Indian Nations premier scout camp. Located at the base of the Ouchita Mountains near Talimena Drive bordering on a small lake. This camp offers aquatics, shooting ranges, awesome hikes, and real plumbing in the campsites!

Went there with the troop this summer, best camp I've been to in years.

We went there Summer 2000 and really enjoyed it. Good staff, nice facility. Unusual Merit Badge opportunities (Plumbing, Snow Sports, Archaeology). Very well run.

Just+got+back+from+Camp+Tom+Hale%2e++Loved+it%21%21++The+boys+all+had+a+great+time%2c+and+the+instructors+were+wonderful%2e++The+flushable+toilets+are+the+best%21%21%21+The+merit+badges+offered+are+super%2c+lots+of+unusual+ones%2e++Us+leaders+loved+the+little+boats+we+could+take+out+on+the+lake+for+our+pleasure%2e%0d%0aHope+to+go+back+soon%2e%0d%0a

Yes%2c+it+is+a+great+camp%2c+the+only+draw+back+is+no+matter+where+you+are%2c+it+is+uphill+to+the+dining+hall%2c+and+the+first+thing+a+person+sees+when+comming+in+to+the+camp+are+the+two+Waste+Water+treatment+ponds%2c+kinda+nasty+if+you+ask+me%2e%0d%0a

The+flush+toilets+and+individual+shower+stalls+are+great%2e++The+air+conditioned+dining+hall+is+impressive+and+well+run%2e++The+staff+is+very+friendly+and+well+organized%2e+Our+troop+went+2+years+in+a+row+and+had+a+great+experience+both+times%2e%0d%0a

Directions+to+Camp+Tom+Hale%3a+Take+Highway+63+East+%40+8+miles%2e++Turn+left+on+County+Road+6010+%28there+is+also+a+Tom+Hale+sign+on+the+right+side+of+the+road%29%2e++You+can+obtain+a+map+of+the+camp+by+going+to+www%2emaptech%2ecom+just+enter+in+%22Camp+Tom+Hale%22+and+pick+Oklahoma%2e+This+is+a+wonderful+camp%2e++Benn+there+twice+for+camp%2e++Going+again+in+June%2e++Bill+Steuernagel%2c+Troop+637%2c+Wagoner%2c+Oklahoma%0d%0a

Took+a+group+for+the+first+time+the+summer+of+2001%2e++We+are+planning+to+back+with+a+contingent+doubled+in+size+for+2002%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aFantastic+staff%2c+MB+counselors%2c+facilities%2e%0d%0a

The+evaluations+and+comments+were+combined+and+averaged+by+5+of+our+adults+that+attended+camp%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aIn+this+evaluation%2c+we+used+these+ratings%3a%0d%0aA+%3d+Excellent%0d%0aB+%3d+Above+Average%0d%0aC+%3d+Average%0d%0aD+%3d+Below+Average%0d%0aF+%3d+Unsatisfactory%0d%0a%0d%0aPre%2dcamp+information%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aThe+packets+and+continued+information+were+a+great+help+planning%2e+Some+of+the+items+listed+as+needed+were+not+needed+at+all%2e+Some+of+items+not+listed%2c+should+have+been+mentioned%2e+Paige+at+the+council+office+was+OUTSTANDING+to+work+with+in+helping+us+prepare+our+trip%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCheck+in%2fout+process%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aVery+smooth+but+rather+lengthy%2e+Guides+are+assigned+at+arrival+and+took+the+troop+on+a+tour+and+swim+checks%2e+We+took+4+boys+%2d+2+adults+and+two+trailers%27+worth+of+equipment+up+one+day+earlier%2e+The+camp+let+us+go+to+our+campsite+%28had+to+promise+to+stay+in+our+site+%2d+as+camp+was+closed%29%2e+This+was+a+big+help+in+getting+our+week+off+to+a+smooth+start%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aOur+Campsite%0d%0aGrade+%3d+C%0d%0aHale+has+grown+in+the+last+few+years+%2d+they+desperately+need+to+expand+the+campsites%2e+We+were+45+people+and+had+to+share+our+site+with+another+troop%2e+All+of+the+sites+are+right+on+top+of+each+other%2e+Makes+it+hard+to+run+your+troop+activities+without+offending+or+disturbing+other+troop+%28and+vice+verse%29%0d%0a%0d%0aLatrine+and+Shower+Facilities%0d%0aGrade+%3d+A%0d%0aFlush+toilets+and+hot+showers+were+nice%21%0d%0a%0d%0aWater%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aWe+brought+several+5%2dgallon+jugs+of+filtered+water+and+kept+them+iced+all+week+and+maintained+one+full+of+Gatorade+all+week%2e+The+taste+%2f+temperature+of+the+camp+water+was+not+very+good%2e+They+did+have+water+at+all+stations+%2f+classes%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Administration%0d%0aGrade+%3d+A%0d%0aGreat+group+to+work+with+%2d+extremely+flexible+and+accommodating%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Staff%0d%0aGrade+%3d+A%0d%0aAll+college+age+or+older+%2d+many+returning+for+past+several+years%2e+Most+counselors+were+teaching+a+badge+in+their+field+of+study%21%0d%0a%0d%0aMerit+Badge+Program%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aWell+run%2c+rather+%22easy%22+on+the+requirements%2e+Not+sure+if+each+boy+really+earned+each+badge+on+their+own%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aNew+Scout+Program%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aEach+Scout+worked+on+rank+advancement+and+still+earned+three+merit+badges+%28mostly+the+craft+related+ones%29%2e+We+usually+avoid+the+new+Scout+programs+%2d+this+one+came+highly+recommended+and+worked+very+well%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aTrading+Post%0d%0aGrade+%3d+C%0d%0aLots+of+candy+and+sodas%2e+Prices+were+as+expected+at+a+camp+trading+post%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aFood+and+Dining+Hall%0d%0aGrade+%3d+C%0d%0aSee+comments+below%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThere+were+too+many+boys+for+the+space+available%2e+The+food+was+very+geared+for+the+boys%2e+The+camp+only+heated+precooked+items%2e+most+of+which+would+not+be+approved+for+our+troop+campouts%2e+They+almost+always+had+seconds+to+fill+up+the+boys%2e+They+had+few+deserts+to+ingress+the+trading+post+revenue%2e+The+staff+worked+very+hard+to+please%2c+almost+top+hard%2c+as+there+did+not+appear+to+be+much+of+a+bar+to+achieving+merit+badges%2e+Almost+no+one+did+not+finish+badges+started%2e+The+staff+was+older+but+not+as+high+number+of+Boy+Scouts+as+I+have+experienced+in+the+past%2e+This+lead+to+a+miss+on+the+total+Scout+program%3b+however%2c+the+quality+of+the+staff+was+very+high%2e+The+lake+was+an+ideal+size+for+the+boating+programs+for+the+boys%2e+The+white+water+program+got+high+marks+from+the+boys%2e+Blue+cards+were+printed+and+handed+out+at+check+out+which+was+very+good+with+only+a+few+errors%2e+Over+all+a+very+good+camping+experience+and+the+boys+enjoyed+some+variety+in+merit+badges+not+seen+at+other+camps%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aPretty+location%2c+but+camp+overcrowded%2e+Flush+toilets+nice%2c+but+high+maintenance%2e+Hot+showers+were+wonderful%2e+Nice+dining+hall+with+sub%2dmediocre+food%2e+Staff+was+good%2c+but+merit+badge+program+quality+very+inconsistent%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCampsite+was+small+for+our+group%2e+We+were+somewhat+cramped%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Administration+was+very+responsive+and+accommodating%2e+Our+troop%27s+goal+is+to+have+1st+year+Scouts+complete+the+swimming+merit+badge+which+is+different+from+Camp+Hale%27s+plan%2e+They+adjusted+for+us%2e+This+involved+completely+reworking+the+schedule+for+several+Scouts%2e+We+also+had+several+OA+candidates+participate+in+the+Call+Out+ceremony+and+the+Indian+Nation+Council+accommodated+our+request%2e+We+appreciated+this+level+of+flexibility%0d%0a%0d%0aMerit+badge+program+offered+some+really+cool+stuff+like+snow+sports+and+white+water+boating%2c+and+sailing%2e+This+kept+our+older+Scouts+interested%2e+Overall+Comments%3a+I+was+very+impressed%2e+I+appreciated+the+fact+that%2c+although+the+Ranch+claimed+to+have+copperheads%2c+rattlers%2c+bear%2c+and+mountain+lions%2c+we+never+saw+one%21%0d%0a%0d%0aOne+suggestion+is+for+them+to+promote+interaction+between+the+staff+and+the+campers+%28apart+from+classes%29%2c+and+overall+camp+spirit%2e+Something+to+make+campers+feel+that+they+are+a+%22well%2dcared+for%22+part+of+the+Ranch%2c+rather+than+%22well%2dcared+for%22+guests+at+the+Ranch%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aAnother+suggestion+is+to+NOT+have+coke+machines%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aTroop+226+%7e+The+Colony%2c+TX%0d%0a

We+are+an+out%2dof%2dstate+troop+that+drove+a+long+distance+to+get+to+Hale+for+two+summers%2e++Excellent+camp+with+college%2dage+and+adult+staff+providing+a+fantastic+program%2e++If+you+are+interested+in+providing+a+quality+summer+camp+experience+to+you+Scouts+then+you+need+to+take+a+look+at+this+little%2dknown+camp%2e%0d%0a

Our+troop+just+returned+from+Tom+Hale%2e+This+wa+second+year+in+row+to+attend+HSR%2e+Great+facilities%2e+Great+staff+of+college+age+Scouts%2e+Good+food+in+air+conditioned+dining+hall%2e+All+older+Scouts+should+not+miss+Whitewater+MB+and+whitewater+trip%2e+Flush+toilets+and+hot+showers+with+individual+showers+were+a+hit+with+youth%2e+Better+start+walking+before+you+go+to+get+in+shape+to+walk+the+hills%2e++We+will+be+back%0d%0a

My+son+is+a+1st+year+scouter+and+his+troop+went+to+Hale+for+thier+1st+camp+out+this+year%2eAll+the+boys+loved+it+despite+twisted+ankles%2eThey+are+already+pumped+up+about+raising+money+for+next+year%2eMy+thanks+for+all+the+staff+there+and+others+that+have+help+in+this+camp+and+the+scouting+program+that+make+these+camps+and+program+so+fun+and+rewarding+for+the+boys%2e%0d%0a

I+went+and+loved+it%2e+The+dining+hall+was+the+most+impressive+one+I%27ve+ever+seen%2e%0d%0a

Our+troop+attended+Camp+Hale+in+July+of+2004+and+found+the+camp+to+be+one+of+the+best+in+Oklahoma+that+we+know+of%2e+The+food+was+great+in+the+air%2dconditioned+dining+hall%2e+Merit+badges+were+fun+and+the+water+front+was+great+with+the+water+slide%2c+iceberg+and+blob%2e%0d%0aThe+camp+staff+was+good+and+the+officals+have+a+great+plan+for+the+future%2e+The+only+knock+I+have+was+that+you+had+better+be+prepared+to+walk+the+hills+of+the+Kiamichi+Mountains%2e+It+will+give+your+legs+a+workout+and+you+will+sleep+at+night%2e%0d%0aThe+individual+showers+were+a+great+hit+with+the+boys+along+with+flushing+toilets%2e%0d%0a

Of+my+21+years+of+scouting%2c+this+is+without+a+doubt+the+best+camp+I+ever+been+to+without+a+a+close+second%2e+600+scouts+a+week+can+not+lie+to+you+and+even+with+that+many+everything+runs+smoothly+and+efficiently%2e+Only+complants+from+my+boys+is+the+hilly+%2c+rocky+terrain%2e+I+tell+them+this+is+not+a+factor+for+they+are+getting+the+best+for+their+money%2e+Scoutmaster+Troop+254%0d%0a

Hello+this+Walt+Sporisky+from+Abilene+Texas+and+Troop+217%2e+We+were+at+this+camp+last+year+in++July%2c+the+3+week+of+it%2c+and+we+had+a+good+time%2e++The+troop+will+go+back+in+2007%2e+The+boy%27s+love+it+and+they+like+dinner+hall+that+has+the+cloble+walls+in+it+and+the+and+the+lake+and+other+things+there%2e++We+recall+Greg+Thomes+went+down+to+river+on+Friday+moring+to+see+the+troop+go+down+the+river%2e+Thanks+from+Abilene+TX+Troop+217%0d%0a%0d%0a

Troop+44+%2d+Van+Alstyne%2c+TX+just+returned+from+Camp+Hale+%28Week+0%2f2006%29%2e++Great+camp%2e+Merit+badge+counselors+are+college+students+and+they+did+a+terrific+job%2e+Our+boys+were+excited+to+see+a+varied+selection+of+merit+badges+available+to+them%2e++The+hi%2dlight+of+the+camp+is+the+closing+ceremony+with+troop+skits+and+a+fire+work+show%21+If+you+plan+to+attend+Camp+Hale+%2d+start+walking+now%21%21%21+Oh%2c+and+watch+out+for+cardiac+hill%2e%0d%0a

Tom+Hale+has+a+great+program+for+Merit+Badges+%26+activities+but+they+cram+too+many+people+into+camp+and+the+Dining+Hall+food+was+inadequate+%26+unappealing%2e%0d%0a

This+was+our+troop%27s+first+time+at+HSR%2c+as+well+as+mine%2e++The+staff+was+the+best+I%27ve+come+across+at+any+camp%2e++The+food+for+most+was+excellent+and+plenty%2e++Camp+director+couldn%27t+do+enough+for+the+scouts+or+staff%2e++Fisrt+year+program+great%2c+merit+badges%2c+over+50%2b+to+choose+from%2e++The+only+downside%2c+which+no+one+can+control+was+the+first+couple+days%2c+raining%2c+rest+of+the+week+summer+cycle%2e++We+have+already+reserved+a+spot+to+go+back+next+year%2c+our+scouts+voted+to+return%2e++Check+out+their+website%2e+Phil+Aleshire%2c+Troop+%2394%2c+Mandeville%2c+Louisiana+%22A+Rockin%27+Owl%22%0d%0a

This+was+our+first+time+at+Hale%2e++We+were+very+impressed+with+the+MB+staff%2e%2e%2e+we+had+at+least+one+special+needs+scouter+and+the+staff+was+very+understanding%2e++Our+scouters+loved+the+%22kid+oriented%22+food%2e%2e%2e+there+was+a+salad+bar+for+the+adults%2e++Be+prepared+to+do+some+moderate+to+difficult+walking+and+heat%2fhydration+discipline%2e++We+are+returning+in+2011+and+looking+forward+to+our+next+experience%2e%2e%2e+it+was+a+hoot+participating+in+the+%22snow+sports%22+MB%2e%2e%2e+%28Oklahoma+at+100F%2b%29%2e%2e%2e+check+it+out%2c+very+creative%2e%2e%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aTroop+420%2f320+Springfield%2c+Missouri%0d%0a+%0d%0a

We+visited+Camp+Hale+for+the+first+time+this+summer+and+had+a+great+time%21++The+staff+was+very+good%2e++The+air+conditioned+dining+hall+came+in+handy+as+everyday+was+over+100+degrees%2e++The+food+was+plentiful+and+kid+oriented%2e++The+camp+provided+ice+for+the+water+coolers+which+helped+the+kids+stay+hydrated+all+week%2e++Our+older+boys+really+enjoyed+the+outback+program+and+our+younger+boys+got+a+lot+of+merit+badges+complete%2e++Heated+showers+helped+encourage+the+kids+to+keep+clean%2e++The+only+negative+thing+I+would+say+is+that+this+camp+is+so+popular+that+there+are+a+lot+of+kids+%28over+900%29+which+makes+some+activities+difficult+for+kids+to+participate+much%2e++We+will+definitely+attend+this+camp+again+in+the+future%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aMike%0d%0aTroop+219%0d%0aBenton%2c+KS++%0d%0a