Camp Richard

For families and youth organizations across the Ocean State, access to quality outdoor spaces for education and recreation is invaluable. Nestled on the shores of a beautiful lake in Charlestown, Rhode Island, Camp Richard stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of outdoor adventure and youth development. This well-maintained camp, primarily known as a premier scout camp, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and structured facilities designed to foster growth, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. For Rhode Island locals, Camp Richard is more than just a destination; it's a vital resource where young people can learn essential skills, build character, and create lasting memories against a picturesque lakeside backdrop.

Camp Richard is ideally situated at 15 Lauri Dr, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA. This prime location places it in the scenic coastal town of Charlestown, known for its beautiful beaches, natural preserves, and serene environment. While offering a tranquil escape, the camp remains highly accessible for families and groups from across Rhode Island and neighboring states.

Getting to Camp Richard is straightforward, with well-maintained roads leading directly to the property. Charlestown is conveniently located within southern Rhode Island, making it an easy drive from major population centers like Providence, Warwick, and Newport. Its proximity to Route 1 ensures smooth travel, whether you're bringing a troop for a weekend campout or dropping off a child for a summer program. The camp's setting on a lake further enhances its appeal, offering immediate access to water-based activities that are a hallmark of many Rhode Island outdoor experiences. This blend of accessibility and natural beauty makes Camp Richard an excellent choice for a variety of outdoor educational and recreational pursuits.

As a dedicated scout camp, Camp Richard provides a robust set of services and facilities tailored to support youth outdoor programs. These services are designed to ensure a safe, engaging, and educational experience for all participants.

• Camping Areas: The camp offers a variety of designated camping areas, primarily set up for tent camping. These spaces are well-suited for scouting units, providing ample room for pitching tents, setting up camp kitchens, and conducting group activities. The layout is designed to accommodate multiple groups simultaneously while maintaining a sense of individual space.

• Lake Access for Activities: A significant service provided by Camp Richard is its direct access to a lake. This opens up a wide array of water-based activities, including canoeing, kayaking, swimming (where designated), and potentially fishing. The presence of a lake is a key feature for many outdoor programs, offering both recreational fun and opportunities for water safety instruction.

• Well-Maintained Facilities: Reviews highlight that the camp is "very well maintained," indicating a commitment to cleanliness and functionality of all facilities. This likely extends to latrine facilities, common areas, and any buildings on site, ensuring a comfortable experience for campers.

• Program Support Infrastructure: While specific details vary by program, scout camps typically offer infrastructure to support merit badge work and skill development. This could include designated areas for fire building, knot tying, orienteering practice, and other outdoor skills essential to scouting curricula.

• Safe Environment: The camp management and operating council prioritize safety, providing a supervised and structured environment for youth activities. This includes adherence to scouting safety policies and potentially on-site first aid capabilities for larger events.

• Community Meeting Spaces: Larger scout camps often feature communal areas, such as dining halls (for specific programs), pavilions, or large gathering spaces. While not explicitly detailed, these are common services that facilitate group meals, presentations, and inclement weather shelter.

Camp Richard is highly regarded for several standout features and highlights that make it a cherished destination for scouting and outdoor enthusiasts in Rhode Island.

• "Very Well Maintained Camp": This is a consistently praised attribute, indicating a high standard of cleanliness, upkeep, and overall readiness of the facilities. A well-maintained camp ensures a more pleasant and functional experience for all visitors.

• Lakeside Location: Being a "scout camp on the lake" is a significant draw. This provides direct access to water for a variety of activities, enhancing the recreational and educational opportunities available. The scenic beauty of the lake adds to the overall appeal of the camp.

• Dedicated Scout Camp: Camp Richard is specifically known as a scout camp, meaning its facilities, programs, and philosophy are fully aligned with the values and objectives of scouting organizations. This specialized focus ensures an optimal environment for youth development programs.

• Peaceful and Immersive Environment: While not explicitly stated in the brief reviews, the nature of a well-maintained camp on a lake typically implies a peaceful and immersive natural setting, ideal for outdoor learning and connecting with nature away from urban distractions.

• Ideal for Group Camping: The camp's design and services are tailored for group camping, making it perfect for scout troops, packs, and other youth organizations looking for a structured and supportive environment for their outdoor adventures.

• Long-Standing Reputation: As a known scout camp, Camp Richard likely boasts a long history and positive reputation within the Rhode Island scouting community, signifying a reliable and quality experience.

• Proximity to Charlestown's Attractions: While the camp itself offers plenty, its location in Charlestown means easy access to the town's coastal attractions, including public beaches, nature preserves, and local shops, allowing for extended exploration beyond the camp gates.

As a camp primarily dedicated to scouting and managed by the Narragansett Council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), Camp Richard typically operates under a structured fee system for registered scouting units. It does not generally offer public "promotions" or "special offers" in the commercial sense that a private campground might. Its value is embedded in its role as a core resource for youth development.

However, for local Rhode Island scouting groups and families, the "special offers" often come in the form of:

• Council-Supported Access: Registered units within the Narragansett Council usually have preferential booking and often more favorable rates for using the camp's facilities compared to external groups. This provides significant value to the local scouting community.

• Program Packages: During summer camp sessions or specific program weekends, the council offers comprehensive program packages that include lodging, meals (if applicable), and guided activities, providing an all-inclusive and cost-effective experience for participants.

• Volunteer Opportunities: For adult leaders and parents, the opportunity to volunteer their time and skills at Camp Richard can result in discounted or waived fees for their units or children, while also contributing to the camp's upkeep and the scouting mission.

• Fundraising Support: The Narragansett Council often provides resources and support for units to conduct their own fundraising activities, which can help offset the costs of attending camp programs at facilities like Camp Richard.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on booking, fees, and available programs at Camp Richard, interested parties should directly contact the Narragansett Council, Scouting America, as they manage the camp's operations and reservations.

While Camp Richard has a physical address, direct public contact for general inquiries or individual reservations typically funnels through the managing organization, the Narragansett Council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America).

• Address: 15 Lauri Dr, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA

• For inquiries related to booking, program information, or general details regarding Camp Richard as a scouting property, it is best to contact the Narragansett Council, Scouting America. Their main office contact details can usually be found on their official website:

  • Narragansett Council (Scouting America) Website: Look for the "Contact Us" or "Camp Properties" section on the Narragansett Council website (e.g., narragansettbsa.org or similar). This is the most reliable source for current information and reservation procedures.

  • General Council Phone Number: While not a direct line to Camp Richard itself, the council's main phone number would be the primary point of contact for property usage inquiries and program details. (A typical example, not guaranteed for Camp Richard specifically, might be a number for their Providence, RI headquarters, but always verify on their official site).

The camp itself does not typically have a publicly listed direct phone number for individual inquiries, as access and usage are managed centrally by the scouting council.

For residents of Rhode Island, Camp Richard stands as an exceptional and highly suitable resource, particularly for families and youth involved in scouting. Its appeal for locals lies in its unique combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and its unwavering dedication to youth development. Being a "very well maintained camp" instills confidence in parents and leaders that their children are in a safe, clean, and functional environment.

The prime location on a beautiful lake in Charlestown offers a quintessential New England outdoor experience, providing easy access to water activities that are a beloved part of Rhode Island's identity. This direct lake access means that children can engage in swimming, boating, and other water-based learning without extensive travel, maximizing their time in nature. Furthermore, its specialized focus as a "scout camp on the lake" means its facilities and programs are perfectly aligned with the values of character-building, leadership, and outdoor skill development that scouting promotes.

For local scout units, Camp Richard provides a familiar and trusted environment for their regular campouts, merit badge activities, and summer programs. It fosters a sense of community and tradition, with many young Rhode Islanders growing up with cherished memories of their time at this camp. In a state that values its close-knit communities and natural coastal beauty, Camp Richard offers an unparalleled opportunity for local youth to connect with both, ensuring that the next generation develops a profound appreciation for the outdoors and the skills to navigate it confidently. It’s more than just a campground; it’s a vital cornerstone for youth empowerment in the Ocean State.

Camp Richard

15 Lauri Dr, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA