Ely Camp Site, Voyageur Camp, Many Point Scout Camp

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesota's dedicated scouting families and troops, the name **Many Point Scout Camp** represents a legacy of wilderness adventure and unparalleled programming. Situated in the pristine lakes country near Ponsford, this expansive camp—one of the largest in the nation—is divided into three distinct sub-camps, each offering a unique experience. We focus here on the **Voyageur Sub-Camp**, which hosts the specific **Ely Campsite**. Voyageur is celebrated for offering a rugged, troop-focused experience where Scouts embrace the full patrol method, including preparing all their meals using food provided by the camp's commissary. This method fosters leadership, teamwork, and practical outdoor skills, which are cornerstones of the Minnesota scouting tradition.

The **Ely Campsite** itself is one of the designated lodging areas within the Voyageur Sub-Camp. It is known, along with the other Voyageur sites, for its **large size, impressive tree coverage**, and the desirable seclusion that allows troops to focus on their unique programs and bonding activities. The overall environment at Voyageur is intentionally quieter, with campsites spaced further apart, creating an immersive wilderness feeling that truly allows troops to "unplug." The camp as a whole, covering over 1,600 acres with nine miles of shoreline on two lakes, provides an extraordinary natural canvas for a wide range of activities, fulfilling the adventurous spirit of Minnesota's youth. While the experience is primarily tailored for Scouts BSA, the camp's dedication to quality programs and maintaining its natural beauty is a source of pride for the entire regional scouting community.

📍 **Location and Accessibility**

The **Ely Campsite** is located within the expansive grounds of **Many Point Scout Camp**, which has a mailing address of **41408 Many Point Scout Camp Rd, Ponsford, MN 56575, USA**. This location places the camp in Becker County, North Central Minnesota, bordered by the 143,000-acre Tamarac Wildlife Refuge. This setting ensures the camp is surrounded by untouched natural beauty, with minimal outside traffic on the lakes.

While the campground is deep within a natural area, it is accessible via well-known regional routes. It is situated approximately thirty miles from **Itasca State Park**, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, making for an easy, popular day trip. Access generally involves turning off main State Highways (like Highway 71 or Highway 44) onto a series of county roads, leading to the main camp entrance. For local Minnesota troops, the travel distance is manageable, typically a few hours drive from the Twin Cities metro area. Importantly, travelers should note the Voyageur Sub-Camp, and thus the Ely Campsite, is situated "down south" between Many Point Lake and Round Lake. The large size of the camp means that, as reviewers confirm, distances between sub-camp facilities like the beach, showers, and central camp store can involve a **significant amount of walking**, which is part of the classic, expansive Scout camp experience.

🛠️ **Services Offered (Specific to Voyageur Sub-Camp)**

The services at the Voyageur Sub-Camp are fundamentally focused on delivering a traditional, self-sufficient scouting experience, supported by the large camp's infrastructure. These offerings are designed to challenge and equip Scouts with practical outdoor skills:

• **Patrol Cooking Experience:** A core service where **all three daily meals are prepared by the individual troop** at their campsite using the patrol method, with all necessary food supplied daily by the central camp commissary.
• **Large, Spaced-Out Campsites:** The campsites, including Ely, are larger and spaced further apart than in other sub-camps, providing a **quieter, more isolated experience** ideal for troop focus. Ely Campsite, for instance, has a capacity of around 50 campers.
• **Dedicated Program Centers:** Voyageur features its **own beach, boating area, climbing tower, and ecology center** separate from the other sub-camps, minimizing travel time for key activities within the sub-camp itself.
• **Modern Sanitation (Central):** Access to **shower houses** and **restroom facilities** is provided, though as noted in a review, campers in sites like Ely will need to walk a distance to reach these central facilities.
• **Merit Badge Programs:** Offers the **full range of merit badge programs** at the sub-camp level, covering everything from traditional activities like Swimming, Canoeing, and Riflery to modern ones like ATV training and Climbing.
• **Waterfront Access:** Access to the **shores of Many Point Lake and Round Lake**, including specialized boating instruction areas.
• **Counselor Support:** A dedicated staff is available to support the program and activities within the sub-camp structure.

🌟 **Features / Highlights (Ely Campsite and Voyageur Sub-Camp)**

The **Ely Campsite** is a highlight primarily for its immersion into nature and focus on traditional scouting methods, which resonate strongly with Minnesota families:

• **Full Patrol Cooking Immersion:** This is the defining feature of Voyageur, ensuring Scouts gain real-world cooking and teamwork skills—a major draw for experienced troops.
• **Exceptional Tree Coverage:** Voyageur is known for its **amazing tree coverage** and breezes coming off both Many Point Lake and Round Lake, providing natural cooling and a beautiful, classic Minnesota aesthetic.
• **Quiet and Peaceful Environment:** The large separation between campsites contributes to a **quieter and more focused atmosphere**, allowing troops to bond and concentrate on their scouting objectives without distraction.
• **High-Adventure Program Hub:** Access to camp-wide programs like **six climbing towers, ATV training programs, Jet Skis, aqua trampolines,** and specialized older Scout programs (like Kayak and Project COPE).
• **Proximity to Nature:** The camp **borders the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge**, providing exceptional opportunities for aquatic ecology study, conservation, and wildlife observation.
• **Multiple Water Access Points:** Being situated between **Many Point Lake and Round Lake** ensures plenty of opportunities for sailing, canoeing, rowing, and water sports.
• **Robust Troop Development:** The entire Voyageur experience is intentionally structured to maximize the development of **leadership and self-reliance** within the troop unit.

☎️ **Contact Information**

For official inquiries, reservations, or specific questions about the **Ely Campsite** within the **Voyageur Sub-Camp** at **Many Point Scout Camp**, please use the primary contact information for the camp:

• **Address:** 41408 Many Point Scout Camp Rd, Ponsford, MN 56575, USA
• **Year-Round Office Phone (Northern Star Council):** 612-261-2465 (This number is generally used for off-season and administrative inquiries).
• **Camp Phone (Summers Only):** (218) 573-3257 (This number is typically operational during the summer camping season).

It is best practice to contact the main council or check the official Many Point website for the most current reservation and operating details.

✔️ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing the **Ely Campsite** in the **Voyageur Sub-Camp** at Many Point Scout Camp is choosing the gold standard for a traditional, skill-building Minnesota scouting adventure. For local users, particularly Scouts BSA troops, this choice offers three distinct, high-value advantages that are worth the journey to Ponsford:

First, it provides the **authentic, self-reliant Patrol Cooking experience**. This method, a staple of Voyageur, is critical for forging strong leaders and ensuring that Scouts truly master outdoor survival and teamwork skills—a far more impactful experience than a dining hall setup. Troops that want to focus on **Scout-led organization and leadership development** will find this environment perfectly suited to their goals.

Second, the **wilderness setting and physical separation** are unmatched. The large, heavily-wooded campsites, including Ely, guarantee the quiet, peaceful atmosphere necessary for concentrated instruction and bonding, away from the distractions of the main camp areas. This sense of **seclusion and immersion** enhances the feeling of being deep in the Minnesota wilderness, bordered by a vast wildlife refuge.

Finally, the **balance of rugged camping with high-quality programming** is a major draw. Troops are close enough to access Many Point's renowned, diverse, and innovative programming—from six climbing towers to Jet Ski safety training—while being nestled in a quiet, dedicated camp focused on their unique needs. The **Ely Campsite** is a highly recommended choice for any Minnesota troop seeking to strengthen their bonds, earn badges, and create lasting memories in one of the state's most beautiful and respected outdoor education centers.