Scoutcraft instruction for Scouts who were not yet First Class rank was all done at the provisional campsites, where each Scoutmaster had at least two assistants whose mornings were devoted to teaching the basic scout skills to the younger Scouts.

This pattern did not change until the mid-fifties when program director Bill Lockwood supervised the clearing of small trees and brush from the area across from the blockhouse which is still part of the Scoutcraft area.  This space was called the “demonstration area” and included examples of many kinds of tents, shelters, and fireplaces.

As time went on more of the Scoutcraft skills were being taught there. George VanAmburg when he was Scoutcraft director in the sixties, established an axe yard for Totin’ Chip instruction in a separate spot at the left rear of the MacMillan parking lot.

By the early sixties Wilderness was only being used for an occasional outpost camping area.  The old Wilderness site was converted into a provisional campsite in 1964 when MacArthur campsite was closed.

For awhile in the late sixties while the rest of the Scoutcraft activities remained in the demonstration area, Cooking Merit badge was held in the area now occupied by West campsite.

From 1986 thru 1989 Camp Hinds followed the National BSA trend to provide a commissioner with a small program staff to provide services including Scoutcraft instruction to a cluster of troops.  During that time the demonstration area was closed and two commissioner areas were created.  One site was in the Boone field and the area where West campsite not sits.  The other was on the Tenny side where the camper shower and its leach field is now located. 

From 1990 through 1993 the Scoutcraft department was re-established and separated from the commissioners and used the Boone field / West campsite area.  In 1994 Scoutcraft moved back to the expanded area near the road where it is still to be found.