In 2008 camp onaway will celebrate its 100th year!

The History of Camp Onaway

Camp Onaway is a 6 ½ acre island located on The Chain O' Lakes near Waupaca, Wisconsin. Discovered in 1908 and purchased by Mr. S.F. Shattuck in 1910, Onaway has long been a favorite place for boys to spend a week during the summer. In 1973, the first Brigade Girls' camp was held and a new era of camping began. The success of the Girls' Camps ultimately led to the formation of the Girls' Brigade program in 1979.

Since 1908, The Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade has been camping at Onaway Island looking at the experience as an extension of the drill, leadership and character building programs. Camping provided another opportunity for youth to learn these skills from adult leaders.  The objectives remain similar to those of almost 100 years ago, but over those years, the program at Onaway has changed and evolved. 

When Brigade first used Onaway, the camping experience was almost entirely devoted to “roughing it”. Getting to the island, pitching tents, providing drinking water, firewood, cooking food, etc. consumed much of the camper’s time. Over the years, Onaway has changed as structures were built and much of the top of the island was cleared. 

With these improvements, the time demand for survival activities dropped, and with more open land topside new activities could be added. A rich heritage in many forms of competition, music, and team building developed along with exciting features like a challenge course (ropes), waterfront activities and more.

This 6 ½  acre island in the heart of the Chain O’ Lakes, Waupaca, with its brand new multi-purpose building and other numerous improvements and activity areas, is an ideal campsite. Still, we expect it is the family atmosphere created by volunteer leaders that will be most remembered for years to come. A week here has been the summer’s highlight for many people. You’ll very likely do more, laugh more, learn more, and make more new friends, than any other week of your summer!

Once summer begins, Onaway Island is never empty. Brigade offers eight weeks of camping fun with three one-week camps for boys, three one-week camps for girls, two fun filled weeks of family camp for families, one week of Adventure Camp and one week for the Leadership Training Conference.

Other groups and organizations rent Onaway for the few remaining weeks of summer. Onaway Island is more than a "summer get-a-way". Onaway is used throughout the year for weekend camping expeditions during the spring, fall, and winter. The camping season extends to year-round because of a versatile headquarters building that sleeps 32 people comfortably. The multi-purpose building is also a year-round facility extending the season.

Camp Onaway is an ideal location for off-season, conferences and retreats. For rental information, please call (920) 725-3983. If you want to call directly to Onaway during the summer, please call (715) 258-9966. Camp Onaway's address is E1703 Pine Ridge Lane, Waupaca, WI 54981. Get Driving Directions.