Taliafero Campsite

The Taliafero Campsite is a specific, well-defined unit camping area located within the grounds of Camp Friedlander, which is the centerpiece of the Dan Beard Scout Reservation in Loveland, Ohio. Situated in the scenic Little Miami River Valley area of Southwestern Ohio, this is not a general public campground but rather a designated, reserved site tailored for organized youth groups—primarily Scouts BSA troops—who participate in the camp’s renowned summer program and year-round activities.

Taliafero Campsite typically functions as a troop's home base for a full week, providing a sense of community and structure during their immersive camp experience. It is designed to accommodate a medium-to-large unit, with a stated capacity for up to 38 attendees, making it an excellent choice for Ohio troops looking for a substantial, dedicated area. Camp Friedlander, recognized as one of the best camping facilities in the country, provides the backbone of resources and programming that units staying at Taliafero access daily. This environment offers a critical mix of traditional outdoor camping with world-class facilities and instructional programs, making it a staple for character and leadership development across the tri-state area.

For local Ohio users, understanding the distinction is important: reservations for Taliafero Campsite are generally managed centrally through the Dan Beard Council and are tied to a program or activity, rather than being an open, nightly rental for individual families. The site itself offers essential rustic infrastructure, benefiting from its inclusion within a highly organized and fully-staffed camp environment.

---

Taliafero Campsite shares the official address of the greater camp property: 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA. This location places the facility roughly 20 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati, making it highly accessible via major interstates and state routes for groups originating in Southern Ohio. The Loveland area itself is known for blending suburban convenience with beautiful natural landscapes, offering a quick escape into the woods without being isolated.

Key access information:

• Road Network: The camp is conveniently close to local infrastructure, including nearby stores like Kroger and Walgreens, often reachable within a 5-minute drive for last-minute supplies or emergencies.
• Campsite Placement: While the specific location of Taliafero within the 506-acre Dan Beard Scout Reservation is one of the 23 total campsites, it is strategically located to provide a balance of privacy for the unit while maintaining reasonable access to the camp's key program areas, such as the Dining Hall, the lake, and the various activity centers.
• Transportation: For out-of-town groups, arrangements for shuttle service from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) are available through the Council, highlighting its ease of reach for wider organizational events.

---

Units staying at Taliafero Campsite benefit from the extensive services and support infrastructure provided by Camp Friedlander, which elevate the camping experience beyond what is typically found at primitive sites.

• Unit Camping Infrastructure:
  • Dedicated space for one unit, with a capacity of up to 38 attendees.
  • Ready-to-use canvas wall tents on raised wooden platforms, generally including metal spring cots and mattresses for two campers per tent.
  • Campsite amenities including a unit shelter with picnic tables, a fire ring for campfires, and a dedicated water pump for fresh water access.
  • Nearby latrine facilities (KYBOs) and shared access to centralized shower houses.
• Food and Dining:
  • Full-service dining provided in the air-conditioned Camp Friedlander Dining Hall, which seats up to 600 people and offers three meals a day, plus a late-evening snack ("Cracker Barrel").
  • Ability to accommodate most dietary restrictions with prior notice, managed by the Dining Service staff.
• Program Support:
  • Daily program guidance and support from a trained camp staff, including a Resident Chaplain and specialized program directors.
  • Access to over 70 merit badge offerings and other high adventure programs like COPE/Climbing.
• General Camp Amenities:
  • An Administration building for check-in and communication.
  • A Trading Post for purchasing snacks, drinks, camp merchandise, and necessities.
  • Available Wi-Fi in some indoor locations and reliable cell coverage throughout the camp.

---

Choosing Taliafero Campsite provides direct access to the premier features that define Camp Friedlander as a destination for outdoor activity and youth training in Ohio.

• Aquatics Excellence: Direct access to the 18-acre Lake Marge Schott for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and sail boating, all managed with professional lifeguards. This includes the popular "Blob" lakefront activity.
• Adventure Facilities: Immediate availability of the 60-foot climbing and rappelling tower and the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) course for team building and high adventure.
• Extensive Program Areas: The camp features specialized areas, including multiple shooting ranges (rifle and shotgun), a dedicated Nature/Ecology Center, and a new Skilled Trades Center for vocational exploration.
• Superior Group Facilities: Large, functional gathering points such as the 500-person capacity lakeshore Amphitheater for campfires and ceremonies, and the large Dining Hall which also serves as a rental venue for non-Scouting corporate or family events.
• Accommodation Versatility: Beyond the standard canvas tents at Taliafero, the camp also offers heated cabins for winter camping, allowing for use throughout the Ohio seasons.

---

All communications, registrations, and inquiries regarding Taliafero Campsite must be channeled through the Dan Beard Council/Camp Friedlander administration, which maintains multiple contact points for different needs.

• Address: 581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA (Physical Camp Location)
• Main Council Phone (General Inquiries/Fax): (513) 577-7700
• Camp Office Phone (Summer Season/Emergency Only): (513) 831-8311
• Council Email: General inquiries regarding camping and facilities can be directed through the Dan Beard Council's primary contact channels.

---

For Ohio-based youth organizations, choosing Taliafero Campsite is choosing an unmatched, streamlined, and comprehensive outdoor educational experience. It is worth selecting for two primary reasons: unrivaled program quality and organizational convenience.

The camp handles the major logistics—from serving three meals a day in a massive dining hall to providing professionally run merit badge instruction—which frees unit leaders to focus solely on their group's growth and development. Taliafero provides a ready-to-use base camp for a large group (up to 38), ensuring that the unit is safely housed and has access to all the necessary infrastructure: water, shelter, fire ring, and restrooms. The campsite is a direct gateway to high-adventure aquatic, climbing, and shooting sports programs that are difficult to replicate at typical public campgrounds in the region. Choosing this site means choosing a week of high achievement, leadership training, and memorable outdoor adventure, all supported by a well-established and highly-rated Ohio institution.

Taliafero Campsite

581 Ibold Rd, Loveland, OH 45140, USA