Scouts BSA Resident Camp at Loud Thunder
Camp Loud Thunder is the Illowa Council’s premier Scout Camp. Nestled next to the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, Camp Loud Thunder boasts over 200+ acres of fun for Scouts of all ages. From swimming to snorkeling, climbing to COPE, pistol shooting, archery, zip lining, canoeing and kayaking, rifle and shotgun shooting – your Scout will never run out of things to do!
Our summer camp program introduces young Scouts to new and rewarding experiences, and provides them with supportive and caring relationships. The Trailblazer program is a great way for a young Scout to work on advancement to First Class while becoming familiar with Camp Loud Thunder.
Returning older Scouts can participate in more advanced programs such as the Camp Loud Thunder Polaris ATV Program and C.O.P.E. – with a zip line – gives Scouts a chance to have some fun while working as a team through course challenges.
Camp Loud Thunder has the distinction of being the only summer camp program in the region to offer Scouts a chance to enjoy handgun marksmanship. Scouts are instructed and supervised by trained Scouting America/NRA adults so they can safely take part in this exciting activity.
Scouts who actively participate in what the Illowa Council’s Scout BSA Resident Camp has to offer will not be disappointed. They will become better prepared for life experiences. They will build character, strength, self-confidence, and lifelong friendships – all while having the best time of their summer!
Dates and Rates
Join us at Camp Loud Thunder for Scouts BSA Resident Camp for one of the following sessions:
- WEEK 1: June 13 – 19, 2027
- WEEK 2: June 20 – 26, 2027
- WEEK 3: June 27 – July 3, 2027
Rates for sessions are as follows:
- TBA – Early Bird Fee (Fees due in full by March 16, 2026, at midnight)
- TBA– Regular Scout Fee (Fees received March 17, 2026, and after)
- TBA – First Year Crossover Scout Fee
- TBA – Leader Fees, per week
- TBA – Leader Fees, per day
- TBA – Visitor Meals
Registration
For additional information, please check out the sections below.
Funding Assistance - Camperships
*Scouts can earn their way to camp by raising funds through the Council’s Camp Card and Popcorn sales. For Illowa Council Scouts, we provide an additional discount for units that meet their Friends of Scouting goal. We also offer ‘camperships’ to qualifying Illowa Council Scouts. These ‘camperships’ are scholarships awarded to those who have special circumstances that might otherwise keep a Scout from attending camp.
- To be filled out by Unit Leader ONLY (NOT parent/guardian)
- Unit leader will need to know:
- Scout’s name, age, grade, years in Scouting, address
- Parent’s name and email address
- Number of people in household
- Number of family members attending camp
- Family gross annual income
Camperships for the 2026 season are closed.
Camperships for the 2027 camping season will open on August 1, 2026 and will be open through March 1, 2027.
Illowa Council is not accepting paper Campership applications; all submissions must be done through the online form available through the link below.
Book your campsite
Reserve your spot today and be prepared for an amazing camp experience in 2027!
Here are the steps to take to get started:
- Check out the Campsite Reservation Grid through the button below to see the available campsites.
- Not sure what site? Check out the Camp Loud Thunder Map through the button below.
- Use the “Click here to register online” button below. This link will direct you to Black Pug, where your Registration Lead can enter in your unit’s basic info.
- Enter in your estimated number of youth and adults that will be attending.
- Individual names will be entered when Merit Badge registration opens.
- Add in the estimated amount of picnic tables and dining flys you’ll need (you can always change this later!).
- Select your top three campsite choices. We’ll do our best to accommodate!
- Pay the $150 campsite reservation fee. This payment will be applied towards your final balance due and is non-refundable.
Please keep in mind that on Black Pug, there is a 3% processing fee for all credit card transactions.
To avoid the processing fee, you can pay at the Council Service Center with cash or check, or you can select the eCheck payment method.
Black Pug Access
Leader & Parent Guide
The Leader Guide for 2026 is available through the button below.
The 2027 Leader Guide is in the works and we’ll update it here once we’re ready to publish.
Important Dates
March 1, 2027, at midnight – Online Campership forms are due.
March 30, 2027, at noon – Merit Badge sign ups begin in Tentaroo.
March 16, 2027, at midnight – Scout Early Bird fees are due. Pay through Black Pug or at the Scout Service Center.
Date to be announced – Pre-Camp Leader’s Meeting
May 5, 2027, at midnight – Pre-Order Trading Post items must be entered and paid for in full.
June 1, 2027, at midnight – Special Diet Requests / Special Needs Requests entries due.
June 1, 2027, at midnight – Registration closes online.
Merit Badge Schedule and Guide
Registering for Merit Badges
Scouts taking advantage of the Early Bird pricing will need to have their full registration fees in on time. Please see the “Important Dates” section above for more info.
After the Scouts that are attending summer camp are entered in Black Pug and their registration has been paid for in full, they can then be signed up for their merit badges.
Starting March 30, 2027, at Noon, merit badge registration will open for all weeks.
Please pay through Black Pug for your unit’s merit badge selections.
Payment for your registration can be made by Credit Card or eCheck through Black Pug. Please keep in mind that in Black Pug, there is a 3% processing fee for all credit card transactions.
To avoid the processing fee, select the eCheck payment method through Black Pug.
Pre-Order Trading Post
Camp Loud Thunder gear can be pre-ordered through Tentaroo and ready for you to pick up at check-in. This helps you avoid lines at the Trading Post and guarantees your shirt size! Our annual camp shirts sell out each year, so pre-orders are a MUST! You can also pre-order ice cream punch cards and visitor meal tickets.
2026 Camp T-Shirts: $20 and up
2026 Camp Hoodies: $35 and up (ONLY available through pre-order!)
2026 Ice Cream Punch Cards: $10 (good for 6 cones)
Visitor Meal Tickets: $10
INFORMATION ON 2027’S TRADING POST ITEMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.
Required Forms
BE PREPARED for summer camp with all the correct forms!
- Merit Badge sign ups are handled through Tentaroo starting on March 30, 2027, at Noon.
- Special Diet Request Form – Please edit the individual participant information in Black Pug so we can accommodate.
- Pre-Camp Shirt Order Form – Please pre-order and pay for these items through Black Pug.
Refund Policy
Camp fees are non-refundable with the exception of genuine hardships and/or emergencies (family moves out of council, immediate family death, serious illness, etc.). Refund procedures are as follows:
- The Unit Leader must request any refunds in writing citing full details and including written statements from the Scout and/or his family when possible. Please do not submit family requests directly to the Council without a Scoutmaster’s recommendation/approval. This policy is to prevent duplicate requests being submitted.
- All refunds must be approved by the Scout Executive.
- The non-refundable campsite deposit fee will not be refunded.
- Maximum refunds are available in the case of families moving out of council prior to camp or in other cases of genuine hardship on a case-by-case basis. Paperwork must be submitted two weeks prior to the scheduled camp session.
- Other refund requests received in writing prior to the Troop’s departure from camp may receive up to one-half of any funds received in excess of the initial payment and will be at the discretion of the Camping Committee.
- Refund requests received after a Troop’s departure from camp will not be granted.
- All refunds will be made to Troops only, following the Camping Committee review in September.
- Scouts sent home for disciplinary reasons forfeit all refunds.
Provisional Scouts
PROVISIONAL CAMPING in Scouts BSA allows individual Scouts to attend resident camp without their home unit, usually by joining a “provisional troop”. Provisional camping is designed for Scouts in these situations:
- Their troop is not attending
- They missed their unit’s week, or
- They want a second week of camp
Illowa Council provides a great option for Provisional Scouts!
Konapaka Ketiwa Lodge #38 provides provisional Scout Troops made up of all provisional Scouts grouped together into a specially formed unit led by experienced adult leaders or staff members. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact our OA Lodge Adviser, Michael Leon, at [email protected]. Konepaka Ketiwa Lodge #38 provides adult leadership for these provisional troops and all adults are subject to Safeguarding Youth Training, just like in a typical unit.
- Experience: They participate in all normal camp activities, including merit badges, swimming, and campfires, just like any other Scout.
- Registration Payments: Provisional Scout registration is handled by the unit they are attending with. Parents need to direct funds to the unit, and the unit will pay the bill through their Tentaroo account or at the office in person. This ensures that the unit has agreed to adopt this Scout for summer camp. All the same fees and dates apply.
- Merit Badge Registration: This is also handled by the unit the Provisional Scout is attending with. Parents need to share their Scout’s merit badge selections with them and ensure their Scout is paid in full to have merit badges added to their registration.
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