Discovery Adventure Camp

Discover your next camp Adventure!

Ready to discover your next camp Adventure? Join us for the next step of Discovery Camp for 6th - 8th graders. On Monday morning, campers will depart from the Twin Cities to head to Tomahawk for a four-night sleep-away camp experience.

At Camp Tomahawk, campers will get the chance to participate in activities such as swimming, archery, boating, rifles, hiking, and climbing, and so much more. Our enthusiastic and well-trained staff will guide you every step of the way, all you need to do is come ready to have some fun! 

 

Some Activities You'll Do

CLIMBING

We have climbing structures at four locations, providing physical and mental challenges to campers of all ages

STEM

STEMactivities can be anything that gets your unit thinking scientificallyabout a project.

VOLLEYBALL

A sport that almost everyone has played at least once, now play it with your new camp friends.

SPORTS

Get a group together and play an active game.

RIFLE SHOOTING

Can you hit the bullseye?

BOATING

Boating can enrich an experience at camp whether it's just something you do for an hour or if it is the center of your outing.

HORSE RIDING

Ride on horse back and learn about the best way to travel on our trails

CRAFTS

Crafty things to do at our camps

KNOTS AND LASHINGS

Use one of our knot/lashing kits to learn the basics of this outdoor skill.

TOMAHAWK THROWING

Try your hand at this timeless challenge

HIKING

Hiking at camp is a fantastic way to enjoy the environment.

TEAM BUILDING GAMES

Enjoy the outdoors and hanging with your unit while doing new team building games each season.

CHALLENGE COURSE

Our Low Ropes courses consist of real and imaginary challenges

TENT CAMPING

Opt out!! Outside that is with tent camping.

DISC GOLF

Can you toss a frisbee? If the answer is yes than you can try outthis cool activity.

SWIMMING

Swimming is one of the staples of camp, a fun outdoor activity promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and self reliance.

BRANDING

Campers will have a chance to take home an item they brand to remember their time at camp

CAMP STORE

Get yourself a camp souvenir or pick up something you may have forgotten at home.

SHOTGUN

Can you hit the clay pigeon?

ARCHERY

Take up a bow and fire a few arrows toward the bullseye

CAMPFIRES

A toasty campfire is often the focus of any campout.

MAPS AND COMPASS

Map and compass is a key skill if you plan to do any backpacking

HIGH ROPES COURSE

Our mind challenging and heart pounding elements give you a chance to test your ability to conquer fear and build self-confidence.

GAGA BALL

Enter the Octagon with your friends and try and be the last to survive the round!

Sleeping Arrangements

Bunkhouse

Campers will spend all but one night in the bunkhouse. This indoor sleeping area has plenty of bunk beds, shelter from any weather, and mattress pads.

Canvas Wall Tent

One night will be spent in a canvas wall tent. Walk right into this spacious tent. Each tent includes 2 cots and mosquito netting is available to borrow from camp for free for your week.

Bring Your Own Tent

Do you like using your own tent? Go ahead and bring it to camp!

Restrooms and Showers

Indoor Showers

Shower buildings can be either locker room style with individual shower stalls or single room showers with a locking door.

Outdoor Latrines

You can expect to see latrines near every campsite and program area. Latrines are stocked with toilet paper and a hand washing stations (either hand sanitizer or a sink with soap).

Internet and Cell Phones

Internet accessibility and cell phone coverage is limited at all of our camp properties. If you have specific needs related to work or otherwise, please contact the camp property you are planning on attending to learn more about available access. In the case of an emergency, reliable communication will be made available to you.

Electricity

Electricity is not available in all campsites and is reserved for those with a medical need such as CPAP machines. Make sure to note such medical needs in your registration to notify the camp.

Electricity is available in most buildings and can be used to charge cell phones. We recommend bringing portable batteries if you would like to leave an item unattended and charging.

Campsites

All campsites include a fire ring, fire wood, picnic table and access to potable water.

Camp Store

The camp store is stocked with small convenience items, snacks, apparel, souvenirs and patches. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Team Building
  • High Ropes
  • Outdoor Skills Development
  • Fantastic swimming areas with inflatables
  • .22 Rifles / Shotguns
  • Climbing Towers over 40’ tall
  • Horses
  • Historic Logging Camp

Merit badges are not earned in this program, as it is designed with the idea that some or most of the participants will not be a Scout.

SCHEDULE

Check out an example schedule below:

Monday

  • 9:00 am: Drop off at the location of your choosing (see the Details tab for available locations)
  • 10:00 am: Depart for Camp Tomahawk
  • 12:00 pm: Eat lunch on bus (Bring your own lunch)
  • 1:00 pm: Arrive at Camp Tomahawk / Set up campsite
  • 6:00 pm: Dinner (Camp provided)
  • 7:00 pm: Evening Activites
  • 9:00 pm: Campsite Time

Tuesday - Thursday

  • 8:00 am: Breakfast
  • 9:00 am: Morning Activites
  • 12:00 pm: Lunch
  • 1:00 pm: Afternoon Actitives
  • 6:00 pm: Dinner
  • 7:00 pm: Evening Activites
  • 9:00 pm: Campsite Time

Friday

  • 8:00 am: Breakfast
  • 9:00 am: Take down campsite / Camp Tomahawk check-out
  • 10:00 am: Morning Activites
  • 12:00 pm: Lunch (Camp Provided)
  • 1:00 pm: Afternoon Activites
  • 2:00 pm: Bus Leaves for the Twin Cities
  • 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Pickup at the location of your choosing (see the Details tab for available locations)

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Discover Aventure Camp at Camp Tomahawk is open to youth going into 6th grade – 8th grade. Youth are encouraged to come with friends or siblings to join other small groups for an awesome week of fun.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The fee to participate in this program is $475, of which $50 is the program deposit. This includes all program supplies, staffing, activities, and any other fees associated with the full-week program.

IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Yes! We think that every camper should have an opportunity to attend Summer Camp and we do not want cost to hold anyone back from this experience. If you are in need, please complete the form linked in the "Related Articles" section on the right-hand side (or below on mobile devices) to receive up to 50% of the youth cost covered.

WHEN IS DISCOVERY Adventure CAMP?

  • June 17 - June 21
    • Drop off/pick up at Base Camp
  • June 24 - June 28
    • Drop off/pick up at Base Camp and Phillippo
  • July 8 - July 12
    • Drop off/pick up at Base Camp and Phillippo
  • July 15 - July 19
    • Drop off/pick up at Kiwanis
  • July 22 - July 26
    • Drop off/pick up at Base Camp, Kiwanis, and Phillippo
  • July 29 - August 2
    • Drop off/pick up at Kiwanis
  • August 5 - August 9
    • Drop off/pick up at Base Camp

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

When packing for Summer Camp, see a full packing list on each camp's website, but below are some helpful reminders!

  • Weather appropriate clothing
  • Water bottle
  • Close-toed shoes
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Rain jacket - always be prepared!
  • Sunscreen and bug repellent
  • Shower shoes (flip flops)
  • Flashlight
  • Sweatshirt or lightweight jacket - it can get cold when the sun goes down!
  • Any medications that your camper might need (must be given to staff at check in)

It will be helpful to pack your gear in a plastic tote instead of a suitcase because it is easy to carry and it will keep your things dry in the case of rain!

WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO BRING?

Each participant (youth) must have a completed parts A, B, and C of the Health Form. Additionally each youth participant who would like to participate in shooting sports activities must have a completed Shooting Sports Waiver. Both of these forms can be found under forms on the right hand side of this screen.

Forms will be turned in upon arrival, and you will get them back at the end of your week. If you do not have them completed, you will be asked to fill them out once you arrive.

FOOD SERVICE

On Monday, you will need to provide your own lunch. Monday dinner through Friday lunch will be provided by the camp.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

Tomahawk can provide substitutions or alternative menus for participants with one of the following dietary restrictions:

  • Peanuts or Tree Nut Allergies
  • Gluten Allergies
  • Lactose Intolerance
  • Pork Restrictions (Religious)
  • Vegetarian Preference (not Vegan/plant-based)

Please note any dietary restrictions in your registration at least 2 weeks prior to the start of your session. Camp staff will reach out if they have any additional questions.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHECK IN

On the first day (Monday) please be prepared to turn in a completed Health Form and Shooting Sports Waiver. Make sure you have an emergency contact listed on the Health Form and if anyone else plans to drop off or pick up your child during the week, their names and phone numbers need to be listed as authorized persons.

If your child needs to take any medications during the day, please inform the staff at check-in.

Groups

In order to run our camp as effectively as possible, we split up all youth in the session into smaller groups. This allows us to maintain better youth-staff ratios and ensures everyone is always able to stay busy - they never need to wait their turn for an activity.

If you want your kid to be in a group with another kid, you can submit up to two names and we'll do our best to keep everyone together. When registering, please enter the full name (first and last) of anyone else attending that session that you want your kid to be in a group with.

SWIM QUALIFICATIONS

Each participant, youth and adult, will be asked to complete a swim qualification test. You will not be allowed to participate in any aquatic activities (swimming or boating) until this is complete. There are 3 different levels that participants can check at to fit their comfort and ability level:

  • Learner (Non-Swimmer)
  • Beginner
  • Swimmer

TRANSPORTATION

Each camper needs to find their own way to and back home from their drop-off to pickup location on Monday and Friday. On Monday, camp will transport campers from the Twin Cities to Camp Tomahawk and arrive back to the Twin Cities on Friday evening. Transportation to and from Camp Tomahawk is included in the registration fee.

Supervision

Campers will be supervised by multiple well-trained adult staff for the entire duration of their time at camp, including overnight hours.

FIRST AID & ONSITE MEDICAL STAFF

Each camp property has at least 50% of their staff trained in First Aid and CPR. Each camp has an EMT and a volunteer physician on call 24/7, as well as dedicated sick call hours throughout the week.

What is the Payment Timeline?

Full payment is required at the time of registration.

Cancellation Policy

All events hosted by the Northern Star Camping Department utilize the same cancellation policy:

Requests for refunds/cancellations need to be made in writing (preferably via email). The amount refunded is determined by when we are notified. If we are notified:

  • 30 or more days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit (dependent upon the program you are cancelled for).
  • 29 to 8 days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit as a credit that can used for any program operated by the Northern Star Camping Department.
    • This credit can be applied to any future registration(s) that have a balance due.
    • This credit will be available for 365 days from the date of the cancellation.
    • Some examples of programs this credit could be used at include: Cub Summer Camp, Scouts BSA Summer Camp, Fall Day Camp, Polar Cubs, North Wind, Snow Base.
    • This credit currently cannot be applied to facility reservations or events held by other parts of Northern Star, such as the Klondike Derby or Wood Badge.
  • 7 or less days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid will be forfeited.

Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the camp director for family or medical emergencies.

Ready to register? Select the register button for the property you would like to attend and you will be redirected to our online registration site! If you would like assistance or are experiencing problems with the registration process, please contact Customer Service at 612-261-2303.

stylized text that says DISCOVERY ADVENTURE CAMP

Register Here!

2024 Dates:

  • June 17 - June 21
  • June 24 - June 28
  • July 8 - July 12
  • July 15 - July 19
  • July 22 - July 26
  • July 29 - August 2
  • August 5 - August 9

Contact us