Generations of campers have passed through Worth Ranch, seen in this photo from Haught’s Lookout on Kyle Mountain. The historic Scouting America camp was ravaged by the Ross Fire on Monday, Aug. 24.
Connor Wardle
Worth Ranch holds countless memories for generations of young people and their families. For Connor Wardle, the 800-acre Scouting America camp is like a second home.
“Whenever I can, I’m out there,” the Lake Worth resident said Thursday. “So it kind of hurts right now not being able to, not knowing exactly how I can help.”
Worth Ranch, located on the Brazos River about 60 miles west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County, officially opened its doors in 1930. The wilderness camp was named after Fort Worth, and many of the city’s business leaders donated toward the original buildings. On Monday, the Ross Fire — now one of the largest wildfires on record in North Texas — tore through the historic camp.
The extent of the damage is still unknown, according to the Scouting America Longhorn Council website, but aerial images and photos taken by emergency response personnel show catastrophic damage to many of the buildings. There were no campers on site when the fire occurred, and camp personnel was safely evacuated.
Throughout the week, campers past and present have taken to social media to pay tribute to “Beautiful Worth.”
“To say that Worth Ranch means the world to me and my family is an understatement and there are no real words for it,” one man said in a public Facebook post. “The memories, the life-changing events, the friendships that have been formed inside the stone gates.”
The Sunday night welcoming campfire was a cherished tradition at Worth Ranch, the historic Scouting America wilderness camp in Palo Pinto County. The camp was ravaged by the Ross Fire on Monday, Aug. 24, and funds are being raised to restore the property. Connor Wardle
Others posted about early-morning hikes, canoe races and time spent around the campfire. Photos show generations of campers standing in front of the native stone buildings.
Wardle says Worth Ranch lives in his family’s blood. His father, an Eagle Scout, started bringing him to the property as a small child.
“I’ve got a photo of myself out there at age 2, which is super cool,” Wardle told the Star-Telegram in a phone interview.
He remembers short campouts from his Cub Scout days and his first week of summer camp as an 11-year-old in 2013. That year he refused to wear sunscreen and got a terrible sunburn. He wanted to go home, but his father encouraged him to push through. Now he’s glad he did.
“But the kind of family aspect and like the Worth Ranch that I’ve, you know, come to … love and care so deeply about really happened in … 2017,” Wardle said, “when I did my first summer camp staffing experience.”
Scouts traditionally close a Worth Ranch campfire by singing songs about the camp’s history, including “Beautiful Worth” and the “Worth Ranch Song.” The Scouting America camp, located 60 miles west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County, officially opened its doors in 1930. Connor Wardle
For the next several summers, Wardle worked on staff, investing in the younger Scouts coming up through the ranks. He helped primarily in the nature and ecology program and served as nature director one summer.
Another summer he taught kayaking at the camp’s boat docks. He said he loved seeing the young people’s excitement after doing difficult things, like performing a “wet exit.” The technique requires kayakers to capsize on purpose and practice exiting the craft underwater. Wardle said it can be scary, but it’s important to learn from a safety standpoint and also a requirement for the Kayaking Merit Badge.
Wardle himself earned Eagle Scout, the highest rank available, in 2020. He said Worth Ranch played a big part in that.
Even after finishing his time on staff, Wardle has continued to give back through community work days and giving his input on the nature program. His last time at the camp was in June, when he dropped off some of his notes and lesson plans for the current nature director.
“The camp’s like really incredible,” Wardle said. “Obviously, you know, there’s a little damper right now, but what really is Worth Ranch is the people, the community involved.”
Rebuilding for the future
Matt Hunter, a Fort Worth native and third-generation Scout, came to Worth Ranch in the 1990s as a member of Troop 326. He said they always pitched their canvas tents at the Todd Campsite.
One memorable summer, the troop built a trail to the top of Kyle Mountain. The Don Curry Nature Trail — named for the Troop 326 scoutmaster and Fort Worth attorney — replaced an older trail that had been damaged by erosion.
The Don Curry Nature Trail, named after beloved Troop 326 Scoutmaster and Fort Worth attorney Don Curry (left), was officially dedicated at Worth Ranch in 2004. The trail was built entirely by Troop 326 a few years prior, and replaced an older trail to the top of Kyle Mountain that had been damaged by erosion. Matt Hunter
Hunter said it was the troop’s summer camp service project. He remembers they used shovels, picks and saws to clear the brush and level the land.
“(We) built borders around it, and it was really, really beautiful,” Hunter said. “And I don’t know again the status of it with this fire, but it was really beautiful in its day.”
Another summer, Troop 326 built a retaining wall by one of the shower houses. They also did painting and smaller repair projects around the camp.
“It was always kind of a self-sustaining place,” he said. “You know, the scouts would always find ways to help out.”
Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire. Multiple buildings, including the Duncan Dining Hall, were left in ruins. The bronze statue of the “The Ideal Scout” in front of the dining hall survived.
As Worth Ranch prepares to celebrate 100 years of existence at the end of the decade, Hunter remains confident that new buildings can be constructed and the land restored.
“I think that place can be rebuilt,” he said. “I think all of it can, and maybe back better than ever.”
The Worth Ranch Recovery Fund has been established to restore the historic camp.
“Gifts will help assess damage, stabilize affected areas, and begin the process of rebuilding and preserving the camp experience for future generations of Scouts and visitors,” the Scouting America Longhorn Council said on their website.
This story was originally published August 29, 2026 at 2:50 PM.
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