Campsite Baden-Powell, Hopkinton, RI

Introduction / Overview

For residents of Rhode Island and Southern New England, the name Campsite Baden-Powell is synonymous with a vibrant, high-spirited, and independent-style summer camp experience within the sprawling 1,800-acre wilderness of the Yawgoog Scout Reservation in Rockville, RI (02873). Named for Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, this particular campsite holds a unique and essential place within the larger Yawgoog family.

While the Yawgoog Reservation is primarily known for hosting entire Scout Troops, Campsite Baden-Powell historically served as the Provisional Camp—a specialized program designed for individual campers. This site welcomes local Scouts whose troop may not be attending Yawgoog, or, more commonly, those dedicated local youth who simply cannot get enough of the Yawgoog experience and want to spend an additional week or more at half the standard rate. This provisional concept has since been rebranded as the "Fun Friends Adventure" program, but the Campsite Baden-Powell designation endures as the physical location and heart of this high-energy community.

As noted by customer reviews, this campsite is lauded for having "the most spirit, the most energy" and fosters an environment where campers "become one big family for the week." It operates as a distinct, staff-run 'super-troop' within the Medicine Bow section of the reservation, giving every individual camper the full, traditional Yawgoog experience, complete with merit badge work, fellowship, and unique camp themes. Whether you are a dedicated local looking for that second week or a newcomer exploring this historic Rhode Island institution, Campsite Baden-Powell is your independent gateway to the Yawgoog adventure.

Location and Accessibility

Campsite Baden-Powell is physically located deep within the celebrated Yawgoog Scout Reservation in the rural town of Hopkinton, which utilizes the Rockville, RI 02873 zip code for its postal address. The camp is managed by the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America, securing its status as a well-maintained, preserved wilderness area.

The reservation’s primary entry point is on Camp Yawgoog Road. Its location in the southwestern part of the state provides excellent access for Rhode Island locals, as it is a manageable drive from major population centers like Providence and Warwick. It offers the feeling of complete isolation and true wilderness without requiring excessive travel time. This ease of access is critical for the families driving their children to and from the summer program weeks.

Specifically, the campsite is situated within Camp Medicine Bow, one of Yawgoog's three main, independent camping areas. This placement gives provisional campers easy access to shared reservation facilities, including program areas like the Crafts Center, the Medicine Bow Waterfront, and the Ashaway Aquatics Center, ensuring that campers at Baden-Powell are central to the action while still enjoying the focused energy of their own community.

Services Offered

As the site for the Provisional/Fun Friends Adventure camp, Campsite Baden-Powell offers services tailored to the individual camper experience during the summer season:

Staff-Led Camp Operations: The site is run by dedicated Yawgoog Staff members who function as the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Senior Patrol Leaders, providing comprehensive adult leadership and program direction for all provisional campers.
Individualized Program Opportunities: Campers have full access to the reservation-wide merit badge programs, specialty certifications like BSA Lifeguard, and challenge course activities (Silver COPE Award), allowing them to pursue advanced skills they may have missed with their home troop.
High-Spirited Programming: The Provisional Camp structure focuses heavily on spirit, energy, and theme weeks, providing a high-energy, fun-focused experience that is perfect for 'extra weeks' of summer camp.
Family-Style Dining: Provision of meals in the Medicine Bow Dining Hall, famous for fostering camaraderie (and reportedly, impressive hydration levels) among the individual campers.
Affordable Second Weeks: One of the major services is offering a significant discount for local youth who wish to attend an additional week of summer camp, making an extended outdoor experience more accessible to RI families.
Traditional Tent Camping: Campers reside in traditional tent setups within the designated site area, fully immersing them in the classic Yawgoog camping environment.

Features / Highlights

Campsite Baden-Powell and its associated program are known for several standout features that make it a favorite among veteran local campers:

The 'Fun Friends Adventure' Vibe: The program (formerly Provisional Camp) is celebrated for its incredible unity, encouraging campers from different backgrounds, troops, and states to quickly bond into a close-knit "family" for the week, as highlighted by a reviewer.
Central Camp Location: Situated in Camp Medicine Bow, campers enjoy a location rich in history and convenient to some of Yawgoog’s key program areas and facilities.
Focus on Achievement: This camp is often leveraged by ambitious youth to complete crucial Eagle-required merit badges or specialty awards that their own troops may not have focused on, providing a dedicated environment for advancement.
Extensive Water Activities: Access to the beautiful Yawgoog Pond for aquatic programs, including boating, swimming instruction, and waterfront safety certifications, making the most of Rhode Island’s freshwater resources.
Natural Beauty: The entire Yawgoog Reservation, with its over 1,800 acres of preserved forest, offers a stunning backdrop for hiking, nature study, and a true escape from screens and city noise.
Unique Camp Lore: Like the other camps within Yawgoog, Baden-Powell and Medicine Bow have their own songs, cheers, and traditions that instantly welcome the individual camper into the broader camp history.

Contact Information

As a designated site within a private reservation, the "business" contact for Campsite Baden-Powell and the Fun Friends Adventure program is the main administrative body.

Primary Address (Yawgoog Scout Reservation): 61 Camp Yawgoog Road, Rockville, RI 02873, USA

Primary Phone Number (Narragansett Council): (401) 351-8700 (For year-round program inquiries)

Camp Yawgoog Office (Seasonal): (401) 539-2311 (For direct, in-season contact with the camp)

Note: Enrollment in the Provisional Program (Fun Friends Adventure) is handled through the Narragansett Council’s online registration system and is the primary method of reserving a space at this highly sought-after summer camp option.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Campsite Baden-Powell, through its Fun Friends Adventure program, is uniquely valuable to Rhode Island locals because it solves a critical problem: the need for flexible, high-quality, and affordable extended summer engagement. For the dedicated youth, it provides an opportunity to turn a standard week of summer camp into an extended, skill-building, and social experience, often at a discounted rate for additional weeks. It is a fantastic option for individuals whose local troop attendance might be inconsistent or for those who simply crave more time in the woods after their troop departs.

For local parents, the site offers the confidence of a program run entirely by the highly-trained Yawgoog Staff, ensuring a safe, structured environment. More importantly, it acts as a cultural touchstone, connecting local youth with the rich, century-old camping traditions of the Ocean State, fostering a deep and lasting appreciation for the natural world right here in Rockville, RI. It truly is the camp with "the most spirit," making it a beloved local tradition for countless second-week adventurers.