Our History 

Camp Barton was established, and first operated in July of 1922 at Taughannock Falls by founder, and then Scout Executive of the Ithaca Council, Samuel D. Bogan. The camp was named in recognition of Col. Frank A. Barton (1869-1921) United States Cavalry, Decorated Veteran, and Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Cornell University.

The camp was relocated in 1927 just shy of two miles north of Taughannock to Frontenac Point. Taughannock was now a public recreational park, under new ownership by the New York State Park System. Both locations rest on the west shores of scenic Cayuga Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York State. For Camp Barton, Frontenac Point, the new 135 acre location included a quarter mile beach front, the Trumansburg Creek distribution into Cayuga Lake, fields, deciduous woodlands, hills, gorges, and the three part cascading sequence of the Frontenac Falls. 

More than a century later, hundreds upon thousands of Scouts have experienced the Barton tradition. Likewise, the leadership, and staff of Camp Barton has felt the impact of the camps existence, perseverance, and longevity through each of their journeys in Scouting and life. Camp Barton is one of the most historic Scout Camp facilities in the north eastern United States and is a regional attraction for units across the country and internationally.

The Camp Barton Staff Alumni Association was formed in August of 2021, originally to serve as an adjunct fraternal support system to the camp and council, however, quickly realizing that our duty and responsibility to Camp Barton was in need of a different course of action. Steps and actions were taken to encourage the exploration of preservation of the property through, ironically, the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and this process, culminating in 2024, resulted in the sale of Camp Barton to the State of New York, with a lease & operational agreement procured by three local municipalities who formed a non-for-profit LDC known as the Three Falls Local Development Corporation. 

While maintaining strong collaborative ties to the Baden-Powell Council, the CBSAA soon thereafter pursued a formal partnership with the Three Falls LDC in order to procure a seat at the table as it was concerned to Camp Barton existing, and remaining a viable part of the Frontenac Point operations. 

Today the association is over 300 members strong with a highly active Executive Board, and a continuously expanding network of alumni, friends, and supporters. 

The CBSAA family continues its efforts to forever preserve and protect Camp Barton. A very special place in all of our lives.  We do so in order to see future generations of youth experience and benefit from the programs and experiences we all did. We exist to preserve, protect, and provide the spirit of Camp Barton now, and into the future, forever.