Helena Lions Sunshine Camp is a Service of Helena Lions Club.
The Helena Lions Sunshine Camp Committee is comprised of members of Helena Lions Club who serve voluntarily. During the course of your reservation and stay, your main point of contact will be our Reservations Coordinator and Camper Relations volunteers. Our Reservations Coordinator may be contacted by e-mailing SunshineCampReservations@HelenaLions.org. Other contacts will be provided through your reservation process.
In an effort to provide information about Helena Lions Sunshine Camp, we are providing snippets of information based on the most frequent questions asked of the Camp. For information about the reservation process, see the Reservations page of this site.
Where is Helena Lions Sunshine Camp
The Camp address is 4274 Little Blackfoot Road, Elliston, (Powell County), Montana 59728. This is NOT a mailing address and may not be interpretted correctly by navigation systems. GPS coordinates are LAT and LON 46.505 -112.402. Driving directions are to drive to Elliston, Montana on US Highway 12. At mile-marker 22, approximately 1-mile east of Elliston, turn south to Little Blackfoot Road. This is a paved road. Stay on the paved road for approximately four miles. Helena Lions Sunshine Camp is on the right just befor the bridge over the Little Blackfoot River. The elevation of Helena Lions Sunshine Camp is approximately 5318 feet.
What are the Camp Facilities
The Camp includes 14 separate buildings. All buildings have electricity and lighting. See the last topic below to view the site.
1) The Rec Hall. This log building offers an open space which can be used for a variety of activities. Tables, chairs, and benches are provided. A stage with our famous ‘camp-tuned’ piano is at one end of the building. Outside the Rec Hall at the far end is a deck and the Camp's only approved fire pit which is large enough for most needs. At the other end of the Rec Hall is a covered area ideal for picnics or just sitting at a table and enjoying. This building is handicap accessible. A historic fireplace within the Rec Hall is not functional and may not be used.
2) Kitchen / Mess Hall. The kitchen end of this building is just steps away from the outdoor picnic area. The kitchen features plenty of work space; a triple sink; and commercial range (6 burners, griddle, and 2 ovens); an electric range/oven; 2 fridges and 1 upright freezer; and is stocked with cookware, tableware, drinkware and utensils. Through an open doorway from the kitchen is the dining portion of this building (Mess Hall). The Mess Hall has benches and tables to accommodate a capacity of 50. Tableware is provided for an estimated 80 settings. A heater is available in the Mess Hall portion. This building is handicap accessible. Two 1/2-barrel charcoal barbeques are available outdoors.
3) Admin Building. This central building has a screened porch. There are two rooms with a double bed in each. This building is not handicap accessible.
4) Shop Building. This building containes the water system for the camp, the main electrical distribution, and a general shop. Yard tools of rakes and shovels are available here.
5) Shower House. This building features an open space for changing and four shower stalls. One stall is enlarged for accessibility. A sign outside the door is used to distinguish use by girls or boys. This building is handicap accessible.
6) Restroom Building. This building features three separate facilities for men, women, and a private restroom. Toilets and urinals are modern flush style and hot/cold sinks are provided.
7-14) Cabins (x8). The eight guest cabins are comfortable, each with four sets of bunk beds to sleep 8. In total the eight cabins can accommodate 64 campers. Each bunk has a mattress. Cabins are numbered beginning with Cabin #1 situated closest to the Restroom Building, and Cabin #8 farthest. Cabin #1 and Cabin #2 are handicap accessible. Cabins are not heated.
What Recreational Activities are Available
Obviously many people who visit Lions Sunshine Camp enjoy the fresh air and serenity. Those looking for more can enjoy any of the following:
- two horseshoe pits (shoes are provided);
- playground with swings, slide, merry-go-round, teeter-totters, and more;
- basketball hoop/backboard;
- open area for field sports;
- acres of space for hiking, picking flowers, meditating, or otherwise enjoying;
- the Little Blackfoot River for fishing or splashing;
- campfire for evenings;
- more
What are the Camp Fees
Reservations are required for use of Helena Lions Sunshine Camp. See the Reservations Page of this site. Reservations require a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $300.
Campers will be invoiced for utilities used during their stay. This includes electricity (lights, outlets, water pump, fridges and freezers, and kitchen hot water) and propane (kitchen stove, Mess Hall heat, hot water to showers and restrooms). These are metered and the actual rates depend on usage and our costs. A minimum charge is assessed.
The daily fee is $10 per youth (age 0-17) and $15 per adult (age 18+). ALL persons utilizing Helena Lions Sunshine Camp must be accounted for in the daily census. If this fee calculates to less than $300 for a given camp day, a daily minimum charge of $300 is charged for that camp day and each day the per-person fee is less than $300. The minimum daily charge is $300.
The deposit, minus any damages or fines, is applied to your invoice. Your invoice will be sent to you following your stay and you agree to pay this invoice within 30-days.
These fees are subject to change.
What is the Camp Season
The Camp season is generally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Dates before or after these dates may be subject to unenjoyable weather.
May We take a Look at the Camp
During the camp season we ask that you respect the campers who have reserved the camp for their enjoyment. Please do not enter the camp. During the off season the camp is closed and locked. Often snow greatly limits access to the camp by foot. The camp is private property and vandalism is a possibility. The area is patrolled.
View the Route to Helena Lions Club Sunshine Camp on Bing Maps: For electronic street level views of the area go to www.bing.com; Select Maps (usually on an upper menu bar); Enter any of the below coordinates in Map search box; Select StreetLevel from the map choices (usually top right).
- Enter "46.5567 -112.4104" if you are traveling US-12 from Helena. The left turn to Little Blackfoot River Road is ahead.
- Enter "46.5571 -112.4161" if you are traveling east on US-12. The right turn to Little Blackfoot River Road is ahead.
- Enter "46.5181 -112.3931". The "Y" including Little Blackfoot River Road is ahead. Stay right.
- Enter "46.5038 -112.4029". The entry gate to Helena Lions Club's Sunshine Camp is ahead on the right. The bridge crossing Little Blackfoot River is in sight.
- Enter "46.505 -112.402". This is Helena Lions Club Sunshine Camp. Reference the "What are the Camp Facilities" topic above. The long building is the Rec Hall. Going clockwise you can see each building as listed above.
View Helena Lions Sunshine Camp on Google Maps: For an overhead (satelite) view of Helena Lions Sunshine Camp, go to https://map.google.com. In the search box enter "Helena Lions Sunshine Camp". Select the satelite view. Zoom in (+) for a closer look. You may also click and drag to reposition the image. Note that this is not a real-time image.
May We bring RV’s to the Camp
You are welcome to bring motor homes, trailers, or tents to camp. There are no hook-ups and the camp electrical distribution is not sufficient for additional loads. All persons on the camp premises must be included in the daily census for billing purposes.
May We bring Pets to the Camp
You are welcome to bring pets as long as you clean up after them. While the camp is an open area, note that on any given day as many as 200 children may be exploring every area of the camp. ALL pet waste must be removed by the owner. The enjoyment of the camp by each camper is of utmost importance to us. Understand a security deposit is required for all reservations.
Smoking Policy
Helena Lions Sunshine Camp is a NON-SMOKING facility. Smoking is not permitted on the premises.
Fireworks
NO fireworks may be used at Helena Lions Club Sunshine Camp.
Wi-Fi and Internet Services
With our remote and rustic location Helena Lions Sunshine Camp is pleased to provide guests an environment free of wifi and many other distractions they vacation away from. This is a luxury many other locations cannot afford today. Cellular service through Verizon Wireless is fairly strong and consistent throughout the Camp with limited exceptions due to the scenic mountains. Service by other carriers is unknown at this time. There is not land-line telephone service to the Camp.
