Fort Long Campsite

Hello, fellow Missourians! For those deeply familiar with the traditions of Scouting in our state, the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation near Osceola, MO, is a legendary name. This expansive woodland property is a summer home to thousands of Boy Scouts and leaders, offering an immersive outdoor and character-building experience. Within this vast reservation, numerous individual campsites serve as temporary homes for troops. One such site is Fort Long Campsite, located in the Piercing Arrow section. This article will provide an in-depth look at Fort Long Campsite, drawing on firsthand accounts to offer a realistic picture of its facilities and, importantly, its unique location within the Bartle experience.

The H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, often just called "Bartle," is a sprawling 4,200-acre property in the picturesque Osage hills of St. Clair County. It’s known for its comprehensive summer camp programs and is divided into three main camps: Lone Star, Sawmill, and Piercing Arrow. Fort Long Campsite is specifically nestled within the Piercing Arrow section, offering a distinct camping environment. As reviewers highlight, its defining characteristic is its location: "Fort Long is a campsite in the Piercing Arrow section of the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. This is located a long way from the main facilities of Piercing Arrow. It is the closest campsite to Iconium." This geographical detail is crucial for troops considering their summer camp experience.

Despite its distance from the central activities, Fort Long Campsite is well-equipped with essential facilities. The tents are noted as "nice and fairly new," featuring "concrete pad, a one-piece aluminum frame, good canvas and a good rainfly." This ensures a comfortable and dry sleeping environment, a significant plus for any camper. Furthermore, the campsite boasts "three pavilions." One of these is particularly noteworthy for having "a serious storm shelter - with no wooden structure on top," providing a crucial safety feature during inclement weather, which is always a consideration in Missouri summers. The other two pavilions offer "good wooden structures and storage closets," adding practical utility for troop gear. For sanitation, there are "two lollies with four toilets and two urinals each," ensuring adequate facilities for hygiene. A "primitive" campfire area allows for traditional Scouting fire-building and camaraderie.

The natural setting of Fort Long also offers variety: "Some areas have good shade while others are wide open," allowing troops to choose spots that best suit their preferences for sun exposure. However, the consistent theme in reviews revolves around the location. While the "facilities are good," the "location is not" for everyone. The distance from activities means "the amount of walking might have your doctor praising you or might have you seeing an ER doctor." This humorous yet stark warning underscores the significant amount of walking required to reach central camp activities from Fort Long. Despite this, the camp itself is described as "neat and organized," reflecting the high standards maintained across Bartle. For troops assigned to Fort Long, good footwear is essential, and some even suggest driving to other camps to cut down on walking distance, saving potentially "5 miles" of walking.

Fort Long Campsite is situated within the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, which is located at 5525 NE Scout Camp Road, Osceola, MO 64776-9000, USA. Specifically, Fort Long is part of the Piercing Arrow section of this expansive 4,200-acre reservation in the Osage hills of St. Clair County, Missouri.

For Missourians involved in Scouting, navigating to Bartle is a well-established process. The reservation is managed by the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Once inside the Bartle property, access to Fort Long Campsite is via internal camp roads. However, its accessibility is a key point of discussion among campers. It is distinctly noted as being "located a long way from the main facilities of Piercing Arrow," and is identified as "the closest campsite to Iconium," which implies it is on the more remote edge of the camp. This means that while the reservation itself is accessible from state highways, reaching the core program areas from Fort Long requires significant walking. Internal transportation options within the camp (like a reservation bus, if available, or troop vehicles for designated purposes) might mitigate this, but the primary mode of movement for Scouts between activities is often on foot. This makes good footwear and awareness of distances crucial for any troop assigned to Fort Long. Despite the internal distance, the campsite itself is integrated into the well-maintained network of the Bartle reservation, ensuring a structured and organized environment for its occupants.

• Tent camping facilities with "nice and fairly new" tents, each featuring a concrete pad, aluminum frame, good canvas, and a rainfly.
• Access to three pavilions: one with a "serious storm shelter" (no wooden structure on top for enhanced safety) and two others with "good wooden structures and storage closets."
• Sanitation facilities: "two lollies with four toilets and two urinals each."
• A "primitive" campfire area for traditional Scouting fire-building and troop gatherings.
• Varying terrain with areas offering "good shade" and others that are "wide open," allowing for diverse tent placement.
• While not explicitly stated for Fort Long itself, as part of Bartle, campers have access to the reservation's comprehensive program offerings (merit badges, high adventure, dining halls, trading posts, medical services), though reaching these requires significant travel from the campsite.
• Managed and organized environment by Heart of America Council staff, ensuring safety and adherence to camp policies.

• Quality Tents: Equipped with "nice and fairly new" tents that are well-constructed with concrete pads, durable frames, good canvas, and rainflies, ensuring comfort and protection.
• Robust Storm Shelter: One of the pavilions includes a "serious storm shelter," providing a vital safety feature for campers during severe weather events.
• Practical Pavilions: The other two pavilions offer useful wooden structures and storage closets, enhancing troop organization and comfort.
• Adequate Sanitation: Features two "lollies" (latrines) with multiple toilets and urinals, providing sufficient facilities for the campers.
• Traditional Campfire Area: A "primitive" campfire area allows for authentic Scouting experiences like storytelling and cooking over an open fire.
• Varied Shading: Offers both shaded and open areas, giving troops flexibility in setting up their campsite based on sun preference.
• Organized and Neat: Despite its remote location, the campsite is described as "neat and organized," reflecting good maintenance standards.
• Closest to Iconium: Identified as the campsite nearest to Iconium, which might be a navigational aid for those familiar with the local area outside Bartle.
• Excellent for Physical Activity: Due to the significant walking distances, it inherently promotes physical activity, which can be seen as a health benefit for Scouts.

Address: H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, 5525 NE Scout Camp Road, Osceola, MO 64776-9000, USA

As Fort Long Campsite is a specific location within a larger Scout reservation, direct contact for the campsite itself is not publicly available. For inquiries regarding Fort Long Campsite or the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, it is best to contact the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Their main council office or the reservation's administrative staff would be the appropriate points of contact, typically accessible via the official Heart of America Council website. The main number for Bartle is often provided as 417-646-8115 in case of emergencies, but for general inquiries, contacting the council's main office is recommended.

For Missourians deeply rooted in the Scouting tradition, Fort Long Campsite within the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation presents a unique and character-building experience. While its primary characteristic—being "a long way from the main facilities"—might seem like a challenge, it's also part of its distinct appeal and suitability for certain local troops. This distance fosters resilience, teamwork, and an even deeper appreciation for the outdoors, making Scouts physically and mentally stronger.

Despite the extensive walking involved, Fort Long compensates with robust facilities. The "nice and fairly new" tents, complete with concrete pads and rainflies, ensure a comfortable base, offering a welcome respite after a long day of activities. The presence of a "serious storm shelter" is a critical safety feature, providing peace of mind for leaders and parents during unpredictable Missouri weather. The well-maintained pavilions and adequate sanitation facilities further underscore the commitment to providing a functional and organized camping environment.

For Missouri Scout leaders who want to emphasize physical activity, self-reliance, and a sense of "getting away from it all" within the structured environment of Bartle, Fort Long Campsite is an excellent choice. It challenges Scouts in a way that promotes growth, all while providing necessary amenities and integrating into the larger, enriching program of the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. While it might require "good footwear" and strategic planning, the experience gained at Fort Long contributes significantly to the development of resourceful and hardy young Missourians, making it a valuable and memorable part of their Scouting journey. It embodies the spirit of adventure and perseverance that defines our state's outdoor enthusiasts.