Camp Friedlander Trailblazer Shelter

For Scout units and organized youth groups in the Ohio region, the **Camp Friedlander Trailblazer Shelter** provides a specific, dedicated area for activities and group camping within the expansive and historic Dan Beard Scout Reservation. It is imperative for local Ohio users to recognize that like the rest of **Camp Friedlander**, this facility is **not a public campground** for individual recreational users or families. Instead, it is a specialized program area primarily reserved for Scout units—particularly those participating in the **Trailblazer Rank Program** designed for younger Scouts—and other authorized groups during the non-summer camp season.

The term "Trailblazer Shelter" refers to a designated area that includes a covered pavilion and the surrounding grounds suitable for pitching tents. This area is specifically designed to support the educational and outdoor programming that helps younger Scouts advance in rank. The shelter offers a necessary communal space for teaching, cooking, and gathering, providing a functional headquarters for a unit during an overnight or weekend campout. Its location in **Miami Township, OH 45140**, places it within the beautiful, rugged terrain of the Dan Beard Council's main property, offering an authentic yet structured outdoor experience near Cincinnati.

Choosing the Trailblazer Shelter means opting for a traditional, rustic camping experience—one that emphasizes troop cooperation, skill-building, and connecting with the rich history of Scouting in Ohio. It serves as an excellent resource for local Ohio leaders looking to provide their units with an affordable, accessible, and program-focused outdoor adventure.

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### Location and Accessibility

Camp Friedlander, which hosts the Trailblazer Shelter, is located at **581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA**, placing it in Miami Township, in the northeastern Cincinnati metropolitan area.

The overall camp property is highly accessible from major Ohio highways, allowing troops from across Southwest Ohio and the Cincinnati region to easily reach the destination. Once inside the Dan Beard Scout Reservation, the Trailblazer area is a specific, established location, likely marked and managed for vehicle and foot traffic. Access to the shelter area will typically involve following clear internal camp signage, leading to nearby parking that facilitates the loading and unloading of troop gear. Its strategic location in the 45140 area means troops can quickly access the camp for weekend trips, maximizing time spent on activities rather than travel. The immense 500+ acre property provides an isolated, forested environment despite its convenient proximity to suburban amenities (nearest Kroger and Walgreens are only 1.8 miles away).

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### Services Offered

The services offered at the Trailblazer Shelter are fundamental to supporting traditional, organized group camping and outdoor education, focusing on utility and essential comfort for a rustic experience:

• **Designated Tent Camping:** The surrounding area is flat, established ground, ideal for **pitching multiple canvas or personal tents** for the entire unit.
• **Covered Pavilion:** A key service is the provision of a **covered shelter** that can be used as a central gathering area for cooking, instruction, ceremonies, and protection from inclement Ohio weather.
• **Latrine Access:** Proximity to basic, shared restroom facilities, commonly referred to in Scouting as **KYBOs (latrines)**, is provided near the campsite.
• **Water Access:** Access to **potable water** is available either directly at the shelter or at a nearby central spigot for cooking and drinking.
• **Activity Space:** The inclusion of the area means the shelter can be used for the specialized **Trailblazer program activities**, supporting the advancement of younger Scouts.
• **Shared Shower Facilities:** While not at the shelter itself, **central shared shower facilities** are typically available within walking distance, serving the various campsites within Camp Friedlander.
• **Refuse Disposal:** Dedicated areas for **trash disposal** are maintained by the camp staff, ensuring the cleanliness of the campsite and adherence to Leave No Trace principles.

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### Features / Highlights

The unique features and highlights of the Trailblazer Shelter emphasize its role in structured learning and providing an authentic, supportive environment for groups:

• **Focus on Advancement:** This area is explicitly tied to the **Trailblazer Rank Program**, making it the perfect feature for units that want a dedicated space to help younger Scouts complete their initial rank requirements.
• **Rustic Yet Functional:** The combination of an open area for tents and a **covered, lighted pavilion** is highly functional, offering the ideal balance of outdoor exposure and practical utility for group management and programming.
• **Unit Exclusivity (Likely):** Like the other campsites at Camp Friedlander, the Trailblazer Shelter is likely reserved for **one unit at a time** during the off-season, ensuring privacy and allowing troop leaders full control over their activities and schedule.
• **Access to Camp Amenities:** Renters of the Trailblazer area gain access to the wider Camp Friedlander facilities, including the 18-acre lake, aquatics center, shooting ranges, and COPE/Climbing programs (often available by separate reservation), providing a vast array of high-quality recreational options.
• **Community Fire Ring:** A **central fire ring** for traditional campfires, cooking, and ceremonies is a standard feature in these areas, promoting unit bonding and a quintessential camping experience.
• **Historical Significance:** Being situated in the historic Camp Friedlander, established in 1919, provides a strong sense of tradition and community for Ohio Scouts.

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### Contact Information

Reservations for the Trailblazer Shelter and all inquiries must be directed to the Dan Beard Council, which manages the entire Camp Friedlander property. All bookings are subject to the Council’s group requirements and availability.

**Address:** 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA

**Reservation/General Inquiry Phone:** **(513) 577-7700** (Dan Beard Council Main Line)

Ohio Scout leaders and interested group organizers should use the Council's official channels to confirm the specific availability of the Trailblazer area, as its use is often prioritized for program needs. Checking the Dan Beard Council's online camp reservation system is the fastest way for local users to view current rates and open dates for this specific shelter and campsite.

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### What is Worth Choosing

For organized youth groups and Scout troops in Ohio, selecting the Trailblazer Shelter at Camp Friedlander is a purposeful choice centered on program excellence and tradition. It is worth choosing for these distinct reasons:

**Program-Ready Environment:** The core reason to choose this shelter is its direct link to the **Trailblazer program**. It is set up specifically to support the learning and activities needed for rank advancement in a practical, immersive setting, saving leaders valuable planning time.

**Authentic, Structured Camping:** It provides a genuine tent camping experience in a protected, maintained environment. The combination of open tent space with a covered shelter offers the necessary balance between rugged outdoor living and essential practical shelter.

**Maximum Utility for Minimal Cost:** As a dedicated campsite, it offers an exceptionally **cost-effective solution** for weekend campouts, allowing troops to allocate more resources to program materials and activities rather than expensive lodging.

**Unrivaled Access to Scouting Infrastructure:** By camping at the Trailblazer Shelter, troops gain entry to one of Ohio's most well-equipped and historic camps, with immediate access to over 500 acres of trails, the 18-acre lake, and specialized program buildings, enhancing the depth and breadth of their outdoor experience.

If you are an Ohio Scout leader seeking a structured, functional, and program-focused site for your unit’s next outdoor adventure, the Trailblazer Shelter at Camp Friedlander is an ideal choice.

Camp Friedlander Trailblazer Shelter

Miami Township, OH 45140, USA