Camp Molly Lauman

For families and individuals across Ohio seeking a truly enriching and memorable outdoor experience, Camp Molly Lauman in Lucasville stands as a beacon of growth, adventure, and community. Operated by the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council, this historic camp, founded in 1929, has a rich legacy of providing unique opportunities for girls to develop independence, build social character, and explore the wonders of the outdoors in a safe and supportive environment. It’s more than just a campground; it's a place where lifelong friendships are forged, new skills are mastered, and confidence blossoms.

Camp Molly Lauman is dedicated to empowering its participants, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and make lasting memories. As one reviewer enthusiastically shared, "This place has helped me so much and both my siblings work here at camp and I made so many new friends in my group 💗 and so I LOVE IT SO MUCH." This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the positive and transformative impact Camp Molly Lauman has on its campers, making it a beloved destination for Ohioans looking for meaningful outdoor engagement.

Camp Molly Lauman is beautifully situated at 9130 Big Bear Creek Rd, Lucasville, OH 45648, USA. This location places it in Scioto County, nestled within the rolling foothills of Appalachia in southern Ohio. The camp's natural setting, with Big Bear Creek running through its front edge and providing access to Big Bear Lake, offers a picturesque and immersive outdoor environment.

While providing a sense of seclusion and wilderness, Camp Molly Lauman remains accessible from various parts of Ohio. Its address is straightforward for GPS navigation, guiding visitors to this expansive property. The camp's design includes well-maintained internal roads and pathways, ensuring ease of movement between its various facilities, living units, and activity areas. It's important for visitors to note that while the camp is readily accessible by vehicle, cell phone coverage can be very limited, and some carriers may not work at all, encouraging a true digital detox and a focus on the present outdoor experience. This intentional disconnection enhances the camp's ability to provide a deeply engaging and immersive natural retreat.

Camp Molly Lauman, primarily operating as a resident camp, offers a comprehensive suite of services designed for the well-being and development of its participants, particularly girls in grades 1-12.

• Overnight Resident Camp: The core offering is a sleep-away camp that takes place during the summer and is open to all girls in grades 1-12, regardless of whether or not she is a registered Girl Scout (non-Girl Scouts pay a small membership fee). Sessions can range from 2.5 to 13 days, depending upon the program and age level of the participants.

• Living Units: Campers typically share living units consisting of platform tents, cabins, or yurts, each designed to foster a sense of community. Platform tents and cabins typically sleep 4 girls each on cots and mattresses. Each unit usually accommodates 10-24 girls with 2-4 counselors.

• Dining Hall: The camp features a modern, air-conditioned dining hall that provides family-style meals, adding to the communal atmosphere and ensuring campers are well-fed. Many meals are prepared from scratch, and dietary restrictions (vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, or allergy restricted) can often be accommodated.

• Modern Shower Facilities: Clean shower facilities are available at the pool shower house and dedicated outdoor shower stalls, ensuring campers have access to hygiene amenities.

• Latrines and Hand Washing Stations: Each living unit is equipped with a latrine and a hand washing station for convenience and hygiene.

• First Aid and Health Lodge: A dedicated health lodge and trained staff, including those with higher levels of emergency response training (all staff are trained in first aid and CPR), ensure the safety and well-being of all campers. Evening and night first aid is also designated in each tent unit or lodge.

• Family Camp Weekends: Periodically, the camp offers "Family Camp" weekends where registered Girl Scouts and their families can enjoy camp traditions together. Families can bring their own tent (for a minimal fee) or rent a platform tent or cabin, with activities and meals typically included.

• Troop Camping: Girl Scout troops can also reserve and utilize the camp facilities for their own camping experiences, offering flexibility for troop leaders to plan their adventures.

• Facility Rentals: Individual camp facilities or even the entire camp property can be rented for day or overnight use by both Girl Scout members and non-members, making it suitable for various group events.

Camp Molly Lauman is rich in features and highlights that contribute to its reputation as a premier outdoor education and camping facility in Ohio.

• Extensive Program Activities: The camp offers an incredibly diverse range of activities, allowing girls to choose programs based on their interests. These include traditional camp activities like swimming (in a 25-meter pool with a diving board and climbing wall), archery, canoeing (on Big Bear Lake), creeking, and outdoor cooking. Unique themed camps, wilderness survival, geo-caching, photography, acting, music, and various nature-based studies like aquatic ecology, entomology, herpetology, ornithology, and zoology are also offered.

• Focus on Girl Empowerment: A core highlight is the camp's mission to provide a "unique program opportunity that gives girls a powerful experience in independence, social character and outdoor exploration." This emphasis on personal growth, leadership development, and trying new things is woven into all activities, with programs tailored to different age groups and interests.

• Diverse Lodging Options: Campers can choose to sleep in traditional platform tents, comfortable cabins, or yurts, providing varied experiences within the natural setting. All sleeping quarters for girls are separate from male staff sleeping areas.

• Amphitheater and Campfire Programs: An amphitheater and stage serve as central points for engaging campfire programs, fostering community and storytelling under the stars.

• Nature and Craft Cabins: Dedicated cabins for crafts and nature studies provide indoor spaces for learning and creative expression, complementing the outdoor activities.

• Beautiful Natural Setting: Located in the "rolling foothills of Appalachia" with Big Bear Creek running through the property and access to Big Bear Lake, the camp offers a scenic and immersive natural environment for all activities, including opportunities for fossil hunting in the creek.

• Experienced and Diverse Staff: The camp prides itself on a carefully interviewed, screened, and trained staff, often including international counselors who bring diverse cultural perspectives to the camp experience. All staff are trained in first aid and CPR.

• Challenge Course: The camp features a challenge course (including High and Low COPE courses) designed to encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and personal achievement.

• Target Sports: In addition to archery, the camp may offer slingshots and tomahawk throwing (for older age groups), providing opportunities for precision and skill development.

For inquiries, program details, or to learn more about Camp Molly Lauman, you can reach the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council directly:

Address: 9130 Big Bear Creek Rd, Lucasville, OH 45648, USA

Phone: (614) 487-8101

Mobile Phone: +1 614-487-8101

For the most up-to-date information on resident camp sessions, family camp dates, program offerings, and registration details, it is highly recommended to visit the official Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland website or contact the camp directly. This will ensure you have the latest information on specific programs, age requirements, and availability. Remember that while cell phone service can be limited at the camp, direct phone lines are available for contact.

For residents across Ohio, Camp Molly Lauman is an exceptional and highly suitable destination for a multitude of reasons, especially for families with young people. Its long-standing history since 1929 as a Girl Scout camp underscores its proven expertise in providing a safe, supportive, and enriching outdoor environment for youth. This extensive experience translates into well-structured programs and dedicated staff, giving parents peace of mind and campers an invaluable growth experience.

The camp's location in the picturesque foothills of Appalachia in Scioto County offers a true natural escape that is still within a reasonable driving distance for many Ohioans. This accessibility means that a powerful outdoor adventure is never too far from home, allowing for convenient participation in its diverse range of summer and family programs. The opportunity to disconnect from technology due to limited cell service provides a much-needed digital detox, allowing for deeper engagement with nature and personal connections.

What truly sets Camp Molly Lauman apart for locals is its comprehensive focus on holistic development. It's not just about traditional camping; it's about fostering independence, building social character, and encouraging girls to try new things—from mastering archery and horseback riding to exploring aquatic ecology. The diverse activities ensure every interest is catered to, fostering a love for the outdoors and building confidence that extends far beyond the camp gates. The option for "Family Camp" also allows entire families to bond over shared outdoor experiences, making it a truly inclusive destination.

By choosing Camp Molly Lauman, Ohio locals are investing in more than just a summer activity; they are investing in personal growth, community building, and a lifelong appreciation for nature. It's a cherished local institution that continues to make a profound positive impact on its participants, offering a unique and empowering outdoor experience right here in Ohio.