Boxwell Scout Reservation

Boxwell Reservation is located on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County on State Highway 109, five miles south of Gallatin near LaGuardo, Tennessee. Its beautiful location features rolling hills with lots of good campsites and hiking trails. The surrounding waters are excellent for swimming, canoeing, fishing and other aquatic activities. For these reasons and because of its central location, it was chosen to meet the needs of Scout units in the Middle Tennessee Council. In 1952, the original site was located and in 1957, the Middle Tennessee Council acquired, by special act of Congress, fee simple ($1.00) title to 528 acres of land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Subsequent purchases brought its size up to 1,273 acres.

Actually, there have been four "Boxwells": Linden, Tennessee (1921-29), Narrows of the Harpeth (1930-48), Rock Island (Charles E. Parish Wilderness Reservation near McMinnville) (1949-59), and the present one. In 1938, the Order of the Arrow's Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge #111 was founded at the Narrows of the Harpeth. In 1951, the South's first Wood Badge course was offered at the Rock Island camp. Each "Boxwell" provided great outdoor experiences for boys and their adult leaders and made its own contribution to the camping traditions of the Middle Tennessee Council. Today's Boxwell Reservation on Old Hickory Lake reflects and accelerates the rapid growth of Scouting in Middle Tennessee. Many people worked hard to raise the funds and make the arrangements necessary to acquire and develop these camps. Boxwell Reservation is named for the late Mr. Leslie G. Boxwell, a distinguished Tennessean and Scouter.

In 1960, the first summer camp season at the present camp was held for hundreds of eagerly waiting Scouts. Since 1960 over 115,000 Scouts and Leaders have experienced camping at Boxwell. Nearly every kind of tree native to Tennessee can be found somewhere on the reservation, and animal life is plentiful. Some evidence exists to suggest that the ground beneath is honeycombed with caves, and it is believed that Indian and pioneer trails crossed it.

The camps within the reservation are named for other outstanding citizens and Scouters. The developed camps include Camp Stahlman, Camp Parnell, Camp Craig, Gaylord Cubworld, and the Percy Dempsey Camporee Site. Camp Light, Explorer Island and Camp Beanie Elam have been kept as wilderness sites. Additional areas at Boxwell include the Venture Center, Swimming Pool and Shotgun Range. Boxwell Reservation is rich in tradition and widely considered one of the very best summer camp facilities in the United States.

To print directions to Boxwell Scout Reservation, click here.

Gaylord CubWorld – located on Boxwell Reservation

Relive the frontier life by learning survival skills and protecting the FORT from intruders.

Learn the culture of the Native Americans through activities, stories, and crafts held inside Tepees and on council grounds of the NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE.

Be pirates of the high seas with their own PIRATE SHIP to command.

Cross into the land of King Arthur and merry old England, learning games and skills while protecting their CASTLE.

Share in the Olympic spirit and improve physical fitness at an OLYMPIC VILLAGE.

Call and reserve one of the 5 program areas for your Pack or Den. Plan a fun day of adventure or stay overnight for an exciting weekend experience. The cost is $6.00 per Scout. Reservations can be made by calling the Camping department at (615) 383-9724 or 800-899-7268.