Camp Kingsley Boy Scout Camp

Fort Stanwix Council BSA

A Brief History

Camp Kingsley on Tuffy Road, west of Route 26, Town of Ava, has been the summer host for Rome, NY area Scouts since 1921. The camp was named after an early local Scout leader, Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley, whose father donated approximately 40 acres for the camp. Over the years, additional land was acquired and buildings were erected due to the generosity of a variety of groups and individuals.

Today the camp is comprised of roughly 500 acres. Located on the edge of the Tug Hill Plateau, the camp has been the site for Army Special Forces and Navy SEALS winter training missions. Countless of thousands of Scouts have braved winters at the camp and have enjoyed the summer sleeping in the open-front lean-to shelters, log cabins and tents.

Bordered by the Point Rock Forest Preserve, the camp contains numerous cabins, a dining hall, storage buildings, shower houses and a Long House as part of the Indian village. When founded, Camp Kingsley was part of the Rome Boy Scout Council. Since then, it has been associated with the Fort Stanwix Council, the Iroquois Council, Land of the Oneidas Council camping program, and is presently a vital part of the Revolutionary Trails council.

Camp Kingsley is used primarily for a Scout camp during the summer months, but also is used throughout the year for Unit, District and Council events. In 1996 Camp Kingsley celebrated its 75th Birthday.

Bullhead Lake at Camp Kingsley is a natural spring fed lake that covers approximately 12 acres. It is great for fishing and during summer camp it is used for all waterfront activities, such as swimming and boating.

Bill Griesmyer -- Last updated 26-May-2009