Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan East Camp is one of two full-service ScoutsBSA summer camps at the Northeast Illinois Council's Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation, spread over 1,500 wooded acres with spring-fed lakes near Pearson. The overnight program offers aquatics, ecology and conservation, handicraft, scoutcraft, shooting sports and trailblazer activities during a season running mid-June to early August. It serves Scouts (roughly ages 11 to 17) and is run by the nonprofit Boy Scouts of America.
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 Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan East Camp directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Ryan BondThe best place to spend time as a youth, and as an adult. Best memories made here.
★★★★★AdjacentBeautiful camp, emersed with nature been coming up here almost every year since 2014
★★★★★Angela ThomasMy son is from California and attended as a provisional scout. I would absolutely recommend it! He loved it, had so much, this camp is totally awesome. He got a bunch a of merit badges, swam every day, repelled, the staff was amazing, and it’s just beautiful there! Thanks for taking care of my baby!
★★★★★Nathan Herbstso much history. so much nature, the staff is amazing. MaKaJaWan is a treasure. join scouts just to get to come here.
★★★★★Ari FlemenbaumMuch better than West Camp! Offers more privacy, hiking options and hilly terrain. If i wanted flat, boring terrain, I would have camped closer to Chicago. East camp had better traditions too.