Camping with Scouts
Scouting offers all sorts of opportunities to spend quality time in the great outdoors. Tecumseh Council has amazing facilities at Camp Hugh Taylor Birch to camp, hike, fish, climb, and celebrate our connection to the world around us. They offer various day and overnight summer camps to registered Scouts of of all ages (see their Calendar here).
Camping - Fun activities
Nature, shooting sports, Scoutcraft, waterfront fun, and more! The essential elements that make summer resident camp fun for Scouts are founded in what makes Scouting great for our youth.
Shooting Sports on the Range
Cub Scouts learn the basics of firearm and shooting safety from certified Rangemasters as they gain an introduction to archery, BB rifles (starting at 1st Grade), and slingshots. These activities are only conducted at Council-sponsored events via qualified leaders to ensure safety standards are maintained. More information on Cub Scout Shooting Sports is available here. Our older Scouts who are part of a Troop have several opportunities to participate in Shooting Sports events where they will hone their archery, shotgun, rifle, and muzzle loading skills and pursue merit badges.
Waterfront Fun
Bud Martin Lake serves as a prime spot for fishing and boating on Camp Birch. This lake plays host to the Cub Scout Fishing Derby every year in May, offering prizes for things like the biggest fish, or the strangest non-fish catch! It also provides an opportunity to learn water safety. Camp Birch also has a swimming pool, which is very much enjoyed during the hot summer months by all camp attendees.
Hikes into Nature
With over 400 acres that sit next to Clifton Gorge, John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen Nature Preserve, there are endless hiking trails to explore. Wildlife such as deer and raccoons are often spied moving through camp (sometimes planning raids on unsuspecting campers’ food stores). Scouts also learn the Outdoor Code, map reading, orienteering, and basic land navigation skills like map reading and how to use a lensatic compass.
Scoutcraft & Handicraft Fun
From knot-tying to whittling, Scoutcraft is all of the skills which Scouts learn as part of their Scouting adventure. Summer camp is where Cub Scouts will learn about using knives, axes, and other tools safely around themselves and others. Handicraft gives them the chance to bring home a keepsake of their time at camp in woodworking and leatherworking projects.
Location Map
Questions about Camping
Tecumseh Council provides many different outdoor programs for Scouting America, Cub Scouts and Venturing Crews. Some programs and rentals are also available to other organizations who are interested in using one of our camp properties.
Outdoor Programs include summer resident camp at Camp Hugh Taylor Birch, periodic participation in the National Jamboree, Cub Scout Day Camps, Cub Scout Resident Camp, weekend camping, and many more.
Cub Scouts who are entering the 1st through 5th Grade may attend Day and Overnight camps. Some camps (like Webelos and AoL Camp) are age/grade specific. And 1st grade attendees mush be accompanied by a parent/guardian, in accordance with Scouting America Guide to Safe Scouting policies.
Day Camp isn’t just fun for Scouts. It’s a great way for parents and leaders to engage and reconnect with their Scouts. While program areas will be run by our enthusiastic camp staff, we rely on the assistance of our registered adult volunteers and parents to help provide supervision and encouragement to their Cub Scouts. Please consider registering and attending Cub Scout Day Camp with your Scout. Adult registration is free for all adults who attend and help provide leadership.
Camp Birch appreciates our registered adults and parent volunteers who attend Webelos & Arrow of Light Overnight Camp. As a thank you to our units for ensuring qualified adult leadership, Camp Birch will give $50 in Birch Bucks for every registered required adult to meet the youth-to-adult ratio. These Birch Bucks will be given to the adult leader at check-in and can be used at the Camp Birch Trading Post throughout the week, or at the Scout Store.
Registration costs vary by camp. Each camp has an early registration period with a lower registration fee. Save some money and sign up early!
To ensure that EVERY Scout can attend camp regardless of financial resources, camp scholarships are available to any Scout registered in
Tecumseh Council for up to one-third of the cost of camp. The Scout’s family and Unit Leader must complete this application and return it to Noel.Wright@Scouting.org or the Council Service Center by April 15. Unit leaders will be notified of the approved camp scholarship. Camp Scholarships are awarded based on family need. Application does not guarantee approval.
Camp Scholarship Applications are due by April 15, 2026! Camperships must be redeemed by the regular registration deadline, or they will be forfeited and VOID.
