Camp Friedlander Admin Shelter

For decades, Camp Friedlander, and its central hub, the Admin Shelter, have been synonymous with premier outdoor education and camping excellence in Southwest Ohio. Located in Loveland, the facility operates as the flagship summer camp for the Dan Beard Council, Scouting America, but its extensive resources and beautiful setting make it a valuable year-round asset for the entire Ohio community, serving youth groups, churches, non-profit organizations, and even corporate teams.

The core purpose of Camp Friedlander is to provide an engaging, safe, and skill-building outdoor environment. The Admin Shelter serves as the critical central point for the facility—it's where check-in and check-out occur, where administrative offices are housed, and often includes meeting spaces and basic restroom facilities. It represents the welcoming gateway to a vast, well-developed campground designed to facilitate learning, leadership development, and unforgettable adventures.

Ohioans looking for a superior camping experience, whether as part of a formal youth program or a booked group retreat, will find Camp Friedlander’s blend of rustic campsites and modern communal buildings ideal. It successfully bridges the gap between true wilderness camping and having access to high-quality amenities, setting a standard for large-scale outdoor facilities in the region.

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## Location and Accessibility

Camp Friedlander is strategically located in Loveland, Ohio, making it easily accessible for families and groups across the Cincinnati metropolitan area and the wider Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana (Tri-State) region. Its address, 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA, places it within the peaceful, rolling terrain characteristic of the area.

Accessibility is a significant advantage for this campground. While surrounded by nature, it is only a short drive from major suburban and commercial centers. The location is conveniently close to interstates, allowing for straightforward arrival from Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky. This proximity means that while you feel far removed from the city once you’re on the grounds, necessary amenities like grocery stores and pharmacies are only a few minutes away by car—a comforting thought for groups managing supplies.

The camp is part of the larger Dan Beard Scout Reservation, which also includes Cub World Adventure Camp and Camp Craig. This shared land base ensures a protected natural environment with miles of trails and a sustained commitment to land stewardship, creating a beautiful setting for all visitors from Ohio.

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## Services Offered

As a premier summer camp facility, Camp Friedlander offers an exceptionally wide array of services and facilities, supporting not just tent camping but extensive programming and large group gatherings. These features cater to a variety of needs, from basic overnight shelter to large corporate retreat logistics:

• Diverse Camping Options: The camp features approximately 23 traditional campsites, each equipped with canvas tents on wooden platforms, cots, a troop shelter with picnic tables, a fire ring, and a nearby water pump. Tree house campsites and climate-controlled cabins are also available for rental.
• Modern Sanitation Facilities: Throughout the camping loops, shared shower houses provide clean facilities, including hot water, a welcome feature for any serious Ohio camper after a day of activities.
• The Dining Hall: A massive, air-conditioned dining hall is available for large-scale events, capable of seating up to 600 people. It features an industrial kitchen, full AV support, and is often used for banquets, receptions, and major organizational events.
• Aquatics Center at Lake Marge Schott: The camp’s 18-acre lake is the focal point for water activities, with programming like swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and sail boating. The camp can also provide certified lifeguards for group use.
• Specialized Program Areas: The facility includes a dedicated shooting sports range (archery, rifle, shotgun), a 60-foot climbing and rappelling tower, and the COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) ropes course for team-building.
• Meeting and Training Spaces: Facilities like the Admin Shelter and the separate Eagle's Nest building offer air-conditioned meeting spaces with restrooms, kitchenettes, and Wi-Fi access, perfect for adult leadership training or non-Scout retreats.

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## Features / Highlights

Camp Friedlander’s reputation is built upon its signature features that provide both exhilarating challenges and meaningful educational opportunities for its visitors. For Ohio-based groups, the camp offers some of the most comprehensive adventure programming available:

• The 60-Foot Climbing Tower: This is a signature landmark of the camp, offering multiple faces for climbing and rappelling portals at different heights. It provides an excellent platform for leadership development and personal challenge.
• The COPE Challenge Courses: The low- and high-ropes courses offer structured, facilitated team-building activities designed to develop trust, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills for both youth and adult groups.
• Lake Marge Schott: An 18-acre man-made lake provides a beautiful, natural centerpiece for the camp, hosting a full range of non-motorized aquatic activities and offering serene lakefront views from several campsites and the amphitheater.
• The Skilled Trades Education Center: Reflecting a forward-thinking approach, the council is investing in a state-of-the-art facility to offer hands-on education in skilled trades such as carpentry, welding, and robotics, demonstrating a commitment to preparing youth for real-world careers year-round.
• Comprehensive Youth Programs: For Scouts BSA, the camp is famous for its wide variety of Merit Badge instruction and the highly effective Trailblazer program, which gives first-year campers a hands-on start to their initial rank advancements.

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## Contact Information

For organizations, families, or retreat coordinators in Ohio looking to utilize Camp Friedlander’s facilities, all communication and reservation inquiries should typically be routed through the Dan Beard Council's main contact channels or the dedicated camp office. The Admin Shelter is the physical location for check-in during the main camping season.

Address: Camp Friedlander, 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA

Emergency/In-Season Camp Office Phone: (513) 831-8311 (This line is often reserved for emergencies during summer camp.)

General Council Contact (for reservations and tours): The main contact for booking facilities or scheduling a tour of the property is typically the Dan Beard Council at (513) 577-7700 or via their official website’s contact forms. Specific contacts are available for summer camp registration or facility rentals.

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## What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Camp Friedlander is choosing a best-in-class outdoor and educational facility right in the heart of Ohio. It is worth choosing because of its decades-long tradition of safety and program excellence, particularly for youth development. The camp is not simply a patch of land; it is a meticulously maintained, purpose-built environment designed to facilitate leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.

For Ohioans organizing a large group event, Camp Friedlander offers unmatched logistical support, from the 600-seat dining hall to the multiple specialized activity areas (COPE, Climbing, Aquatics). Few campgrounds in the state can offer this level of infrastructure alongside diverse camping options, including modern cabins and traditional tent sites.

Ultimately, whether for a week of structured summer camp or an off-season group retreat, Camp Friedlander provides a high-quality, memorable, and impactful experience, ensuring every visitor has the resources and the environment necessary for challenge, learning, and fun in the great Ohio outdoors.

Camp Friedlander Admin Shelter

581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA