Camp Kitchtau, Stonington, CT

Introduction / Overview

For Connecticut residents, particularly those involved in scouting, youth organizations, or outdoor education, Camp Kitchtau represents a dedicated and historic parcel of land focused on outdoor learning and group activity. Located in the picturesque coastal area of Pawcatuck (Stonington), this 25-acre property is owned and maintained by the Westerly Boy Scouts Inc. It is important for local users to understand that Camp Kitchtau is not a public, commercial campground offering daily or weekly reservations to the general public. Instead, it functions as a private, large-group outdoor venue, primarily serving the scouting community and potentially available for other organized, private events, training, and gatherings.

The camp is named after the Pequot divinity Kitchtau, an acknowledgment of the region's rich local history. Since its dedication in 1938, the camp has been a foundational resource for teaching outdoor skills, leadership, and community values to local youths. While its usage is specialized, its facilities are robust, offering a variety of structures to support large groups. It provides a unique, rustic setting that fosters camaraderie and self-reliance, standing out as a vital local institution for developing the next generation of Connecticut outdoors enthusiasts and leaders.

Location and Accessibility

Camp Kitchtau boasts an enviable location at 16 Brucker Pentway, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, an address that places it in the southeastern corner of Connecticut, bordering Rhode Island. This positioning is highly advantageous for groups across New London County and beyond, offering a secluded yet accessible environment.

Pawcatuck is the eastern section of the town of Stonington. For Connecticut residents, accessibility is straightforward via Interstate 95, with the camp being a short drive off the major highway, minimizing travel time from areas like New Haven, Hartford, and even points in Fairfield County. The true locational highlight, however, is its adjacency to the vast Barn Island Wildlife Management Area. Barn Island covers over 1,020 acres and is the largest coastal wildlife management area in the state. This means that groups utilizing Camp Kitchtau have immediate access to thousands of acres of protected land for hiking, nature observation, and coastal exploration, providing an unparalleled outdoor classroom right next door.

Furthermore, the camp is a short and convenient drive from major Connecticut attractions, making it perfect for multi-day events. The Mystic Aquarium, the Mystic Seaport Museum, and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum are all within easy reach, allowing groups to supplement their rustic outdoor experience with educational and cultural day trips in southeastern Connecticut.

Services Offered

Camp Kitchtau is designed to support the operational needs of large groups, such as scout troops and educational organizations, requiring both basic rustic camping space and essential communal infrastructure. The provided services are geared towards facilitating group management and training:

Group Campsites: The camp is structured to accommodate approximately 20 unit-style campsites, providing ample space for large groups to set up tents, with a total capacity estimated to handle up to 200 Scouts.
Shelter and Cabin Access: A main cabin is available, which often serves as a central hub or shelter. While a previous cabin was lost to fire, the facilities are continually maintained to provide essential enclosed space for planning and activities, particularly during off-season or inclement weather training.
Dining Pavilion and Cooking Facilities: A key feature is the dining pavilion, which is equipped with a large grill and sometimes a fireplace, providing a dedicated and covered area for preparing and eating large group meals.
Fire Rings and Wood Supply: Each designated campsite is typically equipped with a fire ring for campfires and cooking. Reviews have noted that during periods of reduced utilization, there is often plenty of naturally available firewood nearby, a major convenience for troops practicing fire-building skills.
Ceremonial Areas: The camp includes a dedicated parade field and a council ring, which are essential features for organized group activities, ceremonies, trainings, and evening campfires.
Rustic Camping: The site selection for group camping is described as wooded, with flat, dry space ideal for setting up tents, providing the classic, skill-building rustic experience that is central to scouting and outdoor education.

Features / Highlights

Camp Kitchtau's highlights center around its specialized capacity as a group training and meeting center, offering unique advantages for Connecticut's youth organizations and private events seeking a dedicated outdoor space:

Immediate Barn Island Access: The most significant highlight is the immediate, adjacent access to the 1,020-acre Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, offering endless opportunities for hiking, orienteering, coastal nature study, and bird watching.
Dedicated Group Infrastructure: Features like the large dining pavilion, the parade field, and the council ring are specifically designed to support the logistics and programming of large-scale group events and training sessions, such as the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) courses often hosted there.
Historical Significance: Having been dedicated in 1938, the camp has deep local roots and historical significance in the Connecticut and Rhode Island scouting communities, providing a tangible connection to decades of outdoor tradition.
Educational Proximity: Its location in Pawcatuck provides a short driving distance to premier educational and cultural attractions in the Mystic area, allowing groups to easily incorporate STEM learning (Mystic Aquarium) and historical education (Mystic Seaport) into their camping itinerary.
Seclusion for Focused Events: The 25-acre size and wooded setting provide sufficient seclusion for large groups to conduct focused activities, training, and events without interference from the general public or commercial activity.

Contact Information

Since Camp Kitchtau is a private, non-commercial facility primarily used by the Westerly Boy Scouts Inc. and the larger Connecticut Rivers Council for scouting and group activities, direct public contact information may be routed through the managing organization rather than a general office line. Prospective users—such as scout leaders, private organizations, or event coordinators—should utilize the following information or search for the managing organization's contact details.

Address: 16 Brucker Pentway, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, USA

Phone: A general public reservation phone number is not publicly listed for this specialized group camp. Individuals and organizations should contact the Westerly Boy Scouts Inc. or the Connecticut Rivers Council directly to inquire about facility rentals, availability, and specific usage policies. A targeted search for the managing organization’s "rental" or "contact" page is recommended for groups.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Camp Kitchtau is highly suitable for Connecticut locals because it is an irreplaceable, specialized outdoor venue that serves a crucial community and educational role. For residents involved in scouting and youth development, it is a dedicated resource for essential outdoor leader training and troop activities. Unlike state parks, which are open to all, Camp Kitchtau offers a private, focused environment where groups can conduct structured training, ceremonies, and large gatherings without logistical interference.

The camp's direct link to the vast Barn Island Wildlife Management Area provides an unmatched opportunity for local groups to immerse themselves in coastal Connecticut’s largest preserved habitat. Its proximity to both the major I-95 corridor and world-class educational sites like Mystic means that Connecticut organizations have access to a remote-feeling, rustic environment that is simultaneously convenient and educationally rich. Camp Kitchtau is, therefore, a core component of the local outdoor education infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for Connecticut groups seeking a dedicated, traditional, and strategically located base for their annual outdoor programming and training.