Rebuilding Resilience
The Legacy and Future of Camp Stephens in Asheville’s Scouting Community
Boy Scout Troop 26 was established in Arden, North Carolina just south of Asheville almost 70 years ago and is the oldest Troop in Western North Carolina. The Troop has been an integral and valued part of the Asheville community for many decades partnering with local organizations to give back to the needs of our community.
In 2017 BSA expanded the program to girls and Troop 4026 was quickly established as the first girls Troop in the area to provide the same great program which Troop 26 had been providing for decades.
With over 50 Scouts in Troop 26 and 25 Scouts in Troop 4026 we continue to support the local community through community service, eagle projects, and other opportunities to ‘do a good turn daily’.
Over the last 7 decades we have had hundreds of Scouts earn their Eagle rank and go on to amazing things as adults. Troop 26/4026’s primary meeting location is ‘Camp Stephens’, a property located adjacent to the French Broad River and one that was leveraged by the broader Scouting Community. Our Troops met at Camp Stephens weekly, all the Troop equipment, supplies, and history was stored there, and in the summer months we would pull the canoes off the wall and jump in the water while teaching the Scouts important life skills.
On September 27, 2024 Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. People lost their homes, their businesses, and their lives in this unprecedented disaster. Camp Stephens was part of that devastation. The French Broad River rose more than 25 ft destroying all buildings on the property and taking all the equipment, supplies, and decades of history down the river and breaking the hearts of many in our local Scouting community.
But western North Carolina and Scouts are resilient, and we will come back stronger than before. As the Scout Law and Oath say, a Scout is “Loyal, Helpful, and Brave” and will “help other people at all times”. Scouts have already begun to meet again in a temporary location as we figure out the long and challenging recovery. We will rebuild Camp Stephens and continue to support our community.
We are asking for your support to help re-establish Camp Stephens so we can continue to support current and future Scouts in becoming pillars of our community. We need funds and resources to support Camp Stephens’ cleanup, develop a plan to rebuild the meeting and storage facilities, and replace the equipment and supplies lost from Hurricane Helene.
Thank you!
Share our story.
Help us restore and rejuvenate Camp Stephens, a place that has brought joy, growth, and memories to so many over the years. Our camp holds a special place in our hearts, and with your support, we can bring it back to its full potential for future generations to enjoy.
Please consider joining us in this meaningful journey by sharing our story with family and friends. Use the QR code to access our fundraising page, where you can learn more and make a contribution. Together, we can make a lasting impact on Camp Stephens and ensure it continues to be a haven for outdoor experiences, learning, and community. Thank you for being a part of this mission!