Pike Campsite

The Pike Campsite is a designated, semi-primitive group camping area situated within the vast and celebrated Camp Friedlander, a cornerstone property of the Dan Beard Scout Reservation in Loveland, Ohio. It is important for local Ohio users to understand that Pike Campsite is not an open, public campground for individual family reservations. Instead, it is one of the approximately 23 dedicated unit campsites designed specifically to host organized groups, primarily Scouts BSA troops, attending the camp’s highly-regarded week-long summer resident camp program, or other year-round organizational events.

As a core part of the Camp Friedlander property, the Pike Campsite offers a traditional and structured outdoor experience. It provides the essential infrastructure for a troop to establish its home base—a temporary community where youth development, leadership training, and the pursuit of merit badges take place. While the site itself maintains a rustic, wooded atmosphere typical of a quality Ohio campground, it benefits immensely from the surrounding, multi-million dollar amenities of the larger reservation. It offers groups a secluded experience while keeping them within easy reach of the dining hall, health lodge, and numerous program activity centers.

The capacity of Pike Campsite is an important detail for planners, as it is one of the sites reserved for a specific number of attendees—often accommodating around 32 campers, though this can vary depending on the weekly camp matrix and the needs of the Dan Beard Council. Choosing Pike Campsite means choosing a blend of immersive forest camping with the logistical support of one of the premier outdoor education centers in the Midwest.

---

Pike Campsite is located within the greater boundaries of the Dan Beard Scout Reservation, whose official address is 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA. This prime location places the campground in the beautiful, rolling terrain of the Little Miami River Valley, providing an immediate sense of escape and natural serenity that many Ohio campers seek.

Accessibility is optimized for groups traveling by car or bus, with the camp being a short drive from the Cincinnati metropolitan area and its surrounding suburbs. While the campsite itself is secluded within the woods of the property, the overall facility is strategically situated near local conveniences.

• Easy Access: Proximity to major roads ensures straightforward navigation to the 581 Ibold Rd entrance.
• On-Site Convenience: The camp administration building, parking lot, and Trading Post (for snacks and minor necessities) are centrally located relative to the campsite cluster, ensuring needs can be met quickly.
• Internal Trails: The campsite is connected to the rest of the 500+ acre camp property by a network of established trails, including the We-Hin-Ay-Pay Trail, allowing campers easy pedestrian access to all program areas, the Dining Hall, and the central Lake Marge Schott.

---

A unit reserving Pike Campsite is purchasing access not just to a piece of ground, but to a vast array of managed services that ensure a high-quality, safe, and organized camping experience.

• Campsite Infrastructure:
  • Dedicated unit space with a central unit shelter/pavilion for group gatherings and protection from the elements.
  • Prepared tent sites featuring 2-person canvas tents mounted on raised wooden platforms, each including cots and mattresses.
  • Traditional outdoor amenities like a fire ring for campfires and cooking, and a dedicated water pump near the site.
  • Access to nearby communal KYBOs (latrines) and centralized, shared shower house facilities.
• Meal Service:
  • Full meal plan service provided in the modern, air-conditioned Camp Friedlander Dining Hall for three square meals a day, simplifying logistics for unit leaders.
  • Professional dining staff available to coordinate accommodations for pre-notified dietary restrictions.
• Safety & Support:
  • On-site Health Lodge with dedicated medical staff for basic first aid and health support.
  • Highly trained, full-time camp staff dedicated to providing program instruction and oversight.
• Year-Round Utilization:
  • The campsite can be utilized year-round by units for activities outside of the peak summer resident camp season, though campers should be prepared to bring their own tents and cold-weather gear during the off-season.

---

The unique draw of Pike Campsite is its position within the adventure-rich environment of Camp Friedlander, often regarded by Ohio locals as one of the best summer camp facilities in the Midwest.

• Adventure Facilities: Direct access to premier high-adventure activities on the property, including:
  • The 60-foot Climbing and Rappelling Tower with varying difficulty levels.
  • A full COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) Ropes Course for team-building.
• Aquatics Program: Access to the 18-acre Lake Marge Schott and the Olympic-size swimming pool, offering certified instruction in swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and specialty programs like SCUBA and Snorkeling.
• Extensive Educational Programs: The camp offers over 70 merit badges across 11 program areas, including Shooting Sports, Outdoor Skills, Handicraft, and the Trailblazer program for younger participants.
• Historic Setting: Being part of a property with a Scouting history dating back to 1919, the campsite is steeped in a tradition of youth development, providing a sense of heritage and commitment that is valued in the Ohio community.
• Large Group Capacity: As a major unit site, Pike Campsite is structured to comfortably host groups of up to 32, fostering strong unit cohesion through shared camping and program experiences.

---

Since Pike Campsite is a component of the Dan Beard Scout Reservation, all official inquiries, reservations, and communications should be directed through the central Council and Camp Friedlander administrative channels.

• Physical Address: 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
• Camp Office Phone (Emergency/Summer Season): (513) 831-8311
• General Council Phone: (513) 577-7700 (Often used for general Dan Beard Council inquiries and non-emergency camp services.)
• Website: The Dan Beard Council website is the primary source for camp guides, calendars, and registration forms.

---

Choosing Pike Campsite for an organized group experience in Ohio is an investment in a premium, hassle-free, and high-impact outdoor education week. It is worth choosing because it eliminates many of the common logistical challenges of group camping while maximizing the potential for youth advancement and adventure.

The site's inclusion in Camp Friedlander means a unit gets a turn-key camping setup (platform tents, cots, fire ring) alongside access to truly exceptional facilities—a vast lake, a climbing tower, and certified instructors for over 70 merit badges. The camp's history and dedication to youth development make it a safe, organized, and time-honored choice for groups from across the state. For Ohio users seeking a foundational and adventurous outdoor experience for their organization, Pike Campsite is the highly recommended launchpad to "Adventure Unlimited."

Pike Campsite

581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA