Astronomy Camp
Join us for an unforgettable week of cosmic exploration during the annual Perseid meteor shower! Immerse yourself in the wonders of the universe as you use telescopes and digital cameras to capture stunning images of celestial bodies. Discover the beauty of distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters while unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the universe like never before!
August 9 -15, 2026
7-Day Resident Camp for Girl Scouts in grades 6 (rising) & up
This one-of-a-kind 7-day specialty resident camp is priced at $550 per Girl Scout. This camp is run by experienced & dedicated adult Girl Scout volunteers. We can accept Cookie Credits and GSRV has scholarship options to ensure everyone can participate. Space is limited.
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This year is a special year - we will be at camp during the Perseid meteor shower and it will be a new (dark) moon! If we get clear skies, it will be spectacular. Learn about the annual Perseid meteor shower here!
​​Transportation: School bus (because cost) between Forest Lake and Camp Northwoods.
Housing: Modern Troop Houses with a/c, power, bunk beds, full kitchen and showers. Preteens are housed in one cabin and Teens in another. Each house is supervised by 2 adult "house moms".
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Camp Northwoods
63275 Camp 1 Road
Delta, WI 54856
Planet Earth, Orion Arm, Milky Way Galaxy
A Unique Experience
What Stargazers Will Love
Dark Skies
Experience a Bortle 2 site
Beautiful Camp Northwoods, is a GSRV treasure, a hidden gem of a camp nestled under a stunning Bortle 2 dark sky. Enjoy magical nights as thousands of stars sparkle above, creating unforgettable star gazing experience!
Eyes on the Stars
Learn what's in the night sky
Explore the wonders of the night sky like never before! Discover how to identify guide stars and navigate seamlessly from one to another. Delve into the fascinating world of celestial navigation, learn about planets, and uncover deep sky objects. Join us on this cosmic journey as Spaceship Earth zooms around the Sun, revealing the beauty of the universe above.
Shifted Days
Make the most of a dark sky
A typical resident camp day begins at 8 am and goes to 10 pm. For those joining our astronomy program, get ready for a unique experience as your schedule shifts to run from 12 pm to 2 am, allowing for late-night stargazing and exploration of the night sky.
Feet on the Earth
Learn how to see the night sky
Discover the wonders of the night sky with equipment that’s accessible and practical! At our camp, we will explore how to utilize tools you may already own, like cell phones, digital cameras, and entry-level telescopes, to enhance your stargazing experience. Plus, you'll also get a chance to try some advanced gear you might aspire to own one day.
Example Daily Schedule
Noon. Get up and "breakfast"
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1 pm Traditional Camp Fun
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2 pm. Traditional Camp Fun
3 pm. Traditional Camp Fun
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5 pm. "Lunch" and Evening Kapers
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6pm. Feet up for an hour
7 pm. Astronomy Related Topic
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8 pm. Plan Evening Astronomy Project
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10 pm. Begin Evening Astronomy
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12 am. Astronomy and "Dinner" Kapers
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2 am. Back to cabins & lights out.
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Example Astronomy Topics & Projects
Astronomy Topics
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Constellations
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Stars & Galaxies
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Meteor Showers
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Measurements & Scale
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Camp Equipment
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(2) 8" Dobs
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(4) 6" Reflectors
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(2) Seestar S50 Digital Telescopes
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(2) Seestar S30 Digital Telescopes
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(6) Canon Rebel DSLR Cameras
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Plus! "Meteor Mike" host of many MN Star Watch programs brings out his massive telescope "canons" (what the Girl Scouts call them)
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Hands On Projects
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Aligning Telescopes
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Viewing Saturn (it will be up!)
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Night Photography
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Constellation Tracking over Time
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Meteor Counting
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Messier Catalog
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Traditional Camp Fun
In Nature
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Swimming
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Kayaking
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Archery
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Low Ropes
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Scavenger Hike
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Hammocking
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Daily Projects such as:
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Space inspired jewelry
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Space inspired artwork
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Possibly some Estes Rockets if environmental conditions permit
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