Staff Sleeping Area

Hello, fellow Tennesseans! When you're seeking information about outdoor destinations in our beautiful state, you might sometimes encounter names that sound like campgrounds but serve a different purpose. One such example is "Staff Sleeping Area" located at 373 Camp Buck Toms Rd, Rockwood, TN 37854, USA. It’s important for our local community to understand that while this address is indeed part of a significant outdoor facility, the "Staff Sleeping Area" is not a public campground available for general recreational use. Instead, it refers to the lodging facilities specifically designated for the dedicated staff members who run Camp Buck Toms, a premier Boy Scout summer camp.

Camp Buck Toms itself is a pride of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, offering an exceptional summer camp program for Scouts and Venturers. This 750-acre camp, nestled on the scenic shores of Watts Bar Lake in Roane County, provides unparalleled opportunities for adventure, growth, and learning. It boasts a wide array of program areas, modern facilities, and a rich history of fostering leadership and outdoor skills in youth. While the "Staff Sleeping Area" is integral to the camp's operations, ensuring that the hardworking staff have comfortable accommodations, it is part of a private, specialized institution. We understand that clarity is key when planning your outdoor excursions in Tennessee. Therefore, instead of presenting this as a public campground, we'll focus on providing accurate information about Camp Buck Toms as a whole, highlighting its impressive features and its vital role in youth development in our state, acknowledging that while it's not for public camping, it's a remarkable part of Tennessee's outdoor landscape.

Camp Buck Toms is beautifully situated at 373 Camp Buck Toms Rd, Rockwood, TN 37854, USA. This prime location places it directly on the shores of Watts Bar Lake, one of the largest reservoirs in the Tennessee River system, offering over three miles of private shoreline within the camp's boundaries. The camp benefits from being nestled in the picturesque landscape of East Tennessee, providing a stunning natural backdrop of forests, fields, and water.

Accessibility to Camp Buck Toms is generally straightforward. Rockwood, Tennessee, is conveniently located near Interstate 40, a major thoroughfare connecting Nashville to the west and Knoxville to the east. This makes the camp relatively easy to reach for visitors and participants from across Tennessee. While Camp Buck Toms Road itself is a local road leading into the camp, it is typically well-maintained, ensuring smooth travel for vehicles. The camp's direct access to Watts Bar Lake is a significant advantage, providing opportunities for various aquatics programs and scenic views. For staff and program participants, the location offers a perfect balance of immersion in nature and reasonable proximity to the town of Rockwood for any necessary supplies or services. This strategic position makes Camp Buck Toms an ideal setting for its extensive outdoor programs, allowing easy access for scouting groups while maintaining a sense of secluded adventure.

While the "Staff Sleeping Area" is specific lodging for employees, Camp Buck Toms as a whole offers a comprehensive suite of services and facilities for its primary users: Boy Scouts and their leaders. These services are designed to support a multi-week summer camp experience and various training programs:

• Sixteen Campsites: Each accommodating numerous Scouts, featuring a mix of four- and eight-person Adirondacks (three-sided shelters) and 18’ x 20’ shelters, many with electricity. Some campsites boast terrific lakefront views.
• Modern Bathhouses: Multiple bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers are available throughout the camp, serving the various campsites. Some campsites even have their own dedicated modern bathhouses.
• Pat & Joe Johnson Dining Hall: A modern, spacious dining facility with a full commercial kitchen, capable of feeding hundreds of Scouts per shift comfortably.
• Comprehensive Program Areas: Dedicated areas for Aquatics, Nature, Handicraft, Health & Safety, Scoutcraft, Shooting Sports (rifle, shotgun, archery ranges), Mountain Biking, High Adventure (climbing tower, high ropes course, zipline, V-swing), and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programming.
• Healthcare Facilities: A Health Lodge staffed by medical professionals (physicians during the week, certified EMTs on weekends), with a direct satellite link to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for emergencies.
• Training Center: Facilities dedicated to various leadership and skill-building training programs.
• General Store/Trading Post: A place where Scouts can purchase snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and program-related supplies.
• Miles of Scenic Hiking Trails: An extensive network of trails for hiking and exploration within the 750-acre property.
• Fishing Pier: A designated pier with fish attractors for fishing activities on Watts Bar Lake.

• Premier Boy Scout Summer Camp: Widely recognized as one of the finest summer camp programs for Scouting and Venturing, offering nearly fifty merit badges and various specialized programs.
• Expansive Waterfront Activities: Its location on Watts Bar Lake allows for extensive aquatic programs including swimming, boating, canoeing, waterskiing, and even BSA lifeguard certification.
• High Adventure Programs: Features a 60-foot climbing tower, high ropes course, zip line, and V-swing for challenging outdoor personal experience (COPE) programs, as well as Mountain Man expeditions involving backpacking, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing.
• Dedicated First-Year Camper Program (Dan Beard Program): A specially designed program to introduce new Scouts to camping and help them achieve early ranks like Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
• Modern Facilities and Accommodations: Recent renovations include new housing (Adirondacks), new bathhouses, a state-of-the-art shotgun range, and a significantly expanded dining hall, enhancing the comfort and program delivery.
• Rich History and Natural Beauty: The camp spans 750 acres with over 3 miles of shoreline, dotted with Indian mounds and rich in wildlife, offering a deep connection to Tennessee's natural and cultural heritage.
• Professional Staff and Healthcare: The camp prides itself on a professional, dedicated staff (including the use of the "Staff Sleeping Area") and on-site medical care, ensuring safety and quality instruction.
• Focus on Youth Development: Beyond skills, the camp emphasizes leadership, self-esteem, decision-making, trust, and teamwork through its diverse programs.

Address: 373 Camp Buck Toms Rd, Rockwood, TN 37854, USA

Phone: (865) 354-4740 (This is the primary public number for Camp Buck Toms, as provided in public listings for the camp. It would be the appropriate contact for general inquiries about the camp's programs and facilities).

Email: Jennifer.Williams@scouting.org (as listed for Camp Buck Toms on East TN Vacations).

For Tennesseans, particularly those with youth involved in Scouting, Camp Buck Toms stands as an invaluable local resource. While the "Staff Sleeping Area" and the camp itself are not open to the general public for recreational camping, the existence of such a high-quality, comprehensive outdoor education and adventure facility in our state is a significant asset. It provides an exceptional environment for young people to develop critical life skills, foster a love for the outdoors, and build character right here in Tennessee.

The camp's strategic location on Watts Bar Lake, combined with its extensive array of program areas and modern amenities (including the dedicated staff facilities that ensure a well-supported team), creates a truly immersive and enriching experience. For local Scout troops, this means access to a nearby, top-tier summer camp that offers everything from basic outdoor skills to high-adventure challenges like climbing and whitewater rafting. The continuous investment in its facilities, such as the new dining hall and renovated campsites, ensures that Camp Buck Toms remains a leading destination for youth development. For Tennessee families and communities, understanding and supporting institutions like Camp Buck Toms is crucial, as they play a vital role in shaping the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and responsible citizens, instilling values and creating lifelong memories within the beautiful landscapes of our home state.

Staff Sleeping Area

373 Camp Buck Toms Rd, Rockwood, TN 37854, USA