As summer approaches, many parents start asking the same question: How do I make the most of my child’s time off from school? If you’re a parent of a Scout — or even just considering having your child join Scouting America — enrolling them in a Scouting summer camp is the perfect answer. 

These camps go beyond marshmallows and merit badges. They build character, confidence, friendships, and lifelong memories. And for parents, there’s something especially rewarding about seeing your child return home more independent, enthusiastic, and maybe just a little more helpful around the house.

Here’s why Scouting summer camps are worth every penny — and how programs offered by the Laurel Highlands Council showcase the best of what summer Scouting has to offer.

Why Scouting Summer Camp Matters

Scouts at summer camp don’t just have fun; they experience deeply impactful personal growth and build plenty of valuable physical and interpersonal skills. Whether you’re enrolling your child in a Cub Scout summer camp or Scouts BSA summer camp, kids who attend these programs:

• Develop greater self-confidence. Being away from home, sometimes for the first time, helps kids grow more independent and sure of themselves.
  
• Build strong friendships. Camp promotes teamwork and bonding in a unique, screen-free setting.
  
• Try new things. From archery to canoeing to robotics, Scouts are constantly exposed to activities they wouldn’t encounter in everyday life at home or school.
  
• Gain problem-solving skills. Whether they’re navigating a trail or building a campfire, Scouts learn to think creatively and adapt to challenges.
  
• Connect with nature. Many children today spend much of their time indoors. Camp helps rekindle their sense of wonder for the natural world.
  
• Reinforce positive values. Scouting values such as trustworthiness, responsibility, and service are not just taught; they’re lived every day at camp.
  

These experiences are powerful, growth-fueled, and unforgettable, and the benefits your child will gain from attending them will last well beyond the summer. Here are some options, all of which help youth become more well-rounded, capable individuals.

Laurel Highlands Council: A Summer of Possibilities

Laurel Highlands Council offers an impressive range of summer camps for all interests and age levels. From imaginative themed camps to career exploration and cutting-edge STEM activities, these programs help Scouts turn their summer into a season of personal discovery and excitement.

Squatch Camp: For the Imaginative Adventurer

What happens when Scouting meets the legend of Bigfoot? You get Squatch Camp, a playful and engaging program where Scouts explore nature through the lens of mystery and myth. Held at the “J. Sephus Mack Sasquatch Research Center,” this Sasquatch camp encourages Scouts to sharpen their observational skills, embrace curiosity, and connect with the great outdoors — all while searching for signs of the elusive creature. 

Scouts @ Work Camp: Discovering Future Careers

If your child is already thinking about the future, Scouts @ Work Camp is the perfect opportunity to explore career paths in a hands-on way. Held in partnership with local industry leaders, this camp introduces Scouts to real-life job skills in trades, health care, public safety, and more. It’s a smart, practical way to inspire future leaders, and it can even lead to future job shadowing or internship opportunities.

STEM Adventure Day Camp: Learning Through Innovation

Does your child love science, technology, engineering, or math? The STEM Adventure Day Camp at Camp Guyasuta delivers a fun-filled week of learning and discovery. In this STEM camp, Scouts participate in interactive experiments, build creative projects, and explore the wonders of STEM subjects in a supportive, encouraging environment. This camp is ideal for curious minds who want to mix brainpower with fun.

Camp Independence: A First Camping Experience for Cub Scouts

Perfect for younger Scouts and their families, Camp Independence is a welcoming introduction to overnight camping. Activities include fishing, nature hikes, crafts, and swimming, all with the support of experienced staff and parent volunteers. This camp promotes family bonding while easing kids into the joys of outdoor life.

Scouts BSA Camp: Traditional Summer Camp, Scout-Style

For older Scouts looking for a more traditional summer camp experience, SBSA Camp (Scouts BSA Summer Adventure) at Heritage Reservation offers weeklong programs filled with merit badge opportunities, aquatics, hiking, and campfire fun. It’s a rite of passage for many youth and a place where lifelong memories are made. 

Make This Summer Count for Your Scout

Whether your child is just starting out in Scouting or has already earned a few badges, summer camp can be a life-changing experience. With the diverse and exciting options offered by the Laurel Highlands Council, there’s something for every personality and interest. Don’t miss the chance to help your Scout build confidence, learn new skills, make friends, and grow as a person. Scouting summer camps are more than just a break from school — they’re a leap forward in your child’s personal journey.

Enroll Your Scout in Summer Camp With Laurel Highlands Council

If you live in the western parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or West Virginia, enrolling your child in the Scouting America, Laurel Highlands Council and any of our camps is an excellent way for them to make the most of this summer. 

Laurel Highlands Council serves youth members and volunteer adult leaders throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and portions of the Potomac region in Maryland and West Virginia. We aim to beneficially involve every eligible child and their families in the fun and adventure of our programs. We provide extraordinary youth development programs that teach and strengthen the values of the Scout Oath and Law. 

Contact us to learn about our Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs for your child, and join now!