Youth & Scout Campground

Introduction / Overview: Dedicated Space for Kansas Youth Groups

For organizations in Kansas dedicated to youth development, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, and church groups, finding a dedicated and appropriate outdoor space is essential for building character and fostering teamwork. The Youth & Scout Campground, located near Paola, Kansas, serves precisely this purpose. It is a specialized, reservable primitive camping area managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) within the larger context of a major state park—specifically, Hillsdale State Park.

This site is uniquely designed to accommodate the needs of large groups, offering ample open space for pitching multiple tents, dedicated facilities for group meals and activities, and a secluded atmosphere that promotes leadership and outdoor education. It focuses on a more traditional, "primitive" style of camping, encouraging self-sufficiency and a deeper connection with nature, which aligns perfectly with the mission of many youth organizations. The campground provides the necessary basic infrastructure to support an organized outing, making it a reliable and convenient choice for group leaders across the eastern Kansas region. It is recognized as a vital resource for continuing the tradition of youth camping and skill-building in the state.

Location and Accessibility: Near Hillsdale Lake, Paola, KS

The Youth & Scout Campground is officially associated with Hillsdale State Park, a popular recreation area centered around Hillsdale Lake, located just southwest of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The park's main office address is 26001 W 255th St, Paola, KS 66071, which provides the best navigational starting point for the area. The specific address provided for the campground, Paola, KS 66071, is the general location, while the actual site is situated within the park boundaries.

Hillsdale State Park is easily accessible from major highways, including U.S. 169 and K-7, which makes the campground highly convenient for groups traveling from both the greater Kansas City area and other parts of eastern Kansas. The park is known for its rolling hills, native tallgrass prairie, and woodlands, offering a beautiful natural environment for educational and recreational activities. While the exact campground loop is designated as a specialized area separate from the main public campgrounds, the proximity to the park's central amenities (like the main boat ramp and park office) ensures that groups can access support services if needed.

Services Offered for Group Campers

As a designated youth and scout area, the amenities provided are tailored for primitive group camping, focusing on essentials needed for large gatherings.

• Primitive Campsites: The entire area is designated for primitive tent camping, with a large open field suitable for pitching numerous tents.
• Water Access: A water spigot is available on-site, providing a source of potable water for cooking, drinking, and cleaning.
• Restroom Facilities: A portable toilet is provided for the area, ensuring essential sanitation for large groups.
• Communal Fire Ring: The site features a large fire ring surrounded by benches, creating a perfect central gathering point for ceremonies, cooking, and group storytelling.
• Picnic Tables: The area is furnished with four picnic tables, offering dedicated surfaces for meal prep, dining, and activity organization.
• Flag Pole: A flag pole is installed on site, allowing youth groups to conduct formal flag ceremonies, a common feature in Scout programs.
• Reservable Space: The area is reservable, ensuring that large groups can secure the site in advance for their planned activities, with nonprofit organizations and youth groups often given priority.

Features and Highlights: Designed for Development

The key features of the Youth & Scout Campground lie in its intentional design to facilitate large-group youth programs and outdoor skill development.

• Ideal for Youth Organizations: The camp is specifically set aside for groups, providing a dedicated and secluded area away from general public camping, which enhances safety and organizational control.
• Fire Circle Focus: The centerpiece large fire ring and benches is specifically designed for group activities, allowing troop leaders to conduct lessons, ceremonies, and cooking instruction efficiently.
• Access to Hillsdale Lake Activities: Being within Hillsdale State Park, groups have easy access to the lake's resources, including boating, fishing, swimming beaches, and the park's numerous hiking and equestrian trails.
• Outdoor Education Platform: The primitive nature of the camp—with no individual electric hookups—encourages youth to learn essential outdoor skills like knot-tying, fire-building, and self-sufficiency, key components of scouting and outdoor education.
• Proximity to Equestrian Area: The park's Saddle Ridge Equestrian Area offers nearly 48 miles of trails, which may be accessible for hiking and biking, depending on park regulations, providing a wealth of exploration opportunities for youth.
• Affordable Group Option: As a state park special-use area, it typically offers a cost-effective solution for large, nonprofit youth groups compared to commercial facilities, maximizing budget resources for program activities.

Contact Information

Reservations and detailed information about the Youth & Scout Campground are handled by the Hillsdale State Park office, as this is a special-use area. Group leaders should contact the park directly to confirm availability and booking procedures.

• Address (General Area): Paola, KS 66071, USA (Located within Hillsdale State Park)
• Primary Phone (Hillsdale State Park Office): (913) 594-3600
• Mobile Phone (Hillsdale State Park Office): +1 913-594-3600
• Reservations: Must be made by contacting the Hillsdale State Park office directly to reserve the group site.

What is Worth Choosing the Youth & Scout Campground

The Youth & Scout Campground at Hillsdale State Park is the definitive choice for organized youth groups and troop leaders in the Kansas region. It is not designed for the general public, but for its target demographic, it provides unmatched utility.

The primary reason to choose this site is its Purpose-Built Design for Group Programming. Unlike reserving multiple individual sites in a general campground, this area is a single, large, secluded space designed for group cohesion and safety. The presence of the large central fire ring with benches and multiple picnic tables supports all essential group functions—from meal preparation and dining to teaching lessons and conducting important ceremonies around the campfire. The flag pole is a unique detail that speaks directly to the needs of uniformed youth organizations like the Scouts.

Furthermore, the Primitive Setting with Basic Support strikes the perfect balance for outdoor education. It provides necessary sanitation and water access while keeping the experience simple enough to require participants to learn and practice essential outdoor skills. By reserving this site, group leaders ensure they have the space and dedicated facilities required to run a smooth, educational, and memorable campout without interference from general campers. For any Kansas-based youth organization needing a safe, specialized, and reservable location for their next outdoor training or team-building retreat, the Youth & Scout Campground at Hillsdale State Park is the superior choice.