Blytheville family brings new life to old Boy Scout Camp

Camp Cedar Valley, located on 104 Boy Scout Trail, south of Viola, Ark., is remembered by scouts who enjoyed activities with their peers earning badges, canoeing, swimming and camping for over 50 years. At one time Boy Scouts from 17 counties gathered for a summer camping experience. Several scout troops still have weekend campouts at Camp Cedar Valley. Scouts also use the facilities for winter camp activities in February and early spring camporees. There is one scout troop that comes for a full week every other year.

Pine Trail Reservation was constructed on the rolling hills in the Ozark Mountains south of Viola in 1967-1968. Scouts planted thousands of pine seedlings in the open areas. For over a half century scouts have gathered, learned about the outdoors, earned badges and made lifetime memories.

Camp Cedar Valley ceased to be a scout camp over two decades ago and is now privately owned by Allen and Ann Bush of Blytheville. The beautiful campgrounds still offer camping to scout troops or other groups by reservation.

Bush's oldest son, Andy Bush, presently serves as trustee for the property. Allen and Ann Bush still enjoy visiting the camp and kept the original office area turning it into their private accommodations.

Large and small gatherings, family reunions, class reunions, weddings or just family getaways are held at Camp Cedar Valley. It remains a serene, beautiful place to visit. Many of the weddings or reunions are booked a year in advance. It is a good idea to email or call before visiting to make sure there is availability.

The camp was purchased over 20 years ago by the Bush family. Allen Bush was on staff during the scout years. When the camp began to struggle, he tried to save it for the scouts but in 2002, after the merger of the Eastern Arkansas Council into the Quapaw Area Council, the scout camp was closed.

“It was a great camp and still is a beautiful place to go, relax and enjoy nature,” Ann Bush said. “We still have a lot of scouts who enjoy camping there. There is fishing and canoeing. We don’t allow outside boats on the lake.”

Camp Cedar Valley is made up of about 800 acres with an enclosed 40-acre lake on the property. The auditorium will seat 200 which makes a wonderful venue for weddings, reunions, and other large events.

There are campsites for five RVs with full hookups, four rentable cottages including the Trading Post which sleeps five, Buckhorn Lodge which sleeps four, Eagle Watch which sleeps two and Shady Grove which sleeps nine. The large open meeting hall will seat 200 people and has a commercial kitchen. There are well kept bath houses, biking trails, canoeing, fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching. There are horseshoe pits, tetherball, a disc golf course, four square and they are currently working on a multipurpose court that will allow for pickleball and basketball. The pickleball court should be finished this fall. The lake is well stocked with bass, crappie, perch and catfish. Fishing is by rod and reel only. Flat bottom boats and canoes are available at the lake but guests may bring their own kayaks.

Camp Cedar Valley is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The facility is well-kept and continues to be a great place to visit.

“Our managers, Darrell and Lena Zimmer, are wonderful,” Ann Bush said. “They take great care of the camp. It is only a few hours away and well worth the trip.”

The camp has its own water system. The water system and the dam is maintained by Darrell Zimmer. He has been manager at Camp Cedar Valley for 20 years. He started working at the camp in the summer of 1992 in the kitchen. He was the camp ranger from 1997 until the camp closed. His parents have also been involved with the camp serving as cook and camp ranger. They were also the managers for Cedar Valley until 2005 when Darrell’s mother passed away. His dad still helps manage the camp and helps with maintenance and mowing.

Several of the guests and families return year after year and some multiple times each year.

For more information contact the office by calling 870-458-2603.