Each summer Quail Hill is inspected to be sure it meets all standards of the Boy Scouts of America and the State of New Jersey. Users can be assured that the facilities consistently meet or exceed all standards.
Quail Hill Scout Reservation offers outdoor adventure close to home. Located in Manalapan Township, it brings 200 acres of woodlands to within minutes of thousands of Scouts and families. Quail Hill provides a wealth of resources in a rural setting appropriate for a variety of outdoor activities.
Quail Hill has emerged as a premier location for Scout camping. It is open on weekends throughout the year. As a superb starting point, many troops stay here to hike the Battle of Monmouth Trail. Others enjoy the opportunities for pioneering, cooking, and orienteering provided by the camp.
Cub Scouts have found the Webelos area to offer the right kind of camping for their needs. Three cabin facilities on the property help extend the season.
Families enjoy Quail Hill for picnics and unit family camping. With an Olympic sized swimming pool, boating pond, BB & archery ranges, and nature trail, the program possibilities for families are limitless.
The Lawrence Lodge training Center serves as the hub for many activities and training courses. It is available to units for special events.
Quail Hill has two picnic areas which are popular for unit day events. The Maricopa Picnic Area has tables and space for larger groups. A rental gas grill is available in the site. The Pima Picnic Area can hold up to 100 and is close to the activity areas.
Many packs and troops decide to use a picnic area as the hub for other day adventures. Fishing in Kiely Pond and nature hikes are always available. When qualified personnel (see enclosed articles) are present the unit may take advantage of the BB gun range, archery range, boating area, or swimming pool. Some units stay into the evening and hold a family bonfire in the campfire bowl.
To make a reservation for a picnic area or special activity download the applicable form:
Quail Hill Fee Schedule
Short Term Camping form Lawrence Lodge Day Use form Quail Hill Special Use form
Cub Scout Day Camp is held at Quail Hill four weeks each summer. Buses bring boys to camp each day from locations throughout Monmouth County. The program provides fun with purpose and develops enthusiasm. Day camp helps strengthen the dens and packs for better year round program.
Day camp use the fine camp facilities to provide many exciting activities. Supervised swimming, aquatics fun, boating, and fishing provide for water excitement. Boys become marksmen on the BB and archery ranges. Crafts hikes, nature and sports are all a part of the program. For more information see this year's exciting day camp program.
Webelos Scouts enjoy the opportunities of a week-long camp at Quail Hill. Cub Scouts camp for three nigts during resident camp. Residentos Camp gives boys new skills in nature, hiking, swimming, camp crafts, and sports. Activities are planned and supervised to support the Cub Scout advancement program. Different advancement activities give variety to the program for boys of all ages. For more information see this year's exciting resident camp program.
Boy Scout troops can chose from a primitive tent site to an indoor cabin. Several campsites are close to parking areas while others are hike-in sites and more isolated. Most sites have direct access to water and latrine facilities, as well as fire rings and tables. Several campsites in the area of Scout Lodge are large enough to hold camporees and other special events.
Cub Scout and Webelos weekend camping is permitted at Quail Hill. The sites of the Webelos area specially suited for these parent -son overnights.
Quail Hill maintains two picnic areas designed to serve as the hub for unit day events. The Maricopa Picnic Area has tables for 125 and a rental gas grill is available. The Pima Picnic Area has tables for 100 and is close to the camp activity field.
Most units combine their picnics with one or more special uses of the camp such as fishing, BB range, archery range, swimming, nature hikes, sports, or a family campfire. Picnic Areas are used by reservation through the Monmouth Council Service Center.
A complete line of camping equipment is available from the camp quartermaster. Rental equipment includes tents, cooking gear and woods tools. Quail Hill also maintains equipment to support various programs, such as shooting sports, fishing, orienteering, sports, and pioneering.
Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters may enjoy an overnight experience at Quail Hill. In 1993 the Monmouth Council Camping Committee designated portions of the camp to be open for unit family camping from April to October. Packs, troops, or posts may reserve these sites for family camping.
Family camp offers a wealth of opportunity. Family members may take advantage of any of the exceptional facilities at Quail Hill. In addition, many creative units design their own special programs in the ample space available.
Districts in Monmouth Council annually conduct family camp for all units in the district. These campouts can provide additional exciting programs for Scouting families.
According to the policies of the Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouts (Wolfs and Bears) are not permitted to participate in overnight camping, except at approved council facilities. Quail Hill meets the standards and is approved for Cub Scout camping.
Cub Scouts camp in the designated Webelos area on a parent/son basis. During the warm weather months outdoor tent camping is permitted. The Webelos Lodge provides an indoor sleeping facility to extend the season year round.
Quail Hill operates a convenient trading post on weekends throughout the year. The trading post features camp souvenirs and camping equipment, as well as snacks.
History lives in western Monmouth County. Quail Hill was fortunate to have been the location of A farm house known as the LaValley House dating to 1770. The La Valley House lives on in stones which make up the fire place in the Leaders Lounge of Lass Lodge. The Battle of Monmouth Trail Starts at Quail Hill just steps from Lawrence Lodge. This nationally recognized trail is open to Scouts as well as community groups. Maintained by the Historic Trails Committee of Na-Tsi-Hi Lodge of the Order of The Arrow. Groups registering to hike the trail receive a trail history lesson and trail conducted by volunteers of the Historic Trail Committee. For a nominal additional cost, hikers may purchase the Battle of Monmouth Historic Trail metal which may be proudly worn on your uniform. The trail involves some roadside hiking. So for safety reasons, this trail it is not available to Cub Scout Packs. Along this historic trail you will pass landmark historical places such as Hulse Memorial Home and Village Inn, the Old Tennent Church, Cobb House, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Molly Pitcher’s Well, Molly Pitcher’s Spring, and Craig House. The trail ends in Freehold where St. Peters’ Church and the Battle of Monmouth Monument. The Trail is approximately 11 miles of maintained trails making for a great day program option. Advance reservations thru the Monmouth Council Service Center are necessary in order to hike the trail.
Quail Hill is convenient for all types of weekend camping. Campers have a variety of options from the novice camper easy walking access to hearty experienced back packer to the more remote wilderness reaches of the camp. Take advantage of cabin based campouts in any of our fireplace heated cabins. Devlin Lodge, our newest addition for cabin rentals lends itself best special need camping and programs. Cabins are located separately in the camp. Each offer ample tent camping options close to the cabin for the hearty that choose to brave the weather. Two cabins, Scout Lodge and Webelos Lodge offer adjoining pavilions perfect for outdoor programming and meals. Because the cabins are popular during the cold months, early reservations are encouraged. For Troop, Posts and Packs in search of a fun-filled weekend close to home Quail Hill has the program and camping options right for you
Locust Hill is the highest point on our camp. Located to the west of the orienteering field and camp site 12 it is steps from the start of the nature trail. At the top of Locust Hill you will find a metallic bench mark on the ground to indicate you are 236 feet above sea level. You are also at the highest in the area. Groups are encouraged to use the adjoining field for compass practice and routine map work. The real fun begins with a true orienteering course. With the support of volunteers and the Delaware Valley Orienteering Club Quail Hill offers a variety of established orienteering Courses. Situated throughout camp, various control points will challenge the Scouts abilities at all levels. Orienteering equipment and maps are available for a nominal charge. Regardless of your level of experience from beginner line-of-site courses to competitive timed events with hundreds of participants, we have the orienteering program for your group.
Right in the center of camp is an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Besides serving the summer camp operation, the pool is available for rental. A group may rent the pool for a minimum two hour period. The group renting the pool provides a qualified lifeguard and two CPR certified adults.
Jon boats are also available for rental at Quail Hill. A unit may use the boats for special programs on Kiely Pond. An adult qualified in safety afloat is required to use the boats.
An adventuresome Boy Scout troop may want to try canoeing. A trailer and canoes are available for excursions outside camp. Again, qualified adult supervision is a prerequisite for rental of Quail Hill canoes.
With over 40 acres of mowed fields, Quail Hill offers plenty of room for a wide variety of sporting events. Many units take advantage of the sporting opportunities to play volleyball, softball, touch football, ultimate, kickball or soccer. In the fitness field a Cub Scout pack may set up a program of Cub Scout Olympics. The camp can support the pack with plans to make a successful event.
A unique feature of Quail Hill is the year round operation of a BB gun and archery range. Units may use the ranges during their stay at camp. The Monmouth Council provides all of the equipment at a nominal charge.
Because range safety is paramount, each use requires a certified adult range master. Twice each year a special course is conducted at camp for this certification. Any pack or troop may a send a leader to this four hour course which meets all standards of the BSA and the state of New Jersey. Range certification is good for two years.
Once a unit has a qualified adult, it is simply a matter of reserving the range. Ranges are available to day users as well as overnight campers.
With over two hundred acres, Quail Hill is a refuge for wildlife. The Locust Hill Nature Trail explores the woodlands and wetlands of the camp. A brochure corresponds to numbered posts to guide hikers along the trail. A pack or troop might want to combine a scavenger hunt or leaf identification contest with a hike along the trail. The camp is there to help with your outdoor experience.
A unit might want to perform a service project during its stay camp. Quail Hill has a comprehensive conservation plan designed to preserve its unique character. Various conservation are available in compliance with this plan.
Kiely Pond offers fishing fun for everyone. The pond was designed with Scouts in mind and offers an abundant shoreline for casting. Fishing is done on catch and release basis, so that the pond is well stocked. A limited number of fishing poles are available for rental at camp. The campmasters host a special fishing derby each October.
Opened in 1987, Lawrence Lodge is a focal point for many Scouting activities. It serves as the camp administration building, trading post, and campmaster headquarters. The large conference room is the site of numerous training courses and special events.
Units can rent Lawrence Lodge for their own special uses. The conference room has served as the site for Courts of Honor, special ceremonies and unit dinners. A kitchen is also available and may be rented with the conference room. Dining capacity is 125 persons.
Reservations to use the lodge are made through the council service center in Oakhurst.
Quail Hill, with its convenient location, is a mecca for large scale encampments. Besides Monmouth Council camporees, numerous other councils have held camporees here. In addition Quail Hill has served Girl Scouts and large church groups.
The camporee area, with ample camping and program space, can serve groups as large as 600 people.
In 1992, the Monmouth Council sold the rights of development for the Quail Hill Scout Reservation to the State of New Jersey. The Monmouth Council retained ownership and use of the property, but with a permanent deed restriction to preserve the land. Members of the Monmouth Council and the State of New Jersey can be assured that Quail Hill will be forever preserved in its current operation or similar function. A comprehensive conservation plan guides the use of the facility to be sure that Scouts and citizens of the future will continue to enjoy an outstanding outdoor facility.
Quail Hill is most fortunate to have a corps of dedicated weekend volunteers called campmasters. With increasing demands placed upon the camp and attendance on some weekends exceeding 600, campmasters help assure that all users get the most of their experience at Quail Hill.
Campmasters not only help enforce the camp rules, but they help each unit develop a safe and successful program. They are a friend to each unit.
Quail Hill Scout Reservation 56 LaValley Drive Manalapan, NJ 07726 (732) 446-6521
Monmouth Council, BSA 705 Genisi Drive Morganville, NJ 07751 (732) 536-2347
Directions to Quail Hill
Quail Hill is located in Manalapan Township in western Monmouth County, almost in the center of New Jersey. In fact, it is situated within 5 miles of the geographic center of the state. From the shore: Take NJ Route 33 west from Freehold (U.S. Route 9) six miles to County Route 527A (Iron Ore Rd.). Turn right (north) and proceed 1/2 mile to LaValley Drive. Turn right again and follow LaValley Drive 1/2 mile to the gate. From the NJ Turnpike: Exit #8 from the turnpike to Route 33 east. Proceed east 6 miles to Route 527A. Take the jughandle and proceed north as described above.
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