Family Camping

Fun for the Whole Family!

We have cabins for families year round, summer programs, and special family adventure weeks. 

Camp isn't just for the Scouts. We want the whole family to enjoy camp. We are your fun-filled, affordable vacation destination for Scouting Families.

Request a Family Island Cabin or Site for Summer 2023

Facilities

We offer cabins for rent, wonderful tent camping sites, and a recreational vehicle area. Please see the sections below for more information about each type of facility we offer.

Cabins are available year round. To learn more about this, please take a look at our Fall & Spring Rentals page.

Map of Family Island

Summer Family Island Program

Family Island is an area of camp just for families while camp is in session. Family Island has cabins, RV sites, and tent sites. Family Island is designed for families of Scout leaders to enjoy camp with any non-Scout age members of the family.

Purpose of Family Island

1. To provide the families of unit leaders staying at camp the opportunity to spend time together.
2. To offer Scouting families the opportunity to enjoy and become familiar with camping programs and facilities that are available to their children in the Scouting program.

Reservation Policies

The Northern Star Council Camping Committee has developed a policy that provides the families of unit leaders who are in camp the first opportunity to make a reservation at family camp. Families who have members of family registered with Scouting are given next priority to make reservations at family camp. An outline of the reservation process is listed below.

There are three distinct time periods when reservations can be made for Family Island.

1. Limited Priority Registration: January 1 of the year prior through August 31 of the year prior: Troops or Crews that have registered to attend Tomahawk can book up to 3 cabins and 3 tent/trailer sites in Family Island.
2. Regular Priority Registration: September 1 of the year prior through December 31 of the year prior: Troops or Crews that have registered to attend Tomahawk in 2023 can book as many cabins and tent/trailer sites as they want.
3. Open Registration: January 1 of the same year through the end of the summer: Any family with a registered Scouting member may register for cabins and tent/trailer sites.

Activities

The Family Island Staff has created a unique and exciting program to help make your experience at Tomahawk one to remember. The following is a list of the activities that are available to Family Island campers.

• Aquatics: The Family Island beach has a floating raft, paddle boats, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks for your family to enjoy. A dock is available, which can fit two fishing boats. If you are interested in bringing a boat to use during your stay, please contact us for approval.
• Horse Rides: Horse rides are available to Family Island campers throughout the week. Rides can be scheduled with the Family Island Director. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required and all riders must be six or older to ride. Parents may be asked to ride with or lead the horse for younger riders. There is an additional fee of $30 per Trail Ride
• Fire Tower: Climbing to the top of the Fire Tower. It is 100 feet tall and is centralized in camp to give you a great view.
• Climbing Tower: Climb our 22 foot tall climbing tower in Navajo.
• Archery: Test your bow and arrow skills at the Navajo Archery Range.
• BB Guns: Allow our Navajo BB Range staff to guide your family on how to safely use guns.
• Fishing; There is fishing equipment available to use at the Navajo Fishing Pier.
• Crafts: Craft activities are held most mornings Monday through Friday at 9:00 am at the Family Island pavilion. Campers can participate in a variety of crafts. Nominal fees for supplies do apply. A Family Island Director will meet participants at the Family Island Pavilion.

Cabins

Family Island has ten cabins to choose from. From June to August, cabins are rented for $440 on a weekly basis. Please see the bottom of this page for photos of the cabins.

Cabins Include:

• Bunkroom with two bunk beds (one full-sized bed with single bed overhead, the other bunk is single bed over single bed)
• Kitchenette: Two burner stove top, sink, fridge/freezer, pots, pans, toaster, coffee maker, flatware, and silverware
• Full bathroom: Hot water, tub shower, flush toilet, and sink
• Living room: Futon and two chairs
• Dining Table: Fits four comfortably.
• Campfire Ring
• Picnic Table
• Room to park two vehicles.

Cabins DO NOT include:

• Bedding
• Dish towels
• Cleaning Service
• Food Service

Tent Campsites

There are four tenting campsites. Bring your own tent and gear and stay with us for $130 for a week

Tent sites have access to:

• Water supply
• Latrine
• Picnic table
• Campfire Ring
• Showers

Camper Trailer Sites

There are four RV sites at Family Island which can be rented for $160 for the week. There are campsites for trailer campers, mobile units, and tent campers. Family Island is the only area at Tomahawk for trailer campers.

RV sites have access to:

• Water supply
• 20 amp electrical hookups
• Latrine
• Picnic table
• Campfire Ring
• Showers

Check In

Check-in is from 3 PM to 5 PM. You will be given directions to your accommodations, meet the Family Island Director, and be given information on the activities throughout the week. The Family Island Director will set appointments with campers to check out on Saturday morning, at which point you will sign and settle any incidentals.

Things to Leave at Home

Campers should not bring these things to camp:

• Fireworks of any kind
• Pets
• Alcoholic Beverages/Illegal Drugs
• Personal Firearms (for example; rifles, hand guns, bows, sling shots, ammo)
• Tobacco

Bikes

We encourage families to bring bikes to camp. Bike riders must follow all traffic regulations:

• Only big tire bikes are allowed. Tomahawks roads are not friendly to narrow-tire bikes.
• Industry-approved helmets MUST be worn at all times.
• Ride on the right side of the road.
• Stop for Stop signs.
• Ride only on roads or approved trails.
• Do not exceed speed limits.
• Bikes must be parked upright in designated areas or out of normal traffic paths.
• Bikes must be ridden in a responsible manner.

Schedule

This is a sample schedule. A more detailed schedule will be made available to you upon arrival.

• Sunday

  • 3pm-5pm: Check in at the Welcome Center then go to Family Island to meet with Family Island Director and move in.

  • 8:30pm: Campfire with skits and songs in sub-camps
• Monday
  • 9am: Craft Project
  • 3pm: Logging Camp Visit
  • 7:30pm: Navajo Campfire with skits and songs
  • Evening: Star Party in Sioux Camp
• Tuesday
  • 9am: Craft Project
  • 2pm: Climbing Tower in Navajo
  • 3pm: Archery in Navajo
  • 4pm: BB Guns in Navajo
  • 7pm: High Adventures
• Wednesday
  • Family Island Director's Day off
  • Free day to explore camp and visit with your Troop
• Thursday
  • 9am: Craft Project
  • 7:30pm: Root Beer 5K run/walk
  • S'more Night at Family Island
• Friday
  • 9am: Craft Project
  • 3pm: Beach Bashes in Sub-Camps
• Saturday
  • 8:30-11am: Check Out with Family Island Director