East Camp sits on the land that originally made up the Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation when it opened in 1929. It boasts all the atmosphere and rich traditions of one of the oldest scout camps in the nation.

Originally, all East Camp campsites were located near what is now the ‘main camp’ area. In the 1970’s, East Camp was expanded, and the current site configuration was created to give it the advantage of lots of space, scenery, and privacy between campsites. East Camp is located close to the Order of the Arrow Bowl, the Chapel, and our Remembrance Area. Compared to West Camp, the forest is older, the trails are longer and more plentiful, and the terrain is generally more rugged. While most units eat in the dining hall, East Camp is the ideal setting for units who elect to patrol cook with ingredients provided by our food service. Most program areas, including the dining hall and the camp office, are near the lake; a unique ridge that runs parallel to the lakeshore, separates the ‘main camp’ from the campsites.

CAMPSITES

Please Note: The storm that went through Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in the summer of 2019 dramatically altered many East Camp Sites. We have cleared and reconfigured all of them to better meet your Troop’s needs.

East Camp’s campsites are named after Native American tribes: Blackfoot, Shawnee, Menominee, Sioux, Mohawk, Delaware, Oneida, Chippewa, Cheyenne, Iroquois, and Comanche.

Blackfoot

Blackfoot is the first site along the camp road and sits on its left side. By East Camp standards, it is reasonably close to the Dining Hall, Camp Office, and most program areas, but it is further from the showers and Shooting Sports facilities. The site is somewhat hilly and will hold up to 3 separate units totaling (approximately) 30 to 40 campers; the site has two shelters and one latrine.

Shawnee

Shawnee A and B are both “plat-less” campsites (there are no tent platforms).

Shawnee is the first site on the spur of the main camp road across the way from Blackfoot. It is relatively flat and partitioned by isolated groves of trees. The site can hold up to 3 units totaling (approximately) 30-40 campers; it has one shelter and one latrine. Shawnee is reasonably located for access to the Dining Hall and program areas, but it is further from the showers and Shooting Sports.

Units need to bring their own tents unless special arrangements are made with camp staff well before your week in camp.

Menominee

Menominee A and B are both “plat-less” campsites (there are no tent platforms).

It is on a spur of the main camp road just past Shawnee. Menominee is a nice and flat site which invokes the sense of camping at a National Park. It is quietly situated away from most of camp and affords some of the best stargazing on the whole Reservation. Each part (A and B) can hold (approximately) 40 campers. The site provides relatively quick access to the Dining Hall and program areas, but the showers and shooting sports are a 5-10-minute walk. Menominee has two shelters and one latrine.

Units need to bring their own tents unless special arrangements are made with camp staff well before your week in camp.

Sioux

Conveniently situated near the Scoutmaster’s parking lot, Sioux provides easy access to all camp areas. Sioux sprawls across a number of patrol sites on two hills and accommodates two troops totaling a little over 40 campers. Sioux has one shelter and one latrine.

Mohawk

Note: Mohawk was one of the most impacted sites from the storm of 2019. In order to give the replanted foliage the opportunity to take hold and flourish, some of the former tent areas have been cordoned off.

One of the largest campsites geographically, Mohawk extends up the ridge from the left side of the camp road (just past the parking lot) towards the crest of the camp’s main ridge. Mohawk has several distinct levels and can accommodate three different units and up to (approximately) 60 campers; it has two shelters and one latrine. Mohawk is well situated for ease of access to all areas in the camp and the parking lot.

Oneida

Oneida is the newest campsite in East Camp. It objectively has the newest and cleanest latrine in the entire reservation. The new latrine is modeled after those installed post-storm, and boasts two single-use stalls that also double as a very capable storm shelter. Oneida is therefore the only site in the entire Reservation to have a storm shelter in the site itself. Formerly our Trailblazer program area in the early 2000’s, the site then pivoted to be our Pinnacle area for older Scouts. Since Pinnacle moved out in 2015, the site was underutilized until the storm of 2019 and closing of some areas of Mohawk underscored the need for more site capacity in East Camp. The site is the closest to Shooting Sports and is also near the showers.

Pictures to follow the 2024 camping season!

Delaware

Delaware consists of level and open ground. It is located closest to the shower house (just off to the right of the camp road, past the parking lot). This beautiful site has a shelter, latrine, and landscape that inspires the Scouting Spirit. The site is cozy and holds up to two units totaling (approximately) 35 campers.

Chippewa

Chippewa is close to the shooting ranges, right off the main road. It is relatively close to the shower house as well. Despite its location, roughly at the center of the camp road, it is remote and provides a true wilderness experience. The hills of the site create a natural patrol-oriented site on three distinct levels. A couple of units can share the site, and it houses (approximately) 30 campers total. The site has one shelter and a latrine.

Cheyenne

Located far down and to the left of the main camp road, Cheyenne is nestled in the wilderness and includes a shelter and latrine. It is not close to another site, so your campfire stories can be told without interruption. This site contains about four distinct patrol sites and levels and can be shared by two units. The site will hold (approximately) 35 campers.

Iroquois

This site sits off an old logging road that spurs from the main road. While the site is further from the parking area, it is conveniently located near all camp program areas and the Dining Hall. It is also perhaps the most remote campsite with no close neighbors. The site consists of two levels, allowing up to (approximately) 40 campers from one or two units to camp comfortably. This site has two shelters and a latrine.

Comanche

Comanche is the furthest from the main parking area and is at the far end of the main camp road. However, due to how the road curves back towards ‘main camp,’ this actually makes Comanche one of the closest sites to most program areas and the dining hall. Comanche is an expansive site, with a large open area in its center and other areas scattered amongst the low hills surrounding the site. Comanche has a shelter and latrine and can house multiple units with approximately 55 campers.