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Eleven-year-old Scout dies after tree falls on him at Michigan camp.

Jul 26, 2026 US News

An eleven-year-old boy from River Forest, Illinois died after a falling tree struck him at a Boy Scouts of America camp in western Michigan.

He was walking on a trail near Owasippe Scout Reservation when the tragedy unfolded just after 5pm on Thursday. Officials have not released his name yet out of respect for his grieving family.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and confirmed he passed away from his injuries. His parents were informed immediately. No other campers were hurt in the incident.

Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council issued a statement late Friday afternoon expressing their deep sorrow. They extended heartfelt condolences to the Scout's family, friends, fellow Scouts, and leaders during this incredibly difficult time.

'The safety and well-being of every young person in our programs is our highest priority,' the organization stated. 'We are fully cooperating with authorities during the investigation.'

They declined to share more details about the boy or the specific location on the reservation where he was walking. This silence respects the privacy of those who lost him.

Scouting America also offered support to the camp staff and the wider community affected by this loss. They asked everyone to keep the Scout in their thoughts while allowing his family space to grieve.

The Michigan Crossroads Council for Scouting America separately assured the public that their camps remain safe for children. This reassurance came even as a terrible accident occurred on one of their properties.

Owasippe Scout Reservation opened its doors in 1911 and stands as the oldest operating Boy Scout Camp in the United States. It spans over 75 miles of wilderness terrain. The Pathway To Adventure Council, part of Scouting America, owns this vast property.

Four different camps operate there now: Blackhawk, Wolverine, Reneker Family Camp, and Cub/Arrow of Light Camp. Investigators are still trying to determine exactly which camp the boy was attending or where he walked when disaster struck.

Friends say Nolan Wells was chatting with a mystery woman when they left the island, but that story has nothing to do with this Midwest tragedy. The focus remains on this young life cut short by an accident.

The Muskegon County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation and confirmed the boy came from a small village west of Chicago. They walked a trail there before the tree fell without warning.

We will not know his full story until more information becomes available to the public. Authorities are working hard to understand exactly how this happened on such an old, established site.

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