Camp Bullowa Field A

For New Yorkers seeking an organized outdoor experience for their group, whether it's a scout troop, a youth organization, or even an educational gathering, Camp Bullowa Field A in Tomkins Cove, NY, offers an excellent solution. Nestled within the expansive 300-acre Camp Bullowa property in the picturesque northern corner of Rockland County, Field A provides a dedicated and well-equipped space for group camping. This isn't a public campground for individual family reservations in the typical sense; rather, it's a premier facility managed by the Greater Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, specifically designed to support group outdoor programs and activities.

Camp Bullowa, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022, has a rich history of serving local youth and outside organizations. Field A, as noted in reviews, is a "nice place" and a "great field for camping" due to its strategic location and available amenities. It’s not just a patch of grass; it’s a designated area that comes with practical features like access to a covered pavilion, latrines, and portable toilets, making group logistics much simpler. Its proximity to the archery range also adds an exciting dimension for groups looking to incorporate specific outdoor skills into their program. For New York groups planning an impactful and well-supported outdoor event, Camp Bullowa Field A provides the infrastructure and natural setting to make it a success.

It's important for prospective New York users to understand that Camp Bullowa, including Field A, is primarily geared towards organized groups and activities, though it is open to "outside groups" in addition to Scout units. This means that while individual families might not typically book a single tent site here for a weekend, a school club, a church youth group, or other similar organizations can reserve areas like Field A for their events. The reviews emphasize the functionality of the field and its immediate access to essential facilities, highlighting the practical benefits for group leaders. The dedication of the camp staff, including the Camp Ranger Joe Langdon, ensures that the property is well-maintained and ready to support various outdoor programs year-round.

The 300 acres of Camp Bullowa offer far more than just a camping field. It's a comprehensive outdoor education and recreation center that includes various activity areas, trails, and even Lake Boyce for fishing and boating. So, while Field A itself is a specific camping spot, booking it opens up access to a wider world of outdoor adventure within Camp Bullowa. This article will provide a detailed overview of Camp Bullowa Field A, its location, the services and features available, and how New York-based groups can plan their next outdoor excursion here.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Bullowa Field A is located within the larger Camp Bullowa property at 45 Franck Rd, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986, USA. This address places it in the northern corner of Rockland County, New York, offering a convenient and accessible escape into nature for many New York residents.

Tomkins Cove is a hamlet within the town of Stony Point, known for its proximity to Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park, making the entire region a popular destination for outdoor activities. For groups traveling from various parts of New York, including New York City and surrounding suburban areas, Camp Bullowa is relatively easy to reach. Major roadways such as the Palisades Interstate Parkway and the New York State Thruway (I-87/287) provide direct routes into Rockland County, with straightforward navigation to the Franck Road address.

The camp’s location is a significant advantage for New York groups, as it provides a robust outdoor setting without requiring excessively long travel times. This makes it an ideal choice for weekend trips, day camps, or multi-day programs, minimizing travel logistics and maximizing time spent on activities. While reviews for Field A specifically mention "no parking of vehicles or trailers is permitted on A-Field or B-Field at any time," this indicates that vehicles typically park in designated areas, and gear is then brought to the site, a common practice in many group camping areas to preserve the integrity of the fields. The accessibility for groups, combined with the comprehensive nature of the larger Camp Bullowa, makes this a prime location for outdoor programs in New York.

Services Offered

Camp Bullowa Field A, as part of the broader Camp Bullowa facility, offers a range of services tailored to support group camping and outdoor activities. These services are designed to ensure a functional and engaging experience for organized units and outside groups:

• Designated Group Camping Field: Field A is a spacious and maintained field specifically allocated for group camping, providing ample space for multiple tents and group activities.
• Covered Pavilion Access: A key amenity mentioned in reviews, the covered pavilion provides shelter from sun or rain, serving as a central gathering point for meals, instruction, or activities.
• Latrines & Port-a-Potty Access: Essential sanitary facilities, including permanent latrines and portable toilets, are available to campers on Field A, ensuring basic comfort and hygiene.
• Access to Archery Range: Campers on Field A have direct access or close proximity to the camp's archery range, which can be reserved for programmed activities (often with certified instructors).
• Fire Rings/Designated Fire Areas: While not explicitly stated for Field A, group camping areas typically include designated fire rings or areas for safe campfires (subject to fire regulations).
• General Camp Maintenance: The property, overseen by Camp Ranger Joe Langdon, is generally well-maintained, ensuring clean and functional facilities for users.
• Program Support: As a Boy Scout camp, Camp Bullowa offers support for various scout-specific programs, and can often provide resources or guidance for outside groups as well.
• Dining Hall Rental: For larger groups, the camp offers a dining hall and kitchen facility with a capacity of 130, available for weekend rental (separate from Field A booking).

Features / Highlights

Camp Bullowa Field A benefits from being part of the extensive 300-acre Camp Bullowa, which is rich with features and highlights for outdoor adventure and education:

• Versatile Open Field: Field A itself is a "great field for camping," offering open space for tent setup, games, and group activities.
• Proximity to Program Areas: Its location "right next to the archery range" is a significant highlight, offering convenient access to one of the camp's popular activity zones.
• Lake Boyce: The camp features Lake Boyce, providing opportunities for fishing and boating (kayaks and rowboats can be reserved in advance, requiring appropriate leader training).
• Hiking Trails: Camp Bullowa boasts two blazed hiking trails: a 1-mile yellow loop around the lake and a 5-mile red trail that winds around the camp property, ideal for exploration and nature observation.
• Shooting Sports Areas: In addition to archery, the camp offers a rifle range (for Troops/Crews) and a BB Gun Shooting range (for Packs/Troops/Crews), providing diverse target sport opportunities.
• High Ropes Course (Palisades Climb): An impressive challenge course with 75 different elements, including tremor bridges, rope ladders, and balance beams, offering adventure and team-building for groups (capacity for 75 guests).
• Scouting Museum: The Hudson Valley Council’s Scouting Museum is located on the property, offering an educational and historical resource.
• Year-Round Availability: The camp is available for use year-round, extending camping and program opportunities beyond just the warmer months.
• Historic Revolutionary Trails: Access to historic routes of military expeditions from 1777 and 1779, with a Revolutionary Trails Award for completing them.
• Diverse Programs: Camp Bullowa hosts Cub Scout Day Camp, Scout BSA activities, and various programs open to the general public (for youth ages 6+), focusing on aquatics, nature, STEM, sports, and scout skills.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a facility primarily serving scout units and outside groups under the Greater Hudson Valley Council, Camp Bullowa Field A’s "promotions" often come in the form of structured rental fees and potential discounts for affiliated organizations or specific booking periods. It's not a commercial entity offering public coupons, but rather an organizational facility with a transparent fee structure.

Key "offers" or pricing considerations typically include:

• Tiered Pricing: Rental fees for facilities like Field A often have different rates for "HVC Rate" (Hudson Valley Council) units versus "Out of Council Rate" groups. Being affiliated with Scouting may offer a better rate.
• Early Booking Incentives: While not explicitly stated for Field A, general camp reservations for facilities often open on a specific date (e.g., August 1st for the following September through June), encouraging early booking to secure preferred dates.
• Package Deals: For comprehensive programs, specific bundled rates for multi-day events involving various activities might be available upon inquiry.
• Day Use Option: The camp offers day visits for groups looking for hiking, fishing, or geocaching for a set fee per campsite reserved for day trips ($35.00 for a regular campsite for day trips).
• Programmatic Discounts: For their summer day camps, they offer discounts like "$25 off for additional weeks" or a "sibling discount" for multiple children. (Note: These apply to their specific day camp programs, not necessarily field rentals).

To get the most accurate and up-to-date pricing for reserving Field A or other facilities, New York groups should consult the Greater Hudson Valley Council's official website or contact their camping department directly.

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries about Camp Bullowa Field A, or details on any other facilities and programs at Camp Bullowa, New York groups should reach out to the Greater Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which manages the property.

• Address: While Field A is located within 45 Franck Rd, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986, the primary administrative contact for reservations and inquiries is through the Council office. The address provided for Camp Bullowa on the GHV Scouting website is 15 Franck Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980 (it seems there might be slightly different addresses listed, but both point to the same overall camp area).
• Phone: The primary number for the Greater Hudson Valley Council's main office is (845) 566-7300. For specific camp-related questions, the Camp Ranger for Camp Bullowa can be reached at (845) 786-2677. Additionally, the Camping Department can be reached at GHV.Camping@scouting.org for questions regarding reservations.

It is strongly advised to visit the official Greater Hudson Valley Council Scouting website (ghvscouting.org) and navigate to the Camp Bullowa section for the most current information on facility rentals, availability, specific rules (e.g., vehicle parking on fields), and reservation procedures. Reservations for weekend use can typically be made via the council website, and payment is required when booking.

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

Camp Bullowa Field A, as an integral part of the extensive Camp Bullowa property, is exceptionally suitable for New York locals, particularly for organized groups such as scout troops, youth organizations, schools, and even adult-led outdoor clubs. Its strategic location in Rockland County, combined with the comprehensive amenities and activities offered by the larger camp, makes it an invaluable resource for fostering outdoor education and recreation.

For New York-based groups, the convenience of Field A’s specific facilities—including access to covered pavilions, latrines, and proximity to key activity areas like the archery range—streamlines the logistics of group camping. This means leaders can focus more on their program delivery and less on basic infrastructure, leading to a more impactful and enjoyable experience for participants. The year-round availability of the camp further enhances its suitability, allowing for planning of seasonal events and continued outdoor engagement beyond the traditional summer months.

Moreover, the breadth of activities available at Camp Bullowa—from diverse hiking trails around Lake Boyce to rifle ranges, a high ropes course, and a rich history encapsulated in its museum—provides unparalleled opportunities for skill development, team building, and adventure. This makes it a dynamic environment for youth development programs, where participants can learn leadership, resilience, and practical outdoor skills right in their backyard.

Despite being a facility with specific reservation protocols for groups rather than individual families, the value Camp Bullowa Field A offers to the New York community is immense. It provides a structured, safe, and engaging environment that is crucial for nurturing a love for the outdoors and developing essential life skills in the next generation of New Yorkers, making it a highly recommended destination for any group planning an outdoor adventure.

Camp Bullowa Field A

45 Franck Rd, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986, USA