Napowan Adventure Base History
Located in the pine forests of Wisconsin, 7 miles east of Wild Rose and 40 miles
west of Oshkosh, Napowan Adventure Base offers troops the very best in a long-
term camping experience. Napowan is owned and operated by the Northwest
Suburban Council, Boy Scouts of America. Many rich traditions are associated
with the camp since it was purchased in 1945 when John Gillick, was Council
President, W. A. Miles was Council Commissioner and Stanley Huntington was
Scout Executive. From 1950 to 1954, Jordon Minerva was Camp Director at
Napowan and in 1951 the first well, ten feet deep was hand dug in the
Wilderness Camp. In 1951, one thousand trees donated by the State Forest
Dept. were planted on the property near Funk Lake (now known as Lake
Napowan). After 1947 the Hills Lake property was purchased for $3200, making
Napowan a 313 acre camp. Two forty acre tracks were added over the years for
a total of 393 acres.The 2010 Season will mark the 94th Consecutive Summer Camp Program run on the ground of beautiful Napowan Adventure Base. Each year approximately 100 dedicated individuals serve as camp staff and volunteers to bring the outdoor aspects of the troop scouting program to over 2,000 campers and leaders.