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Camp Steiner, Great Salt Lake Council, near Kamas, Utah

Coming from the relative comfort and luxury of Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, we arrived at Camp Steiner at 10,400 feet (the highest altitude camp in the United States) to find even the mighty Bounder motorhome stymied by the road to camp. We parked the motorhome in the lower parking lot and walked up the next 400 feet or so to camp proper.

Scouts and Scouters accustomed to finding pay phones and electricity available at their camps will be surprised to find that Camp Steiner has neither. The cooking, in fact, is all done by gas, refrigeration in the staff dining hall is done with propane, and even the dining hall lighting is gas-powered. While there is an emergency satellite phone, there is no bank of pay phones with which to call mom, a girlfriend, or (for Scouters) the office. Cell phones, in fact, are out of their league at Camp Steiner.

Camp Director, John Marty, was heavily involved in a plumbing disaster upon our arrival and introduced us to the camp Program Director, a very energetic Matt Rassmussen who gave us a tour of camp, including the climbing area on the far side of the lake. The peaks offer some challenging faces for Scouts to practice climbing skills on.

At the camp's center is a handsome lake which is used for boating, sailing, and swimming, although we're told it might be a tad cool in the beginning of the season. In fact, we were told that occasionally there is still a good deal of snow on the camp property during staff week, although it generally goes away by the time the Scouts arrive. During our visit, we found it more comfortable to wear a light jacket.

After our walk up to camp, we decided that perhaps the Bounder might have made it, but the only problem after that would be finding a flat spot. This is a rugged camp. The campsites are not far apart but they are all hilly save for small flat areas. One of the things we found most enchanting about Camp Steiner are the adirondacks found in many of the campsites. These structures are 71 years old, as old as the camp, and show evidence of being used well by Scouts all those years. One can only imagine how many initials are carved in these shelters and how many Scouts have left their marks behind, yet the sturdy timbers look as though they'll take another 71 years of marking by Scouts.

The camp buildings also show character and age. The handicrafts building appears to have been a barn at one time. The first aid building has a certain lean to it that gives a hint of its many years of service. The Camp Director's cabin is certainly every bit of 71 years old and looks it, but is well preserved. The overall ambiance of the camp is one of sturdy tradition.

The evening we arrived at Camp Steiner we were lucky enough to see a skit on camp cleanliness delivered by the illustrious King Kybo and his helper, Little John. We're sure the campers will always remember King Kybo - we certainly will!

Camp Steiner Return to Camp Tour 2001

Camp Steiner - Great Salt Lake Council

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