The Hotel Childwold, now the present location of Camp Pioneer, looking north as viewed from Massawepie Lake

The Otetiana Council, Boy Scouts of America purchased the property in 1951. In 1952 Massawepie began operating as a summer camp for Scouts from Rochester and Monroe County, New York (and for other Scout groups from around the nation and world as space allows). Massawepie Scout Camps' 50th anniversary was celebrated during the 2002 camp season. For more history information, visit the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association's Massawepie History site.

Scouts typically attend Massawepie with their own troops or Venture crews. This feature of Boy Scout camping means that, unlike at most private summer camps, Scouts camp at Massawepie with their friends and under the supervision of familiar adult volunteer leaders. To find out when your troop or crew is planning to camp at Massawepie, ask your Scoutmaster or advisor.

Scouts attend Massawepie in one of two programs: Camp Pioneer or Adirondack Treks. An overview of each program is found below. Click on "Program" in the left column navigation bar for more details.

Camp Pioneer summer camp provides lots of opportunities for summer fun and Scout advancement for Boy Scouts. Camp Pioneer includes unique features such as:

• The TrailBlazer Program to help first year campers get started right at camp while working on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
• A flexible merit badge program offering qualified counselors for over 40 different merit badges.
• The mountain bike program offering both Cycling merit badge and recreational rides on or near camp.
• The twenty miles of trails and eight canoeable lakes and ponds provide numerous possibilities for day trips and overnights to give Scouts a taste of the Adirondack wilderness without ever leaving the 3769-acre Massawepie property. You can visit the unique Massawepie Mire, the largest peatland bog in the Adirondacks. This bog, which the Otetiana Council is protecting in partnership with the Adirondack Nature Conservancy, contains unique plants such as the carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants.
• Star Village offers First Class Scouts a week-long focus on leadership skills and the Communication merit badge.
• The Mountain Fox program for older Scouts and Venturers (at least 14 or entering 9th grade) offers daily adventure (including use of the new low and high ropes courses and climbing walls) as an alternative to the merit badge program.
• Massawepie also offers all of the activities, programs and amenities found at most Boy Scout Camps - archery, rifle at the new 16-shooting-point rifle Meyering Rifle Range opened in 2005, shotgun, waterfront, ecology/conservation, Scoutcraft, handicraft, etc.

The Massawepie Adirondack High Adventure Trek Center offers week-long treks for groups of Boy Scouts, Venturers, Varsity Scouts, or older Girl Scouts. A trained staff Voyageur (guide) accompanies your group of up to 11 participants (including at least one adult leader). Treks may involve backpacking, canoeing, or a combination. We'll help you plan the perfect itinerary in the 6 million acre Adirondack Park.

Massawepie is a New York State licensed children's camp, and is also reviewed and certified annually as meeting the standards of the Boy Scouts of America.

For more information, use the navigation bar at the left to continue through this web site, or to Contact Us.