BASE CAMP POWHATAN

Camp Powhatan is the base of operations for the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation (BRSR).  Camp Powhatan offers a wide variety of programs for Scouts and Scouts BSA Leaders. The campsites are spread out and surround the various program areas. This offers a small camp atmosphere while never being too far away from the activities in which Scouts participate. Campsites offer canvas tents and/or adirondacks and all have easy access to flush toilets and shower facilities. Camp Powhatan features family style dining with hot meals served in the dining hall 3 times daily. Most special dietary needs can be accommodated by completing the Kandle form listed under attachments at least 2 weeks prior to your camp week.

Camp Powhatan features 7 program areas all offering a variety of merit badges throughout the day. There is a waterfront for aquatics merit badges and activities, multiple shooting ranges including archery, rifle, and shotgun, a nature center for life science related merit badges, handicraft where baskets and leatherwork are created, scoutcraft where traditional outdoor skills are practiced, and the Eagle’s nest which houses multiple Eagle required merit badges. Lastly, there is Brownsea Island, the first-year camper program offering Scout through First Class rank requirements for Scouts new to the Scouts BSA program.

The camp health lodge is staffed 24 hours a day by qualified personnel for treating minor illnesses and injuries. The camp Trading Post offers many items one may have forgotten to bring as well as BRSR branded merchandise. Inside the Trading Post is a snack bar where cold drinks, ice cream, and snack food are available for purchase. For the Scoutmasters, there is coffee, air conditioning, and internet access available 24/7 in the Scoutmaster’s Lounge located to the side of the Trading Post.

HIGH ADVENTURE PROGRAMS

New River Adventure Camp day programs offer a wide variety of adventures throughout the New River Valley and in the reservation’s own backcountry. Scouts can spend a week on the water with programs such as whitewater rafting, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding or they may spend the week above, below, and on the ground with opportunities for rock climbing, caving, and ATV’s. Scouts can mix and match activities according to their interests. There is also a week-long SCUBA course in which Scouts can earn the PADI open water diver certification.

Blue Ridge Mountaineer is a primitive camping and living history program based upon the lives of 18th century trappers and hunters as well as 19th century settlers from the Appalachian region. The program gives Scouts the opportunity to learn skills such as blacksmithing, leatherworking, finger weaving, and open-fire cooking as well as having the opportunity to shoot black powder rifles, unplug, and share in the camaraderie of traditional music and root beer at the Tavern.

Our trek programs offer opportunities for groups of Scouts and adult leaders to spend their entire camp experience outside of base camp and settle in a new campsite each night. Participants in the Canoe the New program will spend the week canoeing and whitewater rafting the New River from North Carolina to Virginia and to the New River Gorge in West Virginia. Participants in the High Knoll experience will spend the week backpacking the reservation’s network of trails with a daily adventure at one of our staffed outposts. The outposts offer modern high adventure and historically based programs to pique the interests of participating Scouts. Both trek programs provide the opportunity to earn the BSA 50-Miler Award.

CUSTOM TROOP CAMP T-SHIRTS 

Orders are due June 27 and processed in the order they are received, so order early. If you pass this link out to parents ensure everyone chooses the same color shirt.  Order shirts here use password CampPowhatan

**** Camp weeks are based on registrations and subject to change. ****

Thinking of working at summer camp next year?  Check out the Staff Training Program.  Link coming in spring 2024.

Click here for complete Camp Powhatan information  to include leader guides.

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