Camp Pioneer

Mountain Man

From 1800 to the early 1900's was a very interesting time in the history of our country. This was a time in our history for the "Mountain Man". Hardy, wild, and free, these history makers blazed the West and carved our rich heritage and endless history into the rugged mountains and land of our vast American wilderness. The mountains and lands are still there for us to see. They are but an echo, sounding strongly through stories and traditions that still endure. The Mountain Man program at Camp Pioneer is designed to carry the traditions that were popular during this time of our history: fire by flint & steel, primitive blacksmithing, dutch oven cooking, leather working, primitive building, manufacture of period trading items, bullet making, and muzzle loading rifle shooting.

Rich Mountain Hike

The Rich Mountain Hike is an approximate fifteen (15) mile hike which Scouts, leaders, and staff may participate. After an early breakfast, the journey begins by crossing (wading) the Mountain Fork River at Camp Pioneer, then extends through narrow trails, county roads, rolling pastures, dense forests, and creeks and finishes with about two (2) miles of very steep trails along the south face of Rich Mountain. The elevation traversed on the hike ranges from about 850 feet along the Mountain Fork River to over 2,500 feet on Rich Mountain. Periodic brief rest periods are given throughout the hike with the last one, the longest, at four (4) miles from the destination. Here, additional water and medical treatment are available. The hike culminates at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge where hikers can eat lunch before riding back to Camp Pioneer.