Camp James Ray is located on the Texas side of Lake Texoma. The fresh, clean air and the refreshing view of this man-made lake provides a great back drop to another quality Circle Ten Council Summer Camp program. The close proximity to Dallas makes this a great weekend camp to visit during the off-season.

Facilities

The 540 acre camp offers camping, hiking, canoeing, sailing, rifle, shotgun and archery ranges, swimming, and 12 year round campsites.

Summer Camp programs include merit badge classes, rifle, shotgun, archery, sailing, canoeing, rowing, and motor boating using our waterfront on Lake Texoma. James Ray Scout Reservation is home to the Sanford Aquatics Center with a 160,000 gallon, one-of-a-kind swimming pool. This pool features a beach front entrance, two diving boards, two aqua jet systems, and a 141-foot water slide.

Directions

From Denison (or the intersection of US 75) take FM 120 west to Pottsboro. Proceed through Pottsboro and follow FM 120 (formerly FM 996) northwest to Cook's Corner Road. Turn left on Locust Road. At the 4-way stop at Locust, turn north (right) on Mill Creek Rd. Follow signs to Mill Creek Resort. The entrance to Camp James Ray is on the north (right) side of the road on the way to Mill Creek Marina. Map(PDF)

From Frisco take Preston Road (State Highway 289) north to Pottsboro. Turn left onto FM 120 at the intersection of State Highway 289 and FM 120 (formerly FM 996). Follow FM 120 (formerly FM 996) northwest to Cook's Corner Road. Turn left on Locust Road. At the 4-way stop at Locust, turn north (right) on Mill Creek Rd. Follow signs to Mill Creek Resort. The entrance to Camp James Ray is on the north (right) side of the road on the way to Mill Creek Marina.

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History

Camp James Ray, originally named Camp Grayson, held its first summer camp operation in 1929. The camp was moved to its location on Lake Texoma, after the previous site of a Boy Scout camp on the Red River was flooded by the Denison Dam. The high ground of Camp James Ray was a campsite for German prisoners of war who were required to work on the construction of the dam and Lake Texoma. The camp has over 500 rolling acres of majestic stands of oaks, hardwoods, pines, and cedars, and some areas maintained in native grasses. The beautiful waterfront area is on the south shore of Lake Texoma.

In 1982, Okiciyapi Lodge, Order of the Arrow, built a fort-style gateway to Camp Grayson. In 2000, the camp was renamed, the James Ray Scout Reservation, and a new masonry entrance was dedicated. The camp name honors Mr. James Ray, a long-time Scoutmaster in Idabel, Oklahoma and friend of Scouting. Also in 2000, the Sanford Aquatics Center opened. This magnificent pool and water slide was given to the camp, Scouts, and Scouters by Mr. Bob Sanford and his family.