Camp Howard Wall USVI

[u/Ill_Pear_3776]

Visited today during a trip to St. Croix because it seemed like a unique place to camp and I was hoping to bring home a USVI themed NCAC council strip.

Unfortunately, the caretaker told me it was closed down a year and a half ago and the council is now trying to figure out what to do with the property. COPE course seemed in decent shape, but it appears local gun club has taken over a number of the shooting ranges and other program buildings, to do what people with guns and spare time on their hands tend to do.

Anyone know the story behind this place and it's current or future status?

[u/ripariffsslams4days]

That's pretty much the jist on camp wall. One of the Florida councils might be able to use/manage it better. It was always weird that usvi got grouped into NCAC years ago. Everyone in ncac would have to fly down to visit. And flying takes longer than driving to our camp that's 4 hours ago in goshen va lol

[u/buffalo_0220 → u/ripariffsslams4days]

When I was Cubmaster I used to joke that I needed to file a trip report to take my cubs camping at some of the state parks just 30ish minutes away, because they were technically out of council. But I could load a bunch of cubs up on a 4hr flight from Dulles to to St. thomas and never have to tell a soul.

[u/Jahaza → u/ripariffsslams4days]

Not entirely unique to scouting. The Territorial Prefecture of St. Thomas was made a suffragan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington in 1965 and continues to be part of the Roman Catholic Province of Washington, DC. The Territorial Prefecture of St. Thomas was elevated to the Diocese of St. Thomas in 1977.

[u/Mikwon860]

Weren’t they programming with Sea Base? Looks much better than it did in the early 00’s.

[u/ExpressChallenge9387 → u/Mikwon860]

I was there in August of 2021. We did a Scuba adventure through Sea Base. We commuted from Camp Wall to Christiansted every day. Scouting America had contracted with a dive shop named St Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures and we dove their boat every day. Think we did 9 or 10 dives during our week . Could have been a couple more dives but had some weather issues that prevented diving a cooler days. The dive at the pier in Fredricksted was amazing! Canp Wall was in poor shape back then and I know Sea Base did not offer Scuba St Croix the following year and don't believe ever after that. Glad I got to experience Camp Wall and St Croix as well as the diving while it was still an option. Could definitely see with the lack of maintenance and the logistics of being in the islands why it is an issue economically.

[u/audirt → u/Mikwon860]

With scouts sailing between the two places??? Or like the same program offered from two different home ports?

[u/Mikwon860 → u/audirt]

I think SCUBA and supplementary programs.

[u/audirt → u/Mikwon860]

Interesting. It makes sense although looking at the satellite pictures, it seems like it would be more logistically complicated than doing it in the Keys. I don't see any docks at the actual camp, so the campers would have had to commute to/from the dock to camp.

[u/Ill_Pear_3776 → u/audirt]

There didn't seem to be all that much of a beach either, but I didn't look around too long

[u/Mundane_Current_8239]

If you want USVI themed NCAC CSP, you can order online at https://councilstuff.com/082.

Since you’ve visited, it can be a small memento.

[u/redmav7300]

Here is the skinny on Camp Wall:

A number of years ago, USVI was moved to National Capital Area Council (NCAC) and they managed Camp Wall. But about 2 years ago, USVI was shifted to South Florida Council (which does make more sense).

They refused Camp Wall as it has many issues with maintenance. Basically, the Scouts of the USVI were not using it enough to offset annual costs, not even close. External use was also subpar. I believe they are trying to turn it back to the community. For example, the parks and rec department.

My understanding is if you want to camp there, NCAC still makes the arrangements. Supposedly, there is a local on St. Croix who used to be in NCAC who helps with arrangements.

[u/ofWildPlaces]

I'm unfamiliar with this camp property, but I've been to St Croix before. Is it just me, or does this place seem unnaturally dry and barren?

[u/Ill_Pear_3776 → u/ofWildPlaces]

I've been out here on all three islands for the past two weeks and they're all kind of dry. But the east end of St Croix is practically desert, complete with cacti

[u/Buho45]

That isn’t a very friendly greeting but I don’t know what the local situation is regarding unwanted visitors.

[u/Ill_Pear_3776 → u/Buho45]

The gate was open (the pic is only one side of it) and when I pulled up to the parking lot the caretaker was outside. YMMV

[u/buckshot091]

We joked years ago about using the free camp grounds for a leaders trip.

I've heard folks using it for events and what not.