Summary: There are a lot of BSA summer camps within a short drive of Madison. These camps have many different activities and a diverse offering of merit badge classes. The camp specifics change each year; the following descriptions list their main 2007 offerings. See their websites for up to date details and merit badge classes.
Comer, Mentone, Alabama (95 miles)
The main attractions for Camp Comer are the cool summer temperature, beautiful Lake Republic, rocks, and a mountain atmosphere. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($50), rappelling and climbing tower, COPE, shooting sports, motor boating, sailing, other water craft. Summer camp cost $170.
http://www.1bsa.org/default.asp?ID=23
Horne, Cottondale, Alabama (140 miles)
Camp Horne has recently renovated all of their campsites. Features of this camp include: shooting sports, canoeing and rowing. Summer camp cost $125.
http://www.blackwarriorcouncil.com/camps/camphorne/
Sequoyah, Delta, Alabama (143 miles)
The camp’s centerpiece is the 80-acre Lake Cross. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($5), rappelling and climbing tower, COPE, shooting sports, and typical non-motor watercraft. Older Scouts may want to go to Xtreme Adventure Base for the week ($30). Summer camp cost $160.
http://www.1bsa.org/default.asp?ID=13
Sidney Dew, Armuchee, Georgia (127 miles)
Summer camp cost $150.
http://www.nwgabsa.org/unithome.aspx?unitID=355
Woodruff, Blairsville, Georgia (210 miles)
Robert W. Woodruff Scout Reservation is a 1575-acre camp adjacent to Lake Notley and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($0), tubing, rappelling and climbing tower, COPE, shooting sports, and typical non-motor watercraft. Woodruff has an older scout program for no additional cost. Summer camp cost $220.
http://www.atlantabsa.org/
Thunder Mountain, Molena, Georgia (233 miles)
Experience the natural beauty of Thunder Mountain’s Reservation. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($80), Stone Mountain Laser show ($25), FDR’s Little White House ($15), Legends Racing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ($15), Flint River Canoe Trip ($20), Flint River Tubing ($4), climbing and rappelling, COPE, mountain biking, Mountain Man Program ($70), shooting sports, and typical non-motor watercraft. Older Scouts may want to experience the Highlander or Outback Programs. Summer camp cost $200.
http://www.thunderbsa.org/summercamp.htm
Rainey Mountain, Clayton, Georgia (251 miles)
Camp Rainey Mountain provides year round camping and high adventure activities. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($28 excluding transportation), rappelling and climbing tower, COPE, a mountain trek ($75), shooting sports, motor boating ($75), sailing ($75), and other water craft. Summer camp cost $185.
http://www.nega-bsa.org/camp_rainey_mountain2.htm
Boxwell, Nashville, Tennessee (115 miles)
Surrounded by Old Hickory Lake, Boxwell reservation is part of scenic Wilson County. Features of this camp include: COPE, shooting sports, motor boating ($18), sailing, sail boarding, and other watercraft. Older Scouts may want to go to the River Excursion ($300), Appalachian Trail ($180), or the Caving Program ($250). Summer camp cost $165.
http://mtcbsa.org/Camp/boyscoutcamp.htm
Skymont, Altamont, Tennessee (121 miles)
Waterfalls, scenic overlooks, caves, forest and multiple rock climbing/rappelling locations are available on or within a 30-minute drive of Skymont’s 2,400-acre reservation. Features of this camp include: whitewater rafting ($65), climbing and rappelling, COPE, shooting sports, canoeing, and rowing. Older Scouts may want experience the Cumberland Adventure ($75), Cumberland Adventure X-treme Climbing ($125), and Project Low COPE ($10). Summer camp cost $200.
http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=805
Mack Morris, Camden, Tennessee (212 miles)
Mack Morris brags on having the best programs, staff, food, and environment of any BSA camp in the United States. Features of this camp include: equestrian ($45), climbing and rappelling, COPE, shooting sports, motor boating ($25), sailing, and other watercraft. Older Scouts may want to go to Operation Extreme ’07 ($300). Summer camp cost $150.
http://www.boyscouts.tn.org/camp_mack_morris.htm
Canoe and Kayak Trips
Summary: While the Buffalo River is probably the premier canoe trip for earning the canoeing merit badge and the 50-Miler Award, Alabama has a lot of rivers that offer good opportunities for day and weekend trips. Alabama Whitewater’s http://www.alabamawhitewater.com/ web site has good summary information regarding the local rivers. More in-depth information can be obtained on national rivers using Riverfact’s http://www.riverfacts.com/ website. Also, the Huntsville Canoe Club http://www.huntsvillecanoeclub.org/index.htm meets monthly and sponsors paddling opportunities for people of all skills, ranging from lakes to Class IV whitewater. Planners can use a canoe’s average speed of 2.5 MPH as a benchmark for time requirements.
Sipsey River (West Fork), Grayson, Alabama (55 miles)
River: 9.5 miles, Class I & II
Warrior River (Mulberry Fork), Garden City, Alabama (63 miles)
River: 22.4 miles, Class I & II
Warrior River (Locust Fork), Cleveland, Alabama (68 miles)
River: 10 miles, Class II
Little River (West Fork), Fort Payne, Alabama (80 miles)
River: 6, 9, or 12 miles, Class III & IV
Little River (East Fork), Fort Payne, Alabama (80 miles)
River: 11.3 or 14.3, Class II & III
North River (Lower Section), Samantha, Alabama (133 miles)
River: 12.7 miles, Class I & II
Tallapoosa River, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (147 miles)
River: 15 miles, Class I & II
Hatchet Creek, Rockford, Alabama (160 miles)
River: 13 miles, Class I & II
Weogufka Creek, Rockford, Alabama (160 miles)
River: 9.6 miles, Class I & II
Enitachopco Creek, Hackneyville, Alabama (166 miles)
River: 21.75, Class I & II
Elk River, Kelso, Tennessee (49 miles)
River: 34 miles, Class II-V
http://www.elkrivercanoes.com/map.htm
Buffalo River, Flatwoods, Tennessee (120 miles)
River: 110 miles, class I-II
http://www.mtcbsa.org/camp/grimes.htm
Obed River, Wartburg, Tennessee (241 miles)
River: 45.2 miles, class I-V
Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Georgia (196 miles)
River: 48 miles, class I and II
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Folkston, Georgia (468 miles)
Perhaps the premier wetland canoe experience in the Lower 48
Swamp: 25 miles by 38 miles
http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/
New River (South Fork), Crumpler, North Carolina (399 miles)
River: 26.5 miles, Class I-II
Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina (750 miles)
A fifty-six mile stretch of barrier islands, great for sea kayakers.
http://www.nps.gov/calo/
Everglades National Park, Florida (964 miles)
Everglades National Park is rated as one of the ten best canoe-kayak camping trips in the United States. A favorite route is the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. This route meanders through bosques of mangroves, saw grass prairies, rivers and creeks, and coastal bays. Roseate spoonbills, manatees, and alligators are just some of the stunning fauna that you may encounter. You’ll spend the night on chickees, which are camping platforms based on the traditional home of the Seminole Indians.
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/paddling/topten_canoe_camp2.htm
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