Activities - Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation

At MSR, camp is more than a checklist—it’s an adventure packed with challenges, laughter, friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Scouts can climb towers, ride horses, bike rugged trails, swim, paddle across the lake, or test their skills at the rifle and archery ranges. Special events and camp-wide games bring Scouts together for unforgettable fun.

Advancement opportunities are built in, but camp is never just about requirements. It’s about hands-on experiences, friendly competition, and discovery. Camp isn’t school—it’s where Scouts learn by doing, side by side with friends.

Every Scout who dives into the full range of activities at MSR will find more than advancement. They’ll find adventure, challenge, growth, and fun—enough to keep them coming back summer after summer.

A boy smiles with his fishing pole inside a pontoon boat atop Lake Killian

Activity. Adventure. Advancement. Fun.

Aquatic Sports

Our Aquatics area is all about building confidence, skills, and fun on the water. Scouts start with a swim check, then dive into everything from swimming lessons to boating adventures. They can master canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, or even motorboating while learning the safety skills to handle any challenge on the water. Beyond instruction, there’s plenty of time for free swims, raft jumps, and boating just for fun. And don’t miss the camp-favorite War Canoe Races—where units battle it out each week for camp bragging rights!

A sail boat on the water at Camp MaKaJaWan

Two people doing watersports on the lake at Camp MaKaJaWan

A wide shot of the lake taken from the shore.

Climbing & Rappelling

Our 42-foot climbing tower offers Scouts an exciting challenge with multiple climbing faces and an interior “chimney” for those seeking extra adventure. Campers learn climbing and belaying techniques while building teamwork and confidence. A dedicated face of the tower lets Scouts safely practice rappelling under expert guidance. The highlight? Reaching the top and feeling the rush of rappelling down is an unforgettable experience that combines skill, courage, and fun.

Some scouts near the climbing wall, wearing safety gear, smiling

An aerial shot of the climbing wall tower

Cycling

The MSR Cycling Base invites Scouts to hit the trails on mountain and fat-tire bikes built for adventure. Riders of all experience levels can explore everything from smooth gravel roads to challenging singletracks, with opportunities for both individual rides and group Troop outings. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to teach trail skills and bike maintenance. The highlight? Conquering the camp’s flow trails and discovering hidden corners of Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan on two wheels—a thrilling way to explore the outdoors!

Some scouts begin a trail below a Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Sign

Scouts on bikes make a formation and smile at the camera

Fishing

Escape to the peaceful waters of Lake Killian and experience the thrill of the catch in a stunning, secluded setting. Surrounded by towering pines and the calls of loons, Scouts can try their luck at catching smallmouth bass, rock bass, or northern pike from large docks, the fishing pontoon, or open boating time. Reeling in your first fish at sunrise or under the stars is a serene yet exciting adventure that creates lasting memories with friends.

The sun sets on the horizon behind the lake, with the silhouette of two fishing scouts standing on the pier in the foreground

A girl smiles brightly while holding her fishing catch

Handicraft

Handicraft is where creativity takes center stage. Scouts can try everything from wood carving, leatherwork, and basketry to pottery, sculpture, photography, or even rocket building. With plenty of tools, workbenches, and guidance from friendly counselors, campers can craft something unique to take home—or just enjoy the fun of creating. The highlight? Seeing a rocket you built soar into the sky or firing your own pottery in the kiln—Handicraft is full of hands-on experiences that make camp memories last.

A scout leans over a pottery tool, working on his pot

The handicraft work area and shop with workers moving in and out

Hiking

Explore the scenic trails of Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan, where towering pines, sparkling lakes, and fresh northern air set the stage for adventure. Scouts can wander peaceful paths, spot wildlife, cross rustic bridges, and pause at scenic overlooks for breathtaking views. Trails range from the gentle Killian Trail around the lake to the rugged Boundary Trail reaching the far edges of the reservation. The highlight? Reaching a hidden campfire site or a quiet overlook—every hike brings discovery, fresh air, and unforgettable moments in the great outdoors.

Horseback Riding

At the Triangle M Ranch, Scouts saddle up for adventure with our very own herd of horses and experienced wranglers. Campers can earn the Horsemanship merit badge, take daily lessons, or enjoy open trail rides through some of camp’s most beautiful and remote areas. Units can ride together, or Scouts can join smaller groups for unforgettable rides. A camp favorite is the early morning trail ride, ending with a chuckwagon breakfast at the wranglers’ bunkhouse. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned horseman, horseback riding at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan is an experience you won’t want to miss!

A girl scout having a great time riding a horse

Some scouts ride on horseback beneath a beautiful canopy created by trees on either side of the trail

Some scouts ride on horseback through an open meadow full of lush green grass in the bright daylight

Nature Study

The Ecology Conservation Lodge is the perfect place to explore the wonders of the natural world. Scouts can dive into environmental science, study wildlife from birds to insects, or investigate geology, soil, and water—earning key merit badges along the way. Campers can also cast a line with fishing instruction using bait, lures, or even fly techniques. But the real highlight comes after dark: Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan’s remote skies offer breathtaking stargazing, with the Milky Way shining bright—and sometimes even the Northern Lights dancing above. At Eco-Con, nature isn’t just studied, it’s experienced up close!

A sign shaped like a fish points towards the weather station, with the label 'fish tales told here'

Range & Target

At Range and Target, Scouts safely experience the thrill of archery, rifles, and shotguns under the guidance of certified instructors. Every participant begins with safety training, then has plenty of opportunities to practice and improve their skills in a supervised, fun environment. The highlight? Hitting your first bullseye or watching your arrow soar through the air—Range and Target combines skill, focus, and the excitement of friendly competition in every session.

A boy readies a bow for a shot down range

A boy aims carefully down a rifle sight, wearing ear protection

A scout looks down the chamber of a shotgun, ready to re-load it

A beautiful aerial shot of the target range

Scoutcraft

Scoutcraft is where outdoor adventure comes to life. From camping and hiking to building towers and bridges with nothing but rope and logs, Scouts get hands-on with the classic skills of the outdoors. They’ll practice fire-building, navigation, shelter setup, and even old-school signaling across the lake. The highlight? A chance to put it all together in a wilderness survival overnight—where Scouts test their skills, creativity, and grit in the wild. At Scoutcraft, every knot, spark, and signal leads to real adventure.

Two axes with their heads embedded into a tree stump.

Scouts saw at wood and tie pieces together with ropes.

A few scouts stand atop their pioneering tower

Trailblazer

Trailblazer is the perfect introduction to camp for first-time Scouts. These half-day sessions guide newcomers through essential outdoor skills—like knots, lashings, swimming, map and compass, tenting, and basic first aid—while giving them a chance to explore Scoutcraft, Eco-Con, and Aquatics. Scouts also learn safe tool use, earning Firem’n Chit and Tote’n Chip cards along the way. The highlight? Gaining confidence in the outdoors while discovering all the adventures Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan has to offer—setting the stage for a summer full of fun and exploration.

Zipline

Soar through the trees on Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan’s 500-foot dual cable zipline, stretching over a 60-foot moraine depression. Scouts are safely secured in full-body harnesses and helmets as they glide at thrilling speeds through the woods under close supervision. The highlight? Feeling the rush of flight and taking in the view from above—an unforgettable adventure that leaves every Scout smiling from start to finish.

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Activities
At Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan

Aquatic Sports

Climbing & Rappelling

Cycling

Fishing

Handicraft

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Nature Study

Range & Target

Scoutcraft

Trailblazer

Zipline

Ready To Go Camping At Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan?

Activities At Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan

Aquatic Sports

Climbing & Rappelling

Cycling

Fishing

Handicraft

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Nature Study

Range & Target

Scoutcraft

Trailblazer

Zipline

Ready To Go Camping At Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan?

Activities
At Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan