The Pipsico Scout Reservation encompasses over nine hundred acres of mostly woodland with several open fields and marshes in Surry county, Virginia. The terrain, which includes a natural ravine system, ranges in elevation from twenty to just over one hundred feet above sea level. The northern boundary extends for a mile and half along the bank of the historic James River. The reservation consists of four camps.

Camp Lions. After extensive renovation and new construction, Camp Lions was reopened in 1988 as a long-term summer camp. New facilities, all built in accordance with National Standards, include: a modern dining hall building capable of seating three hundred people, a twenty-five meter swimming pool with handicapped access ramp and attached shower/latrine facilities, a program/administration building, a fully equipped health lodge, a trading post, two activity shelters, a staff lounge, three two-bedroom cottages for senior staff, a consolidated shooting sports area containing a rifle, shotgun, and archery range, and a central shower to serve the twelve troop camp sites each with its own latrine.

During the summer operating period, Camp Lions offers a myriad of activities and programs which enable scouts to earn related merit badges. Program ranges from the waterfront activities, to Ecology/Conservation, to Scoutcraft skills.

In addition to our unique summer camp program offered every summer, Camp Lions is open for general camping use throughout the year. Troops can pick from one of our 11 site with latrines and water in them. Take a walk along our Waterfront, hike along the Red Trail, or just have fun in you own little spot in the woods. Camp Lions offers a unique off season camping location.

Camp Kiwanis. Camp Kiwanis offers 10 troop campsites with latrines, large activity shelter, camp fire ring, and a campmaster building.

Camp Powhatan. Camp Powhatan is available for primitive camping.

Camp Rotary. The newest member to the family is Camp Rotary. Camp Rotary offers 12 troop campsites, a central latrine, parking area, running water, and large activity field.


Facilities on camping properties may be used for approved events subject to the following regulations and restrictions:

CAMP LIONS

1. Swimming Pool - Available for use during the summer period that it is operating. Use must be under the supervision of the Camp Director or the Scout Executive's designee. Use must conform to BSA aquatics standards.
2. Pool Showers and Central Showers - Available for use from March 15th to October 31st.
3. Dining Hall/Kitchen - Dining Hall may be used year round, but kitchen, restrooms, and water are only available from March 15th to October 31st. Authorization for use of the Kitchen is restricted to persons who have been trained by the Council.
4. Trading Post - Water is available from March 15th to October 31st.
5. Health Lodge - Restricted to use by a Health Officer and one assistant approved by the Council. Sleeping is limited to the bedroom and ward beds will be used only for patients. Water is available from March 15th to October 31st.
6. Staff Center - Water is available from March 15th to October 31st.
7. Burton Program Center (Administration Building) - Camp Director's office is restricted to summer camp use. Kitchen, restrooms, and water are available from March 15th to October 31st.
8. Harold Pace Shelter (OA Shelter) - Water is available from March 15th to October 31st.
9. Program Shelters A and B - Available year round. The locked storage area in Program Shelter B is restricted to summer camp use.
10. Rifle Range, Shotgun Range, and Archery Range - Use must conform to BSA shooting sports standards. Range Officers must be qualified and approved by the Council.
11. Lions Den (Quartermaster Building) - Normally used for equipment storage, but special requests for use may be approved by the Council.
12. Jim Gray Campfire Ring - Water is available March 15th to October 31st.
13. William V. Waters Chapel - Available year round for religious services. It is not to be used for campfires.
14. James River Waterfront - Use must conform to BSA aquatics standards.
15. Troopsites 2 thru 12 - Water is available March 15th to October 31st.

CAMP KIWANIS

1. "K" Building (Administration Building) - Restrooms, showers, and water are available only on special request.
2. Quartermaster Building - Special requests for use may be approved by the Council. Sleeping is not allowed in this building.
3. Residence Building - Has limited use as a program shelter. No water or restrooms are available.
4. Ben Juren Shelter (OA Shelter) - Water is not available.
5. Blue Heron Bowl (Campfire Ring) - Water is not available.
6. Rifle Range - Closed.
7. James River Waterfront - Use must conform to BSA aquatics standards.
8. Troop-sites 1 thru 10 – Water is available only at pump.

CAMP ROTARY

Water, latrine facilities, and twelve troop-sites are available year round.

CAMP POWHATAN

Available for primitive and low impact camping year round. Water is available at the entrance.

ADMINISTRATIVE AREA

1. Cabins A, B, and C - Water is available March 1st. to October 31st. A Cabin Rental Contract (CP#4) may be obtained from Council.
2. Cabin F (Bill Hill Building) - Use of this cabin is subject to approval by the Council.
3. Gregson Center – Welcome center and museum available only on special request.

RED TRAIL

Open for use year round.

1. The facilities and grounds on the Pipsico Scout Reservation are supervised by the Camp Ranger, except during summer camp operation, when it is supervised by the Camp Director. For Health and Safety reasons, as well as emergency notification, it is necessary that all persons entering the reservation MUST REGISTER. All units arriving at the reservation for unit camping must register with the Ranger. Units and individuals arriving for summer camp or other activities must register at the appropriate registration area. Individuals arriving for other purposes/occasions must register with the Ranger.
2. The fifth point of the Scout Law is to be observed at all times. BE COURTEOUS to others in the use of camp facilities and sites. Respect the privacy of other groups using the reservation. Enter someone else's campsite only on invitation.
3. PRIVATE VEHICLES are not permitted off the main roads or on service roads. All parking, whether temporary or overnight, must be in designated parking area. Vehicles other than camp maintenance vehicles are never permitted in troop sites except to load and off load from the service roads in Camp Kiwanis. The 15 MPH speed limit is strictly enforced. Persons may not ride in the back of pickup trucks, vans, or other vehicles without permanent seats and seat belts. Persons may not ride on the flat bed maintenance wagons or as passengers on the camp tractors.
4. Eating and cooking utensils are not to be washed at the wash stands, in the shower buildings, or at outdoor faucets. Dish washing should follow guidelines as outlined in the current edition of Scout Handbook.
5. Observe the OUTDOOR CODE at all times. Cut NO live trees or shrubs. Do not blaze trees. Do not sweep or remove ground cover to create paths or clearings except for fire areas. Any Campcraft projects must be removed before leaving camp.
6. In Camp Lions and the Family Camping area, build fires only in designated areas. In Kiwanis and Powhatan, build fires only in cleared areas free from overhanging limbs. Use only dead wood for fires. Do not build fires on any of the fields or grassy areas without special permission from the Ranger. FIRES MUST BE ATTENDED AT ALL TIMES.
7. ALL GARBAGE, GLASS, PLASTIC AND METAL TRASH must be placed in plastic bags and placed in dumpster on the camp road near the entrance to the camps. Paper trash only may be burned in the campsites. NEITHER BURN NOR BURY GARBAGE OR CANS.
8. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ILLEGAL DRUGS, FIREWORKS, HUNTING, AND PERSONAL FIREARMS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE RESERVATION. For Summer Camp procedures for personal target rifles, see current Leaders Guide.
9. Pets are much more comfortable at home or in a kennel. Health and Safety Regulations do not permit pets in camp. Persons with pets will be asked to leave.
10. No ditches or fire pits are to be dug.
11. Shoes are to be worn at all times in camp. Shower shoes/flip-flops are for use only in the showers and are not to be used in going to and from shower building.
12. In the event of any type of ACCIDENT or INJURY, the Ranger/Camp Director must be notified and a complete report of the incident compiled.
13. Written permission from adjacent land owners must be obtained before any trespass on their property.
14. Only flashlights and electric lanterns are permitted in tents. NO FLAMES IN TENTS is a rule which must be strictly enforced. Liquid fuel stoves, heaters, lanterns, lighted candles, matches, cigarette lighters, or other flame sources must NEVER be used in or near tents.
15. Strict observance of the Boy Scouts of America Policy on use of chemical fuels (liquid, gaseous, or jellied) is mandatory in all elements of Scout Camping. Convenience is one of the joys of modern life, but with it goes the necessity of precaution against many hazards. When gasoline or any other liquid fuel is used for cooking, heating, or lighting, it is the fuel which is dangerous - not the stoves, heaters, or lanterns. FOR SAFETY REASONS, KNOWLEDGEABLE ADULT SUPERVISION MUST BE PROVIDED WHEN SCOUTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE STORAGE OF CHEMICAL FUELS, THE HANDLING OF CHEMICAL FUELS IN THE FILLING OF STOVES, HEATERS, OR LANTERNS OR THE LIGHTING OF CHEMICAL FUELS.
16. ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (motorized recreational cycles with two, three or four large, soft tires, designed for off-road use on a variety of terrains) are banned from program use by the Boy Scouts of America, and are not permitted on Pipsico Scout Reservation.
17. CHAINSAWS AND MECHANICAL LOG-SPLITTERS may only be used according to the National Council Policy.
18. SHEATH KNIVES are not permitted on Tidewater Council camping facilities.
19. RECREATION VEHICLES, HOUSE TRAILERS, AND CAMPING TRAILERS, when utilized for personal convenience in camps other than the family camp, may not be plugged into camp electrical circuits or connected to reservation water sources. Use of gasoline powered generators is not permitted from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. As with other vehicles, recreation vehicles and trailers are not permitted off the main roads and service roads. All parking, whether temporary or overnight, must be in designated parking areas.
20. CLIFFS are off limits at all times.
21. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES are established.
22. INDIVIDUALS, units and/or organizations are liable for damage to property.
23. SERVICE PROJECTS performed on the reservation by individuals and/or groups must conform with policies established by the conservation and maintenance committees.

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