Camp Eatonbrook Boy Scout Camp

Madison County Council BSA 

A Brief Early History

Prior to the organization of the Boy Scouts of America Madison County Council in the early 1920's, Scouting was carried on by independent troops who rented camp sites and equipment from other local troops and groups.

In 1922 Mr. Ralph Hinman, the first Madison County Council president, gave the council permission to use his camp on the Eatonbrook Reservoir point and the land between the road and lakefront for a unified Boy Scout Camp. Mr. Hinman's camp served as the kitchen, behind which a 20 foot by 30 foot tent was erected for a mess hall. Six 8-man Army squad tents on platforms and a small dock with a diving board comprised the camp facilities. Neighboring farm owners permitted the camp to use their land for Scouting activities.

In 1926 Mr. Hinman deeded his camp and the waterfront land to the Council. A permanent mess hall was built to replace the large tent. During this period a cabin was built to care for first aid cases and to house the camp director. A handicraft building and a cook's cabin were also erected, but were later removed.

Later the original mess hall served as a handicraft building and was also used for the storage of waterfront equipment. The cabin built for the First Aid use became the quarters for the waterfront director.

The farm of some 255 acres above the road had been abandoned for some time and in 1926 or 1927 the council purchased this property. This signaled the expansion of the camp and the tents were moved up the hill, erected in a semi-circle around the present open filed. In the late 1930's the present mess hall was procured from the CCC where it had served as a recreation building. The smaller buildings are recent additions.

The pine plantations on the property were planted by Scouts attending the Spring Rallies and today stand as a monument to the foresight and effort of the leaders of the earlier days. For a number of years the Sea Scouts maintained a land ship along the shore; and in the woods south of the duck pond a pioneer villages was used by the older Scouts, one year as an Indian Village.

The Duck Pond was built with the cooperation of the N.Y.S. Conservation Department and here Scouts can, if silent like the Indians who once roamed these hills, observe wildlife in its natural surroundings. Deer, raccoon, beaver, duck, and many types of bird life have been seen or have left evidence of their visits.

The erection of some Adirondack lean-tos, a winter camping cabin and the creation of a well-marked nature trail are some of the aspirations for the future development of the property.

Camp Staff Pictures

Camp Staff Summer of 1954

1st Row L-R

Bill Brewer, Bob Lloyd, Paul Keller, John Jones

2nd Row L-R

Frank Stritter, Charles Jones, Dolores (cook), Mark Randall (Director), Rod Pierre, Bob Wood

3rd Row L-R

Joe Reynolds, Pete Wilk, Bob Hollomb, Ed Stone, Art Kolm Jr., Gary Kruler

Camp Staff Summer of 1955?

1st Row L-R

John Jones, Rod Pierre, Mark Randall, Frank Stritter

2nd Row L-R

Pete O'Dell, Bob Lloyd, Kirk Randall, ? Assistant cook, Dolores (cook), Bill Brewer, Gary Kruler

3rd Row L-R

Mark Davis, Harry Lyndon, Dewitt Randall, ???, ???, Jim Garafola, Bob Colway

The summer of 1968 was the last summer that Camp Eatonbrook was operated as a summer camp. That year Madison County Council and Fort Stanwix Council (Rome, NY) merged to form the new Iroquois Council, located in Rome, NY. Although it was used for a few years for camporees and other scouting activities, the camp was eventually sold.

The Fort Stanwix Council camp, Camp Kingsley, became the only summer camp for the new council. Today, Camp Kingsley is still used by the Revolutionary Trails Council, the current merged council formed from the original Madison County Council and Fort Stanwix Councils. The mergers were as follows:

The current camps are:

• Camp Russell in Woodgate, NY. Click here to view a map of Camp Russell. (Note, this is a large PDF file!)
• Cedarlands Scout Reservation in Long Lake, NY. Click here to view a map of Cedarland Scout Reservation.
• Camp Kingsley in Ava, NY. Click here to view a map of Camp Kingsley.

Special thanks to Bob Colway of Oneida, New York for providing most of this early history of the Madison County Council's Camp Eatonbrook.

For some excellent information on Madison County history, go to the Madison County Historian page. 

Bill Griesmyer -- Last updated 26-May-2009