We continue to offer our comprehensive program in 2007. Our goal is to provide challenging and rewarding programs for every member of your troop, and to enhance your troop operations throughout the year. Take a look at what we have to offer you.


For those who are new to Scouting this year, we strongly recommend our Huskanaw Program. For two hours each day, Huskanaw Scouts will work intensively on advancement requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. The rest of the day, they will have the opportunity to work on merit badges and other activities of their choice.

Additional advancement requirements can be completed during merit badge sessions, special afternoon workshops and troop or patrol activities. Scouts may complete up to 40 advancement requirements through these programs.

For more advanced Scouts who want to complete a few advancement requirements up to the First Class level, check out our flexible "Finish First" program.


We continue to offer one of the most extensive merit badge programs you can find. Please take the time to study the schedule carefully. When you select merit badges for your Scouts, please note the level of difficulty shown for each badge. If you assign Scouts to badges outside our recommended range, experience shows they will probably not complete all of the requirements.

• List of all 45 Merit Badges offered and descriptions

To help make summer camp an exciting destination for every member of your troop, we offer a number of programs aimed at Scouts 13 and older.  Take advantage of these programs to keep your older Scouts enthusiastic about Scouting!

The Sail the James Program is for Scouts 13 and older.  Spend the week on the historic James River. Bring your sense of adventure and learn new skills, see new sights and make new friends! Our 22-foot sailboats will take you to historical places and teach you basic sailing skills. If you have never sailed before-no problem- we’ll teach you! Then you are on your way to days of adventure and evenings gently swaying with the tides. You will return on Friday in time for dinner and the closing campfire.

BSA Lifeguard: A challenging weeklong program.  Current CPR certification is required for all participants. Youth participants may work on one merit badge the first hour of the day and spend the rest of the daily program time at the pool.  Some open sessions in the afternoon and evening will be spent practicing lifeguard skills.  BSA lifeguard certification will benefit your unit as you plan aquatic outings, and may help in future employment.  Participants will benefit from purchasing a copy of American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Manual and studying it.

The Colonial Historic Trek: Travel to the beginnings of America and witness history first hand. While using Camp Lions as a base camp, you will visit Jamestown, Smiths Fort Plantation, Williamsburg, Yorktown and more! See the first permanent English settlement in the New World and how the colonists expanded into the wilderness beyond to forge a new nation. Explore how two cultures learned to live together. Find out how English colonist became Americans. Follow the history of the region and learn how it molded a new experience in liberty. You will have the opportunity to earn the American Culture, American Heritage, and Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badges during your stay.

Scouts 16 and older are encouraged to apply for positions on the Camp staff. Those who are at least 15 may enroll in our Counselor in- Training (CIT) program. CITs may be selected based on recommendations by Pathfinder Junior Leader Training staff or unitleaders. Successful CITs receive priority consideration for future employment.

CAMP IS FOR YOU TOO!!!!  We want you to benefit as much from camp as your Scouts do. Take advantage of our many adult programs to grow in Scouting and put some extra fun in your week.

ADULT TRAINING

     Have you been too busy to get the training you need? Did you bring along some new leaders or adult volunteers you hope will take a more active role in troop leadership?  Then take advantage of our wide selection of training while you’re with us! Here’s some of what we offer:

•  Fast Start

• New Leader Essentials

• Youth Protection

• Safe Swim Defense

• Safety Afloat

• Climb on Safely

• Leave No Trace

• Trek Safely

• Risk Zone; Safe Scouting

Most of these sessions are approximately one hour each.  Additional topics will be announced at the leaders’ meeting when you report to camp.

• Click here for more information on Adult activities

     In addition to regularly scheduled training, our staff will be glad to work with your leaders one-on-one to teach or refine any Scouting skills you wish to develop.

CERTIFICATION TRAINING

     Adults who are willing to commit the majority of their time at camp may earn certification as BSA Lifeguards or Lead Instructors for Climbing.  Anyone choosing either of these options must understand that it is a major commitment, leaving little time for other activities while at camp.

We offer a full spectrum of programs and activities designed to strengthen troop and patrol identity within your unit. We strongly support the patrol method in Scouting, and encourage your unit to bring troop and patrol flags to all mealtime musters.

• Click here for a list of troop activities

Every troop has the opportunity to earn the Camp Lions Honor Troop award, and every patrol can earn the Pipsico Patrol award. Our Camp Commissioners are here to help you achieve these goals.

We have time available for each troop to do two troop activities during the week. We also have a variety of activities and competitions especially for patrols. Returning this year is the "War on the James," where troops or patrols can compete on a camp-wide basis.

Come see why Camp Lions is the best camping value around!