Camp Thunderbird History
By Kevin Rudesill

Camp Thunderbird, located 16 miles west of Olympia on the western shore of Summit Lake, is one of two camps that make up the Cleland Scout Reservation. Together with Camp Martin, they occupy over 150 acres of dense picturesque forest surrounded by the scenic Black Hills.

The camp property is rich in history. In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln granted the Northern Pacific Railroad the land on which Thunderbird now stands. The original highway from Olympia to Grays Harbor ran through the property. A Stagecoach Inn was built, near the present Dining Hall, to provide food and lodging for travelers. In 1899 the property was sold and passed through several hands until April 1941 when the Tumwater Area became interested in acquiring it. At that time, the camp was a 65 acre private boys camp called Camp Olympus, owned by Otto C. Mauthe, Jr. The council used the camp on a rental basis for the summer of 1941 and intended to purchase it as soon as possible, but World War II hindered the effort.

The Army Corps of Engineers used the site for training practice before embarking for Italy. They built the original boat dock, using poles for piling obtained from old railroad trestles found in the Capitol Forest Area. They also dug the swimming hole. The scouts used the camp on and off from 1942 - 1944. The purchase of Camp Olympus became final on November 29, 1944 and the camp name was changed to Thunderbird in late 1948 after a council contest to name the camp was held. Over the years, 85 additional acres have been acquired and/or leased and the entire property became known as the Cleland Scout Reservation. The oldest buildings at Thunderbird are the Lewis Lodge erected in 1952 and the Totem Lodge (Dining Hall) built 1955-56.

Thunderbird has always been known for its waterfront activities, including water-skiing, which few other camps offer. The Order of the Arrow has always had a strong presence including their campfire, Indian Village Area, and Indian artifact displays. Hikes to Rock Candy Mountain or car excursions to the State Capitol and Museum in Olympia are also memorable experiences with the scouts that have attended Camp Thunderbird.