Houchens Program Center

Descriptions of each facility can be found below. You can also download the Accommodations & Facilities Chart for easy reference!

THE LODGE

The year-round facility has heat, several window air conditioners, a modern kitchen and bathrooms, including showers. The back porch overlooks the river and provides an excellent place for cookouts. There is no internet capability available.

Capacity: 24 sleeping, 80 day-use 

Pricing: $50 for overnight use, $30 for day use

Availability: Year-Round

JODY AUSTIN PAVILION

Jody Austin is a large picnic shelter available year-round.  It seats up to 32 and is a great location for an afternoon outing or picnic.  There is a latrine available year-round, and water is available from April 15 through October 31.

Capacity: 32 people

Pricing: $10 for day use

Availability: Year-Round

PRIMITIVE CAMPING

Groups may pitch their own tents in the field across from the Jody Austin Pavilion. This area is served by the latrines at the pavilion.

Capacity: 30 people

Pricing: $15 for overnight use

Availability: April 15-October 31

The following activities are available at camp and may require a separate reservation and/or fee. If you have questions about using program areas or need more information, please contact our Customer Care Team.

• Adventure Playground
• Archery
• Canoeing
• Disc Golf
• Games & Crafts
• Letterboxing
• Playground
• Shuffleboard
• Teams Course
• Trails & Hiking

Nearby Attractions:

• Lost River Cave: Lost River Cave’s historic underground boat tour is a great eco-adventure for all ages. Enjoy hiking trails, activities, and charming gift shop located just an hour north of Nashville in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
• Mammoth Cave: Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it  the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere  Reserve.  

When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) written specifically for that particular activity.

Safety Activity Checkpoints provides the standard safety guidelines for Girl Scouts of the USA and council approved activities. In addition to providing volunteers with safety guidelines to ensure the physical and emotional safety of girls, information is also included throughout SACs to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusive thinking when planning Girl Scout activities so all girls with a desire to participate are included.

Download a map of camp here! 

Need extra equipment for your camping trip of small event? Fill out the Extra Equipment Request Form. 

To ensure your request, this form should be submitted 1 week in advance. 

Please note: If you are looking for equipment for larger events, such as a Volunteer-Led Camp, please reach out to Customer Care to ensure you have what you need for your event!

The online Events Calendar is your source for the most up-to-date information about events you can attend as a troop, with a friend, or as a family. 

Many council-sponsored events provide Girl Scouts with experiences in the outdoors and are designed to build their confidence and skills. Trained council staff and program partners guide girls, so they can then continue these activities on their own. 

Check it often for updates! Find it at www.gskentuckiana.org/eventcalendar.

1. Choose your location. TIP: Be sure to reserve the property BEFORE the program to ensure you have a space available. 
2. If applicable, choose your program that you would like to reserve. Currently, the programs available to reserve include archery, sling shots, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, teams course, caving, and swimming. TIP: Be sure to reserve the property BEFORE the program to ensure space is available. 
3. Check the Current Reservation Calendar to see if your dates and locations are available. Reservations are accepted no earlier than seven months prior to your reservation date. The seven-month window is a “rolling” window. Each day of the month opens another day for reservations seven months in advance.
4. Make your reservation. Follow the Doubleknot reservation instructions to reserve the property and program (if applicable). 
5. Review your confirmation. An email confirmation will be sent the week of your reservation. Please note: the email will be sent to the person who made the reservation. Review this important information, because it includes check-in/check-out details, emergency procedures, and more. 
6. Determine if you will need extra equipment. Need extra equipment for your camping trip or small event? Fill out the Extra Equipment Request Form.  
7. Determine if you will need a program facilitator. When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) written specifically for that particular activity. Here, you will be able to determine if you need a program facilitator. As we work on improving access to outdoor programming, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana is not currently taking requests for outdoor facilitators. At this time, please reach out to your fellow volunteers who may be able to help. Girl Scout social media groups can be a helpful resource. The best way to ensure that you have a facilitator for your outdoor adventure is to become one yourself! Learn how: www.gskentuckiana.org/training 

Find answers to frequently asked questions here. 

Camp Property and Activity Pricing Guide

This information is for planning purposes only. Prices may change without notice. 

Troop Activity Guidance at Kentuckiana Camps: Day Use

Reservations can be made in one-hour blocks with a maximum of eight consecutive hours on the same day. Day use guidelines include:

• Adult to girl ratios must be met. 
• Troops must have a registered leader who has completed Outdoor Basics. 
• If you intend to start a fire, you will need to have completed Indoor Camping training.
• All safety guidelines as listed in Safety Activity Checkpoints should be followed.

Troop Activity Guidance at Kentuckiana Camps: Overnight

Troop leaders are required to have taken Camp In training to sleep in buildings and Outdoor Camping training to sleep in screened seasonal cabins and any type of tent.

• Seasonal Camp Units: Platform tents, cabins, and primitive units are available for overnight rental, subject to seasonal restrictions. (All units which depend on above-ground water sources are closed for camping October 31 through April 15 each year). Older girl troops who believe they are prepared for winter camping in pitched tents and are willing to haul water to their site for drinking, cooking, washing, and fire safety may contact contact the Properties Registrar at 502-716-7235 to receive special permission to use a site appropriate for pitched tents.
• Platform Tents and Screened Cabins: Campers should sleep foot to foot in platform tents and cabins with occupancy limited to the number of beds or mattresses. At least two ends of the platform tent must be rolled open to ensure proper ventilation. Campers should sleep at opposite ends of the tent. 
• Pitched Tents: Go by the manufacturer’s capacity. If below six people, sleep only one per tent. If six people or above, sleep two people per tent.
• Lodges and Buildings: Overnight sleeping in camp buildings is allowed and at full capacity. Campers should sleep foot to foot at least six feet apart.

Household Activity Guidance at Kentuckiana Camps: Overnight

Households will use the tent and cabin units on each site or may bring their own tent as their home bases for their overnight. Outdoor Camping Training or completion of the Camp Properties Best Practices booklet and agreement are required to bring your family for an overnight.

Each location has but is not limited to:

• A latrine or assigned bathroom
• Fire circle or grill
• Cover of some kind (porch or shelter)
• Platform tent or screen cabin units may be used for sleeping.

Limitations for camps:

• Limited shower facilities depending on location.

Overnight stays for households will be considered under the following circumstances:

• The household is comprised of at least one registered Girl Scout, one registered adult Girl Scout, and up to eight additional co-habitating family members.
• The household will have a member trained through the council in Outdoor Camping or complete the Camp Properties Best Practices booklet and hold a CPR/SFA certification.
• Households will bring their own bedding.
• Households will bring their own food and cooking equipment.
• Households agree to behavior guidelines as outlined in the Camp Properties Best Practices booklet.