Camp Sakakawea

Located on the shores of Bass Lake in Traverse City is the home of Girl Scout Camp Sakakawea, fondly called Camp Saki by the thousands of children and adults who use it yearly. It is also the home of wildlife, virgin forest, marshland and a pristine waterfront.

For years, Girl Scouts in the Traverse City area shared Camp Greilick with Boy Scouts and other organizations. All that changed in the mid-50s when Rotarians Dr. John Hayes and Dr. Frank Power, along with his wife Margot who was a long time leader, drew the assignment of finding a new home for Girl Scouts.

Dr. Power would conduct camp property searches by air over Grand Traverse County until ultimately the site southwest of Traverse City on Bass Lake was found. In the summer of 1955, Girl Scouts (then Aspen Trails Council) held their first pioneer camp at what was to become known as Camp Sakakawea.

A trust partnership and 99-year lease between Rotary and Girl Scouts has been in effect since that time with Rotary as the financial partner.

The first major construction on the property was the Oleson Lodge completed in 1960. It was built in memory of the late Frances E. Oleson. Over the past 50 years, Camp Sakakawea has undergone major construction and renovation projects turning it into a year-round facility but to protect the property in its natural state, Camp Sakakwea entered into the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in 2004.

This 565 acre camp hosts summer resident camp and is also available for year-round use by registered Girl Scouts and groups when resident camp is not in session.

Facilities Include:

  • Large dining hall
  • Three pavilions
  • Two log cabins
  • Medical center
  • Craft house
  • Troop house
  • Hard courts
  • Shower house
  • Primitive campsites
  • Platform tents (seasonal)
  • Waterfront for swimming and canoeing (seasonal)
Unit Name
Unit Type
Available
Capacity
1 Night
Troop / Non Profit / Private
2 Nights
Troop / Non Profit / Private
Deposit
Carlotta's Cove
Open field / benches / fire circle
Seasonal
20
$20 / n/a / n/a
n/a / n/a / n/a
$10 / $15
Main Pavillion and Fire Pit
Open field / benches / fire circle
Seasonal
20 / 50
$20 / n/a / n/a
n/a / n/a / n/a
$10 / $15
Medicine Hut
Cabin
All Year
12
$50 / $65 / $80
$90 / $80 / $125
$40 / $60
North Manitou
Log Cabin
Seasonal
16
$35 / $55 / $70
$60 / $70 / $110
$40 / $60
Odako
Tents
Seasonal
28
$30 / $40 / $55
$50 / $50 / $65
$40 / $60
Oleson Lodge
Lodge / Kitchen
All Year / Day Use Only
100
$75 / $120 / $140
$150 / $220 / $260
n/a / $50
South Manitou
Log Cabin
All Year
16
$40 / $55 / $70
$70 / $70 / $110
$40 / $60
Squanto
Tents
Seasonal
28
$30 / $40 / $55
$50 / $50 / $65
$40 / $60
Tawanka
Bunk Houses
Seasonal
32
$30 / $40 / $55
$50 / $50 / $65
$40 / $60
Tee-Jon-Ka
Troop House
All Year
30
$50 / $65 / $80
$90 / $80 / $125
$40 / $60
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Camp Sakakawea Traverse City, MI

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