Girl Scouts of
Peninsula Waters Council
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Council Spotlight

Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters Council

Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters was formed in 1969 to include the territory surrounded by Lake Michigan to the south, Lake Huron to the east and Lake Superior to the North. The peninsula connects with northern Wisconsin on our southern and western borders. The council office is located on Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula’s largest city of Marquette and home to Northern Michigan University. On our eastern borders are the scenic and popular resorts of Drummond and Mackinac Islands to the south and the International Bridge to Canada across the St. Marys River in the north.

Girls have the opportunity to participate in programs at three council-owned properties. The main camp, PowLow,  is located in Marquette County with 1200 feet of frontage on Mehl Lake. Swimming, kayaking, and canoeing are popular summer sports at camp, with ice skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing available throughout the winter. With an average snowfall of 180 inches, there is lots of winter to enjoy in Yooper Country!

The nine acre Camp Hy-da-way in Manistique, near our south central border, offers a great getaway location for troops. The camp’s location is directly across the road from Indian Lake State Park, providing swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and naturalist programs. In Houghton, troops trekking to Isle Royale in Lake Superior often start off at Camp Blueberry Knoll, 40 acres in a rustic setting located less than two miles from the Mall and Michigan Tech University.

Programs are offered across the council’s 16 county jurisdiction (our jurisdiction includes the northern portion of Iron County, Wisconsin). New in 2008 will be a Mall Madness overnight for all ages.  The event is planned for the first weekend in March. Girl Scouts across the state and from Wisconsin had the opportunity to participate this summer in a program offered on historic Mackinac Island that included lunch at the Grand Hotel, a carriage tour of the Island, a visit to the Butterfly House and a tour of the Fort. Of course, the ferry ride across the Straits of Mackinac is always a highlight, with a view of the mighty Mackinac Bridge’s five mile span creating a spectacular backdrop. Our yearly Wild Ride in the Forest program offers girls the chance to test their muscles and their nerves on the high ropes course, or peddling along single track mountain bike paths, or navigating the lake waters in kayaks or canoes. This year the event was tied in with National Public Lands Day. Girl Scouts adopted the Deer Marsh Trail in the Ottawa National Forest where they cleared the trail, refurbished the national trail signs, and painted an overlook deck.

Several patch programs unique to the Upper Peninsula are available for girls of all ages. The Anishinabe Patch Program explores the history and pageantry of the Native American culture in the Upper Peninsula.  Through the Discover the U.P. Naturally Patch Program, girls learn about the natural beauty of the area as well as the industries and recreational opportunities that make it unique.  Among the specialty patch programs are ones dealing with Mushing (we are home to the U.P. 200 dog sled race every February) and cross country and downhill skiing. Age level appropriate activities enable all girls to earn the GSPW U.P. Heritage try-it or badge.

Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters serves approximately 2,300 girls with the support of nearly 800 adult volunteers. The council has 15 service areas served by 7 full-time and 2 part-time staff.

Other Council Spotlights

Girl Scouts of Birch Trails Council
Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area
Girl Scouts of Indian Waters
Girl Scouts of LacBaie Council
Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters
Girl Scouts of Woodland Council