Camping - Camp Agawam

Camp Agawam was formed in 1918 and remains in operation today. It was formed as Camp Pontiac, and renamed in 1933 as Camp Agawam, following the establishment of the new Oakland Area Council in 1928 which replaced the Pontiac Council. The names of some of those involved in the early years of the camp are known. They include Haas, Peterson, and Oliver, who were certainly all key players. But what were the conditions at that time? How was the property chosen? What circumstances existed to make possible the formation of the camp?  If a set of compiled documentation that provides answers to these questions exists, it is not known about at this time.   

In 1918 the Boy Scout movement in the United States was itself just getting started. Basic history sets the scene for the formation of the camp. The volunteers of that time would have been born during the Industrial Revolution before 1900, having never heard of Scouting in their youth because it did not exist. Around then, immigration to the United States from Europe was taking place on a massive scale. Neither the boom times of the “Roaring 20’s” nor the misery of the Great Depression had occurred. The prosperity of the automotive industry had not even begun to reach its peak in Pontiac and the surrounding towns. It also happens to be that Camp Agawam was founded in the same year as the armistice which ended the brutal First World War. There were, of course, a great many less national and thus unfamiliar details of local and state significance on the minds of those who formed this camp so many years ago.

Camp Agawam Wish List

In order to improve the camp facilities the camp needs volunteers to help in securing needed supplies. If you can help by donating any of the materials on the Camp Agawam Wish List please contact the camp ranger.

Nick Carr, Ranger, Camp Agawam telephone (248) 693-8821 or e-mail: nick.carr@scouting.org.

Camp Agawam Service Projects

Service projects are important to the success of the camp, and help to involve more of the council membership, both youth and adult, in the stewardship process. Camp Agawam has survived for many years because of these efforts. Review the example projects below, or suggest a needed project to us.

MAINTENANCE PROJECTS: These projects help to maintain, repair, or improve the camp’s facilities or equipment.  Typical projects involve organizing tools and program gear, bettering campsites, painting, building improvements (some by adults only) and grounds keeping or beautification.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS: These projects directly aid in stewardship of the land or water, primarily in either soil or water conservation, but possibly in wildlife conservation as well. 

EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS:

• CONSERVATION-MINDED PROJECTS:
  • ROADSIDE & TRAIL MAINTENANCE – Prune back overgrown brush and limbs, collect deadfall, and remove invasive plants.
  • EROSION CONTROL – Coordinate with ranger taking steps to reduce erosion in trouble areas along hillsides.  Will include moving soil, adding silt fence, and planting vegetation.  Printed guidelines will be provided.
  • NATIVE PLANTS OR BIRD GARDEN – Group will need to obtain plants from approved list provided by ranger, camp can provide some mulch.  Purpose of garden is to attract wildlife and instruct campers on native plants. 
  • DRAINAGE CONTROL – This project requires a lot of digging by hand whether creating diversions or piped drainage with basins.
  • LAKEFRONT – Walk entire shoreline of lake owned by the camp, and lakeshore owned by the state, and pick up any litter or debris.
  • INVASIVE PLANTS SEARCH AND DESTROY – Learn which plants are invasive and non-native.  Hike around the property to identify and remove those to whatever extent possible.
• MAINTENANCE PROJECTS:
  • FIREPITS – Remove and replace damaged or rusted fire pits in sites.
  • PAINTING – Paint benches, signs, fences, etc. around the camp.
  • CAMPSITES – General “cleanup,” also re-establish fire pits and seating.
• UNIQUE PROJECTS:
  • PIONEERING TIC-TAC-TOE GAME – Build game that will be used for one season.  Return in the fall to remove the game.  Use natural materials, rope, and pulleys to create this fun game for enjoyment by all who visit the camp while it is set up.  Demonstrates a pioneering project.
  • GATEWAYS / FLAGPOLES – Cut and strip bark from poles, directed by the ranger.  Before project date, group needs to submit sketches of gateway design.  Finished project, using lashings, may last up to a couple years if done properly.  Flagpoles would be used in campsites only.
  • INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE – Identify various plants, moss, lichens, wildlife evidence, or other such items and create small sign posts drawing attention to those items and explaining them simply.
  • COMPASS COURSE AND/OR GEOCACHES – Create a small number of geocaches (for private use on the camp), or a basic compass course on the camp.

FREE CAMPING OPPORTUNITY FOR TROOPS AND CREWS:  If your Boy Scout or Venturing unit would like to tackle a project, and if everyone participates for at least 3 hours, you may camp here in a tent site for no charge that entire weekend.  This must be arranged in advance with the ranger prior to making campsite reservations.  Please call (248) 693-8821 to discuss this opportunity, or e-mail nick.carr@scouting.org to discuss the potential of doing a project to support Camp Agawam!

CUB SCOUT PACK OR DEN PROJECTS:  The above information is suited to troops and crews. Cub packs frequently undertake projects for 1 or 2 hours, usually while camping here or as an evening or after-school activity. Examples of successful Cub Scout projects are litter pickup, spreading woodchips, or raking leaves (the best project for the fall). Contact the ranger to arrange a Cub Scout service project.