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Camp Wesumkee

34200 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL

Camp Wesumkee is a private, 11-acre oceanfront youth facility on Scout Key owned by the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida. Access is restricted to registered members and authorized groups for educational and troop camping purposes.

Situated along the Atlantic shoreline on Scout Key, the camp offers a rustic environment featuring traditional open-air chickee huts and a central meeting house known as the Wheelhouse. The 11-acre property is dedicated to environmental stewardship and marine science, providing tidal pool observation areas and primitive camping sites within the unique ecosystem of the Florida Keys. The facility maintains stringent safety and conduct policies, including a total prohibition on alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. Overnight use is restricted to registered Girl Scout members and pre-approved organizations, with all adults required to hold valid membership for participation in overnight programs. Camp Wesumkee sits on Scout Key, just a few miles from Bahia Honda State Park and the National Key Deer Refuge. Beyond youth programs, the site is known internationally for hosting the annual Winter Star Party, taking advantage of the region's exceptionally dark night skies for astronomical observation.

Quick Facts

  • 11-acre Atlantic oceanfront property
  • Owned by Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
  • Features traditional open-air chickee huts
  • Home to the annual Winter Star Party
  • Primitive camping with no utility hookups
  • Strict no-alcohol and no-firearms policies

Common Questions

Is the campground open to the general public?

No, the facility is a private youth camp reserved for registered Girl Scout members and authorized organizations.

Are there electrical hookups for camping?

No, the site only provides primitive camping without electrical or water hookups for vehicles.

Is alcohol permitted on the property?

No, the camp maintains a strict substance-free policy that prohibits the purchase, possession, or consumption of alcohol.

What major annual event is held at the camp?

The camp hosts the annual Winter Star Party, an international astronomy event organized by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society.

What are chickees?

Chickees are traditional open-air wooden huts with thatched roofs used for sleeping and shelter in the Florida Keys.

Are firearms allowed on the premises?

No, firearms and weapons are strictly prohibited on the property.

What landmarks are located near the camp?

The property is situated on Scout Key near the historic Bahia Honda Rail Bridge and the National Key Deer Refuge.

Is there a meeting space on site?

Yes, the camp features a building called the Wheelhouse which includes a meeting room and sleeping areas.

How large is the property?

The camp encompasses 11 acres of oceanfront land on the Atlantic side of the Overseas Highway.

Who manages the facility?

The property is managed and operated by the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida council.

Are there bathroom facilities available?

Current facilities are rustic and generally require the use of portable toilets for larger groups.

Are there swimming areas at the camp?

Yes, the camp features tidal pools and swimming areas for marine study along its Atlantic shoreline.

What is the membership requirement for staying overnight?

All adults participating in overnight programs must be registered members of the Girl Scouts.

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