Information for Tesomas Scout Camp
Crystal Lake Scout Reservation <
& Erv Romansky Family Camp (Scout-owned)


Camp address Contact Information
5403 Spider Lake Rd.
Rhinelander, WI 54501

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    Comments for Tesomas Scout Camp
    Crystal Lake Scout Reservation <
    & Erv Romansky Family Camp

    Camp Tesomas is part of Crystal Lake Scout Reservation.

    Outstanding summer dinning hall camp on private, scout owned lake. Hanna Venture base includes treks into Nicolet National forest. Fall and winter camping in cabins.


    (posted on Aug 21,2001)

    The camp has two excellent web sites.

    http://www.samosetcouncil.org/tesomas/index.html

    and

    http://www.Tesomas.com




    (posted on Aug 30,2001)

    We just got back from a week at Samoset Council's Tesomas Scout Camp. We had a great week at camp. All the boys had fun, most made significant strides in advancement, nobody got hurt, and I won both the cobbler cook-off and the cribbage tournament. The food in the dining hall (the only complaint I had last year) was much improved this year, too. In filling out the evaluation form I had a difficult time thinking of areas for improvement.

    There were several out-of-council troops there, mostly from other Wisconsin Councils, though there was one troop that came all the way from Kansas. It was interesting hearing their point of view, as they travel to a different camp each summer. They said that Tesomas was the best camp they had ever been to! Yes, we're very proud of our camp and its staff. The most amazing thing is that they had never heard of a chilly willy before ... imagine that!

    We signed up for next summer and hope to have several of our older boys participate in the micro-trek program. This year's micro-trek included a day at the camp's COPE course, a day at a nearby high ropes course, an over-night trip to Devils Lake (about 180 miles away) for rock climbing, and a day of whitewater rafting. Aside from the over-night climbing trip the scouts are back in camp each night by dinnertime and camp with their troop. The boys who participated this year had a great time.

    Across the lake, at Hanna Venture Base, the staff reported having filled six of the eight treks for this summer. There were three different options
    offered for treks this year.

    The Northern Trek starts with two days of backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains of Upper Michigan, a day of climbing on the rock faces near
    Ashland, WI, and two days of sea kayaking on Lake Superior.

    The Southern Trek begins with a day of caving in Southwest Wisconsin. On day two the crew bikes to a stable for some horseback trail riding. Day three and four are spent climbing along the bluffs of Devil's Lake and day five is spent at a Super High Ropes Course near Lacrosse.

    The Whitewater Trek was only offered one week and the whole week was spent kayaking on the Flambeu River. Hanna Treks are open to Scouts over age 14
    and Venturers, both male and female, and are lead by one male and one female staff member, both over age 21, so no adult leadership is required (though adults can go along if they want ;-)

    So, that's what's going on at the Samoset Council camps. Oh ... chilly willy ... you haven't heard of it either? It's a little like water polo, only it's played with chunks of ice instead of a ball. The games begin at 6:00 a.m. by special arrangement with the waterfront staff.

    YiS,
    Jim Peterson - Scoutmaster, Troop 379, Blenker, WI



    (posted on Jul 15,2002)

    I have been a Scout leader for 19 years. My troop has attended 5 different camps in that time. We have attended Tesomas every year since 1995. We found that Tesomas met all the needs we were looking for in a camp and more. The camp staff works very hard to make the Tesomas experience a new one each year. That's hard to do but believe me, there is something fresh about the camp each year. The camp itself is just beautiful beyond words, and I really mean that. From the center piece of the camp (Crystal Lake) to the natural camp fire bowl, I have never seen anything better in any camp.

    There are so many thing for the boys to do that the hardest part of camp is deciding what to do. Not just merit badges. Free time activities and night time activities are offered every day and they are high quality. The options offered for older scouts at the Hanna High adventure base (part of the scout reservation) are amazing. Their high adventure treks rival BSA's own high adventure bases. I know because I have been to all of them. (Philmont still wins though.)

    The staff is very accomadating to out of council troops. Again, I know this because my troop is one. Once you have been there you become part of the Tesomas family. Oh, did I mention the O.A. ceremonies? They are first rate. Tom Kita Chara Lodge is there every week and the tap out is amazing as is the Ordeal. The guys know their parts exceptionally well.

    But the best thing about the camp is that is has a tradition and a history and a spirit that they work to pass on each year to new campers. It lies at the heart of the quality of this place and it shows in every thing they do. If you decide to attend this camp you will not be disappointed. This is really a place where memories of a life time are made.


    (posted on Jan 11,2007)

    Tesomas is the best!! I have been here for four years and it keeps getting better!!


    (posted on Jul 18,2010)

    Extraordinary camp. Been to 3 other summer camps and this camp has the best staff, food and facilities of any! Gorgeous setting. Amazing OA call out ceremony. Scouts and leaders really enjoyed bringing bikes along. We are considering going here from Indiana every other year. Tesomas just gets everything right. Well worth the 8 hour trip!


    (posted on Dec 18,2015)

    The boys have chosen this (out of council) camp 3 out of the last 4 years for a reason... Camping Truly is King! The dining hall is loud and fun, fantastic improvements to the camp... especially the fire bowl this year!, great variety of merit badges, MicroTrek program, OA Call Out, and fantastic counselors!!! Troy and his staff do a great job running the camp. If Elvis can't fix it, it can't be fixed. Great opportunities for adults as well!


    (posted on Jul 30,2019)

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    Crystal Lake Scout Reservation <
    & Erv Romansky Family Camp. This is the email for the volunteer who runs the scoutcamp.org camp database.