Camp Conowingo is 600 acres of forest and fields adjacent to the Susquehanna River in Conowingo, Cecil County, Maryland. The property is composed of nine parcels acquired by Girl Scouts of Central Maryland between 1955 and 1973, including Bell Manor, a historic Victorian home from the 1860s which is currently being renovated to return it to its original 1867 charm. Camp Conowingo is the home of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s Summer Resident Camp Program.
Bell Manor Mansion
Bell Manor is a mid-nineteenth century house with qualities and structure of Italianate architecture, circa 1868, that offered girls an alternative to the rustic lodges and cabins and allowed them the opportunity to experience life in the Victorian era of the 1800s. Bell Manor has undergone renovations over the past several years and is host to several annual programs including a Bell Manor Tea and the Old Fashioned Harvest Festival.
Private Events at Bell Manor
Receptive to Receptions
Bell Manor Mansion is a charming gathering space for small business groups, intimate banquets, dinners and parties. The historic renovations capture the charm of an era long past but allow visitors to create a theme relevant to the occasion. This facility can accommodate up to 100 people for a cocktail-like setting or 75 seated at tables. Groups can prepare a meal in the mansion’s commercial kitchen or provide a catered meal. A sound system and podium are available.
A great venue for your intimate wedding
For smaller weddings historic Bell Manor Mansion is a perfect fit. Elegant country manors are among the venues where a bride and groom can hold their wedding ceremony and reception while enjoying a beautiful setting that is just the right size for celebrating with family and good friends. In lieu of vast ballrooms and halls smaller locations provide a variety of unique spaces from which the wedding event can unfold. The historic 1860s James Bell Manor House is an architectural landmark from the gilded age. Couples often tie the knot in the Hemlock Knolls Park and gardens, and then take a ceremonial walk to the Bell Manor House for their reception. Guests can take guided private tours of the house in between the ceremony and reception, all while taking in magnificent views of the peaceful Susquehanna River.
Reconnect with Nature
Tucked among the oak and hickory trees are cabins and tents for group meetings and camping. Beautiful Bell Manor House, a late-eighteen sixties mansion with qualities and structure of Italianate architecture, provides an elegant alternative to the rustic cabins and provides meeting and dining space for intimate gatherings.
Most of Camp Conowingo facilities are available April through October. The Bell Manor House is available year-round. Perfect for day or overnight events, the facilities at Camp Conowingo offer a range of overnight camping options that include rustic platform tents, yurts and cabins. A large air conditioned dining hall, with adjacent swimming pool and bathrooms, provides an excellent venue for company meetings and picnics and school and youth group outings. An additional cooking facility is located within the woods located near Bell Manor Mansion.
Your group can experience many activities while at Camp Conowingo. Businesses and groups can engage in team-building activities—high and low ropes challenges, geo-caching and rock-wall climbing. A small paddling pond can be explored in a canoe. If exploring on your own try the hiking trails that wind throughout the camp grounds or take a relaxing ride on horseback, you can also test your aim at the archery range. These activities are dependent on trained staff and/or volunteer availability.
