Camp Buckskin, Brant Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

For New York residents seeking a transformative and unforgettable summer experience for their youth, Camp Buckskin stands out as a premier destination nestled deep within the majestic Adirondack Park. As one of the dedicated camps within the expansive Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, Camp Buckskin is not merely a place to sleep outdoors; it is a gateway to adventure, skill-building, and profound personal growth for young people from across the Greater Hudson Valley and beyond.

The camp focuses primarily on traditional summer camp programs, offering a structured environment where youth can disconnect from digital distractions and fully engage with the natural world and their peers. The testimonials from real New York families—like the parent who noted their son was completely engrossed in the experience, foregoing his cell phone and video games for days after returning—underscore the powerful, positive impact of the Camp Buckskin setting. It provides the essential freedom, hands-on learning, and camaraderie that are so crucial to development. Specializing in merit badge achievement and outdoor activities, the camp fosters independence, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the New York wilderness.

While its primary function is serving youth development organizations, the broader Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, of which Buckskin is a part, also hosts weekend camping opportunities for groups throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons, extending the Adirondack experience beyond the summer months. It truly is a year-round resource dedicated to youth programming and outdoor recreation within the six-million-acre park.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Buckskin is ideally situated in one of the most beautiful and accessible sections of the Adirondacks for residents traveling from downstate and central New York.

The official address for the entrance to the broader facility, the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation, is 40 Curtis Read Rd, Brant Lake, NY 12815, USA, placing it near the charming hamlet of Brant Lake, approximately 30 minutes north of the major tourist hub of Lake George Village. This location offers the perfect balance: it is deeply forested and quiet, providing a genuine wilderness feel, yet it remains relatively easy to reach via major state routes and the Northway (Interstate 87).

To reach Camp Buckskin, visitors typically take I-87 North to Exit 25, then travel east on Route 8 towards Brant Lake before turning onto Palisades Road which leads to the reservation entrance. Once inside the 1,000-acre reservation, Camp Buckskin is located in the upper camp area, offering a sense of remoteness while remaining conveniently close to key facilities like the main dining hall, Newton Hall. The camp's placement at a dead end of a road loop minimizes traffic, enhancing the quiet, focused environment vital for youth activities and relaxation.

Services Offered

Camp Buckskin and the greater Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation provide comprehensive facilities to support a full and active youth camping experience.

Full Dining Services: Meals are generally provided in the main dining facility, Newton Hall, with the food often praised for its quality. Accommodations are made for some groups to cook in their own camp sites for certain merit badge programs.
Platform Tents and Foam Mattresses: Lodging for summer camp is provided in traditional Scouting America-style platform tents, complete with foam mattresses. Participants must bring their own sleeping bags and linens.
Latrine Facilities and Showers: Designated latrine facilities are available within the Camp Buckskin area, and shower facilities are accessible nearby within the upper camp area.
Health Lodge: A dedicated Health Lodge is maintained on the reservation to address participant health, safety, and minor medical needs.
Trading Post: A camp store, or Trading Post, is conveniently located near the Buckskin Camp Office for purchasing snacks, beverages, gear, and camp souvenirs.
Program Areas: Extensive, dedicated areas for various program specialties, including the Buckskin Waterfront, Buckskin Ecology, and Buckskin Shooting Sports, ensure safe and focused instruction for all activities.
Log Cabin/Weekend Camping: For fall, winter, and spring group camping, the facility offers various options, including the Log Cabin, which can sleep up to 17 and includes a small kitchen and full bathrooms, as well as seasonal tent campsites in the Buckskin area.

Features / Highlights

Camp Buckskin’s most defining feature is its breadth of programming, making it an exceptional place for youth to develop specialized skills and engage in serious outdoor adventure.

Comprehensive Merit Badge Programs: The camp is renowned for its vast array of merit badges, including skilled trades, handicrafts, aquatics, outdoor skills, and ecology, ensuring every camper finds an area of passion and achievement.
The Archery Range and Shooting Sports: A major highlight, as noted by customer reviews, is the excellent Archery Range. The camp features robust Shooting Sports programs, including Archery and Rifle Shooting, which allow youth to safely master new, challenging skills.
High Adventure Components: As part of the wider Read Scout Reservation, participants have access to thrilling High Adventure opportunities, including the Project COPE high ropes course, natural rock climbing cliffs, a climbing tower, mountain biking trails, and a spectacular zip-line that drops into the lake.
Adirondack Environment: Being located in the Adirondack Park provides a unique outdoor classroom with access to natural caves, beautiful mountain biking terrain, and crystal-clear lakes for aquatics, swimming, rowing, and kayaking.
Focus on Independence and Disconnection: The structured environment actively encourages campers to set aside electronic devices and focus on real-world interactions and challenges, proven to enhance social skills, confidence, and independence.
Variety in Campsites: The individual campsites in the Buckskin area—such as those in the 'lower loop'—are private, well-established, and offer seasonal water and latrines, providing a great base for patrol-style camping.

Contact Information

For New York residents and organizations looking to participate in programs at Camp Buckskin, contact is generally channeled through the Greater Hudson Valley Council, which operates the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation.

Address (General Reservation Address): 40 Curtis Read Rd, Brant Lake, NY 12815, USA (Note: Some official correspondence may use the 1377 Palisades Road address for navigation.)

Phone (Reservation Office): 518-494-2246

Email (General Camping Inquiries): GHV.Camping@Scouting.org (Recommended for detailed questions about scheduling and programs.)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Camp Buckskin is perfectly suited for New York families and youth groups because it is a trusted, established institution that delivers world-class youth programming right in New York’s backyard. For locals, Camp Buckskin offers an easily accessible yet deeply impactful Adirondack experience, minimizing long travel times while maximizing the feeling of a true wilderness retreat. The ability to drop off a child knowing they will be safe, well-fed, and fully immersed in positive, character-building activities—like earning a badge for the first time or mastering a long bow—is a significant advantage. The focus on merit badge completion and high-adventure challenges appeals directly to the goals of many New York-based youth organizations, and the camp's commitment to disconnecting children from screens makes it a crucial resource for fostering healthy development. It is an investment in a local institution that provides an invaluable, life-changing taste of the Adirondacks, ensuring New York’s next generation develops the skills and confidence necessary to thrive.