Maricopa County, Arizona Scouting

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Scouting Adventures in Maricopa County, Arizona

Scouting News

Local Scout Units

Visit the District Roundtable to get more information about these and other scouting units in this area.

  • See Also Grand Canyon Council for more info on BSA Scouting Programs in this area.
    • Central District (GCC) (AKA: Camelback District)
    • Gila River District (GCC) - Southern area of the Grand Canyon Council in Arizona. The northern part of our district includes Tempe, Chandler, and Ahwatukee and extends south to Casa Grande, Maricopa, and further to Yuma.
    • Lost Dutchman District (GCC) - Eastern Area - Mesa, Gila, Superstition, San Tan, and Desert Wells districts.
    • Pinnacle Peak District (GCC) - service area includes Northeast Phoenix, North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, and Fort McDowell, and serves approximately 60 Packs, Troops, and Crews and 2,300 Scouts!
    • Sonoran Sunset District (GCC) - covers a large area including many west valley cities like Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear and Avondale. It also goes as far north as Wickenburg and Congress and nearly as far west as Quartzite.


Exploring

Exploring Posts hold weekly activities for youth ages 14-20. Most units are co-ed and have a venturing theme. Contact either the unit or it's sponsor to get more information back in 72 hours.


Sea Scouts

Sea Scouting hold weekly activities for youth ages 14-20. Most units are co-ed and have a venturing theme. Contact either the unit or it's sponsor to get more information back in 72 hours.

Ship # Charter Org Status Location District Notes
Ship 3500
Rock of Ages
Coed Ship Lake Pleasant Camp Annual Long Cruise - Join us…, live the adventure in, on, and under the water…!

Scout Camps

Scout camps operated by this BSA Council:

Church Youth Camps

Major Attractions

Wilderness Areas

  1. Beaver Creek Campground / Coconino National Forest: Easy access to this campground from I-17 near Camp Verde. Excellent area for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Within hiking distance of the V-Bar-V Heritage Site, the largest known site of petroglyphs in the Verde Valley. photos
  2. South Mountain Regional Park: With easy access from Phoenix, this is the country's largest municipal park. Plenty of hiking trails to choose from. Our favorite is the Hidden Valley trail. Recommended for winter months.
  3. Superstition Wilderness: We have only just begun exploring this area of 200+ miles of hiking trails. Our favorite trails so far have been the Dutchman's Trail and the Peralta Trail. This is a rugged wilderness area - plan accordingly. If you're looking for a good group campsite in the area, check out Lost Dutchman State Park.
  4. White Tanks Regional Park: For some desert camping and hiking close to the Phoenix area, try this one out. Lots of variety in trails, great group campsites and facilities. Recommended for winter months. photos

Noteworthy Trailheads

Scouts may earn from SDIC this patch by hiking a portion of the trail and completing other related requirements.
  1. Mormon Battalion Trail is one of the Historic Trails of America. The Mormon Battalion, the only religion-based unit in United States military history, served from July 1846 – July 1847 during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848. This volunteer unit of about 550 Latter-day Saint men was commanded by regular U.S. Army officers. During its service, the battalion made a grueling march of nearly 2,000 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to San Diego, California.
  2. Bismarck Lake Trail: Very easy hike near Flagstaff. There are plenty of undesignated camping areas nearby too. For an added bonus, head on over to the Lava River Cave for a day hike (see below).
  3. Lava River Cave (a.k.a. Lava Tube): Located near Flagstaff, this mile-long lava tube is cool all year round (avg temp 35º-45º F). Make sure to bring good hiking shoes, warm clothes, and plenty of light for this hike.
  4. Picacho Peak: With easy access to the park from I-10, and a variety of trails, this is a great area for new hikers and experienced ones alike. The Hunter Trail is a very technical climb involving metal cables at some points (bring work gloves). Great views of the surrounding valley from the summit too. photos
  5. Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area: This area is still in development, but there is already some well established riparian habitat to explore. There are four trailheads located in the South Phoenix area. photos

Historic Sites

Museums

Citizenship

Scouts practicing good Citizenship in Maricopa County:

STEAM Centers

Local facilities in Maricopa County, Arizona that offer youth programs for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

Special Needs Partners

Duty to God Partners

Local opportunities for Scouts to explore their Duty to God:

Service Organizations

Help scouts Do a Good Turn Daily Non-profit organizations providing services to Maricopa County citizens:

  • JustServe.org - List your scout service project here to recruit extra volunteers.

Eagles Nest

Noteworthy Scouting accomplishments in Maricopa County, Arizona: