Martin Campsite

For organized groups, youth units, and traditional outdoor enthusiasts across the Ohio region, **Martin Campsite** provides a classic, foundational tent camping experience within the vast and historic **Camp Friedlander** property in Loveland, Ohio. Martin Campsite is one of the many dedicated camping areas that comprise the 506-acre Dan Beard Scout Reservation, a well-known hub for outdoor education and adventure in the greater Cincinnati area. While its primary function is supporting the premier Scouts BSA summer camp program, Martin Campsite, like others on the reservation, is frequently available for use by authorized non-Scouting groups and organizations during non-peak times, offering a valuable opportunity to immerse in the natural beauty of Southwestern Ohio.

Martin Campsite is designed to provide a traditional, rustic camping environment. It caters to groups that require a defined space with the necessary basic infrastructure to support an extended stay in the wilderness, such as multiple tent locations, a central area for group activities, and immediate access to shared utilities. Typically, sites across Camp Friedlander are equipped with established features that ensure a consistent and safe experience for all campers. These features usually include several **wooden tent platforms** to keep bedding dry and level, designated fire rings for safe campfires, and picnic tables for group meals. The overall ambiance of the campsite is usually wooded, offering ample natural shade and a sense of peaceful seclusion essential for a true outdoor retreat.

By choosing a campsite like Martin, users are selecting a blend of primitive camping aesthetics supported by the robust facilities of a major outdoor reservation. This is especially appealing to Ohio groups—from churches and school clubs to corporate team-building ventures—who seek a genuine connection with nature but require the security and convenience of well-maintained grounds. The camp is managed by the Dan Beard Council, ensuring a high standard of maintenance, safety protocols, and cleanliness across the entire reservation, including the individual campsites. The fact that the entire property is continuously used and managed for large-scale youth programs speaks to the quality and reliability of the infrastructure available at Martin Campsite.

Furthermore, the Martin Campsite is perfectly positioned for groups looking to engage with the extensive program areas of the Dan Beard Scout Reservation. Its location within the greater camp area means that a short walk can connect campers to high-adventure elements, the lakefront, or the main dining and administration areas, allowing groups to easily transition from quiet campsite life to high-energy programmed activities. This dual advantage—a private, rustic site with access to extensive recreational facilities—makes it a uniquely valuable destination for organizations across Ohio.

Martin Campsite is located within the Dan Beard Scout Reservation, which is officially situated at: **581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA**. The camp’s location in Loveland, Ohio, in the heart of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, ensures excellent accessibility for individuals and groups traveling from the Tri-State area and beyond.

For campers driving from central or southern Ohio, the camp is conveniently located near key roadways, making the trip efficient. Its proximity to suburban Loveland means that emergency services and local stores (such as Kroger and Walgreens, often just a short 5-minute drive away) are readily available—a significant comfort for group leaders. The main entrance off Ibold Road leads directly into the central camp area, with campsites like Martin situated along well-defined camp roads and trails. This ease of access, combined with a 506-acre setting that feels entirely remote, provides the perfect environment for both quick weekend excursions and longer, planned retreats for Ohio residents. Driving directions and property maps are typically available from the Dan Beard Council to ensure smooth arrival and check-in at the administration building.

Martin Campsite itself is characterized by basic, functional services tailored for group tent camping, supported by the extensive amenities of Camp Friedlander. The specific campsite area typically includes:

• **Established Tent Sites:** Dedicated, cleared spaces for setting up multiple tents. Most tent sites utilize wooden platforms to provide a dry, level base, which is standard practice for high-use camp reservations.
• **Campfire and Cooking:** A permanent, stone-lined fire ring for safe and contained campfires, essential for cooking, warmth, and traditional evening programs.
• **Picnic Tables:** Several heavy-duty picnic tables are provided within the site’s boundaries, offering a functional area for group meals and activity planning.
• **Sanitation Access:** Close proximity to the shared camp latrines (KYBOs) and centrally located shower facilities, ensuring necessary sanitation is available within a short walking distance.
• **Water Source:** Convenient access to a shared potable water pump or spigot, crucial for drinking, washing, and cooking needs.
• **Natural Features:** Abundant tree cover provides natural shade, which helps regulate temperature and offers a pleasant, wooded atmosphere.
• **Parking:** Designated parking areas are available near the campsite, accommodating necessary vehicle overflow for group transportation.

Campers reserving Martin Campsite gain potential access to the spectacular program features of the wider Camp Friedlander reservation, which distinguishes it from basic public campgrounds in Ohio.

• **High-Adventure Elements:** These include the impressive 60-foot tall **Climbing and Rappelling Tower** and the extensive **COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) Ropes Course**, which are highly valuable for organizational team-building and leadership training, often available through specialized reservations.
• **Aquatics:** Access to the 18-acre Lake Marge Schott for activities such as fishing, boating (canoeing, kayaking), and the use of the **Olympic-size Swimming Pool** (seasonal), complete with trained aquatic staff.
• **Shooting Sports Facilities:** Well-maintained ranges for archery, rifle, and shotgun shooting, available for use by authorized and trained groups under strict safety regulations.
• **Large-Scale Event Venues:** Rental access to the **600-person capacity, air-conditioned Dining Hall** for banquets, training, or large group meals, and the **500-seat Lakeside Amphitheatre** for ceremonies and performances.
• **Trail System:** The 500+ acres feature numerous hiking and nature trails, including a popular 1.2-mile loop around the lake, perfect for nature study and physical fitness.
• **Trading Post:** A central Trading Post is typically open to provide essential supplies, snacks, beverages, and souvenirs (SWAG).

For further inquiries regarding the availability and rental of Martin Campsite, or any of the Camp Friedlander facilities, please use the contact information for the managing Dan Beard Council:

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

Main Phone: (513) 577-7700 (Dan Beard Council Office)

Choosing Martin Campsite is choosing a deeply rooted tradition of quality outdoor experience, backed by the comprehensive resources of a premier youth reservation. What is worth choosing here is the **dependable structure of a maintained group campsite** combined with the **rich programming opportunities** of the wider Camp Friedlander. This site offers the ideal balance: a dedicated, wooded haven for your group's core activities, such as evening campfires and tent living, coupled with unparalleled access to top-tier adventure and aquatics facilities that can transform a simple outing into a genuine adventure.

For any Ohio organization planning a robust outdoor program—be it for leadership development, recreation, or bonding—Martin Campsite provides a safe, organized, and beautifully natural setting without requiring your group to be entirely self-sufficient. The institutional management ensures clean shared facilities and a safe environment, allowing group leaders to focus less on logistics and more on the positive, developmental experiences of their participants. This is the advantage of Martin Campsite: a classic, rustic retreat, conveniently located in Loveland, yet offering the resources of a full-scale adventure camp.

Martin Campsite

581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA