Camp Birch Trails

An Overnight Camp in Irma, WI
Adventure | Teamwork | Grit

Our overnight camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and meets safety standards set by Girl Scouts of the USA, as well as county and state regulations. Camp Birch Trails is where camp vibes are best. There is nothing like overnight sleep-away camp – friendships, roaring campfires, and adventures you can’t have at home.

To meet distancing guidelines, we will not be offering busing to or from camp. Please review the Camp Birch Trails Parent Information Page for your camper’s drop-off and pickup times and expectations of new policies and procedures while at camp.

You may notice our adventure trips are missing - Wild for Water, Northwoods Adventure, Amusement Adventure, and Dakotas Adventure will likely come back in summer 2022 if it is safe to do so.

Quick References to Get Started

Camp Cares | COVID-19 Preparations

This year we have adjusted, changed, and added measures to ensure your girl explores camp in the safest way possible because your girl’s safety is always top of mind.

We will be following CDC, ACA, GSUSA, local county, and state health code guidelines this summer. These guidelines will likely change before your camper arrives at camp. Please check our Camp Birch Trails Info page for the most up-to-date safety information.

We will be doing daily temperature checks.
We have spread out sleeping areas and will have fewer girls per cabin/sleeping area to allow for more social distancing.
We have added intentional time for handwashing and hand sanitizing.
We will require masks to be worn at camp where it is appropriate.
We have limited our overall camp capacity to allow for social distancing.
We have modified our meal logistics to have girls eating outside as much as possible.
Our drop-off and pick-up drive-throughs are an added safety measure to reduce risk.
Be sure to check out the Camp Birch Trails Parent Info page– that’s where we’ll have the most up-to-date information.
We will have additional staff training on safety procedures and precautions.
We will make sure that our safe camp environment is an exciting and fun place for your girl to try new things and hang out with friends.

All Girls Welcome

You don’t have to be a member of a troop to go to Girl Scout camp! All girls are welcome! Those who haven’t already joined Girl Scouts will need to become registered members but that’s really easy to do!

Disconnect from Technology

Our world is FILLED with technology that allows us to be in constant contact, but we know and research shows that disconnecting with tech and reconnecting with nature is great for girls. So much of our lives are dictated by what we do on a screen, but at camp, she’ll have an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moment while being well cared for by camp staff.

Phones, tablets, and smartwatches/devices are not allowed at camp. We know it’ll be tough for you as a parent/ caregiver but it’s important to remember that she’s having a great time, learning and building confidence, and she’ll have so many amazing stories to tell you when she gets home!

Fewer Photos | More Experiences

Simply stated, this summer we will not be posting photos during your girl’s stay at camp. Here’s why…

Our camp staff’s job is to make sure your daughter is safe, well cared for, and experiencing everything camp has to offer. Their focus is to make sure girls are in the moment, but they try to capture photos of campers in action when they can. We know it’s tough. Your girl is away from home (maybe for the first time) and you want to know what she’s up to, but trust us – she’s having an amazing time.
Our camps are in nature and don’t have speedy internet service.

We will be posting photo highlights of the summer at the end of the camp season (late August/early September). So, be on the lookout for glimpses of your girl then.

Registration

Sign-up for the camp session of your choice on the Activities Page >>>

Registration is open for Camp Birch Trails Short-Stay Sessions, Week-Long Sessions, Counselor In Training Sessions, and Wilderness Trips
Camp Winnecomac, All Sessions Registration opens February 17, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. CST.
Camp Nesbit, Week-long Sessions & Camp Birch Trails, Outdoor Adventure Days Registration opens February 24, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. CST.
Please check that your eBiz login and password is set up for online registration.
Problems using eBiz? Contact us at info@gsnwgl.org or by calling 888.747.6945

Deposits, Cookie Dough, Payments

All programs over $100 must pay a $50 deposit when registering.
All programs under $100 must pay the entire amount when registering.
T-shirts, camp kits, and trading post need to be paid when registering.
Cookie dough can be applied to all camp programs, participants must still register and pay the deposit, after cookie dough is awarded in May, they can apply the Cookie Dough to their balance. Any overpayment will be refunded.
- Sign up right away! Because of the popularity of some of the programs we encourage parents to register their daughter with the $50 deposit before the Cookie Dough and/or Camp Certificate is awarded – this will ensure the camper her spot in the program. Once Cookie Dough/Camp Certificates are awarded and the amount of the program cost has been covered any excess will be refunded.

Final Payment Due date

Camp Birch Trails & Camp Winnecomac Weeks 1-4 and Nesbit by May 19, 2021
Camp Birch Trails & Camp Winnecomac Weeks 5-9 by June 16, 2021

Financial Assistance

Cost should never be a barrier to a girl attending camp. Our Council provides financial assistance to those in need. If you would like to discuss financial assistance options, contact us at 888.747.6945 or info@gsnwgl.org
Reserve your spot with the $50 deposit and then call to receive Financial Assistance.
- The questions that will be asked to receive Financial Aid are if your family is a single or dual income home, how many people are in the household, work status of the adults if the girl has attended camp before if they have participated in the Fall Product or Cookie Sale, which session and dates the girl would like to attend. Parents will still need to pay the $50 deposit for the program and should do so by registering online first and then calling to receive Financial Aid to 888.747.6945 this will speed up their process.
For girls attending day or resident camp, any request under $100 will be granted in full

Discount for Multiple Sessions

If a camper registers for more than one camp session, she will receive a $20 discount on each session after the first session. The discount will be applied after she registers; she will still need to pay the deposit at the time of registration.
This discount is not valid for single-day sessions at Camp Winnecomac or Weekend troop programs at any camp.
This discount is only valid for one girl; it cannot be combined with sisters who are each attending one camp session.

Cancelation & Refund Policy

We have relaxed our policy to ensure your camper's safety at camp.
Requests for refunds/cancelations due to communicable illness-diagnosis, quarantine or symptoms (Lice, COVID-19, etc.) or medical emergency will be considered on a case by case basis. Please contact us with any questions at 888.747.6945 or info@gsnwgl.org.
Requests for refunds/cancelations for other situations we request at least two weeks’ notice, submit in writing to info@gsnwgl.org
All camp sessions are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by GSNWGL. If a session is canceled by GSNWGL, and the camper is unable to attend an alternate session, all fees will be refunded, including any deposit made.
Refunds will be issued in the same form as they were paid. If payment was made in cash, refunds will be issued in check form. Registrants must be paid in full 30 days prior to camp. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to a camp session. Exceptions may be considered for emergency situations only.
No refunds will be made for campers who arrive late, leave early, attend only part of the program, fail to show up, or for those who are asked to leave because of behavior issues. If a participant is sent home, transportation is to be proved by the parent or guardian.

Waitlist for Sold Out Programs

Once a program is sold out online we cannot immediately add a girl to the program. We base capacities on housing/beds that are available, girl to adult ratios and whether that program has a field trip outside of camp and how much room we have in vans to transport the girls.
Parents can call to inquire about getting put on a waitlist at 888.747.6945. You will need to know the program your camper would like to attend, along with the dates of the program. Being added to the waitlist does NOT guarantee placement in the program. More often than not, a spot does not come available for your camper which is why we recommend that you have a second option of program for your camper to register so they still get to attend camp.
- Should a spot open up for a camper, parents will receive a phone call up until 2 days before the program starts to see if they would like to take their spot from the waitlist. Customer Care will call parents and they will have 24 hours to respond to the waitlist before they move onto the next camper on the waitlist.

Members from Other Girl Scout Councils

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes camps and events are open to all Girl Scout members, including those from other councils. Members from other councils will need to register by phone at 888.747.6945 or emailing info@gsnwgl.org
We have Cookie Credit reciprocity with many sister councils but are unable to offer any financial assistance to members coming from other councils to our events or camps.

Free Membership for New Members. Find out more >>>