Boy Scout Summer Camp Highlights

Located in the scenic Capital Forest atop the Black Hills on the beautiful shore of Summit Lake, Camp Thunderbird promises Scouts and Scouters a summer camping experience which exceeds even the greatest expectations. Offering over 40 merit badges (including 11 Eagle-required), Tenderfoot through First Class instruction, and numerous activities unavailable at other summer camps including kayaking, motor-boating, water-skiing, sailing, climbing, and rappelling we are sure that every Scout will find challenging and rewarding activities to insure their summer camp experience is the best ever.

With 8 program areas, offering over 40 merit badges and advancement opportunities through First Class, Camp Thunderbird is filled with exciting opportunities for everyone - from a first year Scout to experienced Scoutmasters. Here are a few things you can look forward to during your stay at camp:

Staff

When asking Scouts and Scouters for the single thing which sets Camp Thunderbird apart from other scout camps the response is always unanimous: the staff. Our enthusiastic and energetic staff is always willing to go out of their way to make sure everyone's experience is the best possible. Their years of scouting experience shows through in the quality merit badge instruction and their enthusiasm makes campfires and all activities at camp a blast for Scouts and Scoutmasters.

Food Service

Because we employ our kitchen staff year-round we are confident you will find our food to be the best you had at any summer camp. All meals are carefully planned to be properly balanced, filling and delicious.

We also use family style dinning, so there's no waiting in lines for your food, as soon as you enter the dining hall the food is warm and waiting for you at your table. This also allows us to provide program in the dining hall such as the coveted Camp Thunderbird Spirit Stick, awarded to the table which sings the loudest after each meal giving them the right to leave the dining hall first.

No More, No Less Advancement Policy

At Camp Thunderbird we strongly believe that summer camp should not be a "Merit Badge Factory", where a Scout shows up and automatically receives four or more merit badges or an advancement of rank. The advancement system is a fundamental part of the scouting program, designed to increase skills Scouts may already have and to encourage them to try new activities which may lead to future hobbies or careers and requirements are carefully crafted to serve this purpose. Because of this scouts are expected to complete all requirements as they are stated - no more, no less - before they will receive credit for their completion at camp.

Aquatics

Our location on the shore of the beautiful Summit Lake, almost two miles long, provides the perfect setting for our premier aquatics program - including sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, motor boating, snorkeling, lifesaving, swimming, canoeing and rowing.

High Adventure

The High Adventure program offers older Scouts the physically and mentally challenging activities of rock climbing and mountain biking, allowing them to gain new skills and test their limits. Our mountain biking program offers rides during open program times as well as instruction for the cycling merit badge. The climbing program gives Scouts a chance to climb the wall at camp and Scouts in the merit badge class get to go to McCleary Cliffs to test their climbing and rappelling skills on a natural rock face.

Civil Sciences

Our Civil Science area offers many important, Eagle-required merit badges unavailable at most camps. We even take a field trip to the State Capitol and county courthouse making this the only camp in the Northwest where Scouts can complete Citizenship in the Community, Nation and World at camp.

Trail to First Class

The skills required for Scouts to advance to First Class build the foundation for all future Scouting activities. Camp Thunderbird is the perfect place for Scouts to work on these vital requirements, learning from our knowledgeable, experienced and helpful staff.

Aloha Friday

Don't forget to pack your Hawaiian shirt for Aloha Friday. After merit badge sessions have ended, we kick off Aloha Friday with a barbecue lunch at the waterfront, followed by the Hullabaloo, a competition which tests patrols in their Scouting skills, teamwork, and Scouting spirit. Then get your team ready for the quadathlon - a relay race around the lake consisting of swimming, canoeing, cycling and running.