Boy Scout Camp Billy Sowell

Billy Sowell is located in the southwest corner of the camp. This part of Camp Wisdom caters to the Boy Scouts, Venturing Crews and Varsity Scouts as Cub World caters to Cub Scouts.

As you make your way through the gateway you will encounter the Sowell Center. The Sowell center houses the Ranger’s office and camp check-in center.

Jack Harbin Scout Memorabilia Museum - is located on the east side of the Sowell Center. Inside you will relive the history of Camp Wisdom. Pictures, patches and stories will take you back when “Daddy Wisdom” owned this property. A variety of display

Cases are filled with patches from the Order of the Arrow, National and World Jamboree and Summer Camps. Memorabilia that is scouting related such as knifes, toys and uniforms make up a big part of the museum. There is also a display dedicated to Wood Badge. The museum is open is usually opened on Saturdays from 8:00 am to approximately 11:00 am.

PROGRAM AREAS FOR BILLY SOWELL BOY SCOUT CAMP

John Murrell Field Sports Area – includes a full eight station archery ranges, eight station rifle range and shotgun trap range. (Riles/Shotguns and ammunitions and clay disc can be purchase from the Ranger for a small fee) To be able to reserve the rangers you must have a trained leader.

COPE – is located just below the swimming pool. Under a canopy of tall hard woods this unusual COPE facility has 14 low elements and six high elements. The main attraction is the Helix Tower. This tower is over 52 feet tall and has three climbing zones. This massive tower boasts a difficult over hang and a slight incline. Camp Wisdom Helix is only the second one built in the United States. If any out of council units are planning to use COPE the $2.00 fee is included in the COPE.

Swimming Facilities – has an Olympic size swimming pool with a diving board and bathhouse facilities. The bathhouse has two separate areas for males and females. Each area includes flush toilets, changing area and hot/cold showers. There is an additional fee of $2.00 per person for the usage of the pool. All standards must be met by the policies of Safe Swim Defense Plan.

Jim Ince Outdoor Amphitheater - this tranquil outdoor amphitheater is indeed one of a kind. Nested into the landscape this one of a kind amphitheater will seat over 700 people. At night you can either use the outdoor fire rings to illuminate the stage or just turn on the lights. The acoustics within the amphitheater are unbelievable but if you need a boost the sound system will help.

Training Lodge is one of the oldest buildings on the camp. There are many large windows that are abundant throughout the lodge. The lodge will seat about 200 people. Tables and chairs are located inside along with separate bathrooms. The lodge has a fireplace and is heated. The natural wood look makes it an excellent place to conduct training. In the log rafters houses years of Wood badge course flags. On the walls are the individual patrol flags.

Camp Master cabin is attached to the back of the lodge which has sleeping area, a fire place, small kitchenette and a shower area.

Dining Hall and Kitchen – the dining hall will seat over 200 people. Windows throughout the dining hall provide a beautiful view of camp. However the dining hall doesn’t have any heat or air conditioning. A huge wood-burning fireplace will provide some heat and creates a great ambiance. In the summer months the windows can be removed to allow the sweet smell of the cedars to blow through. The kitchen is equipped with a walk in freezer and refrigerator and all the amenities of an industrial kitchen. Just like any summer camp kitchen you can cook for 10 people or 500.

PAVILIONS

Daffron – is located just as you drive in on the east side of camp. This pavilion is enclosed on the north end only and has a huge wood-burning fireplace. Several picnic tables are available. Since the Daffron pavilion is located on the east side it can only be reserved if you using Cub World. The pavilion measures 20'x40'.

Chief Haynes – is located in the Order of the Arrow field just about 300 yards from the dining hall. This pavilion is completely opened aired on the sides and is perfect for district events. This pavilion measures 20'x40'.

Westside – is located on the upper west side of camp. This pavilion is opened aired on the sides and has large activity field just outside the pavilion perfect for camporees and various other activities. The activity field has three flag poles that can be used for flag ceremonies and has fire ring for campfire program. This pavilion measures 20'x40'.

Creek side – is located on the upper Middle West side of camp. This pavilion is opened aired on the sides and has a large activity field just out side the pavilion. This pavilion measures 20'x40'.

Lake Shirley – located in the northern tip of camp. This pavilion measures 20'x40' and the north end of the pavilion is enclosed. The pavilion set along side of beautiful Lake Shirley with plenty of picnic tables located inside.

LAKES

Lake Shirley – eight acres of great aquatic fun. Canoeing, rowing and fishing are all available at Lake Shirley. Fish the abundant water on one of three fishing docks for catfish, bass and perch. Don’t forget to bring your own poles and fishing gear. And remember that all fishing is catch and release. Canoes are available at no charge if your unit wants to canoe at Lake Shirley. We have a limited supply of canoes. Canoes will need to be requested on the Camp Reservation Form. There is a small boat shack that houses lifejackets and paddles.

Canoes are stored at Camp Wisdom and can be rented. In the late spring of 2003 a set of canoes and trailer became available. The trailer holds a total of 10 canoes including life jackets and paddles. The cost for the canoe rental is $15.00 for the first day and $10 the second day and $5 for any additional days. Reservations must be made through the Council office at 214-902-6764.

Blue Gil – is located on the west side of camp located at the lower water crossing on the way to the west side pavilion. Blue Gil also has fishing opportunity and has a beaver dam on the far side.

CAMPSITES

General Campsite Information – all Boy Scouts/Venturing campsites are located on the west side of camp. There are 25 campsites available. There is a mixture of old style latrines that features pit toilets and showers. The newer latrines are going to have individual pit toilet rooms without any showers. All campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and there is an abundant amount of wood. Each campsite is set up so that troops can camp as patrols. Most campsites can accommodate up to 90 campers.

Tembro, North Star, Exchange and Eisenhower – are located on the north side of camp within the Boy Scout camp. All of these campsites have small training lodges. Eisenhower is located just a few hundred feet from the main training lodge. Each lodge can hold about 20 people and have small fireplaces along with electricity. However there is no sleeping inside the lodges.

Hillcrest (Barrier Free) – is located on the south side of camp just about 200 feet from the main training lodge and dining hall. This site has flushing toilets and hot and cold showers along with a 20'x40' pavilion with electricity. This site is on the Boy Scout side; however, if any one is with either Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts they will have access to this site. This site is wheel chair access with asphalt trails within the campsite.

Staff Area – is located on the west side of camp just about one hundred yards away from the dining hall. This site has several old style frame tents with roofs but open on the sides. The restrooms have flushing toilets. Across the road is the picnic area with wide-open space which is perfect for your picnic needs.

Campsites locations affiliated with program areas:

• Chief Haynes Pavilion/OA field - McDonald, Travis, Indian Trail, Sam Houston, Stemmons, Eisenhower, Exchange, North Star, Tembro
• John Murrell Field Sports Area/Creekside Pavilion - Burr Oak, Baden Powell
• Lake Shirley – Niblos View, Mt Bracken, Humpheries
• COPE – Sailors Point
• Blue Gil – Land slide and Shark Tooth
• Westside Pavilion – Fox Den, Eagles Nest, Antelope Run, Beavers Way, Bear Paw, Buffalo Run, Horned Owl and Bobwhite Ridge
• Jim Ince Outdoor Amphitheater – North Star and Staff Area
• Dining Hall and Kitchen/Training Lodge/Swimming Facilities – McDonald and Staff Area