West

Camp West was opened in 1921 with Camp Beard. While Beard was named after the Comissioner of Scouting, West was named after James E. West, a very influential figure in early scouting. West was originally opened for the scouts of the South Shore and Stockyards district. It's dining hall was initially identical to the one at McDonald, but it burned down shortly after it was built. It's new dining hall was unique in it's construction. The camp seemed to be similar to Beard in its operation, although it developed some unique areas and buildings throughout the years. One of which was the Park Manor Lodge, a large long cabin building meant to house the Camp Director. There was a prominent nature study program i the early years. There was also a beachside program area called the Saftey Haven that taught lifesaving merit badge and other water-related merit badges. It was consistently smaller after the 1930s. In 1965, Camp West closed. Like the rest of the area around Crystal Lake, it was used occasionally by the scouts for non-staffed programs until the land was sold.