GSWISE Troop Camping Guide

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.

2

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

6

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

9

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