Summer
Let the Fun Begin
Outdoor adventure is a promise made to Scouts when they join Scouting. Today the amount of time kids spend outside is alarmingly low…only minutes per day! Through Scouting our goal is to get our Scouts outside where they have the opportunities to canoe, hike, shoot, swim and just be Scouts.
Whether it is a weekend trip or a week-long adventure to one of our summer resident camps, there are lots of options and programs throughout the year. Climbing, shooting, fishing, hiking, and much more await. Choose your adventure!
For more details, including pricing, follow the registration links under each camp.
Summer Camp Supplies
Leader Guides *NOW AVAILABLE*
2022 Camp Independence Leader Guide (updated Feb. 1, 2022)
For participants attending Rookie Camp, Pack Camp, & Family Camp
2022 Camp Freedom, Camp Liberty, & Eagle Base Day Trek Leader Guide (updated Feb. 22 2022)
For participants attending a Scouts, BSA camp
Here is what we updated:
- Added sections of Environmental Science
- Removed Environmental Science Orientation
Registration Resources
- Camp Leader Appreciation Letter Form
- 2022 Heritage Reservation Gift Card Orders
- 2022 SUMMER CAMP CHANGE REQEUST FORM
- Use this form to make changes and update your 2022 Summer Camp Registration
- Includes: Add/Remove Attendees, Sibling Discount, update registration contact
- Use this form to make changes and update your 2022 Summer Camp Registration
- Background Clearances
- LHC Camp Roster Form – Please bring four copies to camp: one for medical checks, one for the camp office, one for swim checks, and one to post in your campsite.
- Rosters can also be generated directly from the online registration site.
- Scout Early Release Form
- Summer Camp Refund Request Form
- Suggested Camp Independence Packing List
Summer Camp Registration System Tutorials
- How to look up an existing registration
- How to Confirm Participants
- How to update participant information and make a payment
- How to Set up, Import, and use the My Roster feature – PDF
- How to set up the My Roster feature – Video
- Using Parent Portal
- Merit Badge and Activity Sign Up
- Reports
New tutorials coming soon!
Program & Advancement Resources
- Pre-Camp Swim Classification Form
- Heritage
- 2022 Scouts BSA Merit Badges (This is not the schedule or pre-reqs, just the badges to be offered)
- 2022 Merit Badge and Activity Schedule with Pre-Reqs – help Scouts plan their activities
- 2022 Camp Independence Advancement Requirements Covered
- 2022 Camp Awards
Eagle Base Day Trek Waivers & Release Forms
- Day Trek Release Forms
- ATV Adventure Release Form – One of two releases required
- ASI ATV Program Release – One of two releases required
- Lower Caving Release Form
- Wilderness Voyageurs Release Form (Youth) – Required for rafting and fly fishing participants.
- Wilderness Voyageurs Release Form (Adult) – Required for rafting and fly fishing, participants
- Sporting Clays Release (UPDATED 6/1/2022)
- Cowboy Action Shooting
General Medical Resources
GENERAL MEDICAL RESOURCES
- BSA Health & Medical Record Parts A and B – Required for Camp Independence Cub Resident, 3-night Webelos Resident, Rookie Camp, Pack Camp, Family Adventure Camp.
- BSA Health & Medical Record Parts A, B, and C – Required for all Scouts BSA Resident Camps, Eagle Base, and Camp Independence 4-day Webelos Sessions.
- BSA Health & Medical Form FAQ
- LHC Supplemental Medical Form – Complete and attach to all medical forms.
- Unit Prescription Drug Distribution Record Form – Use this form to track the distribution of medication within your campsite. Turn it in at the end of the week.
- Immunization Exemption Request Form – Attach to Health & Medical Record
- Medical Care Exemption Request – Attach to Health & Medical Record
- Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist – Use Checklist to screen before arrival.
Menus & Meals
Camp Promotion
Blue & Gold Placemat Order
Back for 2022 Day Camp and Summer Camp placemats! Submit your unit’s order by visiting: Cub Scout Placemat Order Form.
Please allow two weeks for processing.
PROMOTION VIDEOS
- Scouts BSA Resident Camp Promo Video (Heritage)
- Cub Scout Resident Camp Promo Video (Heritage)
PRINTED RESOURCES (HARD COPIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE LHC CAMPING DEPARTMENT)
Camp Maps
HERITAGE RESERVATION
Summer Camp Opportunities
CUB Scout summer camp
At resident camps, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp overnight. Every year, the resident camp has a different theme and different adventures. Upcoming themes include Wild West, Space, Knights of the Roundtable, Safari, and Dinosaurs. At resident camp, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, their leaders, and parents get to try new skills and have a lot of fun with our incredible summer camp staff.
Community Day Camp
Registration Now Open!
Cub Scout Day Camp is three days of exciting fun, exciting program activities and adventure at a location close to home with no overnight stay. Day Camp is an introductory outdoor program for Tigers, Cub Scouts, and Webelos with little camping experience. Programs are run by BSA National Camp School trained volunteers and are inspected and accredited annually by the Laurel Highlands Council.
Our community day camp will run throughout the daily program of challenge, adventure, creativity, and learning. Both daytime and evening “twilight” camp opportunities are available. Scouts, families, dens, and packs can attend any camp that fits their schedule provided they have the required adult leadership. They are also welcome to attend more than one day camp as each one is a little different.
For the schedule, registration, and more information visit: 2022 Community Day Camp Registration
Camp Independence - Rookie Camp
Rookie Camp is a one-night Camp Independence experience which is perfect for younger Scouts and others who have never been to summer camp before.
Participants will have the opportunity to tour Camp Independence, meet the camp staff, participate in a few favorite camp activities like BB shooting and archery, have a meal in the camp dining hall, and enjoy a classic Camp Independence campfire!
Camp Independence - Pack Camp
Perfect for families with multiple Scouts, Pack Camp provides a program for all age groups in the pack at the same time. Age groups will be divided up to receive age-specific programs and activities while at camp. All sessions include an option for Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts to come a day early for extra Webelos specific programs such as a hike to one of Heritage Reservation’s two Scouts BSA resident camps – Camp Liberty or Camp Freedom.
SCOUTS BSA RESIDENT CAMP
The Laurel Highlands Council operates two outstanding summer resident camps for Scouts BSA as well as a high adventure program. Heritage Reservation in Farmington, Pennsylvania is home to both Camp Liberty, a patrol cooking camp, and Camp Freedom, a dining hall camp as well as our high adventure program, Eagle Base.
Both camps balance merit badge opportunities with fun outdoor adventures and have programs for older Scouts.
CAMP LIBERTY
Camp Liberty is a full patrol cooking camp. Scouts pick up their food each day from the camp commissary and cook it themselves in their campsite all week. There are only a few full patrol cooking camps left in the United States. The patrol cooking format helps unit leadership bring the patrol method to life and reinforce it like nothing else.
Located on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Courage, Camp Liberty is Heritage Reservation’s Scouts BSA resident camp where the patrol method truly comes alive! Patrols work together to cook all of their own meals in their campsite using food picked up from the camp commissary. Nothing brings patrols together and develops leadership like having to figure out how to get a group to feed themselves all week. Although it may seem to be a lot of work, most units report having more down time to relax and work on other things not being confined by the schedule of a dining hall. Units who attend Camp Liberty never want to go anywhere else!
All sessions capped at 350 attendees. Campsite capacity does not reflect session capacity.
CAMP FREEDOM
Camp Freedom is Heritage Reservation’s dining hall camp. All of the camp gathers together three times per day to enjoy a meal and some fellowship. Eating in the dining hall allows more time for units to focus on advancement and other camp programs.
Join us for adventure at Camp Freedom, Heritage Reservation’s Scouts BSA resident camp with a dining hall! In a location offering campsites on ridge tops and on waterfronts, Camp Freedom is the perfect place for your troop to camp this summer. A dining hall with a capacity of 400 is responsible for feeding hungry Scouts and Scouters – we’ll save you a seat!
Add to that the exciting program we offer – over 50 merit badge offerings, a first year camper program, the Day Trek older Scout adventure program, and much more – and it makes perfect sense why thousands of Scouts continue to call Camp Freedom their home away from home each and every summer.
All sessions capped at 350 attendees. Campsite capacity does not reflect session capacity.
EAGLE BASE Day Trek program
EAGLE BASE DAY TREK PROGRAM
The Eagle Base Day Trek program is for older Scouts BSA who want to attend summer camp with their troop at Camp Liberty or Freedom but are looking for something more than merit badges. Day Trek participants camp with their troop in Camp Liberty or Freedom, then head out for adventure during the day returning by dinner to participate in evening camp program options including a new older Scout evening program option.
If you are ready to experience true high adventure, then our Eagle Base Trek program is for you! These unique treks are available for Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Explorers 14 years of age or older. Your entire patrol, crew, or post can participate together, or individuals can sign up on their own to participate with other Scouts. Each day, participants select a different adventure activity either on-site at Heritage Reservation or off-site in conjunction with our partner vendors. All activities are led and supported by our OUTSTANDING Eagle Base staff.
DAYTIME EAGLE BASE PROGRAMS
Programs offered through Eagle Base include the following:
- ATV Adventure
- Canoeing
- Caving
- Fly Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- C.O.P.E.
- Seven Springs
- Whitewater Merit Badge
- Whitewater Rafting
Become a Scout
Join our scouts and start your adventure today!
Summer Camp FAQs.
Visit our summer camp FAQs for answers to most frequently asked questions.
Have something that you need help changing on your summer camp registration? Fill out the form below!
Cub Scout Pre-Camp Meeting Resources
Scouts, BSA Pre-Camp Meeting Resources
Summer Camp Staff.
Learn more about how you can become a summer camp staff member!
Summer Camp Staff.
Learn more about how you can become a summer camp staff member!
WE served
youth in 2020
Support Scouting.
Scouting is a rewarding program where youth can learn, lead, grow and participate in a world of exciting outdoor activities.
Why Join Us?
Working at summer camp is a real job. Camp Staff members get the opportunity to develop 21st century skills in high demand by employers. Some of these skills include:
Practical, applied leadership skills learned through supervising others, engaging in decision-making, managing behavior, and living ethics and values.
Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity skills.
Beyond hands-on experience, camp staff positions also provide:
A paycheck
Room and board
Networking opportunities
Training & certifications in a variety of skill areas.
Ongoing professional development
Camp staff opportunities may also be eligible for college credit in some cases or be able to be used as an independent study, practicum, or internship experience.
HERITAGE RESERVATION - FARMINGTON, PA.
Liberty 2021 Staff Photo
Central 2021 Staff Photo_2
2021 Full Staff HR
Eagle Base 2021 Staff Photo Final
Freedom 2021 Staff Photo
Indy_Staff_Photo_Final
You can change a life! Did you know that the Laurel Highlands Council operates three Scout camps at Heritage Reservation including one for Cub Scouts and their families (elementary aged), two for Scouts BSA members (middle and high school aged), an outdoor adventure program (high school aged), as well as winter programs for Cub Scouts?
Each of these offers opportunities for a variety of summer camp staff jobs. Most Scout camp counselors are at least 16 years of age, but the Scouts BSA and Cub Scout camps have a limited number of jobs for 15 year olds with previous Counselor in Training experience. The high adventure program employs young people who are at least 18 years of age.
Summer positions at Heritage Reservation run seasonally from June to August. Winter positions run January to March. Meals and on-site housing is provided.
Available Positions
Updated Job Descriptions Coming Soon
Medics (min. age 18, hold current certification as an EMT or higher)
Business Managers (min. age 18)
Outdoor Marketing Director (min. age 18)
ATV Safety Program Director (min. age 21)
ATV Safety Program Staff (min. age 18)
Aquatics Directors (min. age 21, hold current lifeguard certification with 2 years experience)
Lifeguards (min. age 16)
Ski Boat Drivers (min. age 18)
Climbing & Challenge Course Director (min. age 21)
Climbing & Challenge Course Staff (min. age 18)
Skill Area Instructors (shooting sports, ecology, crafts, outdoor skills) (min. age 15)
Trek Leaders (min. age 18)
Camp Store Managers (min. age 18)
Camp Store Clerks (min. age 15)
Counselors in Training (14 y.o. Must be 1st Class Scout or Venturing Discovery Rank)
Use the button below to express interest in working on our staff in 2023.
Individuals who recommend a new staff member who is hired and works the full season will receive $100 in camp trading post credit.
CAMP GUYASUTA - SHARPSBURG, PA.
Camp Guyasuta offers hourly positions from March through November with additional opportunities from June through August when STEM Day Camp runs. Available positions include asst. rangers, lifeguards, challenge course facilitators, program counselors, and jr. counselors. To learn more about Camp Guyasuta's available positions and to apply click the button below.
PHEAA STATE WORK STUDY PROGRAM.
Certain Pennsylvania college students may qualify for the Pennsylvania High Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Work Study Program. The State Work Study Program can be used to supplement your camp staff salary for the summer.
How does PHEAA STSP Work?
For program information, to find out if you qualify, and to get the application click here.
If you qualify, complete Section 1 of the application and either scan and email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
BSA Laurel Highlands Council
Attn: Camping Department
1275 Bedford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Once received, the LHC Camping Department will complete Section 2 and submit the application to the state. If your application is approved by the state, you will be notified by mail. This notification will include the maximum amount that you may receive (not necessarily the amount you will receive which is dependent upon actual time worked)
HERITAGE RESERVATION CAMP STAFF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
The purpose of the Heritage Reservation Camp Staff Alumni Association is to provide a social environment to unite past camp staff of Laurel Highlands Council, BSA and maintain these connections well past the camp staff experience.
The HRSAA also encourages service to and promotion of the Laurel Highlands Council, BSA's camps and camping programs. The HRSAA does this through social and service events.
Become a Scout
Join our scouts and start your adventure today!
Navigate our toolkit.
Welcome to the Laurel Highlands Council Resources page. Here you will find recruitment tools and forms to make your recruitment season an easy, but a successful one! If you have questions about any of the tools or forms on this page, please contact your District Executive.
Council forms
Below is a list of forms that are specific to the Boy Scouts of America, Laurel Highlands Council:
- Allegheny County Parks Foundation Eagle Scout Project Award Program
- Annual Health and Medical Record Parts ABC
- Annual Health and Medical Record Parts AB
- Beaver Service Patch
- BSA Specialty License Plate Application
- Council/District First Aid Log (pdf)
- Criminal Background Check & Additional Disclosures Authorization & Form
- District Award of Merit Nomination Form
- Eagle Scout Palm Application
- Eagle Scout Service Project Tracking Report
- Eagle Scout Legacy Walkway
- Family Cub Scout Pack Camping Site Approval Form
- Guide to Unit Money Earning Projects
- Historic Flag Request Form
- Incident Reporting
- Incident Report (Youth Protection/Membership)
- Learn How To Camp
- Learn How To Camp- Appendix
- LHC Event Expectations and Standards
- LHC Event Approval and Close Out Checklist
- LHC Event Budget and Backdater Template
- Materials Request
- Membership Assistance Form
- Merit Badge Counselor Agreement
- NCAP Site Appraisal Form
- NCAP Local Council Authorization and Assessment Declaration Form
- NCAP Short-Term Camp Planning Flowchart
- National Short-Term Camp Resource Page
- PA Forestry Conservation Award
- PA Fish and Boat Commission Conservation Award
- PA Game Commissioner Wildlife Conservation Award
- Pre-Camp Swim Classification
- Recommendation for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award
- Request for Alternative Rank Requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class
- Shooting Sports Resource Form
- Silver Beaver Nomination Form
- Social Media Guidelines (BSA)
- Unit Money-Earning Application
- Veterans Application
- World Conservation Award - Cub Scout
- World Conservation Award - Boy Scout
- 2022 NCAP Standards
- 2022 Short-Term Camp Standards at a Glance – Not available yet
Insurance Forms
CUB SCOUTS & RECRUITING
CUB SCOUT FAMILY GUIDE
WAYS FOR CUB SCOUTS TO MEET!
MEMBERSHIP PLANNING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
RECRUITMENT VIDEOS
SCOUTS BSA & RECRUITING
EXPLORING & RECRUITING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
VENTURING & RECRUITING
RECRUITMENT IDEAS
Popcorn
The Laurel Highlands Council and Trail's End thank all the units and Scout families that participate in the annual popcorn fundraiser. Your efforts help maintain our beautiful camps, fund Scout outreach programs, and send hundreds of Scouts to camp each year who would not be able to afford Scouting otherwise.
View Our calendar
Join us for a number of events throughout the year!