About Camp Ho Non Wah
Overview of Camp Ho Non Wah
Camp Ho Non Wah is a 103-acre Scouting retreat where camp staff, unit leaders and Scouts work together to learn and enjoy the best that Scouting can offer in developing better units, qualified Scouters, and skillful, self-reliant boys and young men. The camp is located between the banks of the Bohicket and Fickling Creek on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina. The camp is approximately 20 miles from historic downtown Charleston and other interesting locations.
Ho Non Wah's facilities feature a private lake for row boats and canoes, a pool for swimming and lifesaving, and the Bohicket River for Motorboating, Waterskiing, and Sail boats, archery range, rifle range, shotgun trap shooting range, handicraft shelter, ecology lodge, Scoutcraft area, campfire circle and an air-conditioned dining hall. A first-year camper program is conducted at a special area in camp. Three well balanced meals, all checked by a dietician, are served daily in the central dining hall. The camp contains fourteen campsites equipped with tent platforms, two-man tents with cots, a latrine and wash stands are at each site. Hot central showers are available.
Ho Non Wah is annually certified by the State of South Carolina and is a Nationally Accredited Camp, inspected annually by the Boy Scouts of America. Rules for acceptance and participation in Scouting programs are the same for everyone without regard to handicap, race, color, or national origin.
History of Camp Ho Non Wah
The year is 1930 - The Coastal Carolina Council approaches the Bailey Family concerning the use of their plantation for a Boy Scout Camp during the summer of '31. That year, a small Staff held the first summer camp here on the Bailey Plantation, camping in tents arranged in front of the original Bailey home, cooking in patrols, and enjoying the use of a small swimming hole. The success of that summer's program prompted the Bailey Family to arrange for Camp to be held each summer, here along the shores of the Bohicket River.
In the summer of 1932, the infant camp was christened Ho Non Wah, which means "The Land of Rising and Falling Waters". Over the years, the Coastal Boys Council acquired more and more property around Ho Non Wah. In the late 30's, a dining hall was built where the Chapel stands today, and the first established campsites were cleared, equipped with Adirondack cabins. In 1943, an Order of the Arrow Lodge - Unali'yi Lodge 236 - became instrumental in the camps continuing development. During Unali'Yi's first Ordeal, a boat dock, currently known as Hanckel Landing, was constructed in the Bohicket River. 1946 marked the year that the swimming hole was replaced by our pool, and in the interest of expanding the already-impressive aquatics program, the body of water now named Lake McGee was excavated. Further, in front of what is now our handicraft area, a Trading Post and Quartermaster's shed was constructed, and a health lodge was built in front of what is now the activity field. In 1951, the nature lodge was built and dedicated to J. Rucker Newbery, the founder of Unali'Yi Lodge, and in 1957, the pageant grounds, then constructed with concrete blocks, were built in what we now call our Council Ring.
In 1959, Hurricane Gracey slammed through Beaufort, hitting Ho Non Wah with the most dangerous of the storms wind, tearing off the second floor of the original Bailey Home. In 1976, Ho Non Wah became the first Bicentennial Camp in America to include ceremonies to commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States of America. Over the years, Ho Non Wah has continued to grow and flourish. In '81, renovations of Camp Ho Non Wah began and by the summer of '85, Camp had a new dining hall, trading post and staff center. In 1989, renovations approached completion with the dedication of the Council Ring and in 1994, the Health Lodge was dedicated. Over the past several years, renovations have taken place to restore the Bailey House to its original two stories.
Since 1931, Camp Ho Non Wah has instilled the values of Scouting and leadership in the lives of thousands of young men. Regardless of whether you came to the Land of Rising and Falling Waters as a camper, leader or staff member, the experience, friendships and memories of Ho Non Wah will endure forever. [serves as script to Camp Ho Non Wah History video below]