Winter Camp Program Catalog

Enjoy an outfitted weekend of winter fun with our trained Winter Camp Staff in January or February. Staying warm is easy when we provide cold weather training, winter clothing, camping equipment, excellent meals, and outdoor activities. Our tiered programs and commitment to innovation ensures fun for all experience levels a new challenges each winter.

Please review the Winter Camp Program Catalog with all your families. This catalog includes information on programs, dates, costs, what to bring, how to plan and much more. A link to the Catalog can be found above.

Snow Base

For more dates and availability, see the Snow Base registration page. Snow Base offers many of the same programs as North Wind, but is based out of Tomahawk Scout Reservation in Birchwood, WI. For more information, see the Winter Camping Catalog (linked above).

Fees and Deposits

A deposit is required per person to hold a spot in a program. Deposits range from $25 per person to $100 per person, depending on the program. To register you must provide names, ages, gender, and winter camping experience.

The balance of your crew fees is due to the Northern Star Council office on December 15th. Because of the limited number of places available, each weekend due to equipment and lodging limitations, crews are responsible for the number of participants that they registered.

Adult Leadership Requirements

Each troop needs to provide two-deep leadership while on the property. If your troop has Scouts in three different programs on the same weekend you must have a minimum of one registered adult leader in each program and maintain one adult for every four youth. 

Other Information

Before Departure

• Review the Packing List with your Scouts. Please remember your face coverings. Make sure that Scouts are not packing cotton clothing to wear on trail. You do not need to request gear in advance. This will be checked out in our outfitting area at camp.
• Collect Health Forms (Parts A&B) for all Scouts and Leaders. Be ready to turn these in at check-in. We will keep Part A, you can get Part B back if requested.
• If you’d like to get a jump start on winter camping principles, here’s a video created last year Winter Camping Principles Video. This will review safety rules, first aid, cold weather basics, and review the gear you need to bring and what we provide.

Arrival

• Plan to arrive between 7:30pm and 8:00pm on Friday night. (Doesn’t apply to ice fishing or the Experience program)
  • Please note that both the Experience and Ice Fishing program starts on Saturday morning - please do not show up on Friday night without prior approval as we will not have planned space for you.
• Map to North Wind(Stearns)  --  Map of North Wind(Stearns)
• When you arrive, you will be greeted by our staff in the parking lot. They will direct you to your bunkroom.  
• Friday Night Items (Doesn’t apply to ice fishing or the Experience program)
  • Arriving on time is important. There is a lot to cover on Friday night. Arriving late will may delay departure on trail and make it hard to complete all your winter activities. Here are the tasks planned for Friday night:
  • Get settled into your bunkroom.
  • Check out winter camping gear (Participants of the Experience Program will do this on Saturday morning).
  • Review Winter Camping Principles with your guide
  • Review Activity Plan and complete Trip Plan
  • Pack Gear Sleds
  • Pack Trail Food

Schedules

Schedules can be found in the Program Catalog linked above.

Food Service

We provide Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Peanut Free, Lactose Free, and Pork-Free options. If you have someone that needs to bring their own food, please contact us directly with their needs and we’ll walk through the menu with you to determine what they need to supplement.

Departure

Scouts usually leave camp around 1:30pm on Sunday. Units can leave earlier if needed. If leaving early, you may miss activities on Sunday morning.

Cancelation Policy For Scheduling Conflicts and Emergencies

• If a unit cancels 14 days prior to the start date of the program, a refund less the initial nonrefundable deposit will occur. 
• If a unit cancels within 14 days of the start date or is a no show at camp, full payment will be forfeited.
• In the event of an extreme family emergency (i.e. death in the family) or illness (signed doctors note required), a full refund will be granted. The document must be submitted at the time of check in at camp in order for the Troop to receive their refund.