Boy Scout Resident Camps—Camp Pioneer
15
For a small camp, Pioneer has a lot going on. Merit badges, rank advancement opportunities, team building, games,
and certifications, are only a fraction of what will be going on at any given time.
By Scouts, For Scouts
Our core philosophy emphasizes that merit badges should be educational and fun in nature. We take our small camp
size and use that to our advantage, making a dynamically flexible program. We have shifted away from lecture-style
classes and moved toward a hands-on and collaborative process. We want Scouts excited about the material covered
so they will be ready to apply what they learn.
Camp Pioneer – Every
Scouters’ Mountain Jewel
Established in 1936 on Pine
Lake in the shadow of Mt.
Jefferson, Camp Pioneer is a full
-service Scout camp in a
beautiful location with the
national wilderness area almost
encircling the camp.
A true "mountain camp," Camp
Pioneer offers outstanding
opportunities and memorable
summer camp experiences.
Pine Ridge Lake offers rowing,
canoeing, and swimming.
Outbound activities and
Scoutcraft skills such as
pioneering, cooking, and nature
study are also popular, as are
archery and .22 rifle.
Camp Pioneer is proud of its
backcountry hiking and
backpacking program.
Wilderness areas at the foot of
Mount Jefferson and dozens of
mountain lakes are within hiking
distance of camp. Scouts can
even become a ‘Cascade
Ranger’ and take part in high
adventure activities such as
hikes, climbs, and caving
overnighters during a week of
exploring and learning in the
incredible Mt Jefferson
Wilderness environment.
Camp Pioneer's campsites all
feature canvas tents on wooden
platforms, and campers enjoy
tasty meals cooked in the
nearby modern dining hall.
WHEN: June - August
WHERE: Camp Pioneer, between
Salem and Bend, Oregon
INFO: cpcbsa.org/pioneer
Cascade Rangers
The Cascade Rangers is Pioneer’s
signature program designed to give
older Scouts age 14-17 a more
challenging experience than is
available through the traditional
summer camp program. Scouts will
have the opportunity to climb Mt.
Jefferson or Three Finger Jack and
hike through Jefferson Park or the
Eight Lakes Basin. Each day and at
least two nights will be spent out in
the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area.
Outbound Hiking
Rather than offer merit badges
Monday through Friday like most
camps, our merit badge classes end
Thursday afternoon. This enables all
Scouts to hike out of camp either
Thursday evening or Friday morning
to explore the beautiful Mt. Jefferson
Wilderness Area without missing
their merit badge classes. With
numerous pristine lakes and awe-
inspiring peaks near our camp,
Scouters old and new will discover a
renewed spirit of adventure as they
hike out into the wilderness.