FRANKFORT, Ind. — Camp Cullom’s lodge was full Saturday, Oct. 24, as families, Scouts, longtime friends of the camp and first-time visitors came for the annual Hot Dog and Chili Supper. They came back after dark for a look at the nearly full moon, Saturn and a collection of meteorites at the camp’s Prairie Grass Observatory.
From 4:30 to 7 p.m., volunteers served all-you-can-eat bowls of chili, hot dogs, chips and brownies. The serving line moved along steadily as guests of all ages filled long tables under the Scout troop crests and patrol shields that line the lodge walls. Young helpers carried trays to tables, and volunteers in the kitchen kept the chili coming and stacked brownies on plates.
The supper is a free-will offering, and proceeds support the 90-acre camp, which is owned by the children of Clinton County. Guests from West Lafayette to Anderson, Muncie and Indianapolis could also bid in a silent auction during the evening.
Timed for Peak Color
The supper is held in October on purpose. United Way for Clinton County gave the camp permission to hold the fundraiser this month because fall foliage peaks and the night sky is excellent this time of year. Camp Cullom is a United Way Pace Setter agency, and organizers encourage friends of the camp to give to United Way as well.
This year’s timing worked. Aerial photos taken by Erick Dircks of Dircks Photography show the lodge and its full parking lot surrounded by red, orange and gold trees. The camp was open all day, so families could walk its five miles of marked trails or play its 24-hole disc golf course before supper. The disc golf course closes for the season in late October.
A Look at the Night Sky
After the meal, many guests walked over to the Prairie Grass Observatory as the sun set, scheduled for 6:53 p.m. Observatory volunteers aimed the telescopes and huge binoculars at the bright, nearly full moon and at Saturn and its rings.
Visitors also got a close look at the observatory’s meteorite collection, which includes a chip of the moon. The evening program was also set to include star clusters, constellations and space videos and a laser pointer that picked out constellations for all.
The Prairie Grass Observatory sits under some of the darkest rural skies in the area. Hundreds of young people and adults have toured the heavens there through public open houses, star parties and programs such as the Camp Cullom Academy of Science. Earlier this month, the Camp Cullom Science Academy brought more than 20 fifth graders from all five Clinton County elementary schools to the camp earlier this month.
A Growing Tradition
Over the past several years, the chili supper has become one of Camp Cullom’s main community gatherings. The famous Chili Supper also includes wagon rides, star gazing and a silent auction.
Camp Ranger Hoppy Bray, who has cared for the camp for more than three decades, named the supper as one of the camp’s rising traditions. In August he said both it and the Maple Syrup Festival held each March are still “getting their legs” as signature events.
Camp Cullom opened in 1941 as a Girl Scout camp and has been operated by the Clinton County Foundation for Youth since 1947. It hosts Scouts, school groups, Kids and Cops, the Indiana Family Star Party, families and students of all ages and provides many other programs at no cost throughout the year. Families can camp, walk the trails and play disc golf at no cost throughout the year.
People who could not attend can still support the camp by sending donations to Camp Cullom/Chili Supper, 6815 West County Road 200 North, Frankfort, IN 46041. For more information, visit campcullom.org or call (765) 296-2753.
A Look at the Night Sky
After the meal, many guests walked over to the Prairie Grass Observatory as the sun set, scheduled for 6:53 p.m. Observatory volunteers aimed the telescope at the bright, nearly full moon and at Saturn and its rings.
Visitors also got a close look at the observatory’s meteorite collection, which includes a chip of the moon. The evening program was also set to include star clusters, constellations and space videos.
The Prairie Grass Observatory sits under some of the darkest rural skies in the area. Hundreds of young people and adults have toured the heavens there through public open houses, star parties and programs such as the Camp Cullom Academy of Science. The academy brought more than 20 fifth graders from all five Clinton County elementary schools to the camp earlier this month.
A Growing Tradition
Over the past several years, the chili supper has become one of Camp Cullom’s main community gatherings. Earlier versions also included wagon rides, star gazing and a silent auction. In 2025, the camp partnered with Edward Jones for the first time. Clinton County Edward Jones agents and team members helped serve chili and worked behind the scenes.
Camp Ranger Hoppy Bray, who has cared for the camp for more than three decades, named the supper as one of the camp’s newer traditions. In August he said both it and the Maple Syrup Festival held each March are still “getting their legs” as signature events.
Camp Cullom opened in 1941 as a Girl Scout camp and has been operated by the Clinton County Foundation for Youth since 1947. It hosts Scouts, school groups, Kids and Cops, the Indiana Family Star Party and many other programs throughout the year. Clinton County youth can camp there at no cost with a reservation.
People who could not attend can still support the camp by sending donations to Camp Cullom/Chili Supper, 6815 West County Road 200 North, Frankfort, IN 46041. For more information, visit campcullom.org or call (765) 296-2753.
Videos by Erick Dircks:
