As the 2026 summer camp season approaches, Camp Tuckahoe is a very busy place these days.
We are making significant improvements across the camp as part of our council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the facilities that support Scouting in our communities. Every year, thousands of Scouts, leaders, and family members use Tuckahoe for summer camp, weekend camping, training courses, district events, and year-round outdoor adventures. Maintaining and improving our camp properties remains one of the most important ways our council supports local units and delivers a high-quality Scouting experience close to home.
This year’s major projects at Tuckahoe focus on comfort, privacy, program quality, and long-term sustainability.
Dining Hall Improvements
The Tuckahoe dining hall remains a centerpiece of the camp experience and is receiving substantial upgrades in preparation for the summer season. Improvements include complete interior and exterior repainting, new LED lighting, installation of new 12-foot ceiling fans to improve comfort throughout the building, and a completely new HVAC system.
Together, these upgrades will create a brighter, more comfortable environment for meals, gatherings, and evening programs throughout both the summer camp season and year-round camping operations.
Renovated Pool Shower Facilities
One of the most significant projects underway is the complete renovation of the pool shower building.
When completed, the facility will feature 14 private individual restrooms, each equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink. The renovated facility is designed to comfortably serve youth and adults of all genders while providing the level of privacy and flexibility expected by today’s Scouting families.
Pool Replastering
Tuckahoe’s swimming pool is also being fully replastered in preparation for the summer camp season.
As one of the most heavily used program areas in camp, maintaining the pool is essential to providing a safe, high-quality aquatics experience for Scouts and leaders throughout the summer. The project also includes repairs to the pool shell designed to extend the facility’s useful life for decades to come.
Facilities That Support Great Scouting Experiences
These improvements build upon facilities and program features that already make Tuckahoe a popular destination for Scouts and families throughout our council.
Cub World remains one of the highlights of the camp property for Cub Scouts and families, featuring the Fort, Castle, Pirate Ship, and Nature Tree House. Older Scouts continue to enjoy popular program features, including the 700-foot zip line across Memory Lake, the 38-foot climbing tower, aquatics, shooting sports, and a wide variety of traditional Scoutcraft and outdoor skills programs.
The council also continues to invest significantly in Hidden Valley to improve the experience for Scouts, leaders, and year-round users of the property. Last year, major improvements included adding air conditioning to every cabin at Olewine and Crissy’s Place, installing new HVAC systems in the Labor, Whitaker, and Thunderbird lodges, and replacing privacy dividers in both the year-round shower building and the Wagner Training Center.
These improvements have already enhanced the experience for Scouting units while also helping support increased use of Hidden Valley by outside groups during the summer months. That rental income helps offset Hidden Valley’s year-round operating costs and supports the council’s ability to continue providing the property for Scouting programs and outdoor adventures.
Tuckahoe and Hidden Valley also provide year-round camping opportunities for local units through cabins and weekend camping facilities that are heavily used. At Hidden Valley, every cabin includes indoor restroom facilities, a very popular amenity for units and families.
Why These Improvements Matter
The council continues to invest in Tuckahoe and Hidden Valley because our camps remain among the most visible and valued services we provide to local units and Scouting families.
Our goal is straightforward: provide outstanding local camping facilities and quality summer camp programs so our units can experience exceptional Scouting opportunities close to home.
Every improvement made at Tuckahoe supports better experiences for Scouts, greater comfort for leaders and families, stronger year-round use by our units, and the long-term sustainability of Scouting in our communities.
We appreciate the continued support of our volunteers, donors, families, and units who help make these improvements possible, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Tuckahoe for another outstanding summer camp season.
Yours in Scouting,
Ron Gardner
Scout Executive & CEO
