Basic Camp History

Wente Scout Reservation, located east of Willits, CA off Highway 101 was the former Foley Ranch. Purchased in 1959 for just $37.00 an acre, the camp officially opened in the summer of 1964. Soon after that summer the first buildings, facilities, and the lake were constructed. The then Willits Scout Ranch was officially named Wente Scout Reservation in honor of Carl F Wente, a prominent Bay Area banker and lawyer who was an avid supporter of Scouting.

Wente offers tall Douglas Fir and golden meadows that spell adventure for the Unit that likes to rough it and test their skills. The 80-acre lake offers a natural setting for swimming, sailing, boating, and canoeing. It is considered one of the warmest lakes in the state. The lake also offers some prime fishin' with many trophy bass caught by both the expert and novice angler.

The camp now operates eight weeks of Scout Summer Camp and a week of Brownsea Youth Leader Training. Wente is also the host of three weekends of Family Camping and two Tiger Cub Safari Weekends in the spring.

Wente Scout Reservation offers a chance to backpack, sail, mountain bike, fish, ride horses, and go rock climbing all in one week. Scouts may try their hand at black powder musket firing, kayaking and rappelling. Expert instruction in popular outdoor skill merit badges will make the Scoutcraft area come alive. Wente is rich in wildlife and allows for the study of conservation, re-forestation, wildlife management, woodcraft and nature study. Rifle, shotgun, and archery shooting are also popular activities.

Wente is undergoing a tremendous growth period. If you are returning to Wente, expect to see some great changes. If you are new to Wente, get ready for an awesome experience.