Buckeye Council Summer Camp History

In 1987 the Buckeye Council opened summer camp operations at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation In Kensington, Ohio.  Prior to that time, the council enjoyed a long history of Summer Camp for Scouts at Camp Tuscazoar near Dover and also at Camp Buckeye near Beach City.  When Seven Ranges opened, it was comprised of less than 20 campsites, a dining hall accommodating 450, and minimal program facilities, but the tradition of the Scouts, BSA Summer Camp program in the Buckeye Council continued. 

Today Seven Ranges Scout Reservation boasts over 30 campsites, a dining hall seating over 700 (typically at capacity during Summer Camp), and a Webelos Resident Camp program for boys transitioning from Cub Scouts to Scouts, BSA. 

Seven Ranges Scout Reservation is named for its origin and place in history with the creation of the Northwest Territory dating back to the mid 1700’s when a young surveyor named George Washington came from Virginia.  With the land ordinance of 1785, surveying the western lands of the new America began allowing for purchase of property and an orderly settlement by early pioneers.  Thomas Hutchison, the U.S. Geographer, was charged with the survey.  It was under his plan that the Seven Ranges surveying concept was created.  This method was used to survey the rest of the United States and remains a common surveyor practice.  A hiking trail at camp is named after Thomas Hutchison and he is portrayed as our camp mascot.  Scouts camping at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation get a real sense of our early American history.

The camp honors program at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation inspires young and tenured Scouts to advance in their outdoor skills and Scout ranks annually.  This five year program is responsible for the Buckeye Council’s high rate of Scout retention on an annual basis.  Designed in the early 1920’s, this program instills in young boys an appreciation for the natural world around them, goal setting and achievement, personal growth and fitness.  Since it’s inception over 10,000 Scouts have earned their Fifth Year Pipestone/camp honor award.  Both Scouts and Scouters return weekly to produce the award ceremony for the Scouts of today.  In the Buckeye Council 80% of registered Scouts annually renew their membership, and the rate of Scouts earning their Eagle Scout rank is higher than the national average of 4%. 

Scouts at Seven Ranges eat three meals a day at the Hoover Dining Hall built to prepare over 700 meals each mealtime.  During Summer Camp the dining hall staff annually prepares and serves family style over 85,000 meals.  Each meal begins with Grace, and ends with a verse Trail to Eagle sung by the Scouts. 

Each Summer over 5,000 Scouts and Scouters attend Summer Camp at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation.  The council is embarking on a capital improvement plan that will upgrade the current Scouts, BSA Summer Camp program, improve and enlarge the dining hall,  develop a camp facility and program for Cub Scouts and Venture Scouts and allow a more enhanced weekend program from September through May.