07/12/2026
Hello White Pine Society members. To our new followers or those of you just finding us, we are not currently a true alumni society but are a page dedicated with the thought and principals that the legendary staff members (and founders) had hopes for in the future of Robert S. Lyle Scout Reservation. I am truly grateful to both of these founders for keeping this page alive and allowing me access to share the new journey of the property with all of you. Although this was intended as an alumni based organization, the page is open to all followers and lovers of the property formerly known as Robert S. Lyle Scout Reservation.
Today I want to give you all a long over due update on the property itself. The property was sold to Langlade County Forestry, Parks and Recreation Department, who have (from the start) a great optimism towards the property, and welcoming spirit to staff alumni. They hosted a grand opening in 2023, where a former alumni from the 2010s was interviewed on local television about the camp and it's meaning to him. The campground opened in 2023 to the public and in 2025 all sites were upgraded with full electric. They have made major beautiful improvements all over including pull through campsites for RV, latrene upgrades, and a group site located at former Thompson campsite. This group site has fit roughly 8 vehicles on its driveway/path and 25 people with tents, dining area, and fireplace area. It has several outlet locations with full wattage hookups for RV to EVs.
Campsites are $40 a night for tent, pull through, and back-in sites. Double sites are $80 a night. And the group site (at former Thompson) is $120 a night. The website states that the group site is intended for 3 camping units and is an additional $40 per unit that covers 5 additional people. There is a pumping station available for RVs, located across from old thompson but just shy of where old kiwanis was.
The major investments that langlade county has spent on were the ATV/UTV trails. There is plans to have a trail that will completely encircle the lakes. As of my last trip there in 2025, the trail was beautiful but incomplete. It can be picked up at old old scoutcraft (by old rotary and old waterfront) and goes back around wintergreen island, goes towards the old fire trail off of clear lake road, and through the forest to the north shore of Lake Aninan. The trail at that time appeared to stop just about where the old mile marker was in relation to the lodge deck.
The trail to OA/Action archery island has not been maintained but if you are daring enough the boardwalk is still present but submerged in areas. The area is not maintained on the island but evidence and location of the old pre-ordeal induction bowl are still present despite major tree damage to the area. There is an old picnic table still out there and a sightly navigatable path that encircles the island.
The old eco-con was turned into a campsite. (Campsite 29) Which is very popular and hard to reserve unless planning far in advance. Campsite 22 butts up against the chapel, which is now known as the outlook if my memory is correct. They plan to encourage stargazing events at this location. The old pews were removed and many large pine trees that overlooked the area were storm damaged.
Last major update is a rumor from third hand that has not been source confirmed yet. The old main lodge is no longer planned to be salvaged and will instead likely be razed and replaced with a new venue spot. The storm damage to the roof, the lack of insulation, the amount of ADA changes necessary, all will make it more financially viable to replace then repair the existing structure. This is unfortunate to many, however I want to remind the original legend tale that I was taught; which is that the building was meant to be a temporary structure to allow Robert S. Lyle to open their first year of summer camp.
I highly encourage all of you who share an interest in scouting's preservation and the preservation of beautiful lands for future generations and camping to find time to visit the campground and see the positive improvements that the Lyle Staff had dreamed of for years. I have seen what camp closure does to other properties and I am happy in the outcome that has resulted.
Thank you all for following and sharing. I have many more photos, including inside of the lodge as of 2024, and photos of other major program areas. I will continue to update after I take my yearly trip up to camp, with my wife for her first time ever. It is a very special feeling to share this property and your stories and history with your loved ones and I am excited to be able to share in this, next month.
-The Youngest Admin
