Best of the Best Oregon Camp Patches and Histories

Focusing on Camp Memorabilia from the Teens through the 1940s

Camp Baker (Alton F. Baker) of the Oregon Trail Council. Located on 500 acres and Siltcoos Lake, six miles south of Florence on the Oregon Coast. Oregon Trail Council's Camp Baker is located 75 miles west of Eugene, OR. The camp is surrounded by water which gives the Aquatics program a top notch environment, offering the best sailing in the west.

Camp Baldwin is a mountain camp, east of Mount Hood, operated by the former Portland Area Council and current Columbia Pacific Council. The camp opened in 1949 and is strictly a horse camp.

Around 1953-1955, Camp Baldwin moved to a new site because of water problems.

issued to adults only, circa 1955 to 1959.issued to youths, circa 1955 to 1959.

Items may also exist that say "Baldwin Ranch" later C-L.

Camp Buchanan of the former Portland Area Council.

Courtesy of the Todd Hatfield collection.

Cascade Area Council Aquatic Camp

Camp Chewaukan of the former Benlinncoln Council (name made up of Oregon Counties) opened in 1928. This is on the same land as the current Camp Morrison. The camp may have also been called Camp Chewauk for a short time.

Camp Chinidere: In 1925, the Portland Area Council's summer camp, Camp Chinidere, caught fire and burned to the ground. The credit for the "C" patch goes to Spokane's Camp Cowles of the Inland Empire Council. Their Executive brought this with him to Portland. The "C" patch was used for the first year at the Camp Meriwether site.

Courtesy of the Tim Mayfield collection.

C-L of the former Portland Area Council.

In 1951, the C-L Horse Camp was held at Camp Clark, next to Camp Meriwether. This was also known as the Rover Camp in earlier years and the beginning of the C-L horse camp.

C-L Ranch: The C-L horse camp moved to the old Camp Baldwin by about 1953-1955 and was then known as C-L Ranch.

There were only a few years that there was a Camp Director neckerchief.

Camp Clark: This camp of the former Portland Area Council and Columbia Pacific Council. From 1926 to today, Camp Lewis and Camp Meriwether are part of the Clark Scout Reservation. Camp Clarks was at first used as a horse camp and known as Rover Camp. The horse camp moved to the old Camp Baldwin around 1953-1955 and became known as C-L Ranch. Actual Boy Scout Camp at Camp Clark did not operate very long and was get and go for operation from year to year.

issued to adults and camp staff circa 1955 to 1959. issued to youths, circa 1955 to 1959.

Camp Cooper has been open since 1938 (property owned since 1932) and operated by the former Portland Area Council, Columbia Pacific Area Council and present Cascade Pacific Council.

"The Camp is located in the coast range where logging was a major economy -- our old-growth timber preserve, with its nature trail and waterfall, reminds us of the pristine forests of the great northwest. Near Willamina, Oregon nestled in the lush forests of the Coast Range foothills, rugged and rustic Camp Cooper offers the opportunity for advancement and adventure to Scouts of all ages. A superb nature trail surrounds the property, with over 150 species of local vegetation marked for study. An aquatics program, as well as great trout fishing, is available at Lake Hurl." Courtesy of the Cascade Pacific Council website 8/2008.

Camp Coweeman River (Scan 1 & 3  courtesy of the Todd Hatfield collection).

Courtesy of the Todd Hatfield collection.

Camp Crescent Lake was the predecessor name to Camp Makualla. "This also coordinates with the establishment of Camp Crescent Lake i.e. Camp Makualla near White Fish Creek in 1937 (now under water) and the lease and establishment of Camp Crescent Lake i.e. Camp Makualla at its present site in 1938." (credit to Shane Doran, 9/2008). I am not aware of any memorabilia with just "Crescent Lake" on it and no Camp Makualla.

Camp Cullaby: The present day Camp Cullaby is called Camp Royce Finel and is operated by the Cascade Pacific Council. This short-term camp is named after two Silver Beaver recipients, in memory of John Royce of Seaside and John Finel of Astoria, long-time supporters of Scouting. It is located at the northeast end of Cullaby Lake in Warrenton, Oregon. Royce Finel has five primitive Campsites with fresh water, all have tables and approved fire rings, a flagpole area and outhouses. Four camp sites have tarp shelter frames. This is the ideal place to go canoeing with your Troop. Units can take a fifteen minute walk from the parking lot, or use a canoe to get to the camp site. The lake itself is 2 miles long and about 188 acres in size. http://www.cpcbsa.org/camp-properties/propertylist/roycefinel/index.html

Courtesy of the Tim Mayfield collection.

Camp Currie was used by the Columbia Pacific Council briefly before the facilities at Scouter's Mountain were built (Cub World and Discovery).

Camp Eagle Creek of the Portland Area Council. (Scan 3 courtesy of the Todd Hatfield collection).

Segment - Late 1930's to early 1940's

Happy Valley Ranch of the Portland Area Council was a short lived horse camp at Scouter's Mountain, near Clackamas, in the early 1950s.

Camp Hy-Yu-Sku-Kum: According to Shane Doran in September 2007, this name was used for one year, believed to be 1929, for a camp at the current Camp McLoughlin site. He only has verbal/written history on that point and is still looking for possible patches.

Lake of the Woods was a Scout Camp at the current site of Camp McLoughlin, 1920, 13 days total $6 fee for food. Credit to Shane Doran, 9/2007.

Camp Lewis River of the Portland Area Council.

Camp Limberlost of the Portland Area Council.

  Given to meritorious Scouts.

These overseas caps were issued to Scouts at both Limberlost and Ringwaak. The H triangle was given for outstanding leadership.

Camp Lost Lake of the Portland Area Council.

Camp Lucky Boy. This 75-acre camp near the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.

"As a Boy Scout, I remember planting trees in the Camp Lucky Boy area in the early 1950s and there was no dam and no (Blue Lake) there then. I don't think Camp Lucky Boy was submerged until around 1969, when the Blue River dam was completed at a cost of $32 million. It seems like the Blue River dam was one of the 1960s dam-building projects that included Cougar dam and the Carmen-Smith project on the upper McKenzie River."  Submission by Mark Schibler to the Register-Guard 9/6/2006.

 was located on Blue River Reservoir/Lake.

1920s Camp Lucky Boy was part of the Lane Council.

Oregon Trail Council

Jim Vitus, the first chief of Tsisqan Lodge, was worked on Camp Staff at Lucky Boy from 1943-1945. Source: http://www.dougfirdistrict.org/luckyboyalumni.htm.

Camp Melakwa of the present day Oregon Trail Council lies 75 miles to the east of Eugene, near McKenzie Bridge, in the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range. The camp is still in operation.

The camp's main attractions include a wide range of high adventure activities that utilize the pristine wilderness areas & rugged terrain. Nestled in the foothills of the Three Sisters Wilderness, Camp Melakwa provides outstanding high adventure opportunities for Scouts of all ages. Melakwa's rustic and removed location, where star-studded nights are cold. 

Camp Makualla is the primary Boy Scout camp of the Crater Lake Council. "Camp Makualla is located on Crescent Lake offering a great view of Diamond Peak across the lake. Activities include hikes up Cowhorn Mountain and Diamond Peak, Canoe Trips on Marsh Creek and Crescent Lake, hikes to other areas of the Deschutes National Forest, White Water Rafting Trips on the Deschutes River and a trip to Crater Lake." Credit to the Crater Lake Council website 8/2008.

"This also coordinates with the establishment of Camp Crescent Lake i.e. Camp Makualla near White Fish Creek in 1937 (now under water) and the lease and establishment of Camp Crescent Lake i.e. Camp Makualla at its present site in 1938." (credit to Shane Doran, 9/2008)

Camp McLoughlin is the primary Cub Scout Resident Camp of the Crater Lake Council. Before that, it was the primary Boy Scout Camp. The Camp is located in the Southern Oregon Cascades on the northwestern shoreline of Lake of the Woods. The address is 3030 Hanley Road, Central Point, Oregon 97502. Click here for more information on the the Camp's namesake.

< I believe this patch to be from Camp McLoughlin, but not verified

Camp Historian, Shane Doran, has found indisputable evidence that Crater Lake Area Council held the first Official Boy Scout camp at McLoughlin July 5-29, 1930. The property was leased from the Forest Service and later purchased in 1937.

July 1930

Camp Melakwa of the Oregon Trail Council.

Directions to Camp Melakwa: Proceed from Eugene-Springfield on Hwy 126. Go through McKenzie Bridge and past the turnoff for McKenzie Pass Scenic Route. About two miles past this turnoff (between mileposts 18 and 17) is Forest Service Road 2649 (may be labeled Scott Creak Road, Narrow road, Log trucks weekdays). Turn right onto 2649 and stay on it. Road 2649 makes a loop ... bear left and go clockwise around the loop. Let scouts out just east of Irish Camp Lake. If you have gear to unload, watch for the gate (which leads to Brucker's Camp) on your left. Use low gear coming back down. 73 miles from Eugene or 2 hours.

Camp Meriwether: 1926-Present. Camp Meriwether on the Oregon Coast was founded in 1926 after Camp Chinidere burned in 1925 after only eight years of operation. Camp Chinidere was located in the Cascades just south of the Columbia river in the Gorge. Meriwether was originally a camp simply knows as the "camp by Sandlake."

"Our new summer camp site is located on the Coast of Tillamook County, immediately South of Cape Lookout. It consists of a donation of 80 acres and a purchase of 408 acres from Mr. E.A. and Mrs. N.J. Chamberlain, for a consideration of $21,000." Opens June 26. $6 a week; 5 sessions for a total of 9 weeks. (Source: Tim Mayfield collection)

June 1930 edition of the Portland Area Council Webfoot Scout Vol IV: "Four years ago when the camp was opened for the first season..."

Early Felt Patches

Together with Camp Lewis, Camp Meriwether makes up the Clark Scout Reservation. Camp Meriwether was named to honor the Meriwether-Lewis Expedition and its wintering at Ft. Clatsop near the Columbia River, north of camp Meriwether-Clark Scout Reservation. The camp is a scouting destination for troops throughout the council and western U.S. It is located just south of Cape Lookout which is about 30 miles due west of Tillamook, OR. The camp has a beautiful beach and cove. This Clark Scout Reservation now consists of 780 acres. (Scan 2 courtesy of the Todd Hatfield collection). Click here for more history.

Camp Meriwether Alumni Association - Working on comprehensive virtual Meriwether history project 9/2007

Anyone out there who has information please share with Tim Kniser, Portland, OR, at timkniser@hotmail.com (503) 249-8528

Meriwether Trees

1928-1933 (L)

Meriwether Felt Shields

Meriwether Segments

More Recent Meriwether Segments

Meriwether Felts, Portland Items on smaller rounds

Meriwether Felts

Jacket Patches

Meriwether Pennants

Camp Millard of the Portland Area Council. Property was donated by Mrs. Alvira B. Millard of Seattle in memory of her son, Samuel Brown Millard. This "troop camp" consisted of 310 acres on Eagle Creek near its confluence with Clackamas Creek. Troop camp means that is was not a formal camp of the Council, like Meriwether is today. "The first is a short term, or overnight camp. This is close by (27 miles from Council Headquarters) and easily reached. No centralized camp is conducted by the Council in this campsite."

Opened June 28, 1925. "On June 28th known as Gold Rush, 46 Scoutmasters were present and staked claims for their troops." In 1925, 1612 boys, 348 adults for a total of $1960 attended camp here. "The boys of each troop bring their own food and equipment and do their own cooking, so that no charge is necessary." (Sources: 1925 Camp flyer owned by Tim Mayfield).

Segment - Late 1940's to early 1950's

Portland boy Scout overnight camp, camp Millard on Eagle Creek near Estada (sic), each troop built its own cabin. Scene in front of Troop 13 open-face cabin, 1928, Merle Moore Scout Master.

From the Ed Harris collection (left)

"Camp Meriwether was held at Camp Millard in 1942 and 1943. The US army took over the camp for 2 years after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The scare was real for an invasion on the coast. Not many scouts camped in 1942. The patch for going to Camp Meriwether/Millard that year was this red felt strip with Camp Millard on it.

The 1st time I ever saw this patch, it was on a merit badge sash. I asked my long time collecting friend, Ed Harris, what they (the red felt Millard strip and the 'V' '43 red felt victory camp patch) were for and that is where I got this education. I have only seen these patches 1 other time in the hands of a big time collector." Source: John Chelson, 9/2008.

"Not many scouts camped in 1943. The patch for going to Camp Meriwether/Millard that year was this red felt "V" patch with 'victory camp" 43 on it." Source: John Chelson, 9/2008.

Camp Morrison

Camp Nehalem River

Camp Pioneer: 1936-Present.

First patch.

The Council established Pioneer in 1936 on Pine Ridge Lake in the shadow of Mt. Jefferson. It is a beautiful location with a national wilderness area almost encircling the camp. A true 'mountain camp',

early 1940'srendition courtesy of Todd Hatfield

Camp Pioneer offers outstanding opportunities to make your outdoor experiences memorable. The camp can serve as a base for an incredible hiking and backpacking program. The wilderness back country of Mount Jefferson and dozens of mountain lakes are within hiking distance of camp. Catch and release fishing is also available at Pine Ridge Lake. Heavy Snows make this camp inaccessible much of the year. Click here for more history.

Portland Area Council

This item belonged to a scout who lived in Portland, Oregon and was in Scouts from 1927 to 1935.

Camp Ringwaak of the Portland Area Council.

These overseas caps were issued to Scouts at both Limberlost and Ringwaak. The H triangle was given for outstanding leadership.

Camp Santiam of the Cascade Area Council was opened in 1929.

Camp Smith Creek is located at Silver Falls (near Salem) and Camp was held here in 1944 instead of Pioneer because there was a gas shortage at the time and campers didn't have enough gas to get up to Camp Pioneer. Silver Falls at the time was BSA owned land, including the youth center. (source: Don Lauritsen).

See Washington Camps for Camp Spirit Lake

T.R. Camp of Portland Area Council. The camper patch troop camp patch was used in the camps and in the long term off council camps.

Camp Tsiltcoos of the Oregon Trail Council.

Vi et consilio "through power and wisdom" was the honor camper society of the Portland Area Council at Camp Meriwether. It was awarded from 1925-1945. (Source: Tim Mayfield collection).

Wahtum Lake Camp: A beautiful hike up Eagle Creek Trail to the base of Camp Chinidere. Camp was held here in 1925 and for many years earlier; nothing in 1926.

Camp Wallowa opened in 1939 as a Boy Scout camp when Pacific Power and Light Company donated the land to the Blue Mountain Council. Although they were offered all the land from the existing camp property to the shores of Lake Wallowa, the Scouts chose to have only the existing camp property. Click here for more history.

Camp Wilderness of the Oregon Trail Council was on the same site as Camp Lucky Boy.