Information for Lost Pines Scout Reservation (Scout-owned)


Camp address Contact Information
785 FM 1441
Bastrop, TX 78602

Forecast for this area (at weather.com) 		Capitol Area Council
  • Council contact information
  • Website


    • Map using camp address
    (sometimes accurate)
    Map using coordinates:
    (always accurate)
    Mapquest™ Road map
    Suremaps™ Topo map
    		 No lat/lon coordinates in database...but
    here's how to add them!

    Comments for Lost Pines Scout Reservation

    Our troop has been there the last two years and will go again this year.


    (posted on Mar 9,2000)

    The LCRA / Lost Pines Scout Reservation (LPSR) is located on Lake Bastrop and is leased from the Lower Colorado River Authority. The Lost Pines as there is an island of pine trees, separated from other East Texas pines by a hundred miles or so.


    (posted on Mar 9,2000)

    We've been the last 3 years and are going again in 2000--a great program.


    (posted on Mar 11,2000)

    Lost Pines is no longer leased from LCRA. We bought it outright several years ago. We have also added on (through a generous bequest) the nearby Griffith League Ranch. It is several thousand acres and is absolutely beautiful. I have explored it by 4x4 truck several times. It will open to the scouting public in the near future after some improvements are made.


    (posted on Jun 8,2001)

    I spent the past week at my council's summer camp, the Lost Pines Scout Reservation near Bastrop, Texas, with 46 Scouts and 6 adults from our troop attending.

    The weather was very hot and humid with the temperature reaching 113 degress on June 14 and into the high 90s or low 100s every other day. Even with the unusual weather (even for Texas), we had a great time!

    This was our troop's first summer camp visit to Lost Pines since 1993 as we travel around to different camps, both in and outside of Texas. I can honestly say that Lost Pines ranks among the best camps I've attended.

    Lost Pines offers a complete merit badge program featuring an outstanding aquatics program (including Motorboating, Water Skiing and Small Boat Sailing), an excellent C.O.P.E. program and, from what I heard, a very high quality program for first year campers working on Tenderfoot through First Class. The food was as good as any other camp I've attended.

    The camp administration, including the three Commissioners, did an excellent job addressing problems and offering help throughout the week, and I can't imagine a camp being operated any better.

    If you are interested in booking a reservation at Lost Pines a $100 deposit is required.

    YiS,
    --
    Calvin H. Gray
    Scoutmaster, Troop 405
    Georgetown, Texas
    mailto:405geezer@igg-tx.net
    mailto:scoutmaster@troop405.org
    http://www.troop405.org



    (posted on Oct 15,2001)

    We just got back from Winter Camp 2002 and the program was just fantastic. Even though we had some of the coldest days on record for the past two years the staff was upbeat & enthusiastic, the camp food was always hot & on time - and they always prepared plenty of seconds so everyone got as much as they wanted.

    The Trading Post had a few suprises with a bunch of new books and Scouting Resources I have never come across before. It was a welcomed addition.

    The Winter Camp here fills up early - I wish they could find a way to add a third session next year because the program is that good and there is clearly a demand for it.

    The only sad note was the loss of the Pine Trees to those darn bugs! Lost Pines has lost it's Pines. I hope the council can find a way to plant some saplings so scouts coming to the camp can experience the unique ecosystem that makes Lost Pines such a famous and interesting ecological gem in Texas.


    (posted on Jan 11,2002)

    Improvements are underway at Lost Pines Scout Reservation. The camp of some 500+ acres was fully acquired from LCRA. Besides a new state of the art Health Lodge & Training Center (Lindsey Lodge) the camp has a modern Administration Building and Trading Post.

    In 2000 the council completed a new modern centralized kitchen that serves Lost Pines, Tom Wooten, and when complete, the Griffith League Scout Ranch. It is one of the best equiped Scout Camp Food Service Facilities anywhere.

    Every weekend yearround Lost Pines has a corps of Campmasters with a cabin right at the front gate to welcome in visiting troops and assist with check in.

    Several major improvements are nearing completion in time for the 2002 Summer Camp Season. The open air dining hall is being enclosed with a modern Heating & Cooling system added - something that will be much appreciated during Summer & Winter Camp.

    The camp is also making electrical and facility improvements to the Nature & Handicraft areas as well as adding 25 canoes.

    Check out Camp Tom Wooten for a huge news about the new swimming pool THE SIZE OF TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS that will be going on-line in 2003. It is just awesome.

    This is a great camp to visit, off season or for sumer camp. The camp is convienant for troops from Austin, Bryan, Houston, and San Antonio.

    The area is rich in history & culture. The nearby Colorado River offers Canoeing, there are a number of museums in the area as well as TWO state parks and other recreational facilities. The Lost Pines area is geographically and ecologically unique, providing habitat for many rare species including the Houston Toad.

    Come and Experience Lost Pines - It was one of the 18 featured camps in the Scout Camps USA 2nd Edition - people all over the country are talking about this great facility.


    (posted on Mar 11,2002)

    As a past staff member of Lost Pines and as an experienced scout who has this camp memorized it personally ranks up there with Philmont and NortherTier


    (posted on Jun 26,2004)

    During the week of June 13-19, 2004, our troop atended summer camp at the Lost Pines Scout Reservation near Bastrop, Texas. The camp, operated by the Capitol Area Council in Austin is about 60 miles from where we live and serves as our council's primary camping property. This was our first visit to Lost Pines for summer camp since 2000.

    This was the "big" week for Lost Pines with about 410 Scouts and 75 adults representing 28 different troops.

    Lost Pines has an unusual camp fee structure in that the camp fee is $175 per Scout during the first three weeks of camp and $155 per Scout
    during the next three weeks. A $75 per Scout deposit was due by March 1 with the remaining fee due by April 15. After then, the fee increased by $15. The adult fee was $60 per person but "free" adults were allocated as follows:
    1-8 Scouts 1 free adult
    9-16 Scouts 2 free adults
    17-24 Scouts 3 free adults
    25+ Scouts 4 free adults

    Additional fees were charged as follows:
    Backpacking MB $25
    Basketry MB $ 8
    Climbing MB $10
    C.O.P.E. $25
    Indian Lore MB $ 5
    Leatherwork MB $ 5
    Motorboating MB $ 3
    Rifle Shooting MB $ 3
    Shotgun Shooting MB $25
    Space Exploration MB $12
    Wilderness First Aid $40
    Wall Tent Rental $10

    This was my 25th trip to summer camp. From an overall standpoint, we had a very positive week at Lost Pines, and the camp program is much
    improved since our last visit four years ago.

    As far as a detailed evaluation, I'm using these ratings:
    A = Excellent
    B = Above Average
    C = Average
    D = Below Average
    F = Unsatisfactory

    Pre Camp Information and Ease of Arranging the Trip
    -----------------------------------------------
    Grade = A
    The Leaders' Guide was excellent and very complete. My thanks goes to Troop 151 Scoutmaster T.W. Cook for this leading this effort which resulted in a much improved guide distributed as a .pdf document on CD.

    We pre-registered for the classes and special activities and everyone got what they wanted. It was possible for troops to conduct their BSA
    Swimming tests prior to arriving at camp but we didn't do this.

    The only thing missing was a list of "Scoutmaster Notes" which would have been nice to have at check-in rather than having to take several pages of notes during the initial leaders' meeting on Sunday night.


    Check in/out Process - Arrival & Departure
    ------------------------------------------
    Grade: A
    No problems and everything went well.


    Camp Administration
    -------------------
    Grade = A+
    An excellent and very experienced Camp Director (Mark "Sparky" Smith) and a Program Director (Thomas Baen) who addressed program related
    concerns quickly.


    Camp Commissioner Program
    -------------------------
    Grade = B
    The camp had one volunteer Commissioner and one paid Commissioner. Unfortunately, the paid commissioner was called away for other staff
    related tasks most of the time so it left the one volunteer overworked. Still a nice program though.


    Camp Staff
    ----------
    Grade: A
    Very much improved since our last visit to Lost Pines four years ago. Generally, an older and more experienced staff which did everything they
    could to make sure the boys were able to finish their merit badges. The camp was adequately staffed, something we didn't find to be true four
    years ago.


    Our Campsite
    ------------
    Grade = D
    Instead of letting troops "reserve" campsites when they signed up for camp, sites were assigned on arrival based on troop size. While this sounds like it would work, it can be a major drawback in that most troops familiar with Lost Pines want to know the site to which they will be assigned before arriving at camp. This is something the council leadership needs to consider changing.

    We shared the huge Kitchens campsite with three other troops. Unfortunately, many of the large pine trees formerly in this campsite are now gone due to problems with Pine Bark Beetles, and there wasn't much shade during significant parts of each day. Fortunately, we brought a large 30'x16' tarp for shade and it was certainly needed. This site really needs several covered shelters if is going to continue to be used for summer camp.


    Fire Ants
    ---------
    Grade = D
    These annoying pests were a problem throughout the week. This could be reduced if Lost Pines would broadcast Amdro several weeks prior to the
    summer camp season, and then follow up with another application after the staff training week.


    Tents, Platforms and Cots
    -------------------------
    Wall tents may be rented but we used our own tents. The camp does not provide platforms or cots.


    Latrine & Shower Facilities
    ---------------------------
    Grade = B
    A central facility, with separate areas for Scouts and adults, was shared with another campsite. No significant programs other than the
    fact that there was sometimes a significant waiting time for adults to use the facilities as only two adults could be present during any given
    time.


    Merit Badge Program
    -------------------
    Grade: A
    Generally, the merit badge classes were excellent and our Scouts enjoyed them. Even with the large number of Scouts at camp, the classes seemed to be adequately staffed and I didn't see any problems when I toured the
    various MB areas on Wednesday. Instead of providing individual merit badge cards or blue cards at the end of camp, each troop was provided
    with a computer generated report (sorted by Scout) showing completed merit badges and partials. I like this much better than having to sort and try and keep the merit badge cards still used by most of the camps we attend.


    First Year Camper Program (aka Eagle Quest)
    -------------------------------------------
    We didn't participate but, from what I observed, this looked like an excellent program. It was staffed entirely by Eagle Scouts, and seemed
    to be adequately staffed.


    Activities for Older Scouts
    ---------------------------
    Grade: A
    >From what I heard, the C.O.P.E. program was excellent and there was a backpacking program too. Also, a Living History program (somewhat
    similar to Mountain Man programs at other camps) which looked interesting. The camp has a new 65' rappelling tower (the tallest tower at any Texas Scout camp).


    Special Activities
    ------------------
    Grade: B
    There were several special activities including a "blob" and a water trampoline at the water front. The opening and closing campfire
    programs were nice and weren't too long. Friday was "make-up" day and the staff was available to help Scouts finish badges.


    Chapel Program
    --------------
    Grade: B
    Nice location but a sound system is needed for this.


    Order of the Arrow Activities
    -----------------------------
    Grade: A
    Members of Tonkawa Lodge 99 performed an impressive call out ceremony during the closing campfire on Friday night. An OA ice cream social was held one night.


    Dining Hall and Food
    --------------------
    Grade: B
    The air conditioned dining hall is excellent. The food was about what I've seen at other camps but a couple of meals (biscuits for breakfast
    and lunch meat sandwiches for lunch) weren't very popular with our Scouts. "Seconds" were usually available. Campers had to eat in two
    shifts but this didn't appear to cause problems. On Friday evening, campers could choose either fried or barbecued chicken.


    Trading Post
    ------------
    Grade: A
    Adequate, with a better stock than most camps I've attended.


    Other Buildings/Facilities
    --------------------------
    Grade: B
    Other facilities were good. A basketball court has been constructed near the dining hall and Scouts enjoyed this. The new rappelling tower
    is excellent and air conditioning the dining hall has fixed a long standing problem. The major drawback is that Lost Pines needs a second
    swimming pool (or a much larger pool) to accommodate the Scouts participating in aquatics activities. Due to the large number of Scouts
    needing to use the pool for merit badges, there was no "free swim" at the pool and our Scouts didn't like this.


    Overall Grade: B+
    --------------------
    Overall, we had a very nice week at Lost Pines. There have been major improvements in facilities and staff competency since our visit four
    years ago. We'll certainly keep Lost Pines in our summer camp rotation.


    --
    Calvin H. Gray
    Scoutmaster, Troop 405
    Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405
    Georgetown, Texas
    I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
    http://www.troop405.org/




    (posted on Jun 26,2004)

    My troop spent a week at lost pines last summer and the staff, sites, and experince was great, but the troop didn't like the food. I would say the best thing about eating time would be the air condition though.The temperature got up to about 105 degrees ferienheit in the middle of the day, but we had a grat time over all.


    (posted on Mar 17,2006)

    Fire ants were a big problem as mentioned in another post. The ant problem was made worse in that the area was pounded with unusually heavy rain late June through early July 2007. We did not know were the ant mounds were until the few dry periods. Our camp site was not guaranteed prior again as mentioned above. The camp pool is dated with no lines or markings. The food was reheated and the milk and orange juice were sometimes spoiled.

    The staff was mature, frendly, and many were returning camp staff veterans. Some staff members would join the boys in their games back at the camp site. The dining facility was air conditioned. The OA call out was nice followed by fireworks at the lake.

    The pool staff was excellent in providing mile swim, Life Saving, and BSA Lifeguard programs. I was told that other camps might make the Lifeguard program a real burden; Lost Pines did not. There are plenty of opportunities to meet the Lifeguard requirements in the week of camp.

    The climbing wall is huge. The demand was low for the clinbing program, so the staff provided an adult climbing wall certification program. Many adults attended.



    (posted on Aug 17,2007)

    Our troop won't be using Lost Pines. They charge out of council troops $5.00 per person for overnight camping. That is pretty steep. We will be staying in a Corps of Engineers park for less than a third of that price.


    (posted on Feb 28,2010)

    Last week (June 13-19, 2010), our troop attended summer camp at the Lost
    Pines Scout Reservation near Bastrop TX. The camp is operated by the
    Capitol Area Council in Austin. This was my 32nd summer camp trip (12
    different camps) and our troop's first stay at our council's summer camp
    since 2004.

    We had 34 Scouts along with 15 adults attending camp for at least one
    night. Only 2 adults were at camp the whole week. The camp fee was $210
    per Scout. Four adults (for bringing over 30 Scouts) were free with the
    fee $70 for additional adults. In addition to the cost of kits for
    Basketry, Indian Lore, Leatherwork and Wood Carving, additional fees were
    charged for these badges:
    Archery $ 5
    Aviation $ 5
    Chemistry $ 5
    Cinematography $ 5
    Climbing $10
    Composite Materials $10
    Cooking $10
    Golf $25
    Metalwork $10
    Motorboating $10
    Photography $10
    Rifle Shooting $10
    Sculpture $ 5
    Shotgun Shooting $25
    Space Exploration $10
    Water Sports $25

    As far as the evaluations below, these ratings are used:
    A = Excellent
    B = Above Average
    C = Average
    D = Below Average
    F = Unsatisfactory


    Pre Camp Information and Ease of Arranging the Trip
    ---------------------------------------------------
    Grade = B-
    The Leaders' Guide needs to be revised as portions are outdated. The
    guide was provided as a .pdf document. It would have been nice to have it
    as a Word document too. A DVD about Lost Pines' summer camp is available
    but it needs to be revised too.


    Merit Badge & Activity Registration System
    ------------------------------------------
    Grade = A
    Even though a decision was made to go from a 4-period per day to a
    5-period per day schedule after we had sent in our merit badges
    selections, I'm giving this a high rating due to the fact the Office
    Manager was very helpful in providing a relatively "painless" process as
    far as revising our Scouts' schedules. This excellent support prior to
    camp really helped.


    Check in/out Process - Arrival & Departure
    ------------------------------------------
    Arrival Grade: C
    After arrival and medical re-checks, the first thing on the agenda was a
    tour of the camp. After the tour, campers were issued water bottles (in
    the dining hall) to use at meals and program areas during the week. It
    would have been much better to issue the water bottles before the camp
    tour so campers would have water to drink during the tour. We did our swim
    checks prior to arrival so we avoided the typically swimming pool
    bottleneck present at most other camps. According to several other
    leaders, there was a significant bottleneck during the time in which one
    adult from each troop met with the camp Business Manager to pay final
    fees, etc. This wasn't a problem for us but I see where it probably was
    for troops arriving later in the day.

    One thing missing was a list of "Scoutmaster Notes" which would have been
    nice to have rather than having to take notes during the initial leaders'
    meeting on Sunday night. A few camps seem to do this but Lost Pines isn't
    one of them.

    Departure Grade: A
    On Saturday morning, we had a continental breakfast, packed up, made sure
    the campsite was clean and were on the way home by 9 a.m.


    Camp Administration
    -------------------
    Grade = A
    Even though the Lost Pines has a relatively new Camp Director and a brand
    new Program Director (about a month on the job), most aspects of camp
    seemed to go well. Issues were addressed promptly and I was impressed by
    both the Camp Director and Program Director.

    At least twice during leaders' meetings, "progress reports" on merit
    badges were provided to each troop. On Saturday, a final report, sorted
    by merit badge, was provided. This made it very easy to input information
    to TroopMaster after we returned home. If needed, the software can also
    produce completed blue cards. However, I'm not aware that any troops
    required these so this feature probably wasn't used. The bottom line is
    that Lost Pines has a very complete reporting system.


    Camp Commissioner Program
    -------------------------
    Grade = A+
    Year in and year out, Lost Pines has the best Commissioner Program I've
    seen. Daily meetings were held with SPLs after lunch and with an adult rep
    from each troop at 2 p.m. Other camps should emulate Lost Pines in this
    area.


    Camp Staff
    ----------
    Grade: B+
    Overall, the staff was competent. There were a few areas in which the
    merit badge instruction was weak but there was only one really significant
    problem class (Environmental Science).


    Campsite
    --------
    Grade = A
    We stayed in the San Gabriel campsite. Although 30%-40% of the large pine
    trees that were once there are gone (drought & pine bark beetle damage),
    the site is still nice. Our Scouts especially enjoyed the fishing hole
    just behind our campsite as they were catching fish throughout the week.


    Fire Ants
    ---------
    Grade = A
    There were no Fire Ants.


    Ticks & Mosquitoes
    ------------------
    Grade = B
    A few ticks and lots of mosquitoes, which repellent seem to keep at bay
    for the most part.


    Tents, Platforms and Cots
    -------------------------
    Wall tents & platforms were available for $10 rental with about 20% of our
    campers using them. Most of our campers used their own tents.


    Latrine & Shower Facilities
    ---------------------------
    Grade = C
    Adequate for youth members. Very inadequate for adults with long waits to
    use the showers at night.


    Merit Badge Program
    -------------------
    Grade: A
    Most of the merit badge classes were excellent. There was a very nice
    variety of badges. Class sessions were Monday-Thursday with Friday
    morning a "make-up" time for Scouts to complete badges.


    First Year Camper Program
    -------------------------
    We didn't participate. During the afternoon leaders' meetings, comments
    seemed to indicate several of the patrols were too large but the quality
    of instruction was excellent.


    Special Activities
    ------------------
    Grade: C
    This was a disappointment as there were no "Campwide Games" on Friday
    afternoon as advertised in the Leaders' Guide. This is where the camp's
    overall program could be significantly improved.


    Special Programs for Older Scouts
    ---------------------------------
    Grade: B
    C.O.P.E. was available and I seem to remember another program for older
    Scouts but we didn't have any participants.


    Dining Hall & Food
    ------------------
    Grade: A-
    Meals were served in two shifts as the dining hall isn't large enough to
    hold all campers. We were in the "A Shift" and didn't encounter any
    significant problems that I could see. We experienced the typical "first
    week of camp" disorganization but this wasn't a major problem.


    Overall Infrastructure
    ----------------------
    Grade: C
    If there were any improvements at Lost Pines since our last visit in 2004,
    I didn't see them. The "Blob" our Scouts enjoyed in 2004 is no longer in
    operation. A new sound system in the dining hall is desperately needed.
    To me, the most significant need is a new swimming pool.


    Adult Training
    --------------
    Grade: B
    CPR was offered but there was no general announcement so only 3 people
    were in the class. Leave No Trace training was offered. So was Climbing
    Instructor training and we had two adults complete this training. Safety
    Afloat and Safe Swim Defense were available too.


    Chapel Program
    --------------
    A chapel program was offered one night.


    Opening & Closing Campfires
    ---------------------------
    Apparently, a thief had stolen the wiring going to the area where opening
    and closing campfires are normally held so the area, which normally has
    electricity, couldn't be used. The opening "campfire" was held in the
    dining hall while the closing (an actual campfire) was held in the Living
    History area. Other than being too long, the closing campfire was decent.


    Order of the Arrow Activities
    -----------------------------
    There was an ice-cream social for OA members one night. There was an
    excellent OA call out ceremony during the closing campfire on Friday.


    Trading Post & Cantina
    ----------------------
    Grade: A-
    Lots of "stuff" available for purchase. It would be nice to have a
    greater variety of summer camp t-shirts.


    Overall Grade: B+
    -----------------
    At the end of the week, I asked each Scout to complete a 1-page evaluation
    form concerning their stay at Lost Pines. 30 Scouts turned in the form.
    One question was, "Would you like to come back to Lost Pines?" 17 Scouts
    said "yes", 9 said "no" while 4 said "maybe." This is a much better
    result than in 2004.

    Our council is in the final stages of preparing to build a fancy new HQ
    building so raising money for that has been a high priority for the past
    few years. Hopefully, after completion of this project, the council will
    begin spending money to improve Lost Pines and our other camping
    properties. Recently, a "Summer Camp Committee" has been formed so this
    should help improve the overall quality too.

    In summary, Lost Pines is a nice camp, one certainly worth considering if
    your troop is in Texas.

    YiS,
    --
    Calvin H. Gray
    Scoutmaster, Troop 405
    Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405
    Georgetown, Texas
    I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
    http://www.facebook.com/405geezer


    (posted on Jul 19,2010)

    I hope the Council's Director of Support Services, Rick Denison will not be managing camp in 2011. The 2010 season was a disaster. If all you do is focus on how little you can spend at camp and focus no attention of running a good camp you get all of the types of problems that were present last summer.


    (posted on Sep 30,2010)

    (If you have questions about this camp, don't ask them here! Comments simply get added to this page. If you need a human response, use the contact information above to address your question to the appropriate folks).


    Post a new comment?
    Guidelines for posting comments


    Your Email address?        

    If you include your own email address, it will be stored (along with the comment) in a temporary file. Your email address will be deleted after the comment is approved by a site administrator.

    If the administrator has questions about what you wrote, the email address can be used to contact you. We do not keep, sell, or give away your email address to anyone. Once again, we delete your email address at the same time we add the comment.


    If you have questions or comments about this camp database, or wish to submit a correction or request, please email the Camp Database Administrator

    NOTE! The above is not a contact email for information about Lost Pines Scout Reservation. This is the email for the volunteer who runs the scoutcamp.org camp database.