Camp Baden Powell

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

“Have you ever heard of a ‘Cabin in the Woods’ right here in Cook County?” Camp Baden Powell might not be here anymore but its story echoes around these parts. Many forget that before there were sprawling suburbs, the Boy Scouts were making their mark. Imagine, back in the early 1900s, two dads from Wilmette, Mr. Rice and Mr. Coburn, wanted something to keep their sons busy. This was before Little League and all that. They stumbled upon this newfangled idea from England – the Boy Scouts. They formed Troop One right here in Wilmette, making it open to any boy who wanted to join. Scouting had a military feel back then. They even had Captain Harbaugh as their drillmaster. Soon, they had a whole drum and bugle corps! By 1927, several councils merged to form the North Shore Area Council, and that included a swathe of towns. They even had Camp Baden Powell, a special cabin built by the Scouts themselves. They used wood harvested with permission from the Cook County Forest Preserve. It was near the North Branch of the Chicago River. Imagine those Scouts gathering here, learning skills, and dreaming big. Though Camp Baden Powell is gone, the spirit of those early Scouts lives on, reminding us of a time when this area was a hotbed for the Boy Scouts of America.

After discovering the story of Camp Baden Powell in Chicago, you may wonder how to explore even more. Explory makes it simple: our digital Chicago guide connects culture, history, and unique experiences. With the interactive Chicago city guide, you can dive deeper into the local atmosphere and follow curated routes that turn your visit into a memorable Chicago city tour. Explory is designed for authentic Chicago exploration. Each Chicago guide highlights iconic places and uncovers Chicago hidden gems that many visitors never find. With the immersive Chicago audio guide, stories and sounds bring every step to life. Our flexible Chicago city guide makes it easy to plan routes, discover landmarks, and enjoy storytelling that connects you with the city. Whether your passion is art, history, or local culture, Explory ensures your Chicago city tour is unique. With a strong focus on Chicago exploration and surprising Chicago hidden gems, Explory gives you more than sightseeing – it creates real discovery. Download the Explory App to expand your journey. Discover more than 300 cities and over 500,000 POIs and stories worldwide. Whether you need a Chicago guide, a reliable Chicago audio guide, or a flexible Chicago city tour, Explory is your key to travel differently.

More Places in Chicago

Yeusefiya Cemetery

Were these once vibrant lives, now commemorated beneath our feet? We stand before the Yeusefiya Cemetery, a place where history

Explore

耿辛庄桥

Across the Jiuduhe River stands the majestic Luoshen Bridge. Its elegant arches whisper tales of emperors and dynasties. Luoshen Bridge

Explore

Zion Baptist Church

Founded in 1882 Zion Baptist Church stands proudly in Philadelphia. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. This wasn’t

Explore

Boat house

The clean lines and simple elegance of the Bauhaus movement are all around us here in Tel Aviv. And yet,

Explore