Pennsylvania Dutch Council > Camping > Bashore Scout Reservation

Bashore Scout Reservation

A Traditional Camping Experience

Since 1947, Bashore Scout Reservation has earned a reputation for providing one of the Northeast Region’s finest summer camp programs.  The 400 acre camp is nestled in the foothills of Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountains, near the Appalachian Trail, and just a short drive from major cities and attractions.

Programs for Everyone

The camp features miles of hiking trails, a 5.5 acre lake that offers paddle-boarding, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, and fishing. Bashore boasts an Olympic sized swimming pool, ranges with offerings of rifle, shotgun, and archery (3D targets, traditional targets, and sporting arrows), as well as a COPE course and indoor climbing gym. Bashore Scout Reservation offers top-notch programs for first year Scouts, experienced older Scouts, and even training for adult leaders — something for everyone!

Year-Round Opportunities

Bashore also offers year-round camping opportunities. The reservation has three cabins/lodges that can accommodate from 22 to 40 persons. These structures are equipped with double bunks and mattresses, propane stoves, and are heated with wood stoves (firewood is provided, though restocking what you use is welcomed). Water is available from frost-free hydrants. The camp also offers camping in Adirondack shelters, and many other campsite areas for primitive tent camping. Bashore’s Campmaster Corps offers programs to supplement your unit’s program, with activities such as rifle and archery, first aid, CPR, cooking, orienteering, and other skills. Some units opt to use Bashore as a base camp while exploring off-site program opportunities.

Bashore Summer Camp Information
Year Round Camping Opportunities at Bashore

Bashore Campsites

The smallest of our eight campsites, Adirondack is named for the six Adirondack-style lean-to structures. The site has a total three patrol sites, each one with two Adirondack structures and one platform tent, with a total campsite capacity of 30 people. Although all our sites have electricity and are fairly accessible by vehicles, Adirondack is our official handicapped-accessible site. Adirondack has the convenience of electrical outlets in the latrine.

With a convenient location to the upper shower house, Blue Snow is a popular campsite for summer camp. Large enough to hold 60 people in six patrol sites (four on one side of the road and two on the other), Blue Snow is a great place to camp with its central location to upper camp. Blue Snow has electricity in the latrine, and extension outlets on a pole in sites E and F.

Buckskin campsite is simultaneously remote and conveniently located. At the center of upper camp, it is easy to get to and has a handy location to get to other areas in upper camp. However, since it is located at the dead end of a road, there isn’t very much traffic going by Buckskin, making it one of the quietest campsites at Bashore. Buckskin can sleep a total of 60 people in six patrol sites. Buckskin has electricity in the latrine, and extension outlets on a pole in sites E and F.

Our most popular campsite due to its proximity to the main camp, Greenleaf is one that fills up fastest. Right on the edge of Bashore’s meadow, Greenleaf offers a convenient location to most of the program areas at camp. People also love the stream that runs through Greenleaf and the peninsula it creates, incorrectly but lovingly nicknamed “Greenleaf Island” (patrol site E). There are five patrol sites which can accommodate a total of 50 people. Greenleaf has electricity in the latrine, and an extension outlet on a pole in site E (Greenleaf Island).

Named for the old church camp that used to take place here, Karmany is our newest campsite. With its combination of shade trees and an open expanse, Karmany has something to offer to all who camp here. This is a quiet campsite, a bit removed from the main camp traffic, but close enough to travel to all the other areas in camp. Campers who stay here also love the permanent pavilion built at the entrance to the campsite! Karmany can hold a total of 60 people in six patrol sites. Karmany has the convenience of electrical outlets in the latrine.

Troops that stay in Powderhorn tend to request it year after year because it becomes a favorite summer camp home for the Troop. This campsite holds 50 people in 5 great patrol sites. Powderhorn campsite is often requested by Troops because of its convenient location in upper camp, and its close proximity to the shower house and facilities in lower camp. Powderhorn has the convenience of electrical outlets in the latrine.

Named for the Rotary Club that sponsored it, this campsite is a popular site due to its close proximity to lower camp. Located right next to the handicraft lodge and in proximity to the Blue Mountain trailheads, Rotary is one of the fastest campsites to fill up each year. With a total of 20 tents in four patrol sites, Rotary holds a total of 40 people. Rotary has electricity in the latrine, and second outlet on the other side of the streambed.

Named for the Swatara Lodge that sponsored it, this campsite is often requested by mid-sized Troops at summer camp. A popular site in upper camp, Swatara is located just about at the center of the entire camp, not too far from upper camp, not too far from lower camp. It is a clean, easy to get to site that can hold 40 people in four patrol sites that are arranged in a convenient formation. Swatara has the convenience of electrical outlets in the latrine.

Bashore Lodges

Capacity - 22

$180 for the weekend

  • 11 Double Bunks w/ mattresses
  • Separate room with 4 bunks for leaders or females
  • Tables with chairs
  • Commercial 6 burner stove and oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Fireplace Insert
  • Inside water source
  • Outside latrine
  • Seasonal Restroom in cabin

Capacity - 36

$250 for the weekend

  • 15 Double Bunks w/ mattresses
  • 2 Single Bunks
  • Separate room with 2 bunks for leaders or females
  • Commercial 6 burner stove and oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Tables with chairs
  • Wood Stove
  • Outside Water and Latrine

Capacity - 28

$230 for the weekend

  • 14 Double Bunks w/ mattresses
  • Separate room with 2 bunks for leaders or females
  • Commercial 6 burner stove and oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Tables with chairs
  • Wood Stove
  • Outside Water and Latrine
Blue Mountain Trail Map
Bashore Scout Reservation Map

Camp Address: 160 Moonshine Rd. Jonestown, PA 17038

Accessibility – Where able, Bashore Scout Reservation works to make sure its facilities and programs are accessible to those with special needs within the limitation imposed by it being an outdoor facility.  All camp latrines have electrical outlets and are wheelchair accessible.  Adirondack campsite is particularly suitable for those in wheelchairs however any campsite can be made to accommodate.  As facilities are updated, accessibility is always considered.