Detroit's only campground, Scout Hollow in Rouge Park, reopening in spring

DETROIT (WJBK) - After being shuttered for more than a decade, Detroit's only campground is reopening this spring to give camping opportunities for youth in the City. 

The 17.4-acre site, Scout Hollow in Rouge Park, has been reclaimed by tall grass, deer and wild turkeys since it closed. Now, thanks to the help from many outside organizations, the campground is expected to see hundreds of campers in the next few years. 

Scout Hollow has three camping sites that can accommodate up to 30 campers each. Organizers expect to see 250 campers in the first year.

Any youth group can use the campground, but Scout Hollow will be primarily focused on supporting youth groups from Detroit and surrounding communities. 

"The only things boys and girls will need to bring will be their personal clothes and a curiosity for the great outdoors," says Wendy L. Jackson, managing director of Kresge's Detroit Program, which is funding the Scout Hollow renovations. 

At 1,200 acres, River Rouge is Detroit's largest park. By comparison, Belle Isle sits at 982 acres while New York's Central Park sits at 843 acres. 

Camping will be coordinated by Detroit Outdoors, a collaboration between the city of Detroit's Parks and Recreation Department, Sierra Club and YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

For more information check out www.detroitoutdoors.com