| City/Town: • Binger |
| Location Class: • Amusement |
| Built: • 1946 | Abandoned: • November 2010 |
| Status: • Restored (2020) |
| Photojournalist: • Michael Schwarz • Mary Evans |
Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County Girl Scout Camp
Opening in 1946 as the Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County Girl Scout Camp, located right outside of Binger, Oklahoma. These grounds were at the forefront of hundreds if not thousands of memories for Girl Scouts all over the central state. The 285 acres of land that would become Camp Red Rock, even though just thirty minutes outside of Oklahoma City, would transport you into another world. As soon as you drive up to the property you’re surrounded by lush wildlife, huge canyons, heavy foliage and a scenic creek.
The camp seemed to be equipped with just about everything a Girl Scout would need to have a grand time including rustic lodging, an administrative building, infirmary, ranger residence, dining and recreation hall, and maintenance/storage facilities. The mess hall was named “Braniff Hall” after Braniff Airlines, a corporation that dissolved in 1990 after they made a significant donation of $40,000 to the camp. The infirmary was built with the help of the Altrusa Club raising over $4,000. Rotary Lodge was built with the assistance of the Oklahoma City Rotary Club for their Christmas project.
Creator: Unknown. April 9, 1959. The Gateway to Oklahoma
After years of renting the land that the camp sat on, the council finally had enough money to purchase all 285 acres. The land was paid for using years of cookie sale savings and they would soon dedicate their camp. While being on the smaller end of camps compared to those like Camp Scott, it still had room to house 75-100 girls. New facilities were out in the works such as a large new swimming pool, crafts & camp skills in the lodges, and guided tours to the deep hole, lookout hill, and outpost site allowed for many adventures. Two of the recreational facilities that received the most traffic were the horse stables and swimming pool during the summer.
Camp Red Rock
The name was then changed to Camp Red Rock because of the gorgeous red rock canyons on the acreage. “I remember them [red rocks] being so majestic when I was young. I wonder if they would be the same to me through adult eyes,” said Halycon. We have had many comments from former girl scouts showing depictions of their memories here.
Kate Kluberton remembers much from her days at the camp, “My sister, fellow scouts and I attended summers of the mid-sixties. What a gas we had! I went all the way through “Outpost”, where we backpacked, hiked at least 10 miles and day and slept in hammocks with mosquito nets. We hauled all our own food and water and dug latrines. I remember one pit stop on our route, a convenience store called the “Fly Inn Resort” near some lake. Armed with our coins and hunger, we bought and shared all of the candy and junk food we could get our 13-year-old hands on. The owner sang us a tune as we left and I remember every word.
“Fly Inn Resort is the place to be,
Fly Inn Resort where you fish and ski,
Bring your wife and kiddies too,
And we’ll be expecting you!”Also, remember singing before lunch and dinner on the big porch of Braniff Hall. Still know every tune and sing them to my granddaughters. Remember singing “rounds”, where we’d start a song a different times creating harmony? Also, does anyone remember singing to the cooks after a particularly good meal? “Cookies, Cookies, listen while we sing to you, cookies, cookies you’re a part of camp life too! Anyone can make a bed, anyone can sweep, but it takes a Cookie to make us things to eat so Cookies, Cookies, listen while we sing to you!” Campfires, such fun.”
Unfortunately, all good times must come to an end after more than 50 years of functioning Camp Red Rock, as well as Camp Kate, were closed down. The decision would consolidate both camps into two other camps in Western Oklahoma to save money and bring the overall girl scout community together into larger camps. The official closing of both Camp Red Rock and Camp Kate came in November of 2010. Remnants of Girl Scouts and camp leaders saying their goodbyes are written on the walls and the property would sit abandoned for the next ten years.
Redbud Ranch Wedding Venue
New life was breathed into the property around 2020 when work to restore some of the facilities into a wedding venue went underway. Hailey Garrison along with friends and family have worked diligently to turn this property into the Redbud Ranch Wedding Venue. Work included the restoration of buildings as well as the construction of brand new facilities.
Gallery Below of Camp Red Rock
https://www.newspapers.com/image/596719043/?terms=girl%20scouts%20binger&match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/603475264/?terms=girl%20scouts%20binger&match=1
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Since camp Red rock is in the suburb of where I’m supposed to retreat and I’m, too haunted by my old sister In-laws witchcraft spell to go home to my parents and would rather have a vacation that touches a Monday through a Friday I would like to help out in the kitchen at camp Red rock, if possible
Went to Camp Red Rock in the late 70’s and was a CIT/wrangler in the early 80’s. I remember loading up on buses at the fair grounds and singing songs all the way to B-B-B-i-n, g-g-g-e-r … And the Councilors hanging on the Camp Red Rock Sign as we pulled in. And the excitement to find out who your councilor was and what camp area you were in! (I was in Cherokee almost every year, the furthest from Braniff Hall) And that HILL! Had to climb it 400 times a day!! Hiking to the showers! (Also at the top of the HILL!) Singing songs before and after every meal. Everyone had a job for every meal. (the chart wheel!) At one of the camps cabins there was a bat! so cool! Making candles, Archery, Hiking, Mail call, swimming, riding horses! 2 weeks of hanging out with friends, having fun, enjoying the outdoors! Wow! Thank you for the Amazing memories and allowing us to just be kids! Camp Red Rock … We…Love…You!
I believe I went to this camp in 1992 and 1993. I was visiting my grandparents in Oklahoma. I lived in Colorado. I remembered the swimming pool, because another camper in my group picked me up and throw me in the deep end. I also remember being in the older girls group where we would ride houses to get to the cafeteria. We also took a big canoeing trip that year.
I had the councilors tweedle dee and tweedle dum from England, did anyone have them as councilors?
We purchased the camp and we are restoring cabins – slowly
Yes this place has been restored, but the new owners are racist and this wedding venue is run by horrible people. Don’t visit here. It was better off in it’s abandoned state.
I’m so sad to see what has come of Camp Red Rocks. I travelled from the other side of the world to spend a summer here and have so many great memories of the place, and the people who shared this time.
Sandy, so glad you are restoring this “special place!” I was the Camp Director for five years for the Girl Scouts! Beautiful camp with a lot of happy memories, happy campers and wonderful staff! ♡♡ Camp Red Rock is not haunted!!! I would camp there anytime! ♡ Sandy, I really hope you open it for camping! 🙂
Camped and ran there in the 40 s and 50s as a kid. Hate to see the sad condition now.
Thank you Camp Red Rock for helping Girl Scouts learn the baby shark song years before it became a viral sensation
Who else camped here as a girl scout kid 🙂
Me.
Those good old memories. Even they left the saddles behind.
I believe this was the camp I went to as a little girl, so many great memories, I absolutely loved this camp, I’d go to horseback camp every year, my horses name was Coco, then I started going as a cit in training, ❤️❤️❤️
I remember selling MANY boxes of gs cookies to go to camp red rock. And cleaning the latrines. And meeting a friend named Brenda N. We went to at least 2 consecutive years to same camp session. I remember great camp songs, salt tablets. Learning how to basket weave. Chores after meals included scraping the plates. Yuck. We washed, rinsed, and dried the dishes Now everything goes to kitchen staff, due to sanitary concerns.
My big memory was one year it was POURING, i tried to untie the wall flaps, and was only partially successful. Sleeping bags were soaked. It was scary because i was balancing on my cot and reaching up to the top of the flaps. Especially scary when you are afraid of heights.
dose anyone know who owns this property now? I would like to go take photographs here
I really miss that place…. I was Wheels to some and Papa Wheels to others… I hope all my campers are doing well.
iam in high school and im now a senior girl scout second year, i really miss this camp 🙁 i really wish i could visit and photograph the camp . dose anyone know who to contact about photographing the camp?
I used to go to camp here back in the 90s and loved every minute of it. Of course back then Apache was the only site with cabins all others had platform tents. I learned to do vaulting here and went through WIT training here also. I so wish my daughters would have had the chance to experience this wonderful camp.
its privately owned now the boy scouts owned for a short time but re sold it to another buyer a couple of years ago idk who tho
This makes me sad
I also attended this camp as a girl. Very sad to see and hear that it's closed. I wish you had taken some pictures of the red rocks themselves. I remember them being so majestic when I was young. I wonder if they would be the same to me through adult eyes.
i am almost in tears and im sitting in my tech ed class in school im in 8th grade now but i can rember camping here in the 2nd , one of the girls in our cabin's mom got sick
love all the pics, glad i cam across this site. Camped he for many, many years in the 80's and 90's. lucky to have gotten the chance to take my daughter here once. many happy memories
It was such a great camp❤️❤️❤️
My sister, fellow scouts and I attended summers of the mid sixties. What I gas we had! I went all they way through "Outpost", where we backpacked, hiked at least 10 miles and day and slept in hammocks with mosquito nets. We hauled all our own food and water. Dug latrines. Remember one pit stop on our route, a convenience store called the "Fly Inn Resort" near some lake. Armed with our coins and super hungry, we bought and shared all of the candy and junk food we could get our 13 year old hands on., The owner sang us a tune as we left and I remember every word.
"Fly Inn Resort is the place to be,
Fly Inn Resort where you fish and ski,
Bring your wife and kiddies too,
And we'll be expecting you!"
Also remember singing before lunch and dinner on the big porch of Braniff Hall. Still know every tune and sing them to my granddaughters. Remember singing "rounds", where we'd start a song a different times creating harmony? Also, does anyone remember singing to the cooks after a particularly good meal? "Cookies, Cookies, listen while we sing to you, cookies, cookies you're a part of camp life too! Anyone can make a bed, anyone can sweep, but it takes a Cookie to make us things to eat so Cookies, Cookies, listen while we sing to you!!!:
Campfires, such fun. I'd forgotten about "hoppers", have really enjoyed these comments.
yes there is
no there isn't
i visited this site in 2013 while looking for info about my favorite girl scout camp and then forgot about it until tonight, i have now been a girl scout for 7 years and iam a Cadette 2nd year , i went to camp red rock all thorough brownies . when it closed in 2010 my troop thought we would never camp again.looking back at these pictures i felt myself nearing tears to see my troops favorite camp rot away in to nothing i don't know why but i felt i just need to poste this for closure i really hope to see it opened as a family camp then my family could see it.
this is really sad I went to this camp for quite a few summers I went to the horse camps for 4 to 5 summers I adopted two horses for the winter when they would let you take them for the winter I had levi and highway. and I also went to the night owl camp. if I had a way to buy it I would turn it back into the camp we all love and remember. I would love to find some of the girls I went to camp with id love to see how they are doing.
funny, when i went to camp in the 80's, i remember that horse, Levi. wonder if it was the same one
My horse name was Coco not cocoon
I was one of the horse wranglers back in 81-83. I remember Levi! My favorite horse was Cinnamon. I ended up becoming a horse trainer a lot in part because of Camp Red Rock.
My horse was cocoons my cousin had midnight
It's painful to see this "Home away from Home" reduced to this..
I am now 74 years old and worked at the camp before it was even known as Red Rock…I suspect this was the first summer it was open for resident camping. I was the only male on the staff and the only one there 24/7 during the camping sessions. The camper housing was in 4 person tents that were mounted on wood frames that were elevated off the ground. There were very limited activities because there was no pool, no horse stables, etc. The only two permanent buildings were the mess hall, and a permanent cabin that was located in the area where the campers were housed.
The staff included the director, about 5 counselors and myself. I was 16 years old that summer, and still consider that one of the important milestones of my life. Learning how to live with nothing but females. I was already experienced since I had helped my Mother who was a GS leader on many day camp and overnight camping trips. I was also an Explorer Scout and had lots of camping experience including a week long horseback camping trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico
It is so sad to see how this Camp was built up over the years and then abandoned!
Allen, as an Oklahoma City teenager, I must have had the "handyman" job at the camp right after you in the summer of 1959. I wrote about the memorable experience in my memoir; I tried to include the excerpt in this post, but it was too long. If anybody wants to contact me about it, my email is gmichaelhuffman@gmail.com.
i have been a girl scout for 5 years going on 6 and camp red rock was the very first camp i camped at as a girl scout
most of my cam memories like, my first camp fire , my first sing along and my first time as a hopper (person who serves her table food) when camp red rock closed in 2010 my whole troop was heartbroken ,we now attend camp e – koh- wah about two hours out of town e-koh- wah and cookieland are the only functioning camps i know of at the moment if u know of anymore please post below
Cookieland was sold to make room for a toll road to go through it. I was so upset when I heard about it on the local late night news. I had a rock, about the length of my hand, from there and set it at the base of a huge tree on my home. The ground eventually reclaimed it. It was sandstone with holes that made it looked like Swiss cheese. I hope the Red Lands Council, if I got the name right, kept the camp sign for historical purposes. I hope people post photos here of Cookieland on another AO page.
My daughter and I just ran across this page and sat looking at all the photos. Breaks my heart. I camped here as a girl, and as a leader brought two different troops here. So very sad that nationwide the Girl Scouts are choosing not to emphasize camping experiences–the leadership, growth, skills learned, and memories it develops are unsurpassed.
Omg wow that's so Sad I spent so many wounderful summers there and made amazing people there what ever happens to the horses there
I just hope that Outlaw and Fletcher went to people that understood their personalities. A lot of people thought they were "bad horses"…but they were not.. Outlaw was the type that trusted very few people.. for those he trusted, he was great. Fletcher was just jealous of other horses getting more attention.. Spend time with him and he is just fine.
oh so do it Fletcher was such a good looking horse. i had adopted levi and a paint horse i can't think of he name one year for the winter that was so much fun
So very heartbreaking that a wonderful place many girls spent years growing up in, is abandoned . Like a ghost town, camp red rock has many stories and memories held in many many girls, and women's hearts. Such a sad ending for a place that was to many -'paradise', and a second home for the countless Girl Scouts that passed through. RIP Camp Red Rock, you were well loved by all.
There are a few closed Girl Scout camps in our state, aren't there?
Cookieland is closing. They just sold it to the Turnpike Authority. 🙁
I do not want to upset anyone here by talking about using this camp for another purpose but I represent a Christian Ministry (Baptist Camp Ministries – we are on Facebook) that has been looking at Red Rock as a possible Christian camp. We could still host Girl Scout events if the Girl Scouts wanted us to. My little girl is a Girl Scout and I too think it is sad that these camps are closed. We need good camps for our children. If we can raise the money, we are going to try to save this one before it is too late. I love to hear the stories of all of the great memories that people have of camps. Camp has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and it can be for future generations if we will just get involved and stop these camps from going away.
Bro. Jeff was your group the group that acquired CRR? I would absolutely love to visit the camp again.
This is so sad to see! I went here for 12 years several times a year! It was more my home than any house ever was! Brought tears to my eyes seeing it all abandoned and neglected. I really hope someone buys it and opens it back up so many more children can make wonderful memories!
I worked staff at several other camps in Oklahoma and Texas… But none felt as CRR did. It did not matter who you were, at CRR you felt at home. The place has a spirit about it.
Unbelieveble Camp Red Rock is closed, for me is it such a special place when i worked there in the summer of 2001. Hope there will be a good owner found that will make the spirit of the places accessible for new generations. Love ariadne, also known as Dollydot
DOLLY!! Do you remember Wheels?
Of course, I do. You helped me when i fell of the horse. I think i still have the coffeecup you gave me, because i was stealing yours every morning.
I was looking for information for the camp because i got triggered because you had the big tornado . It is big news here on the news.
Are you still a medic in tulsa? I got married a few years a go and i have a almost year old little girl. Are you still in contact with the group of 2001?
Love Dollydot
Why are all the best girls all married?? No, I am not a medic now. I had a stroke due to a head injuries and had to stop doing that.
I think 2001 was my first year working there as a camp counselor. Do you remember a Tiger? I remember Wheels!!
went there when i was 6 :O this is a trip
As a previous Girl Scout (from being a Daisy all the way up to earning my Gold Award) I absolutely hate seeing this. It completely breaks my heart! If only I had the money to buy it, I would open it up as a public campground so that former scouts could share their memories with their families. I loved seeing all the pictures and reliving my childhood, if only for a minute, with my children. I just wish I could go back, just one last time. So many memories and so much history here. I hate they have closed it, if only they could open it again. I'm sure there are still scouts needing Gold Award project and even Boy Scouts needing Eagle projects. Maybe if everyone could get together they could bring it back to where it used to be, not so long ago. Shoot I'd drive down there and help out as much as I could.
I would come and help!! I love that place.
I went there every summer for about 6 years, and this brought back a flood memories for me, like I'm sure they did for everyone that went there. All the pictures are beautifully done, and I'm just really thankful you decided to share them (I know you guys did this like 3 months, sorry I'm so late!) Keep doing what you do! 🙂
It'd be a great place for models & photographers to come together, lots of places to shoot. Any way possible to find out who owns it to set up a shoot next spring?
Great job, ya'll!
I was a girl scout for 9 years and camped here up to somes twice to three times a year! It was definitely strange coming here with Michael Schwarz to do some photography. Seeing the camp with no girls scouts in it felt weird. I hope ya'll enjoy the pictures!
Mary Evans
sooo sad to see that CRR made it on here but glad that the pics will be in a pace where thay can be viewed by all , I attended the CRR Retirement Ceremony – http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.13724915…
I thought camping was one of the foundational aspects of Girl Scouts. I know this camp inspired many girls to do things they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to do especially coming from an urban area. While not everything has to be the same as Boy Scouts, I think it sends the wrong message to our girls that they will not get to have the same type of experiences or be exposed to the outdoors as much as boys would be.
I SO want to cry right now. Seeing these picture's have brought back so many memories for me. As a little girl I stayed there on weekend trips, and summer camps for 2 weeks. I remember going with my Mom and having to go to the bottom of starvation hill because of a tornado warning, then having to climb back up it with rushing waters. I was so happy that my Daughter was able to experiance the fun I was able to before they closed it. It's a sad sight.
I was a was a junior when they closed it and I cried because I loved that camp and every time I hear camp red rock or the camp red rock song I wanna cry they need to reopen CRR asap
Our new CEO plans to visit all 4 camps to re evaluate them. Hoping we can bring this one back.
I sure miss this place.. I was staff there for a while… Some of the best memories of my life.
That would be absolutely amazing if they could bring CRR back.
I would love to be on staff there again! That place has such a unique spirit about it.
Had an idea, if they re-open it… when the Girl Scouts aren’t using the camp… could it be used by models & photographers? Smaller groups and some income… like in my case I’m putting together information for a week long class for beginning models or models 101, class room decisions in the morning (Do’s & Don’t) and some posing ideas (quit asking where do I put my hands). I was planning on doing this when I retire to my land in eastern Oklahoma in 6 or 8 years from now, but I’d love to get started now.
Oh I hope so. While I enjoy taking my scouts to E-Ko-Wah, I'd really love to take them to Red Rock. I've heard so many good stories from other scout leaders about camping there.
THE ceo of what ?
I'm A Liar Inc.
I have some pics from 2004 in the exact same places as some of the pics you took So crazy comparing the before and after
yes , please i would be one of the first in line to go in if you reopened camp red rock , hopefully you would allow girl scouts to use it for camp once in awhile
Oh this makes my heart hurt!!! This is where many of the girls in our troop first did their camping. It brings back so many memories! We we always love Camp Red Rock!!
This camp was really popular but the Girl Scouts simply chose to go toward more urban activities. A sad day and a sad state of affairs for the GS
Who owns it now and what are the plans to do with the buildings?
It is still owned by the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma but is For Sale!!!
Hi Connie, I know you were associated with this camp for a number of years. Is it possible to send me some more history on the camp? I messaged you a few months ago on Facebook (Michael Schwarz).
It would be helpful to explain the wonderful history in more detail. Mary Evans and I wrote the article above and took the pictures.
Thanks Michael Schwarz (FriendlyMic Photography)