Camp Roper

Camp Roper is a primitive camp for Scouting units to enjoy an outdoor program on a 30 acre island with primitive camping. The address for Camp Roper is: 24350 US highway 27, Leesburg FL 34748

First Campsite Cleared earlier in the year was Copperhead by these Lake District Troop 285 Scouts.

Troop 101's work crew shows off their gateway at Campsite Coral Snake.

New Island Camp Roper Offers Primitive Camping, Wilderness Survival, Service Project Opportunities

Then try out the Council’s newest camping facility, Camp Roper, located on a 30-acre island on Turkey Lake south of Leesburg in Lake County. A former orange grove, with lots of pine trees and other vegetation, it offers a great place for primitive camping, wilderness survival, leave no trace camping—and service projects! Thus far, Troops 281 and 285 from Lake County and Troop 101 from Orange County have cleared campsites . Trash brush is removed, pathway to the site from the roadway marked, and otherwise made accessible but keeping the camping site primitive. A paved road leads to the site over a bridge and feeds into a large parking lot. An unimproved vehicle trail circles from the parking lot to the north and then south along the east side until it approaches a caretakers site. Scouting activities are limited to the northern 90 percent of the island so as to not disturb the caretaker and his family who live on the south side and have a separate entrance. The trail will give vehicle access for equipment to be taken and unloaded, but parking at the campsite is not encouraged so as to help maintain the vegetation. A Council ring is planned and under construction about half way down the east side of the island inland from the vehicle trail. Troop 48, which did their annual hobo campout there in December is marking a trail from the parking lot eastward to the ring site. Troop 285 was the first to clear a campsite, which they named Copperhead. In December, Troop 101 fixed up Coral campsite, and 281 prepared Diamond Back. Plans call for only four to five campsites to be designated, all to be named after Florida native snakes.

From Orlando: Take Florida Turnpike north to exit 285. Exit to US 27 north toward Leesburg. Go about 5 miles until you pass under the Turnpike. Continue about 2 miles. Site is on the right, unmarked. There is a lock on the gate. You will be given the gate code when you make reservations through Camp LaNoChe. There are no potable water or toilet facilities on the island. Nearest stores are in Leesburg, about 9 miles north.

Camp Roper was made available by the generous donation of the Bert Roper family, long-time citrus growers, from Winter Garden, FL. They gave the Central Florida Council a long-term lease with the provision that it be maintained as a primitive environment, and that the leave no trace ethic govern use of the island.

Primitive Camping Skills were practiced by Troop 48 Scouts in mid-December when cold nights tested their preparations.