These Camps offer a Woodcraft Program
Many Other Camps Were Heavily Influenced by Seton and Woodcraft
Ernest Thompson Seton enormously impacted the development of summer camps in the United States and Canada. Beginning about 1915, many summer camps began to implement woodcraft programs. Seton visited many camps in the Northeast, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among other areas. During these visits, he consulted on summer camp programming, spoke to campers and staff, and often designed and constructed a council ring in the Woodcraft tradition.
His influence lives on in summer camps today. Here are some that continue to embrace Woodcraft publicly, even now 100 years later, including a newer one as well.
We know these are only a few camps influenced by Seton and Woodcraft. This list also does not attempt to address the many scout camps, including Seton elements. We would love to hear about more camps with a Woodcraft program today, including those worldwide.
Camp Woodcraft A summer camp conducted by the Los Angeles-based Woodcraft Rangers. “A summer tradition since 1922.”. Coed. Ages 7-13. Visit Website | |
Camp Belknap Tuftonboro, New Hampshire On the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Founded by the YMCA in 1903. Embracing Woodcraft since 1920. For Boys. Ages 8-16. Visit Website | |
Camp Agawam Raymond, Maine On the shore of Crescent Lake. Featuring a weekly Woodcraft Council since its founding in 1920. For boys 8-15. Visit Website | |
Camp Mont Shenandoah – Virginia Millboro Springs, Virginia Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains in Central Virginia. Following the “The Twelve Laws of Woodcraft that are born from the four lamps of Beauty, Truth, Fortitude, and Love of the Great Fire” since its founding in 1927. Girls. Ages 7-16 Visit Website | |
Green River Preserve Cedar Mountain, North Carolina Founded in 1988, Green River Preserve is a non-competitive, coed summer camp connecting children with nature. Located on a 3,400-acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, “The Woodcraft Laws provide a moral compass and basis for a code of living at Green River Preserve.” Coed camps for first through ninth graders. Expedition programs for Middle School and High School students. Visit Website | |
Kooch-I-Ching International Falls, Minnesota Established in 1925, Kooch-i-ching is a wilderness camp for boys in northern Minnesota, promoting self-discovery, teamwork, and service to others. It follows a Seton-inspired program, culminating with evening Grand Councils. They follow the “Law of the Woods,” based on the 12 Woodcraft Laws developed by Seton. Visit Website | |
Ogichi Daa Kwe International Falls, Minnesota Ogichi Daa Kwee is a summer camp serving girls in the North Woods. It is the sister camp to Cooch-I-Ching. It also follows a Seton-inspired program and the “Law of the Woods” based on the 12 Woodcraft Laws. Visit Website | |
Camping and Education Foundation Cincinnati, Ohio Based in Cincinnati, the Camping and Education Foundation recognizes its heritage using the Lamps of Woodcraft logo. The Foundation’s flagship programs are Kooch-I-Ching and Ogichi Daa Kwe in the North Woods, but it also operates the Urban Wilderness Program in Cincinnati and Owakonze, a unique wilderness outpost in Canadian canoe country based at the site of a historic camp. The Urban Wilderness Program empowers Cincinnati youth through a variety of outdoor experiences. Visit Website | |
Kooch-I-Ching International Falls, Minnesota Established in 1925, Kooch-i-ching is a wilderness camp for boys in northern Minnesota, promoting self-discovery, teamwork, and service to others. It follows a Seton-inspired program, culminating with evening Grand Councils. They follow the “Law of the Woods,” which is based on the 12 Woodcraft Laws developed by Seton. Visit Website | |