A long-standing camp used by Boy Scouts for generations near Payette Lake will host its last campout soon. What’s next isn’t clear.
The Mountain West Council of Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) announced it sold Camp Morrison on Eastside Dr. in McCall.
“Camp Morrison has been a fantastic summer camp for our generations of Scouts,” S. Carl Nicolaysen, Doug Fry and Lynn Gunter wrote in an email sent last Friday afternoon. “Due to continued development around Camp Morrison, the council has been evaluating alternatives for relocating the camp for the last 20 years.”
Camp Morrison consists of two parcels—a 148-acre inland property with various buildings and other infrastructure for the camp and a separate 18.5-acre property across the street that connects to Payette Lake and includes a beach and docks. Together, the Valley County Assessor values the properties at $7.82 million.
What’s next?
A call to Gunter, an executive for the local council, wasn’t returned. BoiseDev was directed to Gordon Shattles, the National Director of Corporate Communications for Scouting America who is based in Dallas. He said he couldn’t provide details on who bought the property, what the purchase price was, or the timeline to transition away from the camp. The property sale has not yet been recorded with Valley County.
The letter from Nicolaysen, Fry and Gunter to those involved in local scouting also did not provide concrete details. The letter said scouts would continue to use Camp Morrison “for the next couple of summers.”
The Camp Morrison property is bordered by lands under the control of the Idaho Department of Lands, as well as private property owned by Boise business leader Joe Scott, who controls both McCall’s Shore Lodge and the Joe & Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.
Scouting America said it would put proceeds from the sale into improving the Bradley Scout Reservation near Stanley. Shattles said the decision to focus on the Stanley property was “because of all the growth by Camp Morrison.” The letter from the local council said funds would also be dedicated to the Salmon River High Adventure Base in Riggins.
The Ore-Ida and Snake River councils of Boy Scouts of America merged in 2020, leaving the combined organization with multiple campsites.
Camp Morrison was dedicated in 1966 to Morrison-Knudsen founder Harry W. Morrison.
