Camp Olmsted, B.S.A.
3123 Roper Hollow Rd.
Russell, PA 16345

Phone # 814 757-8719

Situated on the Allegheny Reservoir in the midst of the Allegheny National Forest, Camp Olmsted provides nearly 500 acres of natural woodlands and offers a 31 mile waterfront with water-skiing, motorboating, and sailing, in addition to the more traditional water activities of swimming, lifesaving, snorkeling, and BSA Lifeguard. Other program features include a wide array of Nature Merit Badges and activities, an excellent Handicraft lodge with opportunities to learn leatherwork, Indian crafts, woodcarving and more! The Field Sports area features archery, .22 caliber rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and trap shooting! Scoutcraft skills are a big part of the camp program. The Scoutcraft area specializes in teaching wilderness survival, camping, cooking, and pioneering skills.

Scouts attending camp for the first year will have the opportunity to participate in their own special program with other first-year Scouts. Earning your way to First Class will be the emphasis of the "Trail Blazer" program.

Whether this is your first year or you are a returning veteran of several seasons at Camp Olmsted, you'll find new and exciting adventure behind every tree and/or rock!

High adventure opportunities abound at Camp Olmsted! Learn to climb and rappel on the camp's climbing tower or spend a few days on the reservoir.

CAMP OLMSTED TRIVIA

The original camp was organized in 1927 on a site next to the Allegheny River.

The camp was named after George W. Olmsted who donated significant funding towards the camp. Mr. Olmsted’s gift funded the original camp dining hall.

George W. Olmsted was the son of a famous landscape architect of the time, George H. Olmsted. G. H. Olmsted is the individual who designed "Central Park" in New York City.

George W. Olmsted is the recipient of both the Silver Beaver from the council as well as the Silver Buffalo from the National Council. Mr. Olmsted received the Silver Buffalo in 1931, just 6 years after the award was initiated.

The new camp Olmsted was dedicated on August 4, 1965. The camp was used that year for the first time.

Lampe Lodge was constructed in the late 1950's, just prior to the construction of the reservoir. At one point it was the highest building in the original Camp Olmsted. Lampe Lodge is currently the lowest structure in the new Camp Olmsted.

The power line feeding Camp Olmsted is an 8-mile cross country line. The significant fact about this is that Camp Olmsted complex is the only user on the line. The ranger is the only year-round user on the line.

The camp has about 440 acres of land. There are 60+/- acres around the ranger's compound and there are 380+/- acres in the camp itself.

The camp has six main campsites. The sites are named after the Seneca Indian Nation and it's tribes:
- Seneca
- Onondaga
- Cayuga
- Mohawk
- Oneida
- Tuscarora

The camp has two campfire circles. The campfire circle used on Parent's Night (Friday) is named for Charles Bosch. Mr. Bosch was the Scout Executive of the Chief Cornplanter Council in the 1980's.

The camp has three lodges available for winter camping:
- Kiwanis
- Upper Troop
- Lampe

2009 CAMP FEES ANNOUNCED

It's time to start planning for next summer. As Troops and Packs resume regular meetings, you'll want to tell your boys and your Scout families just how much they'll need to raise to pay for summer camp in 2009.

With inflation in mind, a modest increase was approved for both Boy Scout Summer Camp as well as the Cub Scout Summer Adventure. However, you'll be pleased to know that, even with the small increase, we're still well below most other camps in our area. We're able to keep our prices low because of our all-volunteer staffs in both camps. What a Scout pays for through his camp fee is food for the week, the cost of program supplies, camp schools for volunteers and some maintenance which is incurred through the normal course of camp.

BOY SCOUT SUMMER CAMP FEES FOR 2009

$300 basic camp fee

$240 if Troop pays by May 1 AND submits merit badge request list for all boys by May 1 (automatic $60 fee reduction).

$225 if Troop follows May 1 guidelines outlined above and sells popcorn or does Family FOS at "fair-share" levels.

$210 if Troop follows May 1 guidelines as outlined above and sell popcorn AND does Family FOS at "fair-share" levels.

Leader Fee: First two free, $100 per leader thereafter to cover the cost of meals. Those volunteering their time in program area will not be charged for camp attendance.

The biggest thing that might catch your attention is the large basic camp fee. This was instituted because many of our Troops do not pay on time and most do not turn in the list of the merit badges their Scouts want to take at camp. As you can imagine, this presents us with huge administrative problems in terms of what to order for camp and how many. It's a huge frustration to the volunteer merit badge counselors at camp and we've needed to take action to address this. So, yes, the basic camp fee appears to be tremendous. However, all a Troop needs to do is to pay on time and submit a merit badge request list for all Scouts attending and they receive an automatic $60 per Scout reduction in the fee.

The rest of the fee schedule is exactly like this past summer's fee but with a modest increase.

We've checked the camp fees from 5 random Councils from our area. Their high camp fee average is $275 basic fee down to $235 with incentives. (compared to $240 and $210 rates for us)

Please note: We will not accept any registrations after June 1st, 2009.

2009 CUB SCOUT SUMMER ADVENTURE FEE

$150 basic fee for each youth/adult team (or as a Pack with 2-deep leadership) for the full time including staying overnight when paid by June 1.

$135 if paid by June 1 and Pack sells popcorn or does Family FOS at "fair-share" levels.

$120 if paid by June 1 and Pack sells popcorn AND does Family FOS at "fair-share" levels.

$80 for those who just want to come for Day Camp (no sleep over) when paid by June 1.

Siblings and extra adults are welcome at $15 per person per day (overnights) or $5 for days only to cover the cost of meals.

Leaders volunteering their time to serve on staff will not be charged a fee for their Cub's attendance.

Again, based on the random surrounding council's, the high end fee for Cubs was $180 and the low end average was $150, (compared to our $150 and $120) so we're still well under some of our neighbors and well below most church camps and other summer camps.

We try very hard to offer the best possible3 FUN summer experience for our Scouts at the lowest possible price that we are able to charge.

2008 was an awesome summer for both Cubs and Boy Scouts. We're planning now to make 2009 even better. Get your boys excited about going to camp next summer!

Please note: We will not accept any registrations after June 1st, 2009.

We want every Scout to have an opportunity to attend Camp. No Scout should ever be turned away on the basis of need. "Camperships" are available to Scouts who demonstrate financial need. Forms may be obtained at the BSSC.

Camperships are available to all youth who demonstrate need and qualify under the following requirements:

1) The youth applicant must have helped to support their unit through a unit fund-raiser over the past year (unit confirms on form).

2) The Scout's unit must have participated in a family FOS presentation in the Spring prior to Camp.

3) The Scout's unit must have participated in the Fall or Spring popcorn sale prior to Camp.

4) The Unit must pick up part of the summer camp bill for the Scout (unit lists amount on campership form)

REFUND POLICY

The purpose of all council and/or district activities is to provide not only fun and adventure for the Scout over and above the program that the local unit may provide but planned to provide a growth experience that the Scout's unit may not have the resources to provide. In preparation for all council and/or district activities, a budget is developed by the volunteer chair and the staff advisor. The budget provides the guidelines for setting a participation fee. Activities are budgeted to break even once all expenses and commitments have been honored. Often when some high adventure or national activities are planned, attendance guarantees must be made months in advance.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE FOR NON-PARTICIPATION

Council and/or District Activities (includes Cub Scout Day Camp):

All requests for refunds must be made in writing to the Chief Cornplanter Council, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, at least two weeks prior to the event. All written requests must include the specific reason(s) for non-participation. Registration fees for council and/or district activities will not be returned until after the event, and may be discounted for any expenses that have been incurred and are not recoverable.

Should an event be cancelled by the event or council leadership, full refunds will be made to individual participants through the unit's "Unit Account". Requests for refunds due to post-poned or rescheduled activities or events will be handled on an individual written request basis.

Council Resident Camps:

Camping fees are not refundable, unless written notice is received in the council Service Center two (2) weeks prior to the start of the camp period. Emergency cancellations (less than two (2) weeks due to a death in the family, illness, or severe injury, etc. will be handled on a case by case review. No refund requests will be considered after the camp period has begun. Camper fees may be transferred to another Scout (camper) within the same unit.

A 25% administrative fee will be deducted from all refund requests. Refunds will not be processed until the end of the camping season. Refunds will be issued only to the individual that made the payment and whose name appears on the receipt.

High Adventure Trips and National Activities:

All requests for refunds must be in writing to the Chief Cornplanter Council, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. All written requests must include the specific reason(s) for non-participation. All requests for refunds must be received at the council Service Center at least four (4) weeks prior to the date the expedition is scheduled to depart. Refunds will not be processed until the close of the trip or activity.

With all trips and activities, the initial registration fee is not refundable. A refund of the balance of fees paid, above the registration fee, may be discounted for any expenses that have been incurred and are not recoverable and/or national fees paid.

Deposits and any fees paid by alternates on stand-by lists will be returned if space does not permit participation.