This post is sponsored by Northern Star Scouting
Summer Camp Is Waiting: A Guide to Northern Star Discovery Programs
There’s something about summer camp that kids carry with them long after the last campfire burns out. New friendships, a little independence, the pride of trying something hard and pulling it off. If you’re still figuring out your family’s summer plans, Northern Star Discovery Camp programs are worth a close look.
Northern Star offers two Discovery programs this summer, one for younger campers who head home at the end of the day, and one for older kids ready for an overnight adventure. Here’s what you need to know about each.
Discovery Day Camp: For Youth Entering Kindergarten through 6th Grade
Discovery Day Camp is a week-long, staff-led program for kids heading into kindergarten through 6th grade this fall. Every day is packed with outdoor activities, and at the end of it, your child comes home to their own bed. It’s a solid option for families who want their kids to have a real camp experience without the overnight piece.
This year, Discovery Day Camp runs at six locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Drop your camper off at a site near you and pick them up at the end of the day. The activity lineup includes:
- Archery, swimming, and boating
- Hands-on outdoor education and STEM activities
- Nature trails, fire-building, and map reading
- Themed arts and crafts and team-building games
- Location-specific extras like climbing walls, pedal carts, and bounce houses
Each day is structured to balance fun, learning, and physical activity. Camp fees cover all supplies and activities. Scholarships are available for eligible families, covering up to 50% of registration costs, and select locations offer bussing for an additional fee.
Discovery Adventure Camp: For Youth Entering 6th through 9th Grade
For kids who are ready to level things up, Discovery Adventure Camp is an overnight experience for youth entering 6th through 9th grade this fall. Campers travel by bus from the Twin Cities metro to Camp Tomahawk, where they’re grouped with peers their own age and guided by experienced staff for a half-week or full-week of programming.
Discovery Adventure Camp is built around high-energy, high-adventure activities that older kids genuinely get excited about:
- High ropes courses and climbing towers
- Horseback riding and the Bison Trail
- Swimming, aqua trampolines, and voyageur canoe
- Target sports, knot-tying, fire-building, and nature trails
- Logging Camp and outdoor STEM activities
Transportation to and from the metro is included. All meals, staffing, and programming are covered. Families can choose from half-week or full-week options, and sessions are available in mixed-gender, girl-only, and boy-only formats.
More Ways to Camp with Northern Star
Discovery isn’t the only way to get kids to camp this summer. Northern Star runs a full range of programs across its network of properties throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Cub Scouts can attend weekend camp sessions at Kiwanis Scout Camp in Marine on St. Croix or Phillippo Scout Camp near Cannon Falls, with Webelos Scouts having the option to extend their stay for an additional Outpost night. Older Scouts BSA members have access to overnight and week-long programs at Many Point Scout Camp in Ponsford and Tomahawk Scout Camp in northern Wisconsin, both of which offer a wide range of merit badge and high adventure opportunities. Other Northern Star properties include Rum River Scout Camp in Anoka, Stearns Scout Camp in South Haven, Andersen Scout Camp in Houlton, and Base Camp in the Twin Cities metro, which serves youth through school programs, summer camps, and community events.
Most Northern Star camp programs are open to both Scouts and non-members. Visit camp.northernstar.org to explore the full list of locations and programs.
Why Families Trust These Programs
Northern Star has over 110 years of experience in outdoor youth programming. Staff are trained professionals who go through background checks, and every program is built around giving kids structure, challenge, and a lot of fun in a setting parents can feel good about. Scholarships are available for eligible families on Discovery programs, covering up to 50% of registration costs.
Register soon. Visit camp.northernstar.org/Discovery for dates, locations, and registration details.
