“Once you get the dust of Horseshoe in your moccasins, you can never get it out.”

HSRAA
A Proud Benefactor to HSR Since 2000.



Camp Geography

“In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend…”

Throughout the years, camp maps have been drawn and produced for various purposes, to highlight the camps’ facilities or to direct hikers along the trail system of the reservation. Some have had a cartoonish look while others would make a cartographer proud. Some have even made it onto bandanas.

A map of Horseshoe Scout Reservation from the 1960s.

Ever wonder what HSR looks like from Space? Well, keep wondering, but we’ll let you see from several thousand feet.   And for those afraid of heights, take a gander at the wonderful views of the camp scenery from a more earthly perspective.

An aerial photograph of Eagle and Scouters Groves.

For many years, Old Glory flew over Camp Horseshoe from atop Flagpole Hill.  Each morning a pair of Scouts from one of the troops would raise the flag and then in the evening it would be lowered during the retreat ceremony.  Eventually the surrounding trees grew to a height where you could no longer see the flag from the rest of camp and the tradition ended.

Scouts and Scouters hike up to Flagpole Hill.

The Mason-Dixon line, also called Mason’s and Dixon’s line, was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute involving Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware in Colonial America. It is still a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (originally part of Virginia).

Stone #19 lies in the Horseshoe Scout Reservation near Camp Horseshoe’s Archery Range.

<strong>Price Stevenson III</strong> gives a talk about the Mason-Dixon marker.

Eagle Grove and Scouters Grove were planted on either end of the Athletic Field in 1930.  Chester County Council Scouts planted a new tree in Eagle Grove upon reaching the rank of Eagle for many years while the trees in Scouters Grove honored Council adult leaders.

An aerial photograph of Eagle Grove.

The Octoraro Creek winds through the camp in the shape of a horseshoe for which Horseshoe Scout Reservation received it’s name. The creek has been the source of recreation, beauty and destruction over the years.

The picturesque Octoraro Creek.

The large rock outcropping overlooking the Octoraro has been a popular spot to explore since the early days of Camp and before.  Buzzard’s Rock was also found to have Native-American artifacts, and is presumed to have been a shelter for the Susquehannock tribe during their tenure on the property.

A Scouter hikes the trails around Buzzard's Rock.

The HSR Trail system is approximately 11 miles of trails over various types of terrain across both camps. While not all trails are currently maintained, they allow Scouts and Scouters to experience the beautiful landscapes of Horseshoe Scout Reservation all while working towards earning the coveted trail segments.

Scouts hiking out to their Outpost camping site.

The Picnic Grove is an area between the Health Lodge and parade field at Camp Horseshoe. It is used as a picnic area, but also for activities and holding merit badge classes.

Participants at the 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave have an evening snack in the picnic grove.

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Last updated November 4, 2025

© Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association 2025

Camp Geography

“In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend…”

Throughout the years, camp maps have been drawn and produced for various purposes, to highlight the camps’ facilities or to direct hikers along the trail system of the reservation. Some have had a cartoonish look while others would make a cartographer proud. Some have even made it onto bandanas.

A map of Horseshoe Scout Reservation from the 1960s.

Ever wonder what HSR looks like from Space? Well, keep wondering, but we’ll let you see from several thousand feet.   And for those afraid of heights, take a gander at the wonderful views of the camp scenery from a more earthly perspective.

An aerial photograph of Eagle and Scouters Groves.

For many years, Old Glory flew over Camp Horseshoe from atop Flagpole Hill.  Each morning a pair of Scouts from one of the troops would raise the flag and then in the evening it would be lowered during the retreat ceremony.  Eventually the surrounding trees grew to a height where you could no longer see the flag from the rest of camp and the tradition ended.

Scouts and Scouters hike up to Flagpole Hill.

The Mason-Dixon line, also called Mason’s and Dixon’s line, was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute involving Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware in Colonial America. It is still a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (originally part of Virginia).

Stone #19 lies in the Horseshoe Scout Reservation near Camp Horseshoe’s Archery Range.

<strong>Price Stevenson III</strong> gives a talk about the Mason-Dixon marker.

Eagle Grove and Scouters Grove were planted on either end of the Athletic Field in 1930.  Chester County Council Scouts planted a new tree in Eagle Grove upon reaching the rank of Eagle for many years while the trees in Scouters Grove honored Council adult leaders.

An aerial photograph of Eagle Grove.

The Octoraro Creek winds through the camp in the shape of a horseshoe for which Horseshoe Scout Reservation received it’s name. The creek has been the source of recreation, beauty and destruction over the years.

The picturesque Octoraro Creek.

The large rock outcropping overlooking the Octoraro has been a popular spot to explore since the early days of Camp and before.  Buzzard’s Rock was also found to have Native-American artifacts, and is presumed to have been a shelter for the Susquehannock tribe during their tenure on the property.

A Scouter hikes the trails around Buzzard's Rock.

The HSR Trail system is approximately 11 miles of trails over various types of terrain across both camps. While not all trails are currently maintained, they allow Scouts and Scouters to experience the beautiful landscapes of Horseshoe Scout Reservation all while working towards earning the coveted trail segments.

Scouts hiking out to their Outpost camping site.

The Picnic Grove is an area between the Health Lodge and parade field at Camp Horseshoe. It is used as a picnic area, but also for activities and holding merit badge classes.

Participants at the 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave have an evening snack in the picnic grove.

Follow us on social media

Last updated November 4, 2025

© Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association 2025