Boy Scouts of America Camp John J. Barnhardt

Camp John J. Barnhardt operates as a youth development destination in New London, North Carolina, welcoming scouts and young people throughout the year. The facility maintains a 4.8-star rating drawn from 34 customer reviews, reflecting strong satisfaction among families who have entrusted their children to the camp's programs. Open around the clock every day of the week, the camp offers both residential summer sessions and year-round camping opportunities for multiple age groups, including specialized tracks for Cub Scouts and Webelos participants. The camp's location in the New London area places it within convenient reach of families residing throughout the surrounding region.

What distinguishes Camp Barnhardt from typical outdoor recreation venues is its structured approach to skill development through programming that covers archery, shooting sports, climbing, ATVs, aquatics, and wilderness skills. The facility features dedicated ranges for rifle, shotgun, and archery instruction, along with a climbing tower and low-ropes challenge course designed for character building through the council's provenCOPE curriculum. Participants can earn badges across handicrafts and ecology tracks while earning recognition through the camp's Eagles' Nest program. The camp operates a trading post where scouts can acquire supplies and memorabilia, and maintains on-site health services for the duration of each session.

Recent feedback from adult leaders highlights the camp's Nighthawks program, specifically engineered for first-year campers to experience rank advancement while sampling activities they might pursue in subsequent summers. Reviewers note that the waterfront facilities, including the pool and aquatic programming, receive consistent praise, as do the updated tent platforms featuring improved ventilation. One adult leader observed that meal portion sizes have improved over previous years, though some suggest continued attention to adult appetites. The camp's approach to including youth in group dining sessions at individual campsites has been recognized as effective for troop cohesion.