Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp (24MO77)
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Seeley Lake, Lolo National Forest, Montana |
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| Area | 6.7 acres (2.7 ha) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Architect | Civilian Conservation Corps, Clyde Fickes |
| Architectural style | Log Construction |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000584 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1986 |
Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp is a special place in Montana. It sits on the western shore of Seeley Lake, within the beautiful Lolo National Forest. This historic camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It began as a summer camp for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The camp is named after Edgar Samuel Paxson, a famous Montana artist. In 1924, the United States Forest Service allowed the Boy Scouts to build a camp here. It started small, with a few wooden buildings and tents on about 4 acres of land.
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Building the Camp
The camp grew much bigger starting in 1939. More buildings were added by two important government programs. These were the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). These programs helped people find jobs during a tough time in history.
The camp was finished in 1940. It covered about 6.7 acres. Clyde Fickes, an engineer from the Forest Service, helped supervise the work.
What the Camp Looked Like
There were twenty buildings made from strong Western Larch logs. These included a large dining hall and 15 cabins where people could sleep. There were also two bathhouses and homes for caretakers. Fireplaces inside the buildings were made from natural stone found nearby. The camp was ready for summer visitors in 1940.
A Camp with Many Uses
Around 1941 or 1942, the Boy Scouts moved their summer camp to Melita Island on Flathead Lake. But Camp Paxson did not stay empty for long!
Helping During World War II
During World War II, the U.S. Forest Service used the camp for an important job. It became a training school for "smokejumpers." These were people who parachuted into forests to fight wildfires. Many of these smokejumpers were "conscientious objectors." This means they chose not to fight in the war, but they still wanted to help their country. They joined the Civilian Public Service Program and helped fight fires instead. This smokejumper program ran from 1943 to 1946.
Camp Paxson is the only youth camp in Montana that was built by the CCC.
A Place for Many Groups
Over the years, many different groups have used Camp Paxson. These include the Campfire Girls and Girl Scouts. Other groups like the Jaycees, 4-H, and various church groups have also enjoyed the camp.
Today, the Montana Conservation Corps uses the camp for training. This group is like a modern version of the old CCC. The Missoula Children's Theatre also uses the camp for training since 1995. The camp now covers about 15 acres. It is also a popular spot for family reunions and weddings.
