Ben Bob’s Cast Iron Camporee – 8/22-23

Master Outdoor Cooking with Cast Iron

DATE: August 22-23, 2026

START TIME: Saturday at 8:00am

END TIME: Sunday at 3:00pm

LOCATION: Camp Loud Thunder, 9906 175th St W, Illinois City, IL

WHO: Scouts BSA Youth, Venturing Youth, and Scouter Adults

COST: $45/person

  • Includes program supplies, meals, event apron, and participation in Ben Bob’s Dutch Oven Cook Off on Sunday

COURSE QUESTIONS: Harold Cover, [email protected] or 563-320-5372

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS: Contact the Illowa Council Service Center at [email protected] or 563-388-7233

About this Event

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your outdoor cooking skills, complete rank requirements, or learn how to teach others, Ben Bob’s Cast Iron Camporee is the perfect weekend adventure. Held at Camp Loud Thunder, this hands-on camporee combines practical cooking instruction with fun outdoor experiences, giving youth and adults valuable skills they can use in Scouting and beyond.

Participants will spend the weekend cooking with cast iron, learning techniques for preparing meals over an outdoor fire, and gaining confidence in one of Scouting’s most rewarding outdoor traditions.

Youth participants will work on:

  • Rank Requirements :
    • 2nd Class: 2A & D
    • 1st Class: 2D
  • Rank Requirement Prep for work with your Unit:
    • Tenderfoot 2A & 2B
    • 2nd Class 2E
    • 1st Class 2A, B, C, &E
  • Cooking Merit Badge
    • Partial requirements for this badge will be taught and a partial blue card will be provided.

Adults will learn:

  • Effective teaching methods to help Scouts complete cooking-related rank advancement
  • Merit badge skills to teach requirements within their own units.

Class topics will include:

  • Foundational cast iron cooking skills
  • Cooking techniques
  • Meal types
  • Leadership and planning
  • Iron chef-specific

Everyone should bring:

Registration Information

Online registration for this event closes on August 20, 2026, at midnight.