NESTLED IN THE FORESTED HILLS ABOVE THE MISSOURI RIVER, CAMP SHAWNEE IS 321 ACRES OF ADVENTURE- FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION. CAMP SHAWNEE IS THE PERFECT SETTING FOR SUMMER CAMP WITH FOUR VILLAGES FEATURING RUSTIC CABIN CAMPING. EACH VILLAGE HAS ITS OWN RESTROOM AND SHOWER FACILITIES. WITH A CENTRALIZED LIGHTED SWIMMING POOL, TWO STORY AIR CONDITIONED CRAFT CABIN, AND EXPANSIVE DINING HALL, THE FACILITY SPREADS IN EVERY DIRECTION WITH MILES OF HIKING TRAILS WINDING THROUGH THE FOREST.
WE INVITE YOU TO BROWSE THROUGH OUR SITE AND CONTACT THE CAMP FIRE USA HEARTLAND COUNCIL OFFICE (913) 648-2121 WITH ANY QUESTIONS. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
Missouri River View
Camp Shawnee History
Miss Abbie Staunton Hagerman took her own group of Camp Fire Girls to camp at the Hagerman farm north of Swope Park in 1913. The first summer camp for Camp Fire Girls was held the summer of 1914 at what was then the A.L. Ruhl farm at 81st and State Line. Kate Nelsonwas the camp director and 163 girls attended. In 1914 Kate Nelson became the first full time Executive Director for the Kansas City Camp Fire Girls.
In 1915 in need of a larger facility, camp moved to the Frank Robinson farm near Grandview, Missouri. Camp was held there for many years. The camp was called Camp Shawnee due to a legend that told of a Native American chief who was buried under one of the trees at the site.
In 1928 campers left the Frank Robinson farm and attended Camp Towanyak in Lanagan, Missouri. One year later camp was moved to Lake Lotawana where campers would remain for the next six summers.
The US Government was developing park land and camp site at Montserrat, Missouri, and in 1936 the Kansas City Camp Fire Girls moved into camp #1 at the brand new Monterrat Park. The National Camp Fire Girls, together with Miss Marjorie Cooper, Executive Director of the Kansas City Camp Fire Girls Council, drew up the plans for the second camp at Montserrat where the girls would move in 1937. The Montserrat Park and its two camps were built by the WPA. The site, now known as Knob Noster State Park, remained the home for camp until 1970.
The Kansas City, Missouri Council, after many years of looking at and surveying many sites, bought 250 acres of land in Platte County, Missouri in 1953. One lodge and a Caretaker's home were built almost immediately and in 1960, plans for a full time camp were started. Fifteen buildings, consisting of two full units, a director's cabin, an infirmary, and a central shower house were completed in late 1969. A first unit of Timber Lodge cabins was put up over many weekends by hard working Camp Fire dads. A tent platform unit was added in 1970 just in time to house 100 girls in four units.
In 1971, two complete unit showers were also added and full time camping began with 973 girls participating. Forty additional acres were purchased in 1968 for a total of 290 acres. In 2001 additional acres were added with the purchase of the Elder property north of Camp Shawnee, bringing the camp to 321 acres.
Currently, campers can enjoy four living units, an infirmary, the director’s cabin, the craft cabin, Lecomdeh Lodge, a dining hall, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, a hill side chapel, an open air pavilion, the Camp Shawnee Discovery Course, and a pool.
Leseo Living Unit
Philosophy
Camp Fire is about family, friends, and community. We build our resident camping community around the values represented in the Camp Fire watchword WoHeLo (work, health, love). Campers form their own mini-communities of 8 to 12. Camp Fire stresses teamwork and the importance of living in harmony with nature. We're proud of the high quality of our trained counseling staff. They are high energy, creative people who are deeply committed to Camp Fire's national mission- "building caring, confident youth and future leaders." Camp Fire and Camp Shawnee programs are open to all without regard to race, religion, national origin, or gender.
Lecomdeh Living Unit
