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About Camp Bowman
Experience Scout Camp as it is supposed to be.
Camp Bowman offers camping for 300 and includes a chapel, handicraft area, extensive archery, rifle and shotgun areas, parade field, aquatics, shower house, and direct access to hiking trails. Camp Bowman is our Patrol Cooking Camp and can help your Scouts apply their skills whether they are brand new or in their late teens. There are lots of lessons (teamwork, cooking, cleaning, etc.) to be learned through Patrol Cooking that cannot be learned in a dining hall.
Contents
Ask your friendly Camp Director if you have questions.
Merit Badge Program 2025
Program Schedule available in the
Aquatics
Canoeing
Kayaking
Lifesaving
Motorboating
Small Boat Sailing
Swimming
Culture Craft
Chess
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Communication
Game Design
Music
Theater
Handicraft
Animation
Basketry
Electricity
Electronics
Fingerprinting
Inventing
Leatherwork
Photography
Welding
Wood Carving
Woodwork
Nature
Astronomy
Bird Study
Environmental Science
Fishing
Forestry
Geology
Mammal Study
Plant Science
Soil & Water Conservation
Space Exploration
Weather
Range and Target Activities
Archery
Rifle Shooting
Shotgun Shooting
Scoutcraft
Camping
Cooking
Emergency Preparedness
First Aid
Orienteering
Search & Rescue
Wilderness Survival
Other
Climbing (Offered through Camp Post)
For New Scouts
Bowman Brigade
Our First Year Camper program is primarily designed for the Scout who has recently registered and has not been introduced to the Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class advancement requirements. In this program, Bowman Brigade staff take the first-years around camp to each of the different program areas and help them earn Merit Badges (Mammal Study, Leatherwork or Basketry, and Swimming), as well as the skills to earn multiple Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements. Scoutmaster involvement is encouraged and always welcome.
For Older Scouts
In addition to advanced Merit Badges, Older Scouts at Bowman 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 or provide their own transportation.
Osprey
Goshen’s Older Scout Program
New in 2025! Offered to Scouts at Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted, Osprey is a full day, week-long program that includes high adventure opportunities and explores Goshen Scout Reservation. Over the course of the week, Scouts will become a team at Low COPE, participate in a service project, circumnavigate Lake Merriweather in canoes, engage in a metalworking and welding workshop, and embark on a backpacking overnighter with Lenhok'sin High Adventure activities.
Osprey is recommended for Scouts ages 14 and up and is offered out of Camp Marriott.
Osprey replaces the former Vets Older Scout Program.
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. It is recommended that they be strong enough to handle a 300-600 pound machine.
We have a limited number of machines. Sign ups are first come, first served.
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. The Climbing Tower is opened up for Open Climb on Monday evenings. 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. COPE is open for open Zip Line on Wednesday evenings, and open Giant Swing on Thursday evenings! 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.
Training opportunities for the 2025 summer season include Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills, Scoutmaster Specific Training, ARC First Aid & CPR, Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation, and more. For a list of trainings available during your week at camp, visit your camp registration page.
If you have any questions, please contact: Tom DiMisa at tdimisa@yahoo.com.
Meet Your 2025 Camp Director
Henry Hassett
Heading into his second year leading Camp Bowman, Henry recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a degree in audio engineering. With deep roots at Bowman, Henry is eager to continue our long tradition of providing excellent programs to the Scouting community, supporting units in raising the next generation of leaders. With plenty of new options this summer alongside our most popular programs from years past, Henry can’t wait for Bowman to come alive with Scouts this summer!
Contact Us
Email: camp.bowman@gotogoshen.org
Phone (summer 2025 only): (540) 716-8392
Find us on Social Media
Sending Mail
To send mail to a camper, please use the following format:
Recipient’s name, Troop/Crew #
Camp Bowman
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 Almost Full |
| Week 4 | 7/13 – 7/19 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
Read our 2025 Fee Adjustment Announcement.
2025 Non-Refundable Unit Deposit: $200
Unit deposit collected once per unit.
| Price Per Camper | If paid by... | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Discount Price | Youth: $565 total ($100 non-refundable deposit) Adult: $300 |
April 15, 2025 |
| Regular Price | Youth: $595 total ($100 non-refundable deposit) Adult: $340 |
After April 15, 2025 |
For more information about registration, including quick facts, the Goshen refund policy, and camperships, please visit our Registration Page.
Forms & Downloads
Camp Bowman Specific Downloads
Camp Bowman Map [PDF]
2025 Bowman Leaders Guide [PDF]
General Goshen Downloads
2025 Goshen Leader Guide [PDF] - Updated 06/26/2025
Goshen Scout Reservation Map [PDF]
Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record - Fillable [PDF]
GSR Unit Pre-Camp Screening Form [PDF]
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
2025 Scouts BSA Program Guide & Prerequisites [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]
ATV Program Documents
ATV Safety Institute E-Course [External Link]
Menu
Patrol Cooking Menu [PDF] - updated 05/05/2025
Dining Method
Patrol Cooking
Cook the food the way you want it!
Patrols pick up ingredients from the commissary and prepare the food for their patrol in their campsite. This is a great option for units tired of Dining Hall songs and looking for more opportunities to use the Patrol Method, wanting more unit time in their campsite, and hankering for greater influence and creativity with their food.
All meat, except bacon, is pre-cooked. The camp provides cook kits, but feel free to bring your own. The camp also has two burner propane stoves and propane tanks, both of which are available for checkout from the Camp Quartermaster. Cooking instructions are provided.
Patrols
Units form into patrols of about 10 people. Smaller units will often be all one patrol. Larger units will have multiple patrols. The camp will ask for your unit’s patrol breakdown (patrol name, number of people, and dietary concerns for each patrol) as part of the pre-camp e-check-in process in the weeks leading up to camp.
Units will be assigned campsites with Patrol sub-sites for the number of patrols they have. Each Patrol site has an area for food preparation and eating with a picnic table and a chuckbox. The area is covered by double canvas tarps.
Adults
For units with multiple patrols, we frequently see unit leaders to one of two options:
- Split up into each patrol for meals and then sleep in a separate Leader sub-site or
- Cook and sleep in their own Patrol sub-site.
Get more information on dining methods and dietary concerns on the Food & Menus page.
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.