Camp Friedlander Handicraft Building

The Camp Friedlander Handicraft Building is a specialized, functional facility located within the expansive grounds of Camp Friedlander, a premier outdoor education and camping destination managed by the Dan Beard Council in Southwestern Ohio. While the specific address is often listed under the Loveland/Montgomery, OH area, it is a key component of the overall Camp Friedlander property, known for hosting the region’s main Scouts BSA summer camp program. This building is not a campground itself, but rather a central programming area designed to host arts, crafts, and specific merit badge instruction, serving the thousands of youth and leaders who visit the camp annually.

During the summer, the Handicraft Building transforms into a vibrant, creative hub where young campers engage in hands-on activities that foster skill development, creativity, and achievement. Reviews from local families, such as those mentioning a son's enjoyable third year at the camp, underscore the long-standing, positive impact of the entire facility and its various program areas on youth development in the Ohio region. Outside of the high-volume summer season, the building often serves as a meeting place or an indoor facility for visiting Scout units or other approved community groups utilizing the camp's year-round facilities.

A crucial element of the Handicraft Building is its commitment to accessibility. It is one of the designated structures within the camp that offers Wheelchair Accessible Parking and a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom, ensuring that the camp’s rich programming is available to all participants, reinforcing the Council's dedication to an inclusive outdoor experience. This focus on accessibility makes Camp Friedlander a standout location for organizations and individuals across the greater Cincinnati area.

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The Camp Friedlander Handicraft Building is situated on the property whose address is typically associated with the surrounding area of Montgomery, OH 45140, USA. However, the main entry and official address for the overall Camp Friedlander property, operated by the Dan Beard Council, is 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140. The camp is located conveniently near the junction of Interstates, making it easily accessible for groups traveling from Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky. This proximity to major roads, while being nestled in a large, wooded area, offers an ideal balance of convenience and immersion in nature for local Ohio users.

The building's location within the camp is central to the overall program areas, often found adjacent to other specialized learning centers and within reasonable walking distance of the unit campsites and the central Dining Hall.

Key Accessibility Features:

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Designated parking ensures ease of access for vehicles carrying individuals with mobility restrictions.
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom: The inclusion of accessible restroom facilities is a vital amenity for both daily visitors and resident campers.
• Proximity: The facility is strategically placed to be reachable from the main areas of the camp, integrating it seamlessly into the daily schedule of activities.

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As a dedicated programming space, the services offered by the Handicraft Building are focused on education, creativity, and the completion of various requirements necessary for advancement in the Scouting program. It functions as an indoor/sheltered classroom and workshop.

• Merit Badge Instruction: The building primarily hosts the instruction and completion of arts and craft-related merit badges, such as Art, Woodcarving, and other vocational or creative badges like Cinematography, Photography, and Journalism (which may have evolved from traditional 'handicraft' offerings).
• Creative Workshops: It serves as a workspace for hands-on projects, fostering skills from simple knot-tying and building to more involved crafts using various materials.
• Indoor Classroom/Shelter: The building provides a dedicated, weather-protected space for classes and activities, ensuring that programs can continue regardless of rain or excessive heat, which is essential for a full week of summer camp programming in Ohio.
• Basic Restroom Facilities: The provided restroom is an important amenity for comfort and convenience, especially its accessibility features.
• The CAMPCRAFTER Program: This specific program within the camp often uses this facility to offer specialized, non-merit badge activities that focus on camp craft, leatherwork, or other hands-on projects that instill practical skills and outdoor appreciation.

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The Handicraft Building is a central feature that supports the overall educational mission of Camp Friedlander, enhancing the experience for Scouts and other groups.

• Dedicated Program Focus: Its main highlight is the singular focus on hands-on craft and creative achievement, providing a necessary counterbalance to the physical challenges of the camp's aquatic and COPE programs.
• Vocational & Life Skills: The facility supports the teaching of valuable vocational-type skills, which the Dan Beard Council is actively expanding upon, recognizing the importance of introducing youth to potential career paths like skilled trades.
• Essential Accessibility: The inclusion of a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom and parking is a highly notable feature, ensuring the camp can serve a broader range of the community.
• Integration with Camp Life: The building is part of a complex that includes a 60-foot climbing tower, the 18-acre Lake Marge Schott, and a full Dining Hall, meaning visitors have access to a full spectrum of outdoor and indoor activities.
• Staffed Instruction: Classes and workshops are led by trained and enthusiastic staff, ensuring a safe, organized, and impactful learning environment for the youth.

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Since the Handicraft Building is a programmatic component of the larger Camp Friedlander, all organizational contact, reservations, and information regarding events must be directed through the Dan Beard Council's central offices or the Camp Friedlander administration.

• Main Camp Address (for mail & GPS): 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
• General Inquiries/Emergency Phone: (513) 831-8311 (Note: This number is typically reserved for emergency-only calls for campers during the summer season.)
• Administrative Contact: For scheduling a tour, facility rentals, or specific program information, it is best to contact the Dan Beard Council directly via their website or the contact emails listed for the Business Operation Manager or Camp Experience Director.

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For local units, groups, and families across Ohio, the Camp Friedlander Handicraft Building—and by extension, the entire camp—is worth choosing because it represents a unique, high-quality venue for creative and vocational development within a safe, established outdoor setting. The building's core value is its role as a dedicated, fully-staffed program center where youth can earn challenging and engaging merit badges in arts and technology. It ensures a balanced week of physical activity and quiet, focused skill-building.

Furthermore, the presence of essential accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible restroom and parking, makes a strong statement about the camp's commitment to serving the entire community. Choosing this location means opting for a place with a proven track record (as evidenced by multi-year camper attendance) of delivering fun, achievement-based experiences. For corporate or non-profit groups, the facility's overall offerings—from dining to meeting spaces—present a versatile option for team-building retreats that seek a blend of outdoor atmosphere and functional indoor space. Ultimately, choosing this center is choosing a legacy of character development and skill mastery in the heart of Southwestern Ohio.

Camp Friedlander Handicraft Building

Montgomery, OH 45140, USA