Our archery program will introduce campers to the age old art of the bow and arrow. Our program, based upon the National Archery in the Schools program, will teach campers the safe and enjoyable use of the revolutionary Genesis bow. The Genesis bow system combines “zero let-off” with light draw weights to create a bow that fits virtually everyone.
For kids who are not “traditional” athletes, you can witness their self-esteem drastically improve when they experience a little success with the Genesis bow.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL SESSIONS ARE FULL!We received a LOT of registrations today. Please be patient and we will let you know if your camp registration was successful!
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Are you looking for a rewarding, enjoyable summer job? If so, Shady Trails Camp may be just right for you. Located on the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay, between Omena and Northport, Shady Trails Camp provides a unique day camp experience for campers between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. We offer a wide range of activities including several field sports, waterfront activities, performing arts, crafts, nature, photography, art, and the very popular ropes challenge course.
We offer a great work environment, supportive staff, and a very competitive pay structure. We also have on grounds housing for our out of town staff.
If you have a passion for working with children and the desire to be a member of a top quality staff, please e-mail or send your resume or letter of introduction, and we will contact you to discuss our current requirements.
We are so happy and excited for camp to begin!! We are anxiously awaiting the time when the camp is filled with the laughter and energy of all the campers!!
Deposit is due at the time of registration to hold your child/children’s spot.
If the deposit is not received that spot/spots will open up and we can not ensure there will be space.
Payment in full is due by May 17.
Again, if payment is not received by May 17 the spot/spots will open up and we can not ensure there will be space. If you would prefer to pay in full right away that is fine.
We are still old school at this point so please send a check payable to Shady Trails Camp at:
The children will have four choices of sessions a day to sign up for. Obviously we can not offer every session but we try to offer all of them at least once during the week. Monday they will sign up for that day and after that they sign up at the end of each day for the following day.
Camp has what we call North and South camp. South being 5-9 year olds and North 10-14. If a child is in South camp their sessions will be with those ages 5-9 and north campers will attend sessions with ages 10-14. For lunch we all gather in the lodge for family style lunch. They sit with the other campers who are in their cabins.
Every camper needs to wear closed toe shoes for safety.
If your child would like to swim or do boats they will need a swimsuit, towel and water shoes. It is ok if they are just learning to go in the water. Our certified lifeguards require each child to take a “swim test” to ensure safety and there are lifejackets if they are still learning. Sunscreen and bug spray may also be something you may want to send along. They will be able to leave their bag in the cabins and not have to drag it around. Weather is always unpredictable so a sweatshirt in the morning and or a rain poncho may be a good idea if you have one. Please do not send any toys or special items with your camper.
The format for drop off and pick up will be the same as past years. We will be up to gather the kids at the top driveway, lined by the flags, about 8:50. Just North of the main entrance to the camp there is a U shaped driveway where the drop off and pick up will take place, please do not drive down the main driveway. Please “Enter” in the Northern drive and “Exit” out of the south driveway. Although camp runs from 9:00 to 4:00, please be in line before 9:00 a.m. as we are anxious to get them down and the fun day started.
Pick up will begin about 3:45 p.m. in the same place following the same direction. The first day may be a bit crazy but it all works when you get use to it. Please do not get out of your car, it is safer and moves smother that way.
If there is a situation where you need to pick up your child early PLEASE, contact me as soon as possible. There is a lot going on during the day and plans ahead of time make everything work smoother. That being said, we ask that NO ONE drives down the driveway for any reason during the day or comes onto campus without first calling me. This world has made it clear that we need to do what we can to take care of our children. We will bring your child to you at the drop off/pick up area if you need to pick them up early.
Just for information, we had a couple big trees go so we have bundles of fire wood if you are interested. 2 bundles for $5.00. We have them at the drop off so if you want some we can just put them in the car and collect payment up there.
We can assure you Shady Trails will be ready and are already excited to have your kids! Please do not hesitate to contact Camp Director Karie Roman with any further questions by phone at 231-386-9880 or email to shadytrails@icloud.com! See you soon!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my child bring to camp?
Campers need to bring very little to camp. A swim suit, towel, water shoes, any medication they may need, sunscreen, and perhaps an extra t-shirt and shorts. We provide a snack and lunch so there is no need to bring any type of food. We do ask that your child not bring any type of electronic devices such as radios, CD players etc. Knives, matches, lighters or any type of weapon are strictly prohibited.
What are the drop off and pick-up times?
Camp begins at 9:00 a.m. Children can be dropped off anytime between 8:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Children can be picked up at 4:00 p.m. For the safety of everyone involved, please use the driveway to the north of the main entrance to pick up or drop off campers. Please remain in your car and proceed around the drive where you will be greeted by staff.
Can my child attend only one week of the two week session?
Yes, children may attend any number of weeks they desire. However, we have found that campers get a much better camp experience when they attend a complete session. We have many activities and sometimes it takes a camper a couple of days to adjust to the variety of choices available to them.
Can my child choose which activities to participate in?
Yes, our counselors work closely with the camper to design a camp program that best reflects the camper’s wishes. We have a large number of activities to select from, and we do our very best to make sure that each camper experiences everything.
May I pick my child up early or drop off late?
If there is a situation where you need to pick your child up early or drop them off late, please contact me as soon as possible. No one drives down the driveway for any reason during the day or comes onto campus without first calling me. We will bring your child to you at the drop off/pick up area if you need to pick them up early or we will meet you up there if you need to drop them off late.
Is the cost of camp tax deductible?
Shady Trails Camp is licensed by the State of Michigan as a Children’s Day Camp. In many cases the fee is deductible as child care expense. Please consult with your tax advisor to see if you qualify. We will be happy to provide a receipt and any other information you may require.
What ages does the camp accept?
Shady Trails have campers ranging from 5 to 14 year olds
When are the Camp Sessions & what weeks are still available?
We regularly update this information. Sessions will sell out, so you are invited to register for Shady Trails Camp as early as you are able!
Session
Dates
Cost
Week 1
June 29 – July 3
CLOSED
Week 2
July 6 – July 10
CLOSED
Week 3
July 13 – July 17
CLOSED
Week 4
July 20- July 24
CLOSED
Week 5
July 27 – July 31
CLOSED
Week 6
August 3 – August 7
CLOSED
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In the late 1800’s, the site of the Shady Trails Camp lay on a well-traveled trail between Ottawa villages of Chief Shabwasson on the present day site of Omena and Chief Onamunsee’s village in present day Northport. The waters were valuable fishing grounds for lake trout and whitefish and its maple trees were part of the important sugar bush in the area.
The first legally recognized owner of the site of Shady Trails Camp was Isaac Shawandase who purchased it in 1851. At the same time, the Ojibwa Chief, Ahgosa, purchased the nearby parcel that became Ahgosatown, the largest Native American settlement between Omena and Northport. Mr. Shawandase’s successor, Louis Shawandase, made the final payment and received title to the land in 1903.
This property was among the few parcels that were purchased by the Native Americans prior to the 1855 Treaty of Detroit. It was, therefore, never part of the reservation lands that eventually ended up under the ownership of the white settlers during the 1870’s.
Student at Shady Trails Camp in Northport, Michigan courtesy Ann Arbor District Library
The camp was the thought and dream of Traverse City native John Clancy. John attended St. Francis School, graduating in 1916. Later he attended Notre Dame where he majored in commerce. For ten years he worked in the business world as a credit manager and accountant. All this time trying desperately to meet people and cope with his personal handicap, a speech defect. Clancy was forced to admit that he had to either condition his speech or give up his career.
Clancy realized that there were kids with the same type of speech problems that he had and wanted to find a way to help them. Clancy presented his idea for a speech camp to his wife, Grace, and together they decided to find a way to make it happen. In 1932 Clancy learned that a 26 acre site near Northport on Grand Traverse Bay was for sale by the Native American owner. The Clancy’s invested their meager savings and Shady Trails Camp was born.
From 1932 until 1945 the camp was held in tents near present day Indian Beach. In 1932 four boys attended the camp. A 1934 photo shows 16 boys. Badly in need of more and better facilities, Clancy broke ground in 1945 on what is the present day location of Shady Trails Camp. Northport native Harry Calhoun, fresh from the service, hired on with a Traverse City builder to work on the first series of building in 1947 and 1948. After the war, lumber was scarce, but the father of one of the campers owned a saw mill in the south and two railroad cars arrived on the tracks above the camp. A mountain of southern yellow pine was unloaded onto horse-drawn wagons and carted down to the campsite where the first fourteen buildings were built. The lodge and all seven camper cabins were among the first buildings constructed.
In 1947, Shady Trails moved to its new home. In the coming years, buildings were added as the camp grew. There are currently 27 buildings on the property. A 1970 photo shows 112 campers, which is the maximum capacity of the facilities.
To further his knowledge, Clancy enrolled in the University of Michigan Graduate School and earned his Master of Arts degree in speech correction. During the school term, he served as full-time Clinician at the Speech Clinic in the University, returning summers to his camp, which continued to grow by leaps and bounds.
In 1949 the Kresge Foundation and the University Of Michigan became vitally interested in Shady Trails and conceived the idea of turning the camp over to a non-profit organization to be supported by the Kresge Foundation. Clancy’s interest was purchased in 1949, and the camp assumed the name of The University of Michigan Speech Camp with John Clancy as its director.
Students at Shady Trails Camp in Northport, Michigan courtesy Ann Arbor District Library
Following the 1994 season, the Board of Regents discontinued the camp activities at Shady Trails and the camp was officially closed on March 17, 1995. In 1996 the University of Michigan approved the sale of the property. Between 1932 and 1995 more than 2,000 young men and women attended Shady Trails Speech Camp.
The new owner, Laura Deibel is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of this unique facility and to making it available to youngsters between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. In 1997, she began plans to reopen the camp. The summer of 1998 was our first season as a day camp. The program includes typical camp activities such as crafts, sports, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, dance and performing arts, as well as creative writing, nature, photography and a high ropes/challenge course. The day camp runs for four weeks in July and enrolls about 110 children per week.
All who have attended Shady Trails Camp are welcome to stop by and re-visit your memories of this wonderful, magical place on the bay.
In the late 1800’s, the site of the Shady Trails Camp lay on a well-traveled trail between Ottawa villages of Chief Shabwasson on the present day site of Omena and Chief Onamunsee’s village in present day Northport. The waters were valuable fishing grounds for lake trout and whitefish and its maple trees were part of the important sugar bush in the area.
The first legally recognized owner of the site of Shady Trails Camp was Isaac Shawandase who purchased it in 1851. At the same time, the Ojibwa Chief, Ahgosa, purchased the nearby parcel that became Ahgosatown, the largest Native American settlement between Omena and Northport. Mr. Shawandase’s successor, Louis Shawandase, made the final payment and received title to the land in 1903.
This property was among the few parcels that were purchased by the Native Americans prior to the 1855 Treaty of Detroit. It was, therefore, never part of the reservation lands that eventually ended up under the ownership of the white settlers during the 1870’s.
The camp was the thought and dream of Traverse City native John Clancy. John attended St. Francis School, graduating in 1916. Later he attended Notre Dame where he majored in commerce. For ten years he worked in the business world as a credit manager and accountant. All this time trying desperately to meet people and cope with his personal handicap, a speech defect. Clancy was forced to admit that he had to either condition his speech or give up his career.
Clancy realized that there were kids with the same type of speech problems that he had and wanted to find a way to help them. Clancy presented his idea for a speech camp to his wife, Grace, and together they decided to find a way to make it happen. In 1932 Clancy learned that a 26 acre site near Northport on Grand Traverse Bay was for sale by the Native American owner. The Clancy’s invested their meager savings and Shady Trails Camp was born.
From 1932 until 1945 the camp was held in tents near present day Indian Beach. In 1932 four boys attended the camp. A 1934 photo shows 16 boys. Badly in need of more and better facilities, Clancy broke ground in 1945 on what is the present day location of Shady Trails Camp. Northport native Harry Calhoun, fresh from the service, hired on with a Traverse City builder to work on the first series of building in 1947 and 1948. After the war, lumber was scarce, but the father of one of the campers owned a saw mill in the south and two railroad cars arrived on the tracks above the camp. A mountain of southern yellow pine was unloaded onto horse-drawn wagons and carted down to the campsite where the first fourteen buildings were built. The lodge and all seven camper cabins were among the first buildings constructed.
In 1947, Shady Trails moved to its new home. In the coming years, buildings were added as the camp grew. There are currently 27 buildings on the property. A 1970 photo shows 112 campers, which is the maximum capacity of the facilities.
To further his knowledge, Clancy enrolled in the University of Michigan Graduate School and earned his Master of Arts degree in speech correction. During the school term, he served as full-time Clinician at the Speech Clinic in the University, returning summers to his camp, which continued to grow by leaps and bounds.
In 1949 the Kresge Foundation and the University Of Michigan became vitally interested in Shady Trails and conceived the idea of turning the camp over to a non-profit organization to be supported by the Kresge Foundation. Clancy’s interest was purchased in 1949, and the camp assumed the name of The University of Michigan Speech Camp with John Clancy as its director.
Following the 1994 season, the Board of Regents discontinued the camp activities at Shady Trails and the camp was officially closed on March 17, 1995. In 1996 the University of Michigan approved the sale of the property. Between 1932 and 1995 more than 2,000 young men and women attended Shady Trails Speech Camp.
The new owner, Laura Deibel is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of this unique facility and to making it available to youngsters between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. In 1997, she began plans to reopen the camp. The summer of 1998 was our first season as a day camp. The program includes typical camp activities such as crafts, sports, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, dance and performing arts, as well as creative writing, nature, photography and a high ropes/challenge course. The day camp runs for four weeks in July and enrolls about 110 children per week.
All who have attended Shady Trails Camp are welcome to stop by and re-visit your memories of this wonderful, magical place on the bay.
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Shady Trails campers and counselors work together to design individual camp sessions by choosing from a wide variety of activities, and our expert staff helps campers to achieve their personal best.
Click a session below for more details and photos.
