Sioux Council Boy Scout Reservation

⚜️ **Introduction / Overview: The Premier Outdoor Leadership Camp**

For many families and organizations across South Dakota, the **Lewis & Clark Scout Reservation** (formerly known as the Sioux Council Boy Scout Reservation) near Tabor holds a special place. Spanning over 400 acres on the picturesque shores of Lewis and Clark Lake, this facility is the flagship outdoor education and leadership center for the Sioux Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Operating since 1957, it hosts thousands of youth each summer for merit badge programs, outdoor skills training, and high adventure activities.

While its primary mission is Scouting, the Reservation understands its role as a key outdoor venue in the region. Non-Scouting units and organizations are actively invited to use the property for their own events, retreats, and camping needs when the camp is not dedicated to summer camp programming. This makes it a unique, large-scale option for South Dakota groups looking for a scenic, rustic, and challenging outdoor environment.

The Reservation is lauded by users for being a “great opportunity for the youth to learn outdoor and leadership skills” and for the supportive nature of the staff, who are noted for being “friendly” and prioritizing safety, particularly during inclement weather. Visitors should be prepared for a rustic, hilly setting, where finding a level tent area can be a challenge and daily walks to the dining facilities often involve a robust "500ft climb"—part of the classic, rewarding camp experience.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility: On the Shores of Lewis and Clark Lake**

The Lewis & Clark Scout Reservation is beautifully situated at 31071 Boy Scout Road, Tabor, SD 57063. This location places it approximately 10 miles west of Yankton, South Dakota, directly on the shore of the majestic Lewis and Clark Lake, which is part of the Missouri River system.

**Accessibility:** The camp is generally accessible via well-maintained county roads branching off the main highway connecting Yankton to the west. While the address is Tabor, the camp is fundamentally tied to the Yankton area and the popular Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. Guests, especially those booking large group events, should contact the camp directly for the best driving directions, as the internal roads and specific campsites can be remote.

Its location on the lake is key, offering direct access to the water for its Missouri River High Adventure Base program (which hosts canoe trips along the historic Lewis and Clark trail) and other water-based activities. The Reservation operates year-round, with some heated and improved buildings available for winter use, making it a viable event space even outside the traditional summer camp season.

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🛠️ **Services Offered (Geared Towards Educational Groups)**

The services at Lewis & Clark Scout Reservation are comprehensive but designed for large-scale youth and organizational programs. For external groups, services are generally focused on basic accommodation and meeting spaces:

• Campsites: Numerous designated tent camping areas are available across the 400-acre property, though sites may be difficult to level due to the terrain, a point noted by campers. The sites are used by the troops and are available for rent to other organizations.
• Lodging: Heated and improved buildings are available for rent, providing improved facilities for winter events or retreats, often including beds or bunks and kitchens (details depend on the specific facility rented).
• Dining Hall: A large Dining Facility is on-site. While convenient, one customer review points out the significant “500ft climb” required to reach it for meals, emphasizing the camp's challenging topography.
• Sanitation:** Primitive bathrooms and showers are available in the camping areas. Customer reviews indicate these facilities are rustic and may not be cleaned daily, suggesting that users should be prepared for typical "camp" conditions.
• Program Areas: Access to specific program areas may be available upon request and coordination, including ranges for BB guns and archery, depending on the season and camp schedule.
• Emergency Contact:** The camp provides an emergency phone number for use during stays, indicating a system for staff response and safety monitoring.
• Reservations: The Reservation offers Facility Rentals to non-Scouting units and organizations, requiring contact with the Center for Scouting for rates and availability.