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About Camp Olmsted
Program-oriented and dedicated to fun and advancement.
Camp Olmsted is our largest camp. It holds our only Scout Dining Hall and can camp up to 400 campers. Camp Olmsted is also our nexus for the STEM program, holding programs in the state-of-the art Booz Allen Hamilton Technology Center. We also offer a traditional merit badge program and a popular first year camper program, Trailshead.
Contents
Learn more below!
Olmsted’s Program
Olmsted is the only camp on the lake that offers a climate controlled Tech Center where technology related Merit Badges are taught. But that’s not all! Olmsted still offers your fundamental summer camp badges such as Wilderness Survival, Swimming, and Rifle Shooting. Olmsted’s Merit Badge program offers a great deal of diversity with roughly 60 badges offered! The camp also gives Scouts many opportunities to take part in camp-wide activities outside of earning Merit Badges.
Merit Badge Program 2024
Program schedule available in the
Aquatics
Canoeing
Kayaking
Lifesaving
Rowing
Small Boat Sailing
Swimming
Culture Craft
Architecture
Chess
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Entrepreneurship
Journalism
Moviemaking
Photography
Public Speaking
Ecology
Animal Science
Bird Study
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Fish & Wildlife Management
Forestry
Geology
Mammal Study
Mining in Society
Nature
Nuclear Science
Oceanography
Reptile & Amphibian Study
Weather
Handicraft
Art
Basketry
Collections
Crime Prevention
Fingerprinting
Inventing
Leatherwork
Model Design & Building
Sculpture
Sports
Wood Carving
Scoutcraft
Camping
Emergency Preparedness
Exploration
First Aid
Fishing
Orienteering
Search & Rescue
Wilderness Survival
Shooting Sports
Archery
Rifle Shooting
Shotgun Shooting
Tech Center
Animation
Astronomy
Aviation
Communication
Dentistry
Digital Technology
Engineering
Game Design
Programming
Robotics
Space Exploration
Other
Climbing
For New Scouts
Trailshead
New Scouts also have the opportunity to participate in the Trailshead First-Year Camper Program. The First-Year Camper Program is primarily designed for the Scout who has recently registered and has not completed many of the Tenderfoot and Second Class advancement requirements. Trailshead is an all day every day program that will work on early rank advancement and instructional swim. See Trailshead schedule in the downloads section for merit badge offerings.
For Older Scouts
In addition to advanced Merit Badges, Older Scouts at Olmsted can take part in four of the reservation-wide programs offered to Scouts at the three Goshen Scout Camps – Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted. When necessary, Scouts should arrange transportation with the Camp Staff at the Admin building, get walking directions to the Camp Post programs, or provide their own transportation.
Vets
Goshen’s Older Scout Program
Offered to Scouts at Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted, the Vets program allows Scouts to create their own program from a variety of challenges, including wakeboarding, action archery, a mini iron man, and a Taste of Lenhok'sin with visits to outposts. The program can also include an overnighter and hikes to higher altitudes and beautiful views. Potential Merit Badges include Geocaching, Search & Rescue, and Water Sports.
Vets is recommended for Scouts ages 14 and up and is offered out of Camp Bowman.
ATV Program
Come ride ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) this summer at Goshen Scout Reservation!
There are two different opportunities to take part in the ATV program. The morning option runs from 9:00am - 12:00pm Monday through Friday. The afternoon option runs runs from 2:00pm – 5:30pm Monday through Thursday with dinner provided. Scouts complete a safety course before embarking on a week of excellent fun and adventure, involving circuit courses, mud pits, and trail riding.
Riders must be at least 14 years old on the first day of the program (new in 2021, due to a change in our leasing partner). It is recommended that they be strong enough to handle a 300-600 pound machine.
This program has additional fees. Please see Camp Costs on the Registration page.
We have a limited number of machines. Sign ups are first come, first served. Scouts are not required to attend with a buddy from their cohort.
Required equipment:
- Long sleeve shirts
- Pants that cover the shins
- Boots that cover the ankles
- Water bottle
Recommended equipment:
- Bandana
Gloves, goggles, and helmets will be provided but participants are free to bring their own. This program is run out of Camp Olmsted.
Climbing Program
During the day, we offer two sections of Climbing Merit Badge – from 9:00am to 10:20am and from 10:30am to 11:50am. Climbing Merit Badge is recommended for those ages 13 and above. On select evenings, the tower is opened up for Open Climb. All ages are welcome, as long as you fit in a harness! Recommended equipment:
- Sneakers
- Water bottle
This program is run out of Camp Post.
Project COPE
COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience.
COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. The program is a series of initiative games, trust events, low elements, and high elements that challenge on an individual and group level. The concept of “challenge by choice” encourages each person to participate fully while maintaining the right to opt-out of an individual part of the program. The program is designed for older Scouts (ages 14 and up) and Venturers. COPE is offered Monday through Friday from 2:00pm to 4:50pm. Recommended equipment:
- Sneakers
- Water bottle
This program is run out of Camp Post.
For Adults
Training by Camp Staff
The Camp Staff hold a number of training sessions for Adult leaders. Training includes Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and others.
There is no fee for these courses and no online registration required. For more information on the training offered by the camp staff, please check out the program materials in the downloads section below or contact your Camp Director.
Training by NCAC Training Committee
Every year, volunteers from the National Capital Area Training Committee offer training sessions for adult leaders at Goshen camps at no additional cost. Past training sessions have included IOLS and BSLST. Not all training sessions are offered each week.
If you have any questions, please contact: Tom DiMisa at tdimisa@yahoo.com.
Special Program: Provisional Camp
Attend camp as an individual. Scouts who have found that their units are not signed up for camp, cannot attend with their Troop, or Scouts who want to attend a second week are eligible to attend Camp Olmsted as a Provisional camper during the final week.
Participants must be registered Scouts or Venturers. There is no minimum age requirement.
Provisional Camp is only available at Camp Olmsted during Week 5.
Provisional Camp is available at Camp Marriott during Weeks 1-4.
Meet Your 2024 Camp Director
Bailey Ruhl
This summer will be Bailey’s seventh year on the Goshen staff and her first as the Olmsted Camp Director! During her time at camp, Bailey has served as Business Manager, Scoutcraft and Trailshead Area Director, as well as working in shooting sports. Bailey lives and attends college in Virginia. Her fondest Goshen memories involve watching scouts and her staff learn new skills and overcome challenges. Bailey is looking forward to continuing this tradition in her new position of responsibility along with having the opportunity to work one-one-one with the leaders bringing the troops to camp.
Contact Us
Email: camp.olmsted@gotogoshen.org
Phone (summer 2024 only): —
Find us on Social Media
Sending Mail
To send mail to a camper, please use the following format:
Recipient’s name, Troop/Crew #
Camp Olmsted
Goshen Scout Reservation
340 Millard Burke Memorial Hwy
Goshen, VA 24439
2025 Summer Schedule
| Week 1 | 6/22 – 6/28 Almost Full |
| Week 2 | 6/29 – 7/5 Open |
| Week 3 | 7/6 – 7/12 Open |
| Week 4 | 7/13 – 7/19 Open |
| Week 5 | 7/20 – 7/26 Open |
Availability indicates if new units are able to register for a specific week of camp. If your unit has already reserved a week at camp then your Goshen coordinator will be able to add campers as space allows.
Registration Information
| Price Per Camper | If paid by... | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Non-Refundable Unit Deposit | $200 | Registration opens July 1, 2024! |
| Early Discount Price | Youth: TBD (2024 $475) Adult: TBD (2024 $230) |
TBD (2024 May 17) |
| Regular Price | Youth: TBD (2024 $505) Adult: TBD (2024 $270) |
After TBD (2024 May 17) |
For more information about registration, including quick facts, add-on program fees, the Goshen refund policy, and camperships, please visit our Registration Page.
Forms & Downloads
Camp Olmsted Specific Downloads
Camp Olmsted Map [PDF]
2025 Coming Soon!
Archive 2024 Camp Olmsted Specific Downloads
2024 Olmsted Leader’s Guide [PDF]
2024 Olmsted All Schedules [PDF]
Includes:
2024 Olmsted Program Schedule [PDF]
2024 Olmsted Trailshead Schedules [PDF]
2023 Service Project List [Google Doc]
2023 Equipment Wish List [Google Sheets]
General Goshen Downloads
2024 Goshen Leader Guide [PDF] - Updated 03/18/2024
Goshen Scout Reservation Map [PDF]
BSA Medical Form with NCAC Health Advisory - Fillable [PDF]
GSR Unit Pre-Camp Screening Form [PDF]
2024 Goshen Pre-Camp Swim Check Form [PDF]
2023 Goshen Venturing Opportunities [PDF]
2024 Goshen Scout Reservation Information Session Request Form [Google Form]
Scouts BSA Camp General Downloads
Scout Equipment List [PDF] - Updated 08/29/2023
2024 Scouts BSA Program Guide & Prerequisites [PDF]
2023 Goshen Vets Activity Menu [PDF]
GSR Camp Adventure Award - Scouts BSA [PDF]
GSR Adult Leader Challenge - Scouts BSA [PDF]
How To Guide - Merit Badge Sign Ups [Blog Post]
How To Guide - Get Merit Badge Records [Blog Post]
Menu
2024 Dining Hall Menu [PDF] - updated 02/21/2024
2024 Dining Hall Vegetarian Menu [PDF] - updated 02/21/2024
Wildlife
There is a wide variety of wildlife at Goshen Scout Reservation. We've got many different species of reptiles and amphibians. There are also a number of birds, from your regular sparrows to turkeys, hawks, and eagles. We have what we call mini-bears (skunks, foxes, raccoons, etc.) and actual black bears.
Both to ensure our safety and to preserve the wonder of our bit of wilderness, it is important to understand how to interact with the wildlife around us.
No Food in Tents
Store food in a manner approved for your camp. Remember to take trash to the dumpster each night.
What to Do When You See Wildlife
Report to Camp Staff at the Admin building if you see a bear or any injured wildlife, or if there is any wildlife interfering or otherwise negatively impacting your stay. See any cool wildlife? Let the Nature staff know. If you can, take a picture of it and share it with us on Facebook or Instagram when you get home!
Transportation
Units may take advantage of the Goshen bus system chartered by our local council.
Units can also drive.