Location: Alpine, NJ.
Distance from N.Y.C.: 14 mi.
Size: 723 acres (original donation), later expanded.
Terrain: Heavily wooded.
Start Date: Acquisition announced 4/28/1940.
Name Origin: From Alpine, N.J.
Acquisition: Donated by the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to the Boy Scout Foundation of Greater New York through a deed filed Jan. 15, 1942. During the late 1920's, Mr. Rockefeller secretly purchased property mainly east of Route 9W to prevent widespread construction of apartment houses on the Palisades following the completion of the George Washington Bridge. This property was donated to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in 1935. The Camp Alpine tract was west of Route 9W and retained by Mr. Rockefeller. On April 28, 1940, the Foundation announced a contract belween it and Mr. Rockefeller where the 723 acres of former farmland would immediately be made available for use by the Scouts. The actual deed would be received by the Foundation prior to Jan. 15, 1942. The camp actually opened for Scout camping in Seplember 1940. Alpine Scout Camp satisfied a need by the New York City Scouts for a campground suitable for weekend camping within a one-fare transportation fee from N.Y.C
Property Additions: On May 22, 1947, it was announced that an additional 210 acres of property north of the camp was donated to the Greater New York Councils by a corporation owned by the family of Thomas W. Lamont, increasing the camp property to 933 acres.
Property Sales: In 1984, the Greater New York Councils sold 151 acres of camp property in the town of Norwood, NJ. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission sued, claiming that according to the Rockefeller Deed they should get the property. GNYC won in court.
Weekend Facilities: Tentsites, lean-tos, 14-man and 22-man cabins, picnic areas.
Weekend Staff: Rangers and Campmasters.
Lake or Pool: Charles Hayden Pool.
Summer Operations: During the 1950's, Alpine Scout Camp operated the 1-2 week "Pioneer" Camp. Food was provided by the camp with half of the meals served in the Reeves Training Center, the other half prepared by the Unit at its campsite with staff guidance. Lean-tos, cots with ticks, cooking equipment, program guidance, aquatic supervision and instruction was provided by the camp. In 1994, the John E. Reeves Cub World, a Cub resident camp, opened in the High Rock Area. It featured exotic program areas, including the Fort, Land Ship, Mine Shaft, Nature and Environmental Center and a Dining Hall. The old Hayden Pool was rebuilt and additional staff housing, rest rooms, a dining shelter and maintenance building were constructed.
Landmarks: Reeves Leadership Training Lodge - Erected by John M. Reeves as a memorial to his brother Micajah Rufus Reeves and dedicated April 4, 1948. Charles Hayden Pool-Funded by the Charles Hayden Foundation and opened May 29, 1948. Nathan M. Ohrbach Scoutarend - Funded by Nathan M. Orbach and dedicated May 19, 1954. The eleven fireplaces were to be used for cooking in case of bad weather. Surrounded by ten picnic areas. In the late 1990's it was extensively remodeled with the addition of indoor and outdoor climbing walls and renamed the Gary I. Laermer Center. Nagel Amphitheatre - Used for multi-troop and campwide assemblies and campfires.
Additional Info: The first major development took place in the camp between 1945-47 when seven cabins and seventy-four open-faced adirondack lean-tos were constructed, funded by a $361.000 donation by the Charles Hayden Foundation