Camp Crowell is a GSCNC owned and operated site located in Oakton, Virginia. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Crowell deeded 38 acres to the Fairfax County Council (later merged with GSCNC) in 1948. In the deed they stated “for the use and benefit of the Fairfax County Council, said Council to have full and exclusive use and control of the said property as long as it so desires.” Mr. Crowell, a member of the Board of Directors of Union Carbide Corporation, presented the land in honor of his parents, Frank and Ellen Crowell, who first owned the property. In 1960 additional land was purchased bringing the camp’s total acreage to 57 acres.
There are two entrances to Camp Crowell. The Justin Knoll entrance leads to a paved road big enough for two-way traffic and buses; this is the entrance that all car-poolers and parents should use.
The Vale Road entrance leads to a one-way gravel road and is therefore for STAFF ONLY. This is where staff will park during camp.
Camp Crowell has two lodges and a pavilion. The Ashgrove Lodge serves as the center of camp activities; it houses the core staff, including the directors, nurse, equipment manager, registrar, business manager and kitchen staff.
The Firefly Lodge generally houses several different “centers” and program activities. The basement of the Firefly Lodge also serves as one of the two camp-wide tornado shelters. As of summer 2008, the second site is in the basement of a neighboring church. Juliette Place, also called the “Kinder Hut”, houses our non-scout unit of pre-Kindergarten campers.
All scout and non-scout units are assigned a home at one of the six main camp sites – Eagle’s Nest, Forest Home, High Top, Singing Pines, Hickory Hill and Mighty Oaks. Each of these sites comes equipped with a cook shelter, fire circles and four screened-in unit shelters.
Forest Home, Eagle’s Nest, and Singing Pines have glen shelters.
Mighty Oaks and Hickory Hill have adirondacks.
High Top has tree houses.
While ground water and running water (i.e. in the streams) are not potable, all water that comes from a pump or faucet is Fairfax County water and is therefore safe to drink. Every site at camp is equipped with a pump and/or faucet.
Every site at camp also comes equipped with latrines. Certain sites have stalls reserved for “men only” and “adults/older girls only.” All latrines are pit-style and the lids on the seat are kept down to keep the latrine from becoming smelly. “Cleaning” a latrine involves sweeping out dirt and wiping down the seat with disinfectant wipes.
There is no air conditioning at Camp Crowell. This is an outdoor site.
The main areas of camp are accessible, including both lodges, Juliette Place and the Forest Home site. For those with limited mobility, other areas of camp may be completely inaccessible due to steep trails, steps and gravel paths. If you are thinking about sending a camper with limited mobility to camp, please consult with our directors about the extent of your camper’s abilities. We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate campers with limited mobility.
