Camp Yawgoog — Attraction in Hopkinton

Camp Yawgoog, Sandy Beach. Names I will remember for years to come. I try to make an effort to review every camp I attend, and I've been excited to write this one since day 1.

I'm not going to lie, I was very spectacle as I heard many negative things from alumni of the camp. Nonetheless, I came into camp with a very eager attitude, ready for what it had to offer. I cannot even lie. The camp was incredible. The facilities were downright amazing. You can expect to be showering with a few spiders, at the bathrooms near campsites. But at the shower houses... They were clean, odorless, and not a single bug!

The food is a debate. When it comes to taste and quality it was fine. You can't really expect a 5-star meal at a summer camp, but with that being said, nothing really tasted bad... For me it was great. Not to mention everybody got a kick out of the off-brand cereals. The issue with the food however was the portioning. There were some meals where you could eat like kings and have an extra abundance of food, and others where you got 2, 3-inch pancakes. I do have to say, nobody was ever really full, but was never hungry either.

The staff there was the best part of the camp. The staff team is what can make or break a summer camp, but I had no bad experience with any staff member. I was fortunate enough to meet so many, and really kind staff there. They never lost their cool, they never yelled, and they did no more than act visibly annoyed when somebody was doing something wrong. Staff members Tyler, Gabriel, Damian, Jonah, Peter, Earl, and one more from the rifle range with a name I could not spell if my life depended on it. I think it was kiin. All the names listed above really stood out to me as outgoing and friendly. Not even to mention the waterfront staff and the "behind the scenes" workers.

This camp is buggy. I've been to camps where there was not a bug in sight and others where there are spiders crawling on your face. So if you are planning on attending here, make sure to bring, or buy a bug net.

The waterfront is important to me in a camp because I spend a lot of time there. The waterfront in Sandy beach was just incredible. It was spacious, clean, and organized, and the lifeguards were just so nice. I wish I got to know names so I could credit those that made the time there, that much more incredible.

This camp is made for troops to return year after year. When it's you're first time at camp, you're paying attention to everything, trying to figure out where stuff is and all. When you return you know where everything is already, you know the staff, and get to focus on other things. So to those that plan to come for the first time, be ready and take advantage of any tours.

The merit badges offered here are surprisingly good. I would have never known farm mechanics existed if it wasn't for yawgoog. Not even to mention this is the first camp I've been to where you don't walk away with partials if you do everything. Even for cooking. Looking back now, I should have taken a few more rare merit badges such as maybe plumbing, soil and water, or weather. Either way, I am really happy with what I took.

Yawgoog was my 5th time in an actual camp, and it is my favorite. It's just good. If you went yourself, you would agree. There are only so many ways to put it into words but it's just a good camp. Most of the negative reviews are personal issues and not even camp issues. I would recommend camp Yawgoog to any troop looking for a camp. I even set my mind on the fact I want to become staff the summer after I turn Eagle.

Camp Yawgoog has 3 trading posts. 2 basic ones, and one for basketry/leatherwork/woodcarving supplies. Has a ropes course Has inflatables on the water Does not have a Brownsea or first-time Scouters program Very clean Has multiple vending machines based around camp Allows you to borrow fishing rods Offers snorkeling and paddle boarding Has a beautiful and clean lake Offers an ATV program

Head down to Sandy Beach in...

Veteran camper and staffer. I had a wonderful experience here as a youth, and worked here from high school through college. It was a wonderful time when it was a Boy Scout Camp, and was run in accordance with the original values of the organization.

It’s not quite what it used to be, but there are still a number of dedicated staffers who really do try their best to maintain the original spirit and traditions despite the encroachments of the woke world.

If you are a parent or a new scout who seeks to have a wonderful experience and build character and grow, it is certainly worth it.

Despite the pockets of woke ideology, I still bestow my highest endorsement.

My experience here changed and shaped my life profoundly, much in the way it has done for the multiple preceding generations of my family and friends who have come here throughout the better part of the century.

Wrapping up, it is a CAMP. It is a place that you go to learn skills and build character and learn how to be a mentor and eventually a leader. Yes, there are mosquitoes here: just like there are at any other outdoor endeavor.

Finally, I know many of the senior staff is here and I assert that they truly do care about what they do.

It is very difficult in this day and age to be able to find people who can devote 8 to 10 weeks during the summer working very long hours and often times under less than comfortable conditions to do the job that is required. I know that the senior leader ship does the best they can with what they have to work with, and under the circumstances and ideologies they are required to work within.

Not all of the staff are perfect, but there are still some of us who are old school and still believe in scouting and what it stands for, even with the concessions they have been coerced into making to keep the organization going.

I grant Yawgoog Scout Reservation my highest endorsements and highly...

10/10 would recommend! Many merit badges to choose from. They have a good age restriction for some merit badges which helps shrink groups down and not have so many kids at the same merit badge all at once. If you go with your troop you are sure to have a great time. Not as much if you go a second week but still fun. I went 1 extra week last summer and it was alright. The councilors wouldn’t let us stay at the site for most of the day. The only thing that made the extra week worth it was friends and Bubbles the goated camp councilor. The food is good (BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches Are So Good) This year I am going 3 extra weeks and grinding merit badges. The only thing that makes this 4 stars is that the Medicine Bow kids think they’re the best. I go to sandy beach. (Best One) and every time I’m yapping about which camp is better some medicine bow kid comes up and says they’re the best camp. I say it goes Sandy Beach, Three Point, Medicine Bow. I could agree with 3point, sandy beach, medicine bow. Nothing makes medicine bow good. They got like no merit badges the store ain’t that good (407 on top). Sandy beach at least got a good amount of merit badges and the water obstacle course. Also paddle board and the motherboard. The motherboard is so fun. Last year me and my friends were on normal paddle boards and some older kids were on the motherboard we went back and forth trying to nock each other off and it was super fun. The only thing wrong with the water obstacle course is that if you get too rowdy on the trampoline they kick you off. Rest is super fun. Best thing about the camp though is all the merit badges. Worst part is that the Saturday night show is now the Friday night show. PS. If you go an extra week be prepared for kids to walk by the extra week camp an scream “it’s the orphanage and all the orphans” it...