Discover the magic of summer camp to unplug, explore, and grow. Every day brings new adventures – from land sports, nature, drama, arts, and waterfront where campers enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, swimming and more! Families can choose from 3-day, 7-day, and 11-day sessions running from mid-June to mid-August.
Basic Info:
Address: 14751 Harvey St., Vandalia, MI 49095
Phone: (574) 387-6095
Email: info@riverbendcampfire.org
Website: riverbendcampfire.org/campt2026
Type of Camp or Summer Program: Day, Residential
Basic Categories: Arts, Sports, STEM, Traditional
Gender of Campers: All
Dates: June 14 – August 15
Hours: Sunday afternoon through Saturday morning
Ages: 6–16
Activities: Land sports, archery, teambuilding, nature, crafts, drama, science and STEM, photography, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding
Q&A with Camp T on Birch Lake:
What makes Camp T on Birch Lake unique?
What makes us different than other camps? Camp Tannadoonah truly lives and breathes our promise. An accepting, inclusive space for campers and staff to discover themselves, and love what they find. Camp is largely kid-directed. Our staff are trained to listen, to give kids the opportunity to lead, and to give kids meaningful choices. Campers help develop the cabin rules during cabin meeting, they choose their own activities, they have choices at meals, they help design evening program… Basically they get to “choose your own adventure” every day. And camp is a place for self-discovery. Many years back we took a tip from Simon Sinek and created our WHY statement: Because every child deserves a safe place to become their best self. And that’s the heart of it. Camp is a place to become your best self. The compassionate community created by our staff and returning campers is like a safety net saying: go ahead, be as weird and crazy as you want, we will still love you. And finally, we believe that youth deserve the opportunity to be leaders NOW – not just in the future. They can lead songs at evening camp fire, help teach other youth, and even teach our staff.
What activities are offered at Camp T on Birch Lake?
Land sports, archery, nature, team building, drama, crafts, photography, cooking, dance, gaga ball, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, STEM programs
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio at Camp T on Birch Lake?
4:1
How much time do campers spend outside at Camp T on Birch Lake?
Nearly all the time, except meals and sleeping.
Does Camp T on Birch Lake provide lunch/snacks, or do parents need to provide them?
All meals are provided.
What is the typical daily schedule for campers at Camp T on Birch Lake?
- 7:30am reveille / wakeup
- 8:00am breakfast
- 9:30am first activity
- 10:30am second activity
- 11:30am free swim
- 12:30pm lunch
- 1:15pm rest time
- 2:15pm snack
- 2:45pm third activity
- 3:45pm fourth activity
- 4:45pm free swim
- 6:00 pm dinner
- 7:15pm evening program
- 8:30pm song circle
- 9pm cabin time
- 10:00pm taps / bedtime
How old are the counselors at Camp T on Birch Lake, and how are they trained?
Most staff are 18 and older; a few counselors are 16 or 17 years old.
We have two full weeks of staff training prior to camper arrival. During that training, we review all of the policies and procedures, as well as all emergency and safety practices. We also train the counselors on how to handle camper issues like homesickness, bullying, and discipline.
We are an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited camp, so our trainings cover all of the required topics.
What accommodations are made for campers with special needs at Camp T on Birch Lake?
We will work with each individual family to determine if we can accommodate their child’s needs.
Is Camp T on Birch Lake an overnight camp?
Yes
Overnight Camp Q&A with Camp T on Birch Lake:
What does the camper’s living situation look like at Camp T on Birch Lake?
Campers live in cabins with 14-20 campers and 3-4 staff per building. All cabins have electricity; some cabins have their own bathrooms. Cabins are divided by gender identity and age.
How do parents and campers communicate at Camp T on Birch Lake?
Parents can send postal mail, or emails, which are delivered daily.
Campers are encouraged to write letters home. Campers do not have access to technology during their time at camp. However, if there is a problem, a staff member will contact parents.
How does Camp T on Birch Lake handle homesickness?
The camp staff has been trained on how to handle this expected hurdle. It is usually a temporary period, and the staff helps to overcome this feeling by channeling your child’s energies towards other activities. By the time you receive a “low” letter, your child is probably feeling much better!
We do not allow campers to call home during the week, as this generally only makes homesickness worse. If we have concerns about your child, we will have a staff member contact you. You are also free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns during the week.
What are the meals like at Camp T on Birch Lake?
We serve all of our meals family style. Each table seats 8 people, and a counselor (or two counselors) sit at each table to serve the meal. For some meals campers sit with their cabin group, and at other meals they are free to sit with whomever they like.
At breakfast we always have a cereal and yogurt bar with a variety of options, as well as a hot breakfast option. For instance, the hot breakfast might be french toast, bacon and eggs, pancakes, bagels, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, or waffles.
At lunch and dinner, there is always a salad bar and sandwich option in addition to the regular meal. Lunch examples include grilled cheese, chicken tenders, quesadillas, sub sandwiches, pretzel sandwiches, sloppy joes, macaroni and cheese, fish sticks, a hot dog bar, or corn dogs. Dinner examples include spaghetti and meatballs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, lasagna or ravioli, meatloaf, pizza, pork roast, roast beef, ham, fried chicken, polish sausage, salisbury steak.
Monday night is always cookout night. Each cabin takes a basket of supplies to a camp site, and prepares their own meal over the camp fire. These meals include hot dogs, walking tacos, camp fire stew, pizza breads, foil dinners, etc.
There are fruits and vegetables available at every meal, and the kitchen usually has apples and oranges available during the day if campers ask.
Each afternoon, before the start of afternoon activities, campers have the opportunity to get a snack at the Trading Post. Each camper can choose one sweet item (e.g., candy, ice cream, popsicle, or soda) and one not-sweet item (e.g., Chex mix, Cheez-its, popcorn, pretzels, or a water).
Can parents visit Camp T on Birch Lake?
We are happy to arrange pre-camp tours upon request. We do not encourage visits while campers are at camp, as it can exacerbate homesickness.
What percentage of campers return every year to Camp T on Birch Lake?
about 60%
Is the schedule at Camp T on Birch Lake highly structured, or do kids have a lot of free choices?
Campers have a lot of choice. Each day at camp, we have four scheduled activities periods, each 45 minutes in length. Campers may pre-register for up to two activities, which will fill two of their four activity periods each day. The other two periods will be left open for “free choice” activities.
Pre-scheduled activities meet at the same time every day, for all five days of the session. Campers will receive a schedule card on Monday morning, showing which periods are filled with the pre-scheduled activities, and which periods they have a free choice block. During their free choice periods, campers can choose a different activity each day.
Is transportation available to and from Camp T on Birch Lake?
No, we do not have transportation
