New River Scout Camp

For youth groups, scout troops, and even military units in North Carolina looking to immerse themselves in outdoor adventure and develop valuable skills, the New River Scout Camp in Jacksonville, NC, presents a dynamic and enriching opportunity. While not a traditional public campground for individual families in the typical sense, this facility is a dedicated hub for organized outdoor and recreational activities, primarily serving the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune community and associated youth programs. It’s a place where the pristine natural environment of Eastern North Carolina becomes a classroom and a playground, offering everything from primitive camping experiences to engaging water and land-based adventures. For our local scout troops and youth organizations, understanding the offerings at New River Scout Camp can unlock a world of exciting possibilities for building character, fostering teamwork, and creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.

The New River Scout Camp is located within the expansive Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. Its address, PHF8+53, Jacksonville, NC 28540, USA, indicates its specific placement within the larger base. As such, accessibility to the camp is generally restricted to authorized personnel and groups affiliated with the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) or invited organizations like Boy Scout programs. For Iowans and other civilians, this is not a public campground in the same vein as a state park. However, for military families stationed at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, and for scout troops participating in specific programs, its location is highly convenient. It provides an immediate outdoor escape within the base's perimeter, reducing the need for extensive travel to external recreational areas. The various recreational areas and facilities associated with MCCS Lejeune-New River are spread across the base, ensuring that a diverse range of activities are accessible to eligible patrons. While specific directions to the "Scout Camp" itself might involve navigating internal base roads, general access to the broader outdoor recreation areas on Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River is well-managed for authorized individuals.

New River Scout Camp, as part of the broader MCCS Lejeune-New River Outdoor Adventures program, offers a focused set of services geared towards group recreation and outdoor skill development. It's important to understand that these services are tailored for organized activities and not for individual public camping. Based on available information, key services offered include:

• Primitive Campsites: The camp provides "7 primitive campsites" at its Brewster Recreation Area. These are designed for a more rugged camping experience, with most equipped with "a picnic shelter, picnic table, and fire ring."
• Group Campsites: In addition to individual primitive sites, there is at least "1 group campsite" available, ideal for scout troops, youth organizations, or military units.
• Canoe & Kayak Launch: Direct access to waterways for paddling activities is a significant service. The camp facilitates "canoe & kayak launch" for water adventures on Wallace Creek and potentially the New River itself.
• Potable Water & Port-a-john Toilets: While primitive, the camp does provide basic necessities such as "potable water & port-a-john toilets," which are essential for comfortable outdoor stays.
• Equipment Rentals: Through MCCS Outdoor Adventures, there's access to "Recreational Equipment Checkout & Rentals" for "camping gear" and various watercraft like "motorized boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards." This allows groups to equip themselves for their activities.
• Trained Staff for Guided Activities: Programs like "Unit Kayaking" and "Archery Tag" are led by "friendly staff" who "equip you with a kayak or canoe, paddles, and a Personal Flotation Device." This indicates a structured and supervised approach to activities.
• Customized Activity Packages: Outdoor Adventures offers the ability to "select up to 3 activities for a customized 90-minute PT adventure," including options like kayaking, mountain biking, archery tag, rock wall, and stand-up paddleboarding.
• Reservations & Pricing Information: Services include managing reservations for campsites and activity packages, with pricing available upon inquiry.
• Fire Safety Provisions: For campfires, specific requirements are in place, such as needing a "Bucket of water (5 gallons)" and a "Rack or shovel," which points to a service of ensuring safe fire practices.

These services are clearly geared towards structured group activities and outdoor education within a military base context.

The New River Scout Camp, as part of the wider MCCS Lejeune-New River Outdoor Adventures, offers a robust set of features and highlights that make it a premier destination for youth groups and military personnel seeking outdoor enrichment and recreation in North Carolina. These aspects truly define its value:

• Dedicated Primitive Camping Experience: The provision of "7 primitive campsites" and "1 group campsite" at Brewster Recreation Area allows for a genuine, back-to-nature camping experience. The inclusion of "picnic shelter, picnic table, and fire ring" at most sites enhances comfort for rustic stays.
• Exceptional Water-Based Activities: Being located near the New River and Wallace Creek, the camp offers fantastic opportunities for "kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding." The ability to "enjoy the serenity of Wallace Creek and paddle with the jumping mullet and to the lucky group, dolphins!" highlights a unique wildlife viewing experience directly accessible from the base.
• Diverse Land-Based Adventures: Beyond water sports, the broader Outdoor Adventures program includes an impressive array of activities like "Mountain Biking," "Archery Tag," and access to a "Rock Wall." This variety ensures there's something to engage different interests and skill levels.
• Structured and Supervised Programs: The availability of "friendly staff" to guide activities and "equip you with a kayak or canoe, paddles, and a Personal Flotation Device" emphasizes a safe and educational environment, particularly beneficial for youth groups.
• Essential Basic Amenities: While primitive, the provision of "Potable water & port-a-john toilets" is a crucial highlight, ensuring basic hygiene and access to fresh water during camping stays.
• Equipment Rental Convenience: The "Recreational Equipment Checkout & Rentals" for camping gear and watercraft means that groups may not need to bring all their own equipment, making outdoor adventures more accessible.
• Focus on Skill Development and Team Building: Many of the activities, such as Unit Kayaking and Archery Tag, are designed with "teambuilding goals in mind," contributing to the development of leadership and collaborative skills among participants.
• Proximity to Marine Corps Facilities: For military families and scout troops affiliated with the base, the camp's location offers convenient access to other MCCS facilities, potentially including recreation centers, pools, and other support services.

These features collectively create a comprehensive outdoor education and recreation hub, specifically tailored to its target audience within the Jacksonville, NC area.

For New River Scout Camp, "promotions or special offers" are not applicable in the traditional commercial sense, as this facility primarily serves specific groups associated with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and its youth programs. It is not a public commercial campground. Therefore, you won't find seasonal discounts or loyalty programs. However, the "offers" here are embedded in the value and accessibility of the programs themselves, particularly for authorized patrons. These include:

• Affordable Access to Facilities: For eligible military families and scout groups, the opportunity to utilize well-maintained primitive campsites and engage in diverse outdoor activities at what is likely a subsidized or low cost through MCCS, represents an inherent "offer" compared to equivalent commercial options.
• Tailored Program Benefits: The availability of customized activity packages and professional guidance for group activities serves as a significant benefit, effectively a "special offer" of structured, educational recreation that might be more challenging or costly to arrange independently.
• Access to Unique Base Resources: The ability to access a variety of MCCS recreational resources, including equipment rentals and specialized activity areas, is a unique benefit tied to being part of the authorized user group.

For any specific inquiries regarding program costs, group rates, or how to qualify for access, direct communication with the MCCS Outdoor Adventures team is the most effective approach. They can provide detailed information on eligibility and pricing for authorized groups.

For scout troops, military units, and authorized youth organizations in North Carolina looking to engage with the New River Scout Camp, direct communication with the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Outdoor Adventures program is essential. Since it's located within a military base, public access and contact methods differ from typical commercial campgrounds. While a direct phone number for "New River Scout Camp" specifically isn't publicly listed as a standalone entity, it falls under the umbrella of MCCS Lejeune-New River Outdoor Adventures. Here's how you can typically get in touch for information regarding their camping and outdoor programs:

• Address: PHF8+53, Jacksonville, NC 28540, USA (This is a general location code within the larger base area). For specific MCCS Outdoor Adventures facilities, a physical building address might be: Bldg. 728 Adjacent to Gottschalk Marina, Camp Lejeune, NC 28547.
• Phone: (910) 451-1440 (This number is for MCCS Outdoor Adventures, which oversees the camping and outdoor recreation programs at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River).

It's advisable to call during standard business hours and clearly state your affiliation (e.g., "calling on behalf of a local Boy Scout troop looking to book a camping experience") to be directed to the appropriate department. Inquiries regarding access, booking procedures, and activity availability should be made directly through this contact point to ensure accuracy and compliance with base regulations.

For us North Carolinians, particularly those involved with youth organizations, scouting programs, or military families, New River Scout Camp in Jacksonville offers a highly suitable and invaluable resource for outdoor education and recreation. Its primary suitability lies in its dedicated focus on providing structured and immersive outdoor experiences within a safe and controlled environment. For scout troops, the availability of primitive and group campsites, coupled with opportunities for activities like kayaking, archery, and mountain biking, aligns perfectly with the goals of character building, skill development, and fostering teamwork in young individuals. The presence of trained staff to guide these adventures ensures a high-quality and secure learning experience. For military families and units, it provides a convenient and accessible escape into nature directly within the base, offering a much-needed outlet for recreation and camaraderie without the complexities of off-base travel. The basic but essential amenities, such as potable water and clean facilities, support a comfortable primitive camping experience. While not a public campground for general recreational use, its specialized offerings make it an indispensable asset for its intended audience in Eastern North Carolina, providing unparalleled opportunities for youth development and outdoor enjoyment within our local community.

New River Scout Camp

PHF8+53, Jacksonville, NC 28540, USA