GSWISE Troop Camping Guide
Camp Silver Brook, Jo Ann Mann Lodge on Lucas Lake
Go Girl Scout Camping! Reservation Timeframes The site rental check-in for an overnight begins at 4:30 p.m. and check-out is 2:30 p.m. the following day. Any deviation before or after this timeframe will result in additional fees. Day use is available for troops and is defined as five hours or less, and the timeframe must occur between 4:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. the next day. Troops may book Day Use Only rentals 60 days in advance. Most program properties are open for troop camping seven days a week. Camp Alice Chester, Camp Pottawatomie Hills, Camp Silver Brook, and Camp Winding River are closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All program properties are closed during gun deer hunting seasons and during council holiday breaks.
Before Booking a Site
Troops can book sites up to six months in advance – check with your troop to find desired date and location. Make sure all girls and adults are currently registered Girl Scouts. Determine if you have an adult who has taken Outdoor Skills Training, which is required if you plan to cook over a fire. If not, sign up for a training through GSWISE before your camp date. Determine who your first aider is and whether their certification will be current for your camp date. If yes, have a copy of their certifications ready to upload at time of reservation. If not, sign up for a First Aid/CPR Training through GSWISE before your camp date.
To Reserve a Site:
Go to gswise.org click Camp and select Troop Camping Click on the Reserve a Site link. You will be able to see what is available in real time and pay with a credit card. Payment is due at the time of reservation. A confirmation packet will be sent to the contact person via email. This information may also be located with the activity in Volunteer Systems.
After Booking:
Plan your activities with the girls. Attend any required trainings (First Aid/CPR, Outdoor Skills) and submit certificates to registration@gswise.org. Share troop camping information with all parents and drivers prior to the trip. Contact Site Manager if you have questions about your site.
Cancellations/Transfers Rescheduling or transferring a booking is allowed one time as long as it occurs five weeks prior to the reservation date. All cancellations need to be received in writing five weeks prior to the reservation date to receive a refund. Troops need to email registration@gswise.org to cancel a rental date. All but a $10 processing fee will be refunded. No refunds will be given if the cancellation is less than five weeks prior to the rental date. Troops will incur a $25 processing fee when they request to transfer dates or switch program properties, within five weeks of the reservation. GSWISE reserves the right to close a program property if the weather is too severe or if there is major equipment failure. If the council closes a program facility, a full refund will be issued.
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Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Experiences for Every Troop Girl Scouting has a long and successful history of getting girls off the beaten track and troop camping is an essential part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Spending time outdoors at camp lets girls try different things, strengthen new skills, build confidence, and ignite their interest in environmental stewardship. Whether earning badges, working on a Journey, or just having fun, Girl Scout troops are in for a good time when they go to one of our camps. Camping provides girls with opportunities to get outside of their comfort zones and experience the outdoors in ways they would not otherwise. It gives them the chance to build their skills and try new outdoor activities. 49 percent of Girl Scout alums described camping trips as one of the most positive aspects of their Girl Scout experience- ranking just behind fun and friendships with Girl Scouts. Exposure to nature was one of the highest rated benefits to come from belonging to Girl Scouts. Step one for an unforgettable outdoor experience is providing prepared co-leaders or parent helpers. Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) offers trainings and resources helping adults get comfortable as they plan and lead successful troop camping outings. Planning the Overnight Experience training, offered several times per year for adults, is recommended prior to going troop camping. Outdoor Skills Training, offered several times per year for adults, is required for troops planning to cook over an outdoor fire. At least two weeks before the camping trip, co-leaders must provide current first aid and CPR/AED certification for one adult accompanying each troop to council. First Aid and CPR courses are offered several times per year for adults.
GSWISE offers a wide variety of sites and facilities. Troops can pick from seven program properties located in southeastern Wisconsin. We offer a progression of facilities ranging from indoor troop houses with plumbing and furnished kitchens, to rustic cabins, platform tents, or primitive camping. We welcome you to review our properties to see what awaits you at each site. For more detailed information, including virtual tours of our buildings, visit gswise.org>camp>troop camping.
Fishing
Geocaching
Marked Hiking Trails
Sports Equipment
Swimming*
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Camp Pottawatomie Hills
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Camp Silver Brook
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Camp Winding River
X
X
X
X
X
X
Chinook Program Center
X
X
X
Trefoil Oaks Program Center
X
X
X
X X X
X
Team Building Initiatives
Canoeing*
Camp Alice Chester
Snowshoeing
Camp Property
Archery*
GPS/Orienteering course
Activities at Camp
X X
X
* Troops must have a current registered adult with an up-to-date certification for these activities. gswise.org • 800-565-4475
3
Camp Alice Chester, East Troy, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop Houses
Sunset Prairie, sleeps 20; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, and Wi-Fi
40-foot rock wall
10-foot bouldering wall
Chaparral, sleeps 24; with heating, A/C, outdoor latrine, and water source, access to shower house
Enjoy two hours of rock climbing when you plan your camping trip in conjunction with one of our rock wall events
Lodge
Climbing
Two large program spaces, commercial kitchen, and two outdoor decks (day use only)
Capacity 180
Year-round program facility
Swan Lake – a private, natural lake
Fish
Canoe
Booth Lake
Swim
Canoe
Seasonal Sites
Archery
Available May and September through mid-October
Playfield and sports equipment available for use
A-frame Cabins
Robinhood, sleeps 28; with picnic shelter including refrigerator, flush toilets, access to shower house
Trailblazer, sleeps 28; with picnic shelter, hand pump, latrines, access to shower house
Walden (lakeside), sleeps 18; with picnic shelter, latrines including refrigerator and stove, access to shower house
Camp Alice Chester is closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day for summer overnight camp. Contact Leslie Cripe 414-443-3995 or lcripe@gswise.org for more information.
Platform Tents
Frontier (lake view), sleeps 30; with picnic shelter including refrigerator and stove, latrines, access to shower house
Pathfinder, sleeps 30; with picnic shelter including refrigerator and stove, flush toilets, access to shower house
Available May through mid-October
Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
Tent Camping
Tents, with latrine, water
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester Camp Alice Chester 4
Site Chaparral Frontier Lodge Pathfinder Primitive Tent Site Robinhood Sunset Prairie Trailblazer Walden
Fee $50 / 1 night $40 / 1 night $105 / day $40 / 1 night $15 / 1 night $40 / 1 night $65 / 1 night $40 / 1 night $30 / 1 night
$90 / 2 nights $70 / 2 nights $70 / 2 nights $25 / 2 nights $70 / 2 nights $115 / 2 nights $70 / 2 nights $50 / 2 nights
Capacity 24 30 180 30 20 28 22 28 18 Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Lodge
Sunset Prairie
Swan Lake gswise.org • 800-565-4475
Rock Climbing Walls
Walden 5
Camp Pottawatomie Hills, East Troy, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop House
Stand-up paddleboard
Alford, sleeps 30; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Canoe
Lance, sleeps 20; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Paddleboat
Fishing
Attend a fall Swim, Camp, and Paddle event, or bring your own lifeguards
Seybold Lodge, one building divided into two sides
Seasonal Sites Available May and September through mid-October
Lodge
Wendat Lodge, large program space with stage, commercial kitchen, screened porch overlooking Pleasant Lake, and basement program space (day use only)
Capacity 100
Seasonal program facility
Archery
Baseball diamond and sports equipment available for use
Camp Pottawatomie Hills is closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day for summer day camp. Contact Heather Rudolf at 414-708-8679 or hrudolf@gswise.org for more information.
Cabins
Pleasant Lake – a no-wake lake
Highland cabins, 9 units, sleeps 56; lights, electricity, ceiling fans, with picnic shelter including refrigerator, flush toilets, access to shower house
Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
Platform Tents
Alps, 8 tents, sleeps 32; with picnic shelter including refrigerator, flush toilets, access to shower house
Vikings, 8 tents, sleeps 32; with picnic shelter, flush toilets, access to shower house
Tent Camping
Tents, latrine, water supply
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location
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Site
Fee
Capacity
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Alps
$25 / 1 night
$40 / 2 nights
32
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Highlands
$25 / 1 night
$40 / 2 nights
56
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Seybold Lodge - Alford side
$65 / 1 night
$115 / 2 nights
30
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Seybold Lodge - Lance side
$65 / 1 night
$115 / 2 nights
20
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Tent Site
$25 / 1 night
$30 / 2 nights
20
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Viking
$25 / 1 night
$40 / 2 nights
32
Camp Pottawatomie Hills Wendat Lodge (seasonal)
$80/ day
100 Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Alps
Highland Cabin
Pleasant Lake
Canoes
Seybold Lodge gswise.org • 800-565-4475
Wendat Lodge 7
Camp Silver Brook, West Bend, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop Houses Jo Ann Mann Lodge troop house, divided into two levels, overlooking Lucas Lake
o o
Upper level, sleeps 18; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor deck Lower level, sleeps 22; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Northstar, sleeps 20; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor deck, lake view
Sandy Point, sleeps 30; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, building is next to Lucas Lake
Seasonal Sites
Lucas Lake – a no-wake lake
Swim
Kayak
Canoe
Fish
Hike
Lucas Lake
Ice Age Trail
Archery
Geocaching
Showshoeing
Playfield and sports equipment available for use
Available May and September through mid-October
Cabins Lookout Peak, 9 cabins, sleeps 18; with enclosed shelter including refrigerator, lake view
Camp Silver Brook is closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day for summer day camp.
Platform Tents Badger A, 6 tents, sleeps 24; with picnic shelter, lake view, latrine, water source
Badger B, 6 tents, sleeps 24; with picnic shelter, lake
Contact Brigette David at 262- 685-8267 or bdavid@gswise.org for more information.
view, latrine, water source
Dell, 6 tents, sleeps 24; with picnic shelter, lake view,
Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
latrine, water source
Day Use Sites Eagle Pavilion, shelter, capacity 20; with handpump, next to Lucas Lake
All Camp Fire Scar, capacity 125; with benches, lake view
Outdoor skills building, capacity 30; with handpump, 2 fire scars
Tent Camping
Tents, with latrine, water supply
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook Camp Silver Brook 8
Site All Camp Fire Scar Badger A Badger B Dell Eagle Pavilion Jo Ann Mann Lodge Lower Jo Ann Mann Lodge Upper Lookout Peak North Star Sandy Point Tent Site Outdoor Skills Building
Fee $10 / 1 day $25 / 1 night $25 / 1 night $25 / 1 night $15 / 1 day $95 / 1 night $95 / 1 night $40 / 1 night $75 / 1 night $80 / 1 night $15 / 1 night $20 / day
Capacity
125 24 24 24 20 $175 / 2 nights 22 $175 / 2 nights 18 $75 / 2 nights 18 $135 / 2 nights 20 $150 / 2 nights 30 $25 / 2 nights 20 30 Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
$40 / 2 nights $40 / 2 nights $40 / 2 nights
Jo Ann Mann Lodge, Upper Level
Archery Range
Silver Creek Bridge
Northstar
All Camp Fire Scar overlooking Lucas Lake
Sandy Point
gswise.org • 800-565-4475
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Camp Winding River, Neosho, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop Houses Friendship Center troop house, divided into two levels
o
Upper level, sleeps 30; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor deck
o
Lower level, sleeps 30; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Heron Hideaway, sleeps 36; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi,
Seasonal Sites Available May and September through mid-October
Rubicon River
Canoe
Hike
2-mile river trail
Archery
Geocaching
Team building course
Playfield and sports equipment available for use
Ga Ga Pit: circle pit with walls to play the Ga Ga ball game
Cabins Hilltop Cabins, 5 cabins, sleeps 30; with picnic shelter, electricity, latrine, water source
Valley Cabins, 7 cabins, sleeps 42; with picnic shelter,
Camp Winding River is closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day for summer day camp.
electricity, refrigerator, latrine, water source
Sunset Cabins, 5 cabins, sleeps 30; with picnic shelter, electricity, latrine or indoor bathrooms
Contact Rick Dembinski at 414-443-3994 or rdembinski@gswise.org for more information.
Yurt, seasonal building, sleeps 12; with picnic shelter, refrigerator, electricity, latrine, water source
Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
Day Use Sites Sunset Ridge, capacity 150; with seasonal program facility o
Large program space with kitchen and indoor bathrooms
Hadji’s Hut, capacity 40; with seasonal program space, nature focus, electricity, water source
Tent Camping
Tents, with latrine, water
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location
10
Site
Fee
Capacity
Camp Winding River
Friendship Center Lower
$85 / 1 night
$155 / 2 nights
30
Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River Camp Winding River
Friendship Center Upper Hadji’s Hut Heron Hideaway Hilltop Cabins Tent Site Shelter Site Sunset Cabins Sunset Cabins with Sunset Ridge Sunset Ridge (seasonal) Valley Cabins (September) Yurt
$85 / 1 night $15 / 1 day $75 / 1 night $40 / 1 night $15 / 1 night $15 / 1 day $40 / 1 night $60 / 1 night $50 / day $35 / 1 night $30 / 1 night
$155 / 2 nights
30 40 36 30 40 40 30 30 150 42 12
$135 / 2 nights $70 / 2 nights $25 / 2 nights $80 / 2 nights $120 / 2 nights $65 / 2 nights $50 / 2 nights
Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Heron Hideaway
Friendship Center - Upper
Yurt
Cabins
Ga Ga Pit gswise.org • 800-565-4475
Sunset Ridge 11
Chinook Program Center, Waukesha, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop House
Sleeps 30; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, covered outdoor patio
Seasonal Sites Available May through mid-October except when closed for three weeks in summer for day camp
Cabins
Maple Ridge sleeps 18; with picnic shelter, hand pump, electricity, and latrines
Ridge Site
Hike
Maple Ridge Trail
99 Steps Trail
Archery
Geocaching
Team building course
Snowshoeing
Playfield and sports equipment available for use
Day use or tent site, capacity 40; with picnic shelter, latrine Chinook Program Center is closed for three weeks in the summer for day camp.
Tent Camping
Tents, with latrine, water Contact Kevin Kopps at 414-687-5890 or kkopps@gswise.org for more information Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location
Fee
Capacity
Chinook Program Center
Maple Ridge Cabins
$30 / 1 night
$50 / 2 nights
18
Chinook Program Center
Ridge Site
$15 per day
$25 / 2 nights
40
Chinook Program Center
Tent Site
$15 / 1 night
$25 / 2 nights
20
Chinook Program Center
Troop House
$85 / 1 night
$155 / 2 nights
30
Picnic Area at Troop House 12
Site
Inside Troop House Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Troop House
Maple Ridge Cabins
Nature Pond
Ridge Site
Vista from Ridge Site gswise.org • 800-565-4475
99 Steps Trail 13
Trefoil Oaks Program Center, Kenosha, WI Facilities for Rent
Explore and Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Troop Houses
One house, divided into two sides
Bunk Room A, sleeps 21; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Bunk Room B, sleeps 21; with indoor plumbing, heating, A/C, Wi-Fi, outdoor patio
Archery
Geocaching
Playfield and sports equipment available for use
Trefoil Oaks Program Center is closed for three weeks in the summer for day camp.
Great Hall
Year-round program space
Commercial kitchen, capacity 128
Contact Kevin Kopps at 414-687-5890 or kkopps@gswise.org for more information Additional photos and virtual tours available at gswise.org.
Fees for Girl Scout Troops/Members Location
Fee
Capacity
Trefoil Oaks Program Center
Bunk Room A
$85 / 1 night
$155 / 2 nights
21
Trefoil Oaks Program Center
Bunk Room B
$85 / 1 night
$155 / 2 nights
21
Trefoil Oaks Program Center
Great Hall
$80 / 1 night or day
Sleepy Hollow Fire Scar 14
Site
28
Showers in Bunk Room Believe in the Power of G.I.R.L.
Trefoil Oaks Program Center
Great Hall
Friendship Circle Flag Ceremony
Bunk Room
Bunk Room Kitchen gswise.org • 800-565-4475
Great Hall Kitchen 15
Properties Operated by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Camps and Program Centers F
A
Camp Alice Chester (CAC)
B
Camp Pottawatomie Hills (CPH)
C
Camp Winding River (CWR)
N8651 Townline Road, East Troy
N8005 Pleasant Lake Road, East Troy
W1468 County Road NN, Neosho
C
Neosho
Chinook Program Center (CPC)
D
S62W24528 Townline Road, Waukesha
Fowler Troop House (FTH)
E
438 N. Oakwood Avenue, Oconomowoc fowlertroophouse@hotmail.com
Camp Silver Brook (CSB) F
E
2561 W. Decorah Road, West Bend
Trefoil Oaks Program Center (TFOPC) 3901 First Street (County Road KR), Kenosha
G YW M N
Membership Centers
SS
Racine Center (RC)
D
B
A
RC
5801 Washington Avenue, (Hwy 20), Suite 200 Mount Pleasant
SS
South Second Street Center
YW
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
1017 S. 2nd Street, Suite 100, Milwaukee
1915 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee
Service Centers W
Woodhaven Service Center (WHSC) 2303 37th Street, Kenosha
RC
M G W
Marion Chester Read Service Center (MCRSC) 131 S. 69th Street, Milwaukee
N
New Berlin Service Center (NBSC) 21430 W. Greenfield Avenue, New Berlin