Our Program

Camp Thunderbird is packed with fun all day long. With 30+ activities at both Boys and Girls Camp, we offer an activity for every single camper. Fancy an afternoon fishing? A day on the courts? Maybe a sunset swim on our beaches? Have you ever been to blacksmithing? Let’s go build something! The possibilities are endless and some of the most unforgettable memories we hold are from the experiences we build together at camp.

Once a week, we load up on the bus and head out of camp for Adventure Day, a day spent exploring all Minnesota has to offer. From the headwaters of the Mississippi to berry picking at a local farm, we do it all. And then, there are Specialty Days, where, for weeks, each village in camp plans and prepares a day that can only be designed by them. Every bit of this day is theirs and what they take away is something that sticks long after the summer ends: their imagination and collaboration can take them anywhere, teamwork makes the dreamwork, and most importantly, all good things in life come from hard work and meticulous planning.

Each day begins with a choice. Campers build their own schedule by selecting three or four activities from more than thirty options, shaping a day that feels fully theirs. Some chase the thrill of trying something new, others return again and again to what they love most. At Thunderbird, freedom fuels confidence. Curiosity leads the way. And every day holds more possibilities than the last.

For 80 years, we have stood by the philosophy that camping trips are a gateway to helping our campers develop a tighter sense of community and a deeper connection to themselves and nature. Every camping trip’s goal is to simply have fun. We’ve developed a program that is designed to help campers progress in a manner that helps them build confidence in themselves.

Each age group has age appropriate trips that they are allowed to participate in. All camping trips, besides the ‘village overnight’ which happen once per session, are sign-up based exclusively. Campers that choose to participate learn that spending nights in tents, cooking over camping stoves, roasting marshmallows by the fire, and stargazing are unique experiences filled with wonder. 

We offer four guided trips at Thunderbird. We hire private local guides to the area to take campers on adventures outside of camp. These trips include: rock climbing, sailing, fishing, and white water rafting. Each trip ranges from 1 to 4 days. Campers go with kids their age, and at least two Thunderbird counselors on these adventures. They will stay in tents, at state parks, and food will be packed out for them from camp. Parents pay an additional charge for these trips, and must select before the start of the session if they permit their campers to go.

Our Adventure Teen Tour Program lets campers grow into something bigger without ever leaving behind the friends and community that they’ve built. Campers completing 8th through 10th grades opt into multi-week expeditions that launch and finish right at Thunderbird, traveling to some of the most breathtaking destinations across the United States and Canada. This includes Olympic National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, Denali National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Banff, Canada.

These aren’t just trips. They’re the kinds of experiences teens talk about for the rest of their lives. For parents, it’s the rarest thing: a summer that you don’t have to plan. Thunderbird’s leadership handles every detail, from staff vetting and trip logistics to on-the-ground supervision, so you can relax knowing your kid is somewhere extraordinary and completely cared for. To be eligible, campers must qualify during the summer after completing 7th grade.