History of the Camp

Camp Steiner, elevation 10400, is found in the heart of the Uinta Mountains approximately 33.5 miles from Kamas, Utah, and about 45 minutes from Evanston, WY. The camp is owned by the Boy Scouts of America's Great Salt Lake Council. It is the highest camp in the Northern Hemisphere, and the second highest camp in the world, only trailing a camp in South America. The camp is surrounded by several mountains; Agassiz, Paul's Point, Mount Baldy and Reid's Peak. There is a heart shaped lake, Scout Lake, in the heart of the camp, and serves many purposes during the week.

Camp usually runs from end of June to August. Most of the time there is snow until mid to late July and afternoon thunderstorms the rest of the camping season. Boys' love coming up to camp to get away from the city life. There is no electricity in camp, and the water is pumped out of Scout Lake, filtered, then run through several water lines to the different camp sites. Usually the first couple of weeks there is no running water, and water is brought in from East Fork, another GSLC camp nearly 25 miles away. Living up at Camp Steiner would seem to some as unheard of. Living is rough and takes a lot of strength to survive the summer.

Camp's High Life

Highlights of Camp Steiner are always happening. The main thing every boy remembers at the end of the week is the chilling waters of Scout Lake, the wildlife they saw, and their favorite staff member or merit badge. Monday morning always started with a tour of the camp and the swim checks or cold water checks. When boys jump in the water their breath is taken away from the cold water. What some boys don't know is usually at staff week (the week before boys) there is usually ice still floating in the water. The rest of the week continues with merit badges, campfire programs, polar bear plunge, flag ceremonies, mountain man relay, and water games.

Wildlife in the area is scarce, but when you see something, it is usually amazing. There are plenty of deer and chipmunks, the occasional long eared rabbit, and plenty of trout that is stocked in the lake a few times during the summer. A few might see a cougar, rocky mountain big horn, moose, black bear (only one sighted ever in history in 2007), and eagle.

Merit badge time was always fun for most of the boys. Favorite merit badges always consist of woodcarving, canoeing (those that can brave the cold water), fishing, fly-fishing, archery, and rifle shooting. Many other merit badges are offered, and depends on the boy you talk to what their favorite merit badge is, or teacher.