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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 2023
Program schedule available in the
Aquatics
Canoeing
Kayaking
Lifesaving
Rowing
Small Boat Sailing
Swimming
Culture Craft
Archaeology
Architecture
Chess
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Journalism
Moviemaking
Photography
Public Speaking
Ecology
Animal Science
Bird Study
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Forestry
Geology
Mammal Study
Mining in Society
Nature
Nuclear Science
Oceanography
Reptile & Amphibian Study
Soil & Water Conservation
Weather
Handicraft
American Labor
Art
Basketry
Collections
Crime Prevention
Fingerprinting
Inventing
Leatherwork
Sculpture
Sports
Wood Carving
Scoutcraft
Camping
Emergency Preparedness
First Aid
Fishing
Orienteering
Pioneering
Wilderness Survival
Shooting Sports
Archery
Rifle Shooting
Shotgun Shooting
Tech Center
Animation
Astronomy
Aviation
Communication
Digital Technology
Electricity
Electronics
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 16 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: Julia Mae-Shen Lesko at Scouter.Julia@gmail.com or Bill Mayo at william.g.mayo@gmail.com.
Meet Your 2023 Camp Director
Liam Glass
This summer will be Liam’s Twelfth year on the Goshen staff and his first as the Olmsted Camp Director! During his time at camp Liam has worked in Ecology, Culture Craft, and served on admin staff for three years at Camp Olmsted. Liam lives in Virginia and is an avid birder. Liam’s favorite Goshen memory is the Wilderness Survival merit badge that he took as a camper; the group went on an Overnighter where they slept in primitive structures underneath the stars. Working with Scouts is a deeply gratifying experience for Liam and he looks forward to using the methods of Scouting to positively impact the lives of young people this summer.
Contact Us
Email: camp.olmsted@gotogoshen.org
Phone (summer 2023 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
2024 Summer Schedule
| Week 1 | 6/23 – 6/29 Open |
| Week 2 | 6/30 – 7/6 Open |
| Week 3 | 7/7 – 7/13 Open |
| Week 4 | 7/14 – 7/20 Open |
| Week 5 | 7/21 – 7/27 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... | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Price | Deposit Youth: $470 | October 31 (First youth only to hold unit's spot) |
| Early Discount Price | Youth: TBD Adult: TBD* |
April 12 |
| Regular Price | Youth: TBD Adult: TBD* |
After April 12 |
*All units will receive two free adult leaders per unit!
Early Bird Special! All who pay in full by the Early Bird Deadline will be eligible for the new Goshen hat!
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]
Archive 2023 Camp Olmsted Specific Downloads
2023 Olmsted Leader’s Guide [PDF]
2023 Olmsted All Schedules [PDF]
Includes:
2023 Olmsted Program Schedule [PDF]
2023 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 09/11/2023
Goshen Scout Reservation Map [PDF]
BSA Medical Form with NCAC Health Advisory - Fillable [PDF]
2023 Goshen Pre-Camp Swim Check Form [PDF]
2023 Goshen Pre-Event Screening Checklist [PDF]
2023 Goshen Unit Pre-Camp Screening Form [PDF]
2023 Goshen Venturing Opportunities [PDF]
Scouts BSA Camp General Downloads
Scout Equipment List [PDF]
- Updated 08/29/20232023 Scouts BSA Program Guide & Prerequisites [PDF]
- Updated 06/20/20232023 Goshen Vets Activity Menu [PDF]
How To Guide - Merit Badge Sign Ups [Blog Post]
How To Guide - Get Merit Badge Records [Blog Post]
Menu
2023 Dining Hall Menu [PDF]
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.