Scouts BSA Activity Guides

If your troop is looking for something different to do, or is trying to find locations they can use to work towards their advancements. Be sure to check out this guide! It can help troops find out what local places offer Scouting programs, it can help find new camping locations, and it can even help find some new places to complete service projects!

Camping

Sommer Farm

Address: 6329 N. Koerner Road City: Edwards State: IL Zip: 61528 Phone: (309) 691-8423

Types of activities: Educational Programs, Rent-A-Shelter Additional Information: ideal for outdoor adventures such as canoeing or fishing, 1850’s Pioneer Homestead Program, or camping

Red Rocks

Address: Edlestien, IL

Contact: Therry Adcock

Phone: (309) 251-2154

Types of activities: Unique, secluded camping spot for units at a private residence. Primitive camping, monkey bridge, stream, musical instruments. 

Echo Bluff Contact: Address: 12641 3065 E. Street City: Spring Valley State: IL Zip: 61362 Phone: (815) 447-2115 Website: http://www.echobluff.org/activities/things-to-do Types of activities: Hiking, Camping, Skating, Zip Lining, and Disc Golf Additional Information: Must have reservations 

Mineral Springs Contact: Address: 1701 Court Street City: Pekin State: IL Zip: 61554 Phone: (309) 347-7275 Website: http://www.pekinparkdistrict.org/mineralsprings.html Types of activities: Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Paddle Boats, and Biking Additional Information: 200-acres of outdoor adventure 

Camp Wokanda Contact: Jacob Mol Address: 620 Boy Scout Road City: Chillicothe State: IL Zip: 61523 Phone: (309) 579-2157 Website: http://www.peoriaparks.org/camp-wokanda-environmentaleducation/ Types of activities: Merit Badge Programs Additional Information: Offering Backpacking, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Orienteering, and Wilderness Survival. Minimum of 8 Scouts

Eagle Crest Camp Contact: Gary Dobney Address: 823 Columbia Road City: Washburn State: IL Zip: 61570 Phone: (309) 248-7121 Website: http://www.eaglecrestcamp.org/ Types of activities: Service Hour Projects Additional Information: Make arrangements with Camp beforehand

Ingersoll Scout Reservation Contact: Diann Franklin Address: 33 Knox Road 650 East City: London Mills State: IL Zip: 61544 Phone:(309) 673-6136 Website: http://isrsummercamp.org/about-camp/about-camp/ Types of activities: Swimming, Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Canoeing, Camping, Cabin Camping, Additional Information: Attend Summer Camp to work towards Merit Badges

Badger Trails, Inc Contact: Address: PO Box 44135 City: West Allis State: WI Zip: 53214 Phone: (414) 777-3920 Website: http://badgertrails.org/upcoming-events/ Types of activities: Root River Hike, Glacial Trail Hike, and Devil’s Lake Hike

Cave Country Canoes Contact: Address: 112 West Main Street City: Milltown State: IN Zip: 47145 Phone: (812) 365-2705 Website: http://www.cavecountrycanoes.com/groups/ Types of activities: Canoeing, Kayaking, Camping, Bunkhouse Camping, and Wildlife Observations Additional Information: Closed Until April

Marengo Cave Contact: Address: PO Box 217 City: Marengo State: IN Zip: 47140 Phone: (888) 702-2837 Website: http://www.marengocave.com/ Types of activities: Walking tours, Crawl through Caves, Fossil Mining, Canoeing, Camping, and Bunkhouse Camping Additional Information: Open ALL year since its always 52 degrees in the caves

Day Trips

Starved Rock Contact: Address: 2668 East 873 Road City: Oglesby State: IL Zip: 61348 Phone: (815) 220-7386 Website: http://www.starvedrocklodge.com/events/ Types of activities: Guided Winter Hikes Additional Information: 4.5 mile hike with the possibility of seeing frozen waterfalls and bald eagles in flight for $12 per person (December- March) 

Matthiessen State Park Contact: Address: Box 509 City: Utica State: IL Zip: 61373 Phone: (815) 667-4868 Website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/ mttindex.htm#Other Types of activities: Geology, Horseback Riding, and Hiking Additional Information: No camping is allowed but perfect for day activities

Ottawa Scouting Museum Contact: Address: 1100 Canal Street City: Ottawa State: IL Zip: 61350 Phone: (815) 431-9353 Website: Types of activities: Learn about the history of Scouting Additional Information: 

Wildlife Prairie Park Contact: Education Department Address: 3826 N. Taylor Road City: Hanna City State: IL Zip: 61536 Phone: (309) 676-0998 ext. 312 Website: http://wildlifeprairiepark.org/scout-programs/ Types of activities: Boy Scout Merit Badges Additional Information: All merit badges are on the First Saturday of the Month (March-November)

Upper Limits
Address: 1304 W. Washington St.
City: Bloomington
State:IL
Zip: 61701
Phone: (309) 829-8255
Website: http://upperlimits.com/bloomington/scouts/ 
Types of activities: Boy Scout Merit Badge, Discount Night, Group
Adventure, Team Building, Group Rock Gym 101
Additional Information: All activities are for Boy Scouts aged 11 or up

Challenger Learning Center
Address: 1500 W. Raab Road
City: Normal
State: IL
Zip: 61761
Phone: (309) 268-8701
Website:
http://www.challengerlearningcenter.com/clchcc/clchccsecondary/sco
uts.html

Museums:

Field Museum Contact: Address: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive City: Chicago State: IL Zip: 60605 Phone: (312) 922-9410 Website: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/at-the-field/programs/badgeday-field Types of activities: Merit Badge Day at the Field Additional Information: 2016 dates are still to be determined

Fired Up Contact: Address: 4532 N. Prospect Road City: Peoria Heights State: IL Zip: 61616 Phone: (309) 685-8906 Website: http://www.firedupstudios.biz/about/non-profit-groups/ Types of activities: Pottery and Art Studio Additional Information: Discounted rates for Scouts. Reservations appreciated
Types of activities: Individual and Group Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshops
 

There also is a nice summary of the parks within 70 miles of the Peoria area.  This summary shows the parks name and amenities (exhibits, trails, camping, water access, cabins, and pavilions). 

List of Peoria Parks PDF