Pouch Camp

The whir of the fishing line as you release the reel and cast out over the water. The hope and anticipation, watching the hook bob on the surface. The excitement of the nibble and tug of your first catch. And the delicate dance of reeling in the line. There’s something formative about hooking your first fish; it’s an accomplishment that stays with you and, for many, blossoms into a oneness with nature if not a passion for the sport.

On a 3,000-acre protected Staten Island Greenbelt, Pouch Camp has been delivering moments that hooked thousands of kids on the outdoors—whether through a fishing success or an archery bull’s-eye or a paddle across the lake—for more than 60 years. But Pouch is much more than a kids’ camp. It’s a recreational destination, an environmental learning lab, a wildlife sanctuary, and a critical water resource. In the heart of New York City, this large tract of nature is very rare, offering endless benefits for campers and the general public alike, who might not have these resources closer to home.

Since 2012, Trust for Public Land has worked with the Boy Scouts of America Greater New York Councils, New York State, and New York City to permanently protect this iconic landscape. We’ve completed our work in phases, protecting pieces of the camp with a conservation easement that allows scouts to use the site for activities while also providing public access to certain areas of the property. We are currently working to protect the last piece of the puzzle, the 20-acre Camporee Field, which will add more protected open space to the State Island Greenbelt, further enhancing access to outdoor recreation and increasing the city’s environmental resilience.

Thousands of scouts and youth from throughout the region have their first outdoor experiences at Pouch Camp each year. This place unlocks a lifelong love of nature in thousands of children—and the general public. At Trust for Public Land, we recognize the tremendous benefits nature provides, and we’re committed to preserving the camp experience for all to enjoy.