Information for Camp Roy C. Manchester
Pfeffer Scout Reservation (Scout-owned)


Camp address Contact Information
1531 Cross Rd
Benton, KY 42025

Forecast for this area (at weather.com) 		Lincoln Heritage Council
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    Comments for Camp Roy C. Manchester
    Pfeffer Scout Reservation

    Located on Kentucky Lake, near Benton, Kentucky, Camp Roy C. Manchester is home to the Boy Scout Summer Camp program. Camp Roy C. Manchester offers many great programs and facilities for the youth attending summer camp. In addition, units may reserve the use of camp and its facilities throughout the year.

    Also visit:

    http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/7885/manchester.html




    (posted on Sep 20,2001)

    excellent camp, the shooting sports staff is the best. the program director for 2003 is a riot. He keeps the camp running and very entertained. The commish Staff is wonderful, never had a need that wasn't filled in prompt time. I recommend this camp to all troops. Kevin Langston Ouachita Area Council Troop 65 Hot Springs Arkansas


    (posted on Jun 30,2003)

    Camp Manchester is a wonderful facility. They do have a great COPE course and the aquatics program is pretty good. Unfortunately, in my experience ( 5 consecutive years)they seem to attract some very immature counselors. In 2005 the Program Director and Camp Director were both 21 years old...not a lot of experience to run a Camp of this size. Camp RCM is run by our council and we are planning to camp outside of council this year...for what that's worth.


    (posted on Feb 19,2006)

    In 2005 The Camp Director was Laura Scott and I assure you that see was older than 21yrs of Age. --- Council Staff


    (posted on Nov 11,2006)

    It has been a sad commentary to see the decline of Scouting in western Kentucky. At one time Land Between the Lakes was a national Boy Scout High Adventure Base, much like Philmont, Northern Tier, and the Sea Base are today then that was gone. Bankrupt little councils kept collapsing and changing their names and running into IRS problems until till finally there are only three Kentucky based councils today.

    We had the National Scout Museum in Murray and that too was moved out of the state (Murray KY is kind of secluded, very far from the nearest Interstate Highway).

    Camp Gunther Hogg has been auctioned off and all we have left today is a council in Owensboro that covers a hige chunk of the state, is cash strapped and unable to capitalize on the tremendous assetts of Camp Roy C. Manchester which has rotting boats, tents that are in poor condition, and has not had major investments in years.

    When Shawnee Trails Council goes under and this camp closes, there will be nothing left at all of Scouting in Western Kentucky. I wish there were someone out there who could save our council and camp before we loose everything.



    (posted on Jul 27,2007)

    I had to respond to this last post. Camp Manchester is alive and starting to thrive, they just recieved 14 new 22ft Catilina sail boats and are in the process of putting in a new dock system there. It had some rough times but now it is on the rebound and the new Ranger there is a real go getter. Sure there are always room for improvement, but this camp is definately headed in the right direction.


    (posted on May 20,2008)

    Camp Roy C. Manchester is a very good camp if your unit is interested in any of the many aquatics programs. It has access to Kentucky Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the eastern US. There is an Adventure Sailing program featuring 4 new Catalina 25 foot yachts, two older yachts, and a new pontoon. At the camp, there are 3 modern ski boats, a dozen new kyaks, 12 canoes, motor boats, row boats, and more. There are also new, modern Catalina 14.2 ft boats, and AmeicanSail 14.6 ft boats and the American Sail Aquafins for the small boat sailing. The camp is now kept in good shape, though some of its facilities are a bit older. Most sites now feature permanent metal roofed pavilions. Two sites offer cabin camping. Two sites offer platforms for tents.

    This past season the camp added muzzle loading rifle to its shooting sports program. The archery range was also equipped with all new bows, arrows, and targets last season.

    The council intends to put in a new COPE coarse and is considering a climbing and rappeling program. There are also plans to aquire standard wall tents for most sites. In the long term there are major capitol improvement plans in the works, though with the economy as is those may be delayed a bit.

    Several of the above comments are a bit off target, but like any camp or council there is room for improvement in certain ways. I should note the 2009 staff was mostly an older, experienced staff.

    The July 27, 2007 post reflects both some real problems, but is not correct in its details, for example it makes no mention of Camp Wildcat Hollow, a 1200 acre property. Nor are there any tents at RCM to be rotting. Futher, its account of the LBL High Adventure Base seriously exagerates what was attempted there. Finally, a certain individual has stepped up on the volunteer side to make major investments of time and money in the camp and council. Other individuals are trying to do their part too.

    The May 20, 2008 comment is also a bit off. There are four Catalina 250 25ft boats, four Catalina 14.2, 2 American Sail 14.6, and 6 American Sail Aquafins for our new sailboats. There are also 2 older yachts of over 20 foot, and one older sunfish in our sailing programs. We also have a new pontoon boat, and two new ski boats. One older ski boat and one older motor boat remain in program use. There is also an older pontoon used as a work boat. Approximately a dozen new kyaks are also available. Approximately a dozen older two/three man canoes are available. There is an assortment of old and new row boats as well.

    Former RCM Staffer, 2004-2009


    (posted on Nov 24,2009)

    Info posted on here is out of date. Lincoln Heritage Council took over RCM this year-2012. I would like to see more recent comments so that my troop can determine where we will attend summer camp in 2013.
    Barb Weber
    Troop 376 Committee Chair
    Louisville, KY


    (posted on Jul 22,2012)

    Camp Roy C. Manchester dates back to 1956. Its location is unmatched, located on the enormous Kentucky Lake. Aquatics and fishing is top shelf. This camp is steeped in Scouting history: the birthplace of the first year camper program, had an adjacent BSA high adventure base, and had the adjacent BSA Museum. Since its inception, it has drawn out-of-council Scouts, and most weeks had more out-of-council than in-council campers. The recent shift of control to Louisville provides nothing but upside, with control by a much-more financially stable council. Also, understand that many older negative complaints reflect unhappiness with council mergers and the elevation of this camp over other camps in the council/state.
    http://www.lhcbsa.org/Camping%20and%20Activities/For%20Boy%20Scouts/Summer%20Camp%20at%20Camp%20Roy%20C%20Manchester


    (posted on May 20,2014)

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