Camping and
Activities

Camping
and Activities

Camping and Activities

"A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room"

- Robert Baden-Powell

Founder of the Scouting Movement

Camping is at the heart of the Scouting program. The Hawkeye Area Council provides many camping opportunities for the youth in the council. Activities include everything from day and weekend camps, unit and family campouts, to long-term camps and high adventure trips.  Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation is our own 500 acre property near Central City, IA where many of our outdoor programs are delivered. 

Updated Policies and Guidelines for District and Council Overnight Events

Scouting safely is our top priority and there are a few important updates when it comes to district and council overnight events for Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts.

Effective September 1, 2023 The BSA has updated the adult supervision requirements for overnight activities for these 3 programs. This update enhances the minimum “two-deep leadership” requirements by additionally requiring every adult 18 years or older present on overnight activities to be a registered member of the BSA.

Safety is paramount throughout all of our programs and we’ve created a comprehensive safety document with more information that’s easily sharable.

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Cub Scout Camping Opportunities

Day Camp

Day camp is a fantastic experience for your Cub Scout. Going to camp is a wonderful part of the Cub Scout experience. Cubs Scouts attending day camp take part in many fun activities including BB guns, archery, hiking, catapults, outdoor cooking, crafts, games, and much more! Our day camps are geographically located throughout the Hawkeye Area Council for the convenience of our Scouting families. You are welcome to attend any day camp that meets the needs of your family.

Cub Adventure Camp and Cub Overnighter

Cub Adventure Camp is an action-packed 3-day, 2-night camp experience. Activities are specific to each grade level and designed to not only be fun, but also give attendees a jumpstart on their next Cub Scout rank through a variety of activities and advancements. If you are looking for a single overnight camp event, check out our 2-day, 1-night Cub Overnighter.

These action packed camp experiences allow Scouts to swim, participate in shooting sports, climbing tower, ninja warrior course, and much more! Scouts will also work on advancement activities.

Cub Scout Family Fall Camporee

This fall camporee is one of our most popular council-wide events. Join us at Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation for a day filled with camp activities including shooting sports, climbing, crafts, bouncy castles, ninja warrior course, and more.

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Scouts BSA Camping Opportunities

Resident Summer Camp

Often described as the pinnacle of the Scouting year, resident summer camp provides multiple opportunities to earn merit badges, learn in the outdoors, bond with fellow Scouts, and HAVE FUN.  Multiple programs and merit badges and programs are available during summer camp.  All of our residents camps are held at Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation. 

2026 National Jamboree
July 22-31, 2026

Join the Hawkeye Area Council’s 2026 National Jamboree Contingent at the Summit Bechtel Reserve!

National High Adventure Bases

Whether furthering their Scouting experience with outdoor activities or essential leadership training, our National High Adventure Bases provide Scouts and their families with unforgettable adventures they can’t get anywhere else!
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Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation

Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation

Located near Central City, IA, the Hawkeye Area Council’s camp is a wonderful outdoor learning facility for various summer camps and year-round programs, events, and facility rentals.  

Hoover Trail

The Hoover Scout Trail

The Hoover Scout Trail

The Hoover Scout Trail, not to be confused with the Hoover Nature Trail, is located along both sides of the Cedar River, from Cedar Valley Park to 290th St in Cedar County, near Springdale, east of West Branch. The Hoover Scout Trail is available ONLY TO SCOUTS AND SCOUTERS.  One of the best features of the Hoover Scout Trail is there is NO COST to camp in the Scout Designated area.

Hikes are available in the following lengths: 5 miles, 10 miles, and 20 miles.

Canoe trips of varying lengths can be held by starting upriver from Cedar Valley Park, ending at Cedar Valley Park, or by starting at Cedar Valley Park and ending downriver. If you want a full weekend, you can start in Palisades Park, camp in Cedar Valley Park, and continue to Moscow the next day for a total of 41 miles.

Most of the trail crosses private property. Therefore, extreme caution must be taken to prevent any damage to private property. One wrong act could very well close the trail. Hikers are to extend highway courtesies and may not accept rides or take shortcuts, etc. Hikers must travel in units.

Should any of the trail rules be violated, the presentation of the patch(es) and medal(s) will be withheld from the entire unit.

Canoe Trips on the Cedar River
Part of the Hoover Scout Trail
Starting PointEnding PointMiles
Palisades ParkCedar Valley Park24.5
IvanhowCedar Valley Park22.0
SutliffCedar Valley Park16.0
Cedar BluffCedar Valley Park6.5
Cedar Valley ParkRochester Park6.5
Cedar Valley ParkMoscow16.5
Palisades ParkMoscow41.0

For more information, contact Kevin Slutts 563-770-9058 or kevink0828@gmail.com. 

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Order of the Arrow

Cho-Gun-Mun-A-Nock Lodge

The Order of the Arrow is a recognized official program activity of the Boy Scouts of America, intended to recognize those Scouts who best exemplify the Scout virtues of cheerful service, camping, and leadership.
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Activities

Scouting For Food

The Scouting for Food Drive is the largest community outreach project in the Hawkeye Area Council. Every year, Scouts hit the streets collecting donations in their neighborhoods for those less fortunate. Citizens wishing to donate place bags full of non-perishable food on their doorsteps which are distributed a week prior to over 131,000 homes. Local Scout Troops and Packs pick up the bags and all donations to be then taken to HACAP’s Food Reservoir and other local food agencies in 7 counties in Eastern Iowa.