Camp La-No-Che

Ah, La No Che. It’s been around forever. I know plenty of guys who were scouts and are now taking their cub scouts to events at La No Che. As a mom of a Cub Scout we have been camping here a handful of times. I must say that the programs are generally wonderful. Camp Master Kevin is hilarious. He is everything that you expect in a camp leader. If he does the campfire program at the end of the night you will not want to miss it. He cracks me up when he goes through the rules at the BB Gun range, where you’ll often find him. They recently renovated their swimming pool, which was much needed! Now they have a large pool with a zero entry and slide! The kids LOVE it.
La No Che desperately needs to update their campsites though. First, you are all but guaranteed to come home with a tick embedded in your body. At the very least they will cling to your tent and anything else that touches the ground so watch out! The bathrooms at the campsites are disgusting. I tried bringing my small child in with me to shower during Tiger Growl a few years back and the biggest roach I’d seen crawled out from a hole near the faucet. I nearly ran out of their naked leaving baby behind! (OK, I didn’t but almost) The wooden plank doors don’t shut correctly on the toilets and the top and bottom are open anyway so every kind of bug makes its way into the bathroom. You will see bugs at LaNoChe you never knew existed! Seriously, I would just wait and use the bathroom at the lunch hall which is clean and air-​conditioned. Even though there was a roach as big as a bird in the shower at least my water was hot. By the time my husband and son tried their luck it was completely cold. I suggest bringing your own tent. They do have bunks in screened cabin and green tents but, well, did you read about the bugs? One poo lady in our pack slept in a green LaNoChe tent and was up all night with a flashlight watching for spiders. LOL, no thanks.
The crowds at some of their popular events can get a little out of hand, even though they do divide the crowd up into groups which rotate through the various activities. Not everyone bothers to follow the guide so problems arise. We plan on bringing our entire pack to their Halloween camp-​out which I’ve heard is fantastic. Again, the programs are great but the facilities, at least for adults, not so great. You can buy food there but if your able I suggest coking your own. The LaNoChe food is served hot and is convenient but it is school grade cafeteria food. Canned/​frozen and frankly, not worth what they charge. It does save time and effort (no clean up!) though so may be worth buying.
The camp grounds themselves are shaded and quiet (except for the kids, of course!) and the lake is beautiful. You really feel like you are away from civilization here, just like camp should be. You will walk many many miles while here for the weekend, so be prepared. There is a small store and snack stand but there isn’t much of a selection and prices are high. Staff is generally friendly and God bless them for putting up with the hundreds if not thousands of kids they do without loosing patience. I know some folks who shun LaNoChe because of the facilities, and I agree they are pretty bad. But, if you can look past the nasty toilets, cold showers and bug infestation you might just have a wonderful time.

I’ve been coming to La-​No-​Che for the past twenty years, sine I was four years old.
In my teen years I spent most of my weekends there with the guys from the OA, especially during summers.
Later I worked there as an aquatics assistant director for three summers.
I care a lot about the camp and how far it has come over the years. The facilities are great, camp counselors KNOW the material they teach the youth, and the program is among the best in the country.
From Trek’s to Wakeboarding, Eagle Merit Badges to the Trailblazers program: La-​No-​Che has it all!
I recommend La-​No-​Che for first time summer camp Scouts to Star and Life ranks, there is something for everyone. Many programs for the adults to get involved with too!

Ok, so this was my second time camping. I have to say, I’m not really a fan… with that said, Camp La-​No-​Che is really a nice safe location to go camping with the family.
It is far away, but hey, you are camping, and in the woods. The facilities are very nice, they have many activities, a lake, pool and plenty of bathrooms. Definitely worth checking out.
Remember your bug spray as ticks are fierce.