Situated on 700 pristine acres in the San Jacinto Mountains, Camp Scherman is an all-girl sleep-over camp that offers safe surroundings where girls of all backgrounds and abilities can safely test their limits and develop an “I can do this!” attitude. The camp has two lakes for boating and a pool used for swimming and other water activities. Comfortable cabins or platform tents, troop shelters and flush toilets offer standard accommodations. Girls who want a more rustic camp experience may select basic camp sites for their accommodations.

Safety for the girls has always been a priority in the more than 40 years that the Girl Scout Council of Orange County has owned and operated Camp Scherman. The camp offers a high staff to camper ratio of 1 – 5, adheres to the guidelines in Safety Wise, one of the most trusted safety manuals in the camping community. Camp Scherman is fully accredited by the American Camp Association (acacamps.org).

In 2008, 2010 and 2011, Parenting OC named Camp Scherman as the “Best Overnight Camp.”

Camp Scherman’s Rich History

More than 3,000 years ago, the Cahuilla Indians settled in the area around Camp Scherman. In the mid 1800’s, government land was offered to the Southern Pacific Railroad to build the east-west railroad that would draw settlers to the west.

In 1880, Anton Scherman migrated to the area and built the first saw mill. His grandson, Joe Scherman, was born in 1902 at a lumber camp near Idyllwild. Joe Scherman was instrumental in helping the Girl Scout Council purchase the land and Camp Scherman was named for him. As he was familiar with the area and people, Joe Scherman encouraged his close friend, Jim Wellman, to sell 560 acres of his 101 Ranch to the Girl Scout Council.

The first Girl Scout resident camp was held for more than 1,000 girls in 1968. Later, an additional 140 acres of land was purchased that now makes Camp Scherman’s total 700 acres. Camp Scherman has a history of being the most heavily used Girl Scout Camp in the United States. Generations of girls have enjoyed the Nature Museum to take a step back in time and learn about the unique history of Camp Scherman.