09/09/2025
Recently, a small group of staff, friends, and family made an annual trip to camp at the new "Perch Lake campground" formally R. S. Lyle Scout Reservation. I know many members have not been able to make it to camp for personal, travel, or schedule reasons so we want to provide some updates and progress happening at the property. Im going to describe and list changes from camp entrance to outpost as if driving along the main road. (Pictures are not in order based on this description.)
Family camp is still present, severely overgrown and houses numerous sailboats left behind by the council as part of their "as is" sale.
Reese/old scoutcraft is also over grown but the vehicle trail into the site past the concrete slab has been extended and now creates an atv or bike path going behind wintergreen island, towards the back of lake Anninan and currently stops approximately at the 1/4 mile bouy.
Rotary has been clear cut open into a parking lot to access the beach for fishing. A turn around path is now cut into the trees at the top if the hill above waterfront and another turn around path cuts through lower rotary and connects to the main road. A plaque for Charles de langlade is displayed at the turn around above waterfront with a bench and dedication. A wide path now goes from the main road down towards waterfront following the grade of the hill. Stairs to the waterfront are still present but unmaintained. Trail from waterfront to lodge are present but unmaintained. Retaining wall is present but overgrown. Dock was lifted from pylons during flooding and removed from the lake. Pylons are still in water.
Shooting range buildings are present with 2 picnic tables in the woods decaying. Range is severely overgrown. (Talks from county does not sound like they are interested in re opening this shooting area.)
The program bowl, fire pit, and benches, are all present but severely overgrown with small trees growing between benches. Trail to parking lot is locatable but not fully usable.
Shower house is the only bsa building to still be operated and the 5 individual showers are open to public with flushing plumbing. Youth and adult group sides have been locked.
Qm, Lodge, and dining hall have been locked and off limits to public. Both have been completely emptied including walls. A seperate post will be made showing the tour I received from the county last year.
Back balcony is present, in good condition, and was recently used as an area for group photos for school children. The dedication from crew 634 was removed by the council.
Trail to grumpy and island are present but not maintained. Grumpy was removed but a piece of dock remains washed up next to rock for grumpy. The boardwalk to island is present but in poor shape. Cross at your own risk. Preordeal bowl recieved severe damage to trees and is barely recognized or accessible. Picnic tables and the path around the island are present.
The bell and flag pole were removed.
Staff city buildings and foundations were removed and a turn around path from lakeside primitive boat launch runs through lakeside through staff city and exits next to QM. Parade field is emptied and mowed. A future jungle gym is planned approximately where volleyball court was.
Oa bowl and archery are overgrown.
Kiwanis latrine was removed and a new pit was installed next to the road by old Thompson at the bulletin board. A dumping station and dumpsters are now at Kiwanis.
Thompson is now their only group site with 2 fire pits, water, and 4 full electrical hook ups. A road extends from main road to new service loop where the fire trail used to exist at the border of property.
High Adventure has become a picnic swim and boat launch area.
Cody's, Gifford, eco cons, porter, chippecotton, and more land have all become unrecognizable camp sites with eco con landing at site 27 and chapel at 30.
Chapel has had all benches removed in the last year, trees cut out, and a single picnic table placed on the hill. A trail has been clear cut to the chapel resulting in a very open area.
Ordeal waiting/anninan boat launch is a boat launch and fishing spot. The ordeal bowl was still hidden and overgrown last year but has since been utilized as more fishing areas. Old ecocon and vigil sites remain hidden.
The path to wolf river outpost is maintained and has a new entrance. The old trail to clear lake road is "hikable in the dark" as one group member experienced.
If you have any other questions feel free to comment below. Thank you for reading all of this and we hope you get to see it yourself.
