Camp Balboa is a Scouting America council camp on roughly 15 and a half acres in the northwest corner of Balboa Park, behind the San Diego-Imperial Council service centre and a short walk from the San Diego Zoo. The site has ten campsites accommodating up to 300 campers, each with a campfire ring, flagpole and picnic tables, plus a barbecue patio and a campfire amphitheatre, and the council states it 'is available year-round for all levels of scouting, from Tiger Cubs to adult leader training'. Its Family Camp programme has families sleep in their own tents and offers archery and BB gun shooting, water rockets, GPS, hiking in Balboa Park and craft and game areas. Note that the specific Cub Scout day camp this listing is named for does not currently appear among the council's published programmes.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact San Diego-Imperial Council BSA directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Richard YasudaScout camp operated by San Diego Imperial Council Scouting America. It's conveniently located in beautiful Balboa Park within walking distance from the San Diego Zoo and museums. Camp sites are available to scout units as well as non scouting groups.
★★★★★Anderson MartinPicked up some patches and other items. Very friendly gentleman assisted me at the Scout Supply shop. Turned in two award nominations at the adjacent SDIC Council offices. Plenty of parking.
★Brandon BejaranoI’m sure this was a nice facility at one time, but it is completely run down. Swimming pool is drained and not working. The showers are non existent and our group of 15 had to shower with a garden hose for a 4 night stay. The pavilion area is dilapidated and the shade structures are caving in and there are weeds everywhere. The bathrooms are hit and miss and there are port o potties next to the bathroom structures and the campgrounds are covered in dead vegetation. The lady at the front desk was nice, however, it was unclear what any of the other staff or people on site were doing or even there for. The location is good, but if you are going to camp here, be sure to bring the supplies you would need for a campout in a remote area.
★Chaz_HerculesIt's very very very run down. The "grass" is dead. The pool hasn't worked in years. The bathroom and shower don't work. The shooting rang is only for BB guns and we couldn't use it because it's broken. I would rather go out to the middle of nowhere and take a bath in a lake then stay here again.
★★★★Frances Ellie De la CruzHold on to your wallets!!! You'll want to buy it all... lol I know I did. I went into the Scout Shop exchange a belt and hat that was too small for my scout. They were very good with exchanging the items even though I had bought it over a month ago, the female employee was super friendly and helpful. Would of given them 5 stars but I bought an extra hat with a flashlight and ugh, the material is cheap... within a day the material stretched out.😭