Girl Scout Camp Woodhaven, Galway, NY

For residents of the New York region, discovering Camp Woodhaven in Galway, NY, offers a unique opportunity for outdoor adventure and group recreation in a pristine setting. As a dedicated property of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY), this expansive 250-acre woodland retreat is not solely reserved for Girl Scout troops. It is a highly versatile and well-maintained facility available for rent to outside groups, organizations, and families looking for an authentic and fully-equipped camping experience near the Adirondack Foothills.

Camp Woodhaven is consistently praised by users, who note, "Love it! Great Girl Scout camping!" and recognize the "Beautiful grounds for everyone to enjoy." This dual recognition—as a fantastic Girl Scout resource and a beautiful space for the wider community—underscores its quality. The camp is set up to provide everything from rustic platform tent camping to more comfortable indoor lodge accommodations, making it adaptable for various group needs, from corporate retreats to large family gatherings and, of course, the foundational troop camping experience.

With an impressive array of activities like hiking, boating on the on-site pond, and various outdoor program spaces, Camp Woodhaven serves as an ideal base for local New Yorkers seeking to host an organized, structured, and memory-making outdoor event. Its commitment to maintaining high standards is clear, offering essential amenities like drinking water, fire circles, and multiple sleeping options, all within a secure and dedicated facility that is carefully managed by the GSNENY council. It is a valuable local asset that extends the spirit of outdoor exploration and community building to all who rent its grounds.

Introduction / Overview

Camp Woodhaven is a substantial and cherished property spanning 250 wooded acres, situated just north of the charming Galway Village in Saratoga County, New York. It is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY). While it hosts essential Girl Scout programs, the property is available for year-round and seasonal rental by both Girl Scout troops and outside groups, including schools, non-profits, corporate teams, and private citizens. It is a fully developed camping property designed to facilitate progressive outdoor experiences, ranging from primitive tenting to comfortably winterized lodge stays. The camp features a diverse landscape, including dense woodlands, a large playing field, a creek, and a central pond with a designated beach area. Its purpose is to provide a safe, beautiful, and fully equipped environment for outdoor education, recreation, and community development.

Location and Accessibility

Located strategically in the greater Capital Region, Camp Woodhaven offers excellent accessibility for New York residents looking for a nearby escape.

The property is located at: 2015 Alexander Rd, Galway, NY 12074, USA.

Its location makes it particularly convenient for locals:

Proximity to Urban Centers: Camp Woodhaven is an easy drive from major population hubs like Albany, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. This convenient distance makes it perfect for weekend troop camping trips, day-use programs, or corporate groups looking for a local retreat without extensive travel time.
Scenic Foothills Setting: The camp is situated at the edge of the Adirondack Foothills, offering a rugged, natural environment with abundant hiking trails and a true sense of being immersed in nature, while remaining close to necessary local services in Galway.
Managed Access Roads: The camp's internal roads are carefully managed, but guests should be aware that vehicle parking is generally confined to a main lot, with limited vehicle access to units reserved for emergency use and transporting heavy gear, ensuring the safety and peacefulness of the grounds.
Year-Round Use: While many areas are seasonal, the facility includes winterized lodges, making it a viable option for group gatherings, meetings, and overnight stays even during the colder months when many other campgrounds are closed.

Services Offered

Camp Woodhaven provides a variety of essential services and rental options to accommodate diverse groups and camping styles.

Diverse Lodging Options: The property offers a tiered range of accommodations, including fully equipped, year-round lodges with electricity, heat, indoor restrooms, and full kitchens, as well as seasonal units featuring rustic platform tents, cabins, and Adirondack-style shelters.
Sanitary and Water Facilities: While many rustic units rely on outhouses (latrines), the main Troop House and Lodge facilities are equipped with flush toilets and hot showers. Drinking water is available at covered shelters within the outdoor units, and year-round buildings have running water inside.
Program and Meeting Spaces: Indoor meeting spaces like the Troop House, often featuring a land-line telephone and a refrigerator, are available. Outdoor units typically include a covered shelter for cooking and activities during inclement weather.
Outdoor Cooking Capabilities: Each unit, whether tent or cabin, is generally equipped with a dedicated fire circle for campfires and outdoor cooking, allowing groups to fully engage in traditional camping skills.
Firewood Guidance: Though some fallen wood may be available, groups are advised to bring extra dried wood. The camp strictly adheres to New York State regulations prohibiting the transport of firewood more than 50 miles from its source to protect local forests.
Booking and Maintenance Support: A formal reservation process is managed by the GSNENY, and a clear maintenance and emergency contact protocol is in place to ensure support during a rental period.

Features / Highlights

The defining highlights of Camp Woodhaven are its extensive land area and the variety of recreational opportunities embedded within the natural environment.

On-Site Pond and Beach: The property features a pond with a designated beach area, providing opportunities for swimming (with proper certification and supervision) and water activities like small craft boating and paddle boarding, offering a safe, contained aquatic experience.
Extensive Trail System: Campers can explore the 250 acres via numerous maintained hiking trails, including the Naturalist Trail, allowing groups to engage in nature observation, outdoor skills building, and peaceful forest walks along the creek.
Dedicated Program Areas: Woodhaven includes specialized recreational spots such as a large playing field for group games, an archery range (often requiring certified instruction), and spaces that encourage outdoor skill building and team activities.
Variety of Camping Experiences: The ability to choose between the rustic experience of a platform tent unit like Pioneer, or the comfort of a year-round lodge, allows groups to match their accommodation to their skill level and comfort needs, providing a truly progressive camping experience.
Group-Friendly Infrastructure: The unit-based layout, where each unit has its own covered shelter and latrine/water access, is perfectly suited for organized groups, ensuring a degree of privacy and self-sufficiency for each troop or renting party.

Contact Information

To inquire about property rentals, availability, and specific amenities at Camp Woodhaven, please use the following contact details for the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York.

Address: 2015 Alexander Rd, Galway, NY 12074, USA

Phone: (518) 489-8110 (Note: For non-immediate issues, guests are typically directed to an extension or voicemail box monitored by staff.)

Mobile Phone: +1 518-489-8110

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Camp Woodhaven is an excellent and often underutilized resource for local New York residents and groups outside of the traditional Girl Scout network. For local families, businesses, or organizations in the Capital Region, it provides a safe, established, and fully equipped retreat center without the hassle of traveling deep into the High Peaks or across state lines. The property's main advantage is its versatility: groups can choose between comfortable lodge rentals for workshops and easy family gatherings, or fully-immersive, rustic camping in platform tents for adventure programs. Its accreditation and management by the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York ensure a high standard of maintenance and safety. For any local group—be it a school field trip, a youth organization event, or a company retreat—Camp Woodhaven offers "beautiful grounds" and a ready-made infrastructure for outdoor success, solidifying its status as a premier, accessible outdoor destination in Upstate New York.