulty. Your new scouts can try theeasy course and learn basic map andcompass skills, while your older scoutscan go explore the more challengingcourse. This preserve is also very closeto council (15 minutes!), which makesthis appealing for shorter camping/daytrips. The trails are beautiful for hiking,running, and biking, and covered withcrushed limestone gravel. Don’t forget totake a hike down to the waterfall whileyou’re here!

Directions from Council:Take La Grange Rd south to I-55 south

Take I-55 south to Cass Rd exitTake Cass Rd south to Northgate Rd.

Turn right on Northgate, parking lot on your right

Miles from Council: 10 (15 minutes)

Activities in the park: If you are camping here,most likely it is to use the orienteering course. Apermanently marked course is located in the northeastsection of Waterfall Glen, near the trail head. Yourtroop can borrow maps, compasses, and activitysheets by calling the Fullersburg Woods NatureEducation Center at 630-850-8110. There are severalcourses available.

Youth group camping by permit is available as well,with water pumps, a shelter, grill, and latrinesavailable. Fishing is permitted in the preserve, at thestill water locations by the old quarries.

A model aircraft hotspot is available in the large openfield in the southwest section of the preserve, fortesting out model planes and rockets. For moreinformation, contact Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.

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Area Attractions: One of the other close attractions to thearea is the Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne is one ofthe oldest and largest science and engineering researchlaboratories in the Midwest. Call ahead and you may be ableto book a tour of the laboratory. Waterfall Glen completelysurrounds the plant, and mutant creatures from the planthave been known to eat smaller scouts that have been lost inthe forest after dark. The preserve eventually set up theorienteering course to teach scouts the skills necessary tokeep from getting lost with a map and compass, hencereducing the number of scouts being eaten by the mutantcreatures. Since the course has been set up, the number ofeaten scouts per year has dropped dramatically.

Seasonal Information: The park is open year-round, andthe orienteering courses can be used in the winter, spring,summer, or fall. Since the preserve is so close to council, itmakes for a great day trip during the colder months. If yourtroop’s monthly theme is Orienteering, this is a highlyrecommended activity. The foliage in this preserve is verydiverse, especially for a preserve so close to the city. Duringthe warmer months you may see many people using thegravel trails in the park to train for the Chicago marathon.The preserve even hosts an annual race in July called theXTreme 10, which is a 10 mile race around the main trail loopin the park. During the spring, a leisurely hike and picnic atthe waterfall is a great activity, but don’t forget to bringsandals and a towel!

Interesting fact about the park:Some of the 1996 movie Chain Reaction wasfilmed in the Zero-Gradient Synchrotron RingRoom and the former Continuous WaveDeuterium Demonstrator laboratory at theArgonne National Laboratory.The lab was also part of the ManhattanProject, which built America’s first atomicbomb.

Must do before you leave:If it isn’t obvious, try the orienteering course!Many orienteering clubs come here tocompete, so it’s certainly up to par!

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Mississippi Palisades State Park16327A Rte. 84

Savannah, IL 61074(815) 273-2731

The Mississippi Palisades offer scenic bluffs and trails alongthe Mighty Mississippi. Palisades is a word used to describe a lineof lofty, steep cliffs usually seen along a river. Located near theMississippi and Apple rivers, this park is rich in Native AmericanHistory. Stop in at the Visitor’s Center to educate yourself in thehistory of this beautiful park during your stay.

For those geologists out there, the Mississippi Palisades is agreat place to study and learn about the effects of wind and watererosion. Many fantastic rock formations have been created frommillennia of erosion, which can be admired while hiking the trails ofthe park. Indian Head (pictured to the left) and Twin Sisters arejust a couple of the many scenic wonders that can be viewed at thePalisades.

Hiking, Geology, and Nature merit badges are excellentbadges to work on while at this park. For those older scouts, findan outfitter and you can enjoy some rock climbing along theMississippi. The Palisades are also dotted with caves, andMaquoketa Caves is less than an hour away, so there are severalhigh adventure opportunities in the area. Boating, fishing, andeven cross-cross skiing and sledding in the winter are encouraged,so there is something for every troop.

Directions from Council:Take Ogden Ave west to I-294Take I-294 north to I-88 westTake I-88 west to US 39 North

Take 39 North about 7 miles to IL-64 WestStay on 64 West (after ~30 miles, it will hit a T-intersection. Turn right, then left right away to stay on 64)

64 west will merge into 52 west.US 52 will hit a 3-way intersection with IL 84. Take IL 84 N

Take 84 North through Savanna for about 5 miles to get to the north camping entrance to the park

Miles from Council: 150 (2 hr, 30 min)

Water: Showers and flush toilets are available May 1 –October 31.

Group Sites: 2 youth group sites are available forreservation June 1 – October 31. Any group over 25must get permission from site personnel before enteringthe park. 241 Class A and B sites are also available, butare non-reservable.

Seasonal Information: During the winter, cross-country skiing and sledding is available at the park. Icefishing is permitted when the ice is thick enough.

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Activities inside the park: The Mississippi River and its backwaters is the perfect habitat for so many kinds offish. Catfish and carp are the most commonly caught fish, but bluegill, crappie, and bass are out there as well. Ifyou’re really good, you might even catch some Walleye or Northern Pike. There is no motor size on boats, and theboat launches in the park are free. The park has many magnificent trails, so be sure to take a least one hike whilestaying at the park. Also available is rock climbing, with such climbing routes as The Sentinel, Twin Sister, ButterWalls, and Buzz Off (originally named for a beehive that was nestled in a nearby rock crack, which is gone now).

Area Attractions: Caving is available at Maquoketa caves state park, less than an hour away. The town ofSavannah is 5 miles away, where you can get groceries, gas, etc. There are also plenty of outfitters along theMississippi River for boating, rock climbing, etc. Chestnut Mountain Ski Area located south of Galena has an AlpineSlide: zoom down a 2,050 foot track descending a 476 foot drop on wheeled carts with a hand brake. Best time tovisit is about 3:00 in the afternoon when crowds are lower. Weather must be dry. Rides are discounted whenpurchased in bulk. Boys will need about two hours of ride time to tire of the track, and there is a great view of theMississippi River too. (This extra activity was discovered by ASM Scott Musil, Troop 89, Downers Grove and passedon to Troop 14 La Grange. Both troops highly recommend the Alpine Slide.)

Interesting fact about the park: Indie music artist Sufjan Stevens referenced to it in his song "The PredatoryWasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us!"

Must do before you leave: Check out the great rock formations. There are 15 miles of hiking trails in the park,and they are packed with great sites. If you are into high adventure, you can see these formations while rockclimbing, but either way, make sure you spend some time to stop and admire them a bit.

Comments/Reviews:

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Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls40W095 Freeman Rd.

Gilberts, IL 60136(630) 232-5980

Now owned by Kane County and next to the Freeman-Kame Meagher Forest Preserve, Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knollsused to be owned by the Des Plaines Valley Council, and was the site of many Fellowships and work weekends forPachsegink Lodge. Sold in 2006 to Kane County, Camp Tomo has a rich history of lodge activity. Troops can stillcamp at camp Tomo, and in fact, the camp is specifically reserved for youth group camping. This camp is close tocouncil, and older scouts will appreciate the nostalgic feeling of being back at the camp that has been a “homeaway from home” for so many scouts and scouters. Although the OA firebowl is gone, the camp still has a lot oftradition in those old trees.

Directions From Council:Take Ogden west to I-294 North

Merge onto I-290 West for 16 milesMerge onto I-90 West for 21 miles

Turn North on IL-47Turn right onto Freeman Rd

Miles from Council: 46 (1 hr)

Camping Fees/Availability: Six tent sites are available at $25/site for in-county youth groups, and $35/site forout of county youth groups per day. The lodge is available to rent for $100/day for in-county youth groups, and$150/day for out of county youth groups. If all 6 tent sites are rented for the same youth group, lodge rental isfree.

Activities in Camp: While you’re in camp, why not take ahike around the Leekwanai Trail? Starting near the entranceof camp, this trail winds its way along the back of camp,along the wetlands, and loops back to the Gilwell field.Many older scouts and scouters will recall doing variousservice projects along this trail, from clearing brush tomarking trails. You may also find old, abandoned campsitesused years ago along this trail, such as Bobwhite or Eagle’sNest (named so for the highest point in camp). This camp isalso a great place to get back to the basics of camping.Young scouts can work on advancement, such as cooking,knots, hiking, and wilderness survival requirements. The

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Gilwell field is also a great place for some fun games during the day or night.

Area Attractions: Being close to Chicago, there are plenty of activities nearby, and Gilberts has been growingincredibly fast over the last decade. Medieval Times is about 20 minutes away, and you can literally hike to theHuntley Outlet Mall (about 4 miles) to pick up supplies or food. Culver’s has always been a favorite restaurant ofmany scouts visiting the camp, which is right next to the Huntley Outlet Mall.

Interesting fact about the park: Tomo Chi-Chi was a Native American of the Yamacraw tribe, part of the CreekIndian Nation. With Oglethorpe, he has been called the co-founder of Georgia. He was a good friend to theEnglish, which was an important relationship to the establishment of the colony as a military outpost againstSpanish invasion. He died in 1739, and was buried in Savannah with military honors.

Must do before you leave: Hike the Leekwanai Trail. Many of our lodge members’ blood, sweat, and tears wentinto maintaining this trail. Keep in mind that much of the trail may be overgrown, so take a map with you, and pay

attention to the trail markers.

Comments/Reviews:

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SHABBONA LAKE STATE PARK4201 Shabbona Grove Road (mapquest 100 Preserve Rd)

Shabbona, IL 60550815-824-2106

Fax 815-824-2905

Originally home to tribes of Native Americans, thepark derives its name from Chief Shabbona. Pioneersettlement of the area began in the 1830's. FromShabbona Grove, in the southeast corner of thepark, homesteaders spread over the region andbegan farming the rich soil.

In 1965, it was decided to develop a lake andrecreation area on the site, and landacquisition was begun in 1969. By 1978, 1,550 acreshad been obtained. In 1973, the lake area wascleared of trees, the shoreline was modified andearthen fishing piers and fish congregators wereerected. By 1975, a 3,000-foot-long earthen damwith a concrete spillway was completed and the lakewas formed.

Directions from council:Shabbona Lake State Park is easily accessible from the Chicago area via I-88. Take I-88 west to the Sugar Grove

exit, which is approximately 2 ½ miles west of the Aurora toll booth. Take US 30 west from Sugar Groveapproximately 22 miles to Shabbona.

Miles from Council: 55 (1 hr, 15 min)

Campfire Rules: Each site has a picnic table and acampfire ring. Creating new fire rings and firesoutside designated fire rings is prohibited.

Accessibility: Shabbona Lake is a pilot site fordisabled visitor accessibility and the facilities suchas parking, picnic shelters, water fountains,restrooms, telephones, and even a speciallydesigned fishing pier are totally accessible. Agroup campsite is also wheelchair accessible.

Water Availability: Shower facilities close duringthe winter. Water is still available.

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Site Availability: The camp is open year-round, and 150 Class A sites are available for camping. The park alsohas 2 cabins with 2 rooms, accommodating a maximum of 6 people, costing $55. The cabins do not have runningwater, but do have electric baseboard heat so they can be used year-round.

Seasonal Information: The park offers cross-country skiing on the nature trails in the winter. When the ice isthick enough, ice skating and ice fishing are also permitted. The rolling hills also provide a great environment forsledding and tobogganing.

Activities inside the park: 8 miles of hiking are available at the park, and a trail brochure and special cassettetape are available at the camp office. The specially designed cassette tape will guide you along the “Touch theEarth” trail. The park offers scenic woodland and plenty of prairieland. Fishing is available via pier or boat, and theman-made lake is stocked with smallmouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass, black and white crappie, blackand brown bullhead, channel catfish, walleye, muskie, and perch. A 10 horsepower limit is enacted on all motorsfor the lake, and swimming is prohibited at the park.

Interesting fact about the park: The park was named after Chief Shabbona, whose name literally means “builtstrong like bear” in the language of the Ottawa tribe. He was the grandnephew of Pontiac, who was consideredone of the greatest chiefs of the Ottawa. He later joined the Pottawatomie tribe, and became chief.

Must do before you leave: Hike the “Touch the Earth” trail. It’s educational, and provides for a fun, interactiveactivity for the scouts.

Comments/Reviews:

“We had a great winter campout in December. A foot of snow…found a great hill to sled down and took the boyson the ice to learn about ice fishing.” - Dana Rick

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CANTIGNY PARK1S151 Winfield Road

Wheaton, IL 60189(630) 668-5161

www.cantingy.org

Two fantastic museums at Cantigny (aside from the beautiful grounds) are the McCormick Museum and the FirstDivision Museum. There are frequently programs of interest to scouts held at Cantigny. Explore American historyas seen through the eyes of the First Infantry Division and gain a renewed appreciation for those who serve toprotect our freedoms. With more than 38,000 square feet, the First Division Museum provides an immersive andstimulating experience for visitors of all ages. And don’t forget to visit the famous Tank Park where kids haveclimbed and played for generations.

Directions from Council:Take Ogden Ave west to I-294 north

Take I-294 north to I-88 westTake I-88 west and exit at Winfield Road.

Travel north on Winfield Road approximately three miles.The park entrance is on the right side of the road before Roosevelt Road (Route 38).

Miles from Council: 19 (30 min)

Camping Availability: Campsite reservations are limited tonationally recognized youth groups (i.e., BSA, GSA, AWANA, IndianGuides, etc.). All campouts are FREE of charge. Camping is yearround, except during January when the park is closed. Overnightcamping is allowed on Friday and Saturday nights (there is no campingduring holiday weekends or special event weekends).

Only Scouts/youth group members and their leaders/parents maycamp. Family camping is not permitted. Cantigny has two campsitesavailable and each holds up to 100 people. Only one campsite pergroup may be

accommodated.Cantigny is able toaccommodate tent

camping only (no campers or trailers). Cantigny's campgrounds offerwashrooms, water pumps, trash collection and recycling bins,established fire pits, firewood, and picnic tables. Advancedreservations are required

Activities inside the park: Hiking Cantigny’s 2 1/2-mile wood-chip nature trail, filled with the wonderful sights, sounds and smellstoday's kids experience all too rarely, is a great experience. A mapcan be found inside the Visitors Guide. Pick up a copy of the HikingTrail-Tree Identification Guide at the Visitors Center kiosk desk touse along the trail. Completion of the Guide meets some of therequirements for the Boy Scout Forester Merit Badge. (This guide isrecommended for summer and fall, when the trees have leaves.)

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Scout groups can fish at Shaffner Pond, in the northeast corner of the park. Fishing is allowed Saturday and Sundaymornings from sunrise to 8:30am and Mondays between 9 a.m. and 5 pm. Please call Security at 630.260.8207 toarrange a fishing outing. The pond is home to bluegill, bass, carp, and catfish and is strictly catch and release.Please bring your own fishing poles, bait, and gear. People over age 16 who are fishing must have a valid fishingpermit.

Cantigny has partnered with the DuPage Rivers Fly-tyers (DRiFT) to offer Boy Scouts an introduction to fly fishing.Boy Scouts can try their hand at different styles of casting, be introduced to fly-tying, and spend time fishing. Formore information or to schedule an outing, please contact Glenn Hazen, DRiFT Merit Badge Coordinator, at 630 6824984.

Interesting fact about the park: Cantigny was named after the estate of General Robert McCormick, namedafter a small village in France which was the scene of fighting during World War I that involved the First Division,also known as the Big Red One.

Must do before you leave: Visit the museums! They are very interesting, and the museum will walk youthrough all of the great American Wars. The displays are very life-like, and don’t forget to enjoy the tanksin front of the museum. Adults will appreciate the historical information about each tank, and the scoutsenjoy climbing on and around them.

Robert R. McCormick MuseumTue-Sun: 10am to 4pm

First Division MuseumTue-Sun: 10am to 4pm

Comments/Reviews:

“This is a GREAT campout for scout troops. Close tohome, activities for the boys, learning opportunity

and FREE camping!” – Dana Rick

“The museum was really fun, but the campsite wasright next to a major street. Still worth the price offree, but availability fills up fast, so plan 4-5 months

in advance.” - Chris Brown, ASM, Troop 337

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GREENE VALLEY FOREST PRESERVE23W799 79th Street

Naperville, IL630-933-7200

www.dupageforest.com

In its oak woodlands, savannas, and wetlands, Greene Valley boastsa collection of plants and trees not commonly found in other areasof the county. The preserve is home to many native birds, mammalsand plants, and provides a spectacular display of spring wildflowers.In addition, management techniques such as prescription fires,reforestation and wetland restoration projects replace ecosystemslost long ago.

The wildlife at Greene Valley is plentiful: In the wetlands, waterfowl,shorebirds and aquatic life flourish, and toads and frogs can beheard during the spring breeding season; red foxes, coyotes,meadowlarks, and bobolinks co-exist in the meadows; and owls canbe spotted in the forest. Hawk-watching from Greene Valley Hill ispopular with birders in the fall. The 190-foot Greene Valley Hillprovides an enticing scenic overlook and is open to the public onweekends from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., spring through fall. A roadleads from the base of the hill to a parking lot at the top, wherevisitors can get a bird's-eye view of DuPage County as well as theChicago skyline. The introduction of native grasses and shrubs onthe hillside combines conservational and recreational objectives,attracting native songbirds and wildlife while providing visual relieffor preserve visitors.

Directions from Council:Go west on Hillgrove to Willow Springs Rd

Turn left on Willow Springs Road and follow until Plainfield RoadTurn right on Plainfield Road and follow until IL-83/Kingery

Turn left on IL-83 Kingery and continue going south until 75th StreetContinue along 75th Street for 7 miles

Turn left onto Greene RoadTurn right onto 79th Street

Miles from Council: 14 (27 minutes)

Camping fees: This campground has 10 available campsites, all reserved for recognized youth groups. Thefollowing rates are for DuPage residents: $100 for Site 1, $25 for Sites 2-9 or $75 for Site 10

Accessibility: The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessibleto all visitors. At Greene Valley, the south parking lot off Greene Road includes barrier-free latrines andaccess to the preserve's trail system. A campsite in the youth-group camp is wheelchair accessible. For

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special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 orTTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.

Activities in the park: The Tricky-Tree-Trek is a self guided nature trailthat gives visitors a chance to maketheir own leaf identification keys,identify trees while blindfolded, or solvea crossword puzzle using a tree finder.Reservations and materials are availablefrom Fullersburg Woods NatureEducation Center in Oak Brook. Formore information, call 630.850.8110.

The preserve also maintains over 12miles of marked multipurpose trailsthrough a variety of ecosystems,including woodland, savanna, andwetland.

Seasonal Information: Cross-country skiing is allowed at the forest preserve, and the flatter ground iscloser to the river. Skiers are asked to stay to the outside of the trail, leaving the inside area for hikers andother trail users. When conditions permit, trails are groomed for classical and skate-style cross-countryskiing.

Interesting fact about the park: Greene Valley Forest Preserve used to be an old scout camp. Whilehiking through the preserve, you may even come across an old Order of the Arrow ceremonial ring. That iswhy we often hold our Brotherhood Conversion weekends at this forest preserve. See if you can find it thenext time you visit!

Must do before you leave: Take the Tricky-Tree-Trek. It’s an interactive way of hiking, and you get tohike through lots of different environments. Don’t forget to take some time to stop and smell the roses!

Comments/Reviews:

“This is a great location for hiking” – Dana Rick

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RAINBOW SCOUT RESERVATION (RSR)2600 N Winterbottom Road

Morris, IL 60450815-942-4450 (year-round reservations)815-942-1793 (summer camp June-Aug)

The front 40 acres of RSR is similar in maintenance and terrain to a statepark. It is the main area used for the summer camp operation. The rest ofRSR’s 730 acres is mostly unimproved with few roads or trails. It is ideal fora backpacking shakedown as the rough terrain can simulate backcountryhiking.

RSR has three lakes on the property, all of which were created by stripmining operations in the mid-1900s. Long Lake is over a mile long andstretches across the property. Boundary Lake and Aqua Lake are crystal-clear and very deep. They are located on the back edge of the property andare accessible from a separate gated road there, or via steep but fairly shortportage from Long Lake. Both are regularly used throughout the year byfishermen who purchase licenses from the council.

This is also a great place to study geology or local history. The camp borders the Mazon river, and its steepbluffs are ideal for fossil hunting. In fact, it is one of the richest fossil locations on. The river is also great fortubing when the water level is right. The I&M canal played a large role in Illinois history and severalhistorical sites are nearby.

Most campsites are very large and very open. Summer Day Camps are sometimes held in a single site.Approximately ¾ mile from the main camp area are two Adirondack bunkhouses, three-sided affairs thatsleep a dozen or more scouts each. This area also has a fire ring, and a latrine that has seen better days. Itis possible to canoe here on Long Lake.

Reservations can be made to rent the dining hall (seats 120) or any of the other buildings or facilities oncamp. A campmaster is on duty each weekend throughout the year. Camp is closed for a month duringhunting season to prevent injury, as the council leases hunting rights to the property.

Directions from council:Take I-55 south past I-80 to exit 240 (Lorenzo Road). Take Lorenzo Road west to Winterbottom Road (lookfor the Rainbow Council sign on your right about ½ mile past the stop sign at Jugtown Road). WinterbottomRoad dead-ends at the camp entrance.

Alternate directions:Take I-80 west to IL-47 south. Follow IL-47 through the town of Morris. Several grocery stores andrestaurants are available in town. After crossing the Illinois River, turn left at the light on Pine Bluff Road.Take Pine Bluff east to Winterbottom road (look for the Rainbow Council sign on your left about 1/2 mileafter the S-curve and bridge.) Winterbottom Road dead-ends at the camp entrance.

Miles from council: 45

Campfire rules: Fires allowed in established rings. Firewood is readily available in the woods surroundingeach campsite.

Other park rules of interest: The camp ranger frowns upon hole-digging and the cutting of any tree, liveor dead.

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Group sites: 12 front-country sites available.All well-maintained, with water (in season) andlatrines. Most sites will accommodate 50people quite easily. 1 unimproved campsitewith a fire ring, no facilities, is located betweenAqua and Boundary lakes. Adirondackcampsite described above.

Fees/special group/scouting discounts:1.50/person/day for camping. Visitrcscouts.orgforms or call 815-942-4450 forinformation on renting buildings or facilities.

Handicap accessibility: No paved trails oraccessibility improvements. Most front-countryterrain easily accessible. Deer Run campsitehas access to electricity via extension cord byadvance request.

Water Availability: May 1- Halloween

Seasonal information: Boating or swimming allowed in the lake as long as safe swim defense proceduresare followed. Canoes can be rented through the council office. The Mazon river, which forms part of thecamp boundary, makes for excellent tubing when the water is right. Camp is closed during deer season asthe council leases hunting rights on the property.

Area Attractions: The I&M Canal Rendezvous, held annually nearby, is a wonderful historical experience.

Activities inside the park/campground: Excellent bluegill fishing with some largemouth bass. Snorkelingand even SCUBA are great choices in Aqua Lake, where remnants of the strip mine include a submergedtruck and crane. The “back side” of the property is perfect for conditioning hikes with its rugged terrain,especially in fall when cross-country hikes are made possible by the lack of vegetation.

High Adventure activities available in the area: The historic I&M Canal is just a few miles from campand makes for excellent biking on the tow-path trail. The Illinois River begins just north of camp at theconfluence of the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers. While the Illinois sees heavy commercial traffic, theKankakee river is excellent for canoe trips. The climbing tower and full high/low COPE course, includingzipline, are available, with instructors provided, for a fee.

Must do before you leave: Make sure you hike across the dam to Aqua Lake to see the most beautifulpart of camp. If you’re really looking for a challenge, see how many of the ranger’s chainsaw sculptures youcan find! The eagle should be easy…the bear is a challenge…the blue gnome? Nearly impossible!

Interesting Fact About the Camp: The Illinois state fossil (the Tully Monster) was found just a few milesfrom camp. This is the only place in the world that this fossil has ever been found!

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MIRROR LAKE STATE PARKE10320 Fern Dell Road

Baraboo, WI 53913(608) 254 -2333

Toll-free: (888) 947-2757

Located only 3 miles from the WisoconsinDells, Mirror Lake State Park has a greatcampground for rustic camping, but is notas well-known as nearby Devil’s Lake (thusavoiding the crowds). The park containsmany scenic wonders, including MirrorLake, which is often so calm that not aripple can be seen. 50 foot cliffs, wetlands,and forests are just some of the ecosystemsyou will encounter while visiting this park.

Directions from Council:Go West on Ogden Ave. to I-294

Take I-294 North to I-290 WTake I-290 W to I-90W

Continue on I-90W for 160 milesTake Exit 92, US-12

Turn Left on US-12, then make an immediate right onto Fern Dell RoadProceed 2 miles to Mirror Lake State Park (On your right)

Miles from Council: 188 (3 hrs, 15 mins)

Camping Availability: Mirror Lake has151 family campsites and 7 group sites.The park also has an accessible cabin forpeople with disabilities and a rental cottagethat was designed by famed architectFrank Lloyd Wright.

Accessibility: 2 of the familycampgrounds and 1 cabin is handicapaccessible. There is also a speciallyadapted kayak available for use by peoplewith disabilities, and a wheelchair-accesiblefishing pier just north of the boat landing.The park also offers a half-mile trail that isaccessible via wheelchair.

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Activities Inside the Park: Mirror Lake State Park offers the only house in the world designed by FrankLloyd Wright that is available for rental occupancy. Designed in 1958, it was one of Wright’s last works.Known as the Seth Peterson cottage (after the Wisconsin native who encouraged Wright to design thehouse), it was restored in 1989. Tours are also available the second Sunday of each month from 1 – 4 PM,for $2/person. Groups of 10 or more should call (608) 254-6051 for a tour.

Mirror Lake state park has two different habitats for fishing. Dell Creek is 10.5 miles long and flows intoMirror Lake. The stream is stocked with 5,000 fall fingerling and 3,000 spring yearlings each year. Most arebrown trout. Mirror Lake has 137 acres of fishing habitat. The lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill,northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, pumpkinseeds, yellow and black bullheads, and walleyes. Boat,canoe, and kayak rentals are available in the summer.

Mirror Lake State Park has 20 miles of hiking. 17 of these are available for cross-country skiing, 9 areavailable for biking, 1 mile is available for snowshoeing, 1 is available as an interpretive nature trail, and .5mile is accessible for people with disabilities. Along the hiking trails you may see such wildlife as deer,raccoons, squirrels, bats, chipmunks, muskrats, beavers, mink, red foxes, cottontail rabbits, and coyotes.

Seasonal Information: The campground is open year-round, and winter activities include cross-countryskiing and snowshoeing. Cascade Mountain is nearby, and offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Manyshops in the Dells are closed for the season, but year-round activities have been growing in number in theDells in recent years.

Area Attractions: The Wisconsin Dells is right next door, offering plenty of activities year-round. CascadeSki Resort is about 20 miles east on I-90, for those that enjoy winter camping and winter sports. Devil’s LakeState Park is also about 15 minutes away, which is a popular location for hiking and climbing the canyons andbluffs.

Interesting Fact About the Camp: The Blockbuster hit “Public Enemies”, starring Johnny Depp andChristian Bale, was partly filmed in Mirror Lake State Park. Several gunfights and car chases were filmed inMirror Lake State park and the surrounding areas. Visitors who hike the Echo Rock Trail at Mirror Lake willrecognize the hilly terrain from the film. Fern Dell Road was also used for a car chase scene and shootout.

Must Do Before you Leave: Visit the Wisconsin Dells! The campground is right next to the Dells and LakeDelton. If you wish to take a break and return to civilization for a bit, the Dells have plenty of attractions tooffer, from mini-golf to year-round haunted houses. You can even take a boat ride through the dells, andlearn about the geology of the dells.

Comments/Reviews:

“Devil’s Lake reservations can be difficult to get, but this StatePark is nearby, and only a short drive to Devil’s Lake for hikingthe canyons and bluffs.” –Chris Brown, ASM, Troop 337

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DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARKS5975 Park Road

Baraboo, WI 53913-9299(888) 947-2757 (for campsite availability)

(608) 356-8301 (general information)

More people visit Devil’s Lake State park annually (1.3 million) thanany other state park in Wisconsin. Perhaps it is the scenic trails forhiking and biking. Or maybe it’s the famous rock climbing that thrillseekers come to enjoy. Or it might even be the beautiful Devil’s Lakeitself that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country.Whatever it may be, Devil’s Lake State Park certainly has become afavorite camping destination for many scouts and scouters.

Devil’s Lake State Park was established in 1911, and is one ofWisconsin’s oldest state parks. It was also one of the first four areaslandscape architect John Nolen recommended be set aside when hebegan planning the state park system in 1909. Prehistoric Indiansonce inhabited the park and constructed numerous effigy mounds inthe shape of birds and other animals. Ho-Chunk Indians also had asummer fishing village along the north shore of Devil’s Lake and awinter camp on the southeast shore. Over the years, the park hasundergone many changes, and has seen quarries, a golf course, atoboggan slide, and private cabins within its boundaries.

Directions from Council:Go West on Ogden Ave. to I-294

Take I-294 North to I-290 WTake I-290 W to I-90W

Continue on I-90W for 145 milesTake Exit 108A, WI-78 S

Continue on WI-78 for 9 miles, then turn right onto CR-DLContinue on CR-DL for 9 miles, then make a sharp left onto N Shore Rd.

Miles from Council: 188 (3 hrs, 15 minutes)

Camping Availability: Devil’s Lake has 407 family sites, 353 of which are reservable. There are 9 groupsites that can accommodate a total of 240 campers. Reservations are strongly recommended, as Devil’s Lakecampsites fill up quickly. Make reservations at least 6 months in advance for group sites, because they goquickly. Mirror Lake State Park is nearby, and much more available, if you cannot get a reservation at Devil’sLake. The non-group sites are a bit cramped, and typically will not fit more than 2 tents.

Accessibility: Six wheelchair-accessible electric campsites are scattered throughout Devil’s Lake’s threecampgrounds. Each site has a paved driveway, paved pathway leading to a running water restroom building,and right to use a handicapped accessible restroom and shower. Three of these sites are wooded, and threeare in mostly open grassy areas. The park has 1.5 miles of trail that are accessible for people withdisabilities. These include Tumbled Rocks Trail, Grottoes Trail, a sidewalk and wooden boardwalk along thesouth shore of the lake, and the paved pathways in both the north and south picnic areas.

Other Park Rules of Interest: Due to the potential of carrying harmful emerald ash borers, firewood frommore than 25 miles away is prohibited from entering the park.

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Seasonal Information: Water facilities are turned on about mid-April, but one winterized water tap andnon-flush restrooms are available for campers all winter long. Quartzite campground is the only availablecampground in the winter, and is not very rustic. Five miles of Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trailsare also available. Ice fishing is available, but ice thickness and safety is not monitored by the park.

Activities Inside the park: There are plenty of hiking trails to keep you busy. Devil’s Lake has 30 miles oftrails, which range from easy meadow walks to rugged staircase-like stone steps steeply ascending severalhundred feet up to the tops of the bluffs. The Ice Age Trail contains about half of the park’s trails. It alsocontains 8 miles of off-road mountain biking trails. The paved roads throughout the park are not biker-friendly, however, as the hills and curves make it impossible for drivers to see far ahead, and many driversare distracted by the scenery.

Rock climbing is very popular around the park, but the park is not maintained for rock climbing; climb at yourown risk. Nonetheless, there are plenty of outfitters to help scouts learn to climb, and this is a great place toearn climbing merit badge.

Fishing and boating is available to scouts and scouters with a fishing license. Brown trout, walleye, northernpike, bass, and panfish are abundant in Devil’s Lake. The nature center has a limited supply of fishing tacklethat you can borrow. Boats and canoes can be rented at the park’s concession areas. A specially adaptedkayak is available for use for people with disabilities.

Area Attractions: Cascade Mountain is nearby for skiing,snowboarding, and tubing. The Wisconsin Dells is also nearby, whichoffers a plethora of activities and attractions. Tommy Bartlett’sExploratory is a great place to visit for scouts working on Science meritbadge.

Interesting Fact About the Park: The park has several NativeAmerican mounds, including the effigy mounds and the Lynx mound.

Must Do Before You Leave: Hike through Parfrey’s Glen. This isWisconsin’s first State Natural Area, and is a spectacular gorge deeplyincised into sandstone conglomerate of the Baraboo Hills. The exposedCambrian rock layers provide excellent opportunities for geologicalinterpretation, and is a great place to earn Geology merit badge. Thewalls of the glen are sandstone with embedded pebbles and boulders ofquartzite! The moss-covered walls are moist from seepage, cool andshaded. This unique ecosystem within the park contains rare species offlora, insects, and wildlife. Food, beverage (other than water), andpets are prohibited. Cameras and imagination encouraged.

Comments/Reviews:

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HOWARD H. CHERRY SCOUT RESERVATIONCamp Wakonda

4521 Boy Scouts RoadCentral City, IA 52214

(319) 438-1837

The Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation, run by theHawkeye Area Boy Scout Council, is comprised of twocamps. The first camp, Camp Waubeek, was opened in1931 thanks to a donation of $1,000 from Howard H.Cherry, and the efforts of American Legion Post #5. Thiscamp was originally only 18 acres, but in 1957, Cherrydonated an additional $14,000 to purchase another 125acres. Finally, in 1965, Cherry donated an additional$25,000 to purchase an adjoining 265 acres to open asecond camp, Camp Wakonda. Camp Waukondacontains a COPE course, and is the operating summercamp of HHCSR. Summer camp is in session for 4weeks from mid-June to mid-July, but youth groups canreserve campsites in the off-season.

Directions from Council:Go West on Ogden Ave. to I-294

Take I-294 North to I-88WContinue on I-88W for 103 miles to Exit 36Take Exit 36 and take US-30 W for 44 miles

Take Exit 312A to Merge onto US-61 NAfter 20 miles, take Exit 158 to IA-64

Continue on IA-64 for about 30 miles, then turn left on Main St/CR-E28After about 1 mile, turn right onto Cherry St/CR-E28

After 8 miles, continue straight to go onto Prairieburg Rd/CR-X20After another mile, turn left onto Maxwell RdAfter 1 mile, turn right onto Boy Scouts Rd.

Go 1 mile, camp is on your right.

Miles from Council: 220 (4 hrs)

Camping Availability: Camp Wakonda is an operating summer camp for 4 weeks each summer, but otherweeks are available for campsite or activity reservation. Many other groups come to this camp, including aChildren’s Hospital group and corporate groups to experience the high and low COPE courses.

Activities Inside the Camp: As a functioning BoyScout Camp, HHCSR has a plethora of activities forscouts of all ages. Amenities include an in-groundswimming pool, high and low COPE courses, dininghall, cabins, climbing wall, bouldering wall, andmuch, much more.

The COPE course at HHCSR is one of its most wellknown attractions. The course consists first of lowcourse activities designed on building teamwork andcooperation in a noncompetitive manner. Upongraduating the low course, individuals advance tothe high COPE course, designed to enhance the

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individual, especially in the areas of self-confidence and self-actualization.

Interesting fact about the camp: The Allin B. Dakin Dining Hall is named after the Administrative Deanof the University of Iowa. He was also the first scout to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in the state of Iowa.

Must do before you Leave: Experience the COPE course! The course takes place on specially designedand built structures, including the Burma Bridge, Balance Beam, Two Wire Traverse, Multi Line, Skywalk,HeeBee GeeBee, Vertical Playground, Cargo Net, Centipede, Giant’s Ladder, Rappelling Wall, Confidence Pole,and a 300 ft zip line!

Comments/Reviews:

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CAMP SHAW-WAW-NAS-SEE6641 N 6000W Rd.

Manteno, IL 60950-3428(815) 933-3011

Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, more affectionately known as Camp Shaw, isprimarily a 4-H camp and accredited by the American CampingAssociation. When summer camp is not in session, scouts and scouterscan rent out campsites or cabins for the weekend. Located right next toKankakee, Camp Shaw is a short trip away for a fun and inexpensiveweekend. The camp rangers will even let scout troops camp for free ifthey provide service for the camp (clearing brush, removing invasivespecies, creek bank improving, etc.) The camp has plenty of activitiesfor scouts of all ages and abilities. Accommodations are made for scoutswith disabilities.

Recently the camp has acquired a horseback riding program, and is agreat place for scouts to work on Horsemanship merit badge. For asmall fee, scouts can not only ride horses, but also learn how to groom,train, and feed them.

Campsite Availability: 22 rustic cabins are available for rent, eachhousing 10 scouts. Two heated cabins are also available for rent,accommodated 10 scouts each. There is a bathroom in each of theheated cabins, which are available year-round, when summer camp isnot in session.

Directions from Council:Turn right on Brainard, go ½ mile, then turn left onto 47th

StreetProceed ½ mile, then turn right onto La Grange Rd/US-45

Continue south along US-45 for 34 miles, then turn right ontoWilmington Rd/CR-25

Proceed along CR-25 for 5 miles, then turn left onto TulleyRd/CR-79

After 2 miles, Tulley Rd becomes N 5000W Rd/CR-7After another 4 miles, turn right onto W 8000N Rd.

After 1 mile, turn left onto N 6000W Rd.Camp Shaw is on the left.

Additional Comments: Camp Shaw is a very scout-friendly camp. Many of the camp staff are or werescouts themselves, and enjoy showing their camp to scout units that camp for the summer or the weekend.Free lodging/use of camp grounds for units that provide service to the camp is something that every troopshould take advantage of, because it helps the camp, and the helps the boys earn service hourse for rankadvancement.

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Activities Inside the Camp: The camphas an in-ground pool, open from June toSeptember, an archer y range, and over 8miles of hiking trails that link up to theKankakee State Park trail system. Alongthese trails you will find waterfalls, fossilbeds, rare plants, limestone cliffs, and thegravesite of Potawatomie Chief Shaw-waw-nas-see. The camp also offers a lowropes course and a zip line over RockCreek. It also maintains a butterflygarden, a small working farm and pettingzoo, and offers horseback riding. CampShaw also provides opportunities forscouts to practice First Aid skills, lashingand pioneering projects, camping skills,fire building, and outdoor cooking.

Area Attractions: The grave site of Chief Shaw-waw-naw-see is at nearby Rock Creek, and iscommemorated by a boulder along the nature trail. After the Potawatomi ceded all of their land along theKankakee and Illinois rivers to the United States, most Potawatomie left the area. Chief Shaw-waw-naw-seewas granted a land reserve and stayed behind. When he died in 1834, he was interred in a seated positionabove ground near Rock Creek, his pipe, tobacco, knife, rifle, tomahawk, and other artifacts entombed withhim. In 1838, the chief was buried, and a large boulder bearing his name and the date the Potawatomiedeparted was left at the burial site.

Kankakee River State Park is also nearby, and is a great place for river activities. The river is dotted withoutfitters for canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboats (or you can bring your own). Fishing along the KankakeeRiver is fun, and in fact the state record walleye, a 14-pounder, was taken from the river in 1961. The rivercontains populations of smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, clack and white crappie, channel catfish,northern pike, bluegill and walleye.

Must Do Before You Leave: Try your hand at some horseback riding at the Camp Shaw stables. Thehorses are well trained, and the fee is minimal. Cost is around $30 for Horsemanship merit badge.

Interesting Fact About the Camp: Camp Shaw has the distinction of having one of every type of coniferthat grows naturally in Illinois planted on its property.

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CAMP MACH-KIN-O-SIEWW11925 Outlet Drive

Elcho, WI 54428(715) 275-3580

More affectionately known as Camp Mach, this camp is a pristinewilderness formed when glaciers drove south across Wisconsin. Scouts canmarvel at the beautiful forests and glacial lakes, as well as the acres of bogthat make up Camp Mach-Kin-O-Siew. The camp boasts over 500 acres ofnatural beauty, and contains 13 campsites and 8 program areas. Summercamp is in session for two weeks: usually the last week in July and the firstweek in August. At Camp Mach-Kin-O-Siew, scouts will cook their meals intheir campsites after picking their food up from the commissary. There isno dining hall. During the day, scouts can take a variety of merit badges,including Waterskiing on Lake Enterprise, or take part in other activitieslike Call of the Wild, DPVC’s Pioneer themed program for scouts 15 andolder. On Tuesday nights, Scouts will assemble out in the Deer Field for theOrder of the Arrow Callout ceremony performed by the Pachsegink Lodgeceremonies team. Scouts and Leaders alike will love the beauty of thecamp, and the dedication of the top-notch staff.

History: Camp Mach-Kin-O-Siew, located just outside Elcho, was once owned by J.L. Kraft, founder of Kraftfoods. It is still owned by Kraft family descendents. The Kraft Family once used the land as private huntingground, and originally called the lake “Lake Machkinosiew”, the namesake of the camp. The fireplace in theScoutmasters Pit used to be for cooking the day’s hunt, and the Program Building was built around thefireplace after the donation of the land to the Boy Scouts. This BBQ “Pit” is what gives the Scoutmaster’s Pitits name. The land that is now Camp Mach-Kin-O-Siew was taken over by the West Suburban Council in1954. Kraftwood Estates is now located across the lake, and they occasionally allow visitors from the campto visit and take a tour. Kraftwood Estates used to be well-known for its luxurious gardens, and hosted toursand dinner parties quite often. Although it is only used as a temporary summer home for the Kraft familynow, and not as extravagant as it once was, Kraftwood Estates is still a great place to visit while at camp ifyou can. Full of rich history, and home of a huge totem pole (you can learn more about the history of thetotem pole at the Estates), it’s only a short canoe ride away!

Program Areas:

WATERFRONT: The beautiful Enterprise Lake is certainlyone of the most admired features of the camp. Spanning500 acres and 27 feet of depth, this crystal beauty hasfurnished many memories for scouts and scouters over theyears. Featured merit badges include Swimming,Lifesaving, Motorboating, Waterskiing, Small Boat Sailing,Rowing, Canoeing, and even specialty merit badges suchas Underwater Basketweaving! BSA Snorkeling, BSALifeguard, and Instructional Swim are also available, anddon’t forget to try out the camp’s very own waterslide!The Swimming area includes a pier and a floating raft atthe end of the Swimmer’s area. Enterprise Lake also hasan island, owned by Camp Mach-kin-o-siew. It was oncepossible to boat over to the island for the famous “IslandLunch,” but is now protected as a wildlife sanctuary fornesting loons. The Stairway to Heaven also leads to a talllookout tower, where you can view the lake from on high.

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SCOUTCRAFT: Further down the path from the Waterfront is the Scoutcraft area. Once located in what isnow the “demo” area (where much of the First-year camper program is taught), a new Scoutcraft area wasbuilt in 2001, just across the bridge to the firebowl. And by “built”, of course, built with knots, lashings, andtimber, the good old fashioned way. Many scouts and staff have helped to make this area a pioneer’sheaven. There are always projects going on, including bridge canopies, monkey bars, and fencessurrounding the fire-building pit, axeyard, pioneering area, and wilderness survival area. Featured meritbadges include Pioneering, Wilderness Survival, Cooking, Fishing, Camping, Orienteering, and First Aid. TheScoutcraft team also puts out a Knot of the Day, and have occasionally been known to let members join the“boat club”, where candidates must tie a certain knot or knots, and pretend to be a boat.

NATURE: What a great area for a great camp! Located in the nature niches on the way to the firebowl, thisprogram area is great to visit for anyone that just wants to “get away from it all”. Featured merit badgesinclude Mammal Study, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Environmental Science, Bird Study, Soil and WaterConservation, Insect Study, Astronomy, Weather, Fish and Wildlife Study, Geology, Forestry, and of course,Nature. If you feel like learning more about the environment around you, tag along for the edible plant hike.And what better way to enjoy the incredibly clear skies at Camp Mach than by attending the “Pink Floydunder the Stars”, in the Deer Field?

HANDICRAFT: How about learning a new type of craft? The Handicraft area can help with that! Locatedbetween the Waterfront and the Scoutcraft area, this program area offers merit badges such as Basketry,Wood Carving, and Leatherwork. Bring home a souvenir that YOU created for mom and dad!

SHOOTING SPORTS: Walk a half-mile downthe path from the waterfront, and you’ll comeacross Shooting Sports, where every boy loves tobe. This program area features Archery,Shotgun, and Rifle merit badges (see photo onleft.) Just past the Deerfield, these areas allowboys to shoot rifles at stationary targets,shotguns at clay pigeons, and arrows at haystacktargets. They even have an archery adventurecourse set up, where scouts can follow a coursethrough the woods, and shoot at various objects,such as fake deer, a tire swing, etc. Try to getthe high score of the week, and impress yourfriends with your bulls-eye targets!

CLIMBING TOWER: Located in the Deer Field is the camp’s climbing tower. Built to replace the nowextinct “Montgomery Tower” (used as a repelling tower until 1999, and then torn down several years later byPachsegink Lodge), this climbing tower will truly challenge all who attempt to climb it. At the top of thistower is mounted a replica of a human skull, and to truly tame this beast of a climbing wall, scouts must “kissthe skull” at the top before repelling down. There is only one merit badge offered at this Program area, butone is all it needs: Climbing!

FIRST YEAR CAMPER (FYC): This program at Camp Mach-kin-o-siew is designed to propel new scoutsthrough rank advancement. Any and all requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class rank that can becompleted at camp are included in this program. The FYC program is highly recommended for any scoutsthat need rank advancement through first class.

OUTPOST: This program is basically the opposite of First Year Camper. It is designed for the older scoutswho want to do more rugged mountaineering, and are not as concerned with earning tons of merit badges atcamp anymore. There are different Outpost activities each day, which include day hikes, forging metal withan iron forge, lunch on the lake (take some canoes out on Big Apple lake for a floating luncheon!), wildernesssurvival camping (make your own shelter), a visit across the lake to Kraftwood Estates, and much, muchmore. The program is left flexible for the boys to decide their own Outpost program, which makes it a veryinteractive and fun program for older scouts.

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Other fun activities at Camp Mach-kin-o-siew:

BOG HIKE: One of the most unique features of Camp Machis its famous bog. The bog is basically floating land, andscouts can take a 30 minute hike through the muck, mire, andmud. It might not sound appealing at first, but it’s a lot offun. Bring a spare change of clothes you can throw away atthe end of the hike, and don’t forget to duct tape your shoes!Many shoes get stuck in the bog and lost forever. Along thehike, you will have the option of tasting fresh bog water,participating in a “bog fight”, and learning the story of “BogBill!”

TRADING POST: Not surprisingly, this is one of the most visited areas of camp. At the trading post, scoutscan stock up on candy, ice cream, soda, and of course, dozens of flavors of slushees. Anything that youforget to bring to camp can be bought at the trading post, including ponchos, toothbrushes, merit badgebooks, basketweaving kits, shirts, OA merchandise, and much, much more. You can also rent out somepaddles and ping pong balls for the ping pong table outside, or horseshoes for the horseshoe pit.

CAMP CUP: This event is a multi-event competition between patrols, spanning the course of the week.New challenges are created every year, but the Monster Campsite event is a staple of the competition. ForMonster Campsite, scouts must create a theme for their campsite, and decorate their campsite accordingly.Points are awarded for creativity, effort, and of course, proper use of knots and lashings.

CHAPEL SERVICE: The camp’s chapel, located behind the gilwell flagpole and FYC demo area, is availablefor religious services. A scout is reverent, and both non-denominational and denominational services aregiven on Fridays. What better place to enjoy the works of our creator than in the beautiful splendour ofCamp Mach-kin-o-siew!

CALL OF THE WILD: On Thursday night, scouts can hike to the back of camp and spend an evening in thewilderness. This is a “bare essentials” night of camping, and scouts interested in the pioneers will find thisexperience fun and memorable.

TIOSPAYE NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE: On Thursday night, scouts interested in Indian lore will enjoythis event. Held in the Deer Field, scouts will gather around a tepee and hear Native American tales andlearn such crafts as beadwork and leatherwork.

ORDER OF THE ARROW: Tuesday night is the Order of the Arrow callout. Candidates will then spend theday in cheerful service the next day, and will be inducted into the Order of the Arrow on Wednesday night,upon completion of their Ordeal. Any merit badgeclasses missed by candidates can usually be made up onFriday. Brotherhood conversion is now also offered atcamp, and the Brotherhood ceremony for those wishingto convert will be held on Wednesday night.

ADULT TRAINING: Camp Mach offers several differenttraining classes for adults, including Climb on Safely,Trek Safely, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defence, andLeave No Trace.

CAMPFIRE PROGRAM: On Sunday night, scouts willgather in the campfire bowl for a series of songs andskits performed by Camp Mach’s phenomenal staff. OnFriday night, the troops will perform for the rest ofcamp, and awards will be presented.

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Area Attractions:

Although there is really no reason to ever want to leave Camp Mach, sometimes it is necessary to leave campfor a fun afternoon of activities. One popular activity is white-water rafting. Shotgun Eddie’s is about a 45minute drive from camp, and offers a more peaceful raft ride, with a few rapids. For a more high adventurerafting trip, try driving about 90 minutes to Kosir’s Rapid Rafts, in Silver Lake. It’s a further drive, but therapids are big. The river is controlled by a dam, so you can enjoy some big rapids even when there hasn’tbeen much rain. Rhinelander is the nearest city to Elcho, but if you just need to pick up supplies, the town ofElcho should do just fine. Rhinelander is about a 40 minute drive from camp.

Directions from Council:Go West on Ogden Ave. to I-294

Take I-294 North to I-94WTake exit 316 to merge onto I-894 WContinue onto US 45 N for 20 milesTake US-41 all the way to Oshkosh

Just past Oshkosh, turn onto US-45 NUS-45N will join up with Rt. 47, and take it all the way to Elcho

Make a left at Enterprise Lake Rd (just past the school)Stay to the right (on Enterprise Lake Rd) when the road splits

When the road splits again, stay to the right again, to take Indian Hills DrMake a left on Outlet Dr, and take it all the way into camp.

Miles from Council: 330 (5 hrs, 45 min)

Logistics: Check-in to arrive at summer camp begins at 1PM on Sunday, and runs through Saturday. Troopsmust check out by 10:00 AM on Saturday. 2010 adult summer camp fee is $210, youth summer camp fee is$280, not counting any early bird specials.

Off-season Camping: If you would like to reserve at campsite at camp Mach-kin-o-siew for weekends otherthan summer camp, please contact the council office at (708) 354-1111, or you can stop by the office to pickup registration forms for the council camps. Camp Mach is a great place to spend a long 3-day weekend, andalso a great place for cross-country skiing in the winter.

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