High Adventure

 

PROGRAMS

A visit to Owasippe means much more than selecting which camp to choose for your week or two weeks stay.  It’s about the opportunities for fun and adventure happening all over 4800 acres of wilderness splendor.  Whether your Scouts are first year campers or veterans of many summer camp adventures, there is always something exciting awaiting your unit members at Owasippe.

 

C.O.P.E.

Motorboats on big blue lake

Our Adventure Programs*

Experience the Reservation and many of it's High Adventure programs, hike and bike the trails, fish the lakes, ride the trails on horseback, try our COPE course, and much more. Fill your week with exciting opportunities developed for older Scouts.

*Activity prerequisites and fees may be required before attempting to participate in Owasippe High Adventure programs. See the 2024 Owasippe program guide for current prerequisites & fees.


DIAMOND “O” HORSE RANCH

Diamond “O” Ranch

See parts of the Reservation on horseback.  Visit the Ranch and take advantage of exciting horseback programs for Scouts of all ability levels.  Trail rides are offered daily.  Wrangler Outpost is offered for those who would like an overnight trail ride. Horsemanship merit badge is also offered.

Junior Wrangler Program

Spend your afternoons at the Diamond O Ranch. This program is for scouts interested in horses and learning what working on the ranch is like. Get to know the staff & strengthen the skills you had previously learned in completing Horsemanship Merit Badge.

Wrangler Outpost

- An overnight where scouts (age 13 and up) and leaders alike will have the opportunity to spend the night at the ranch in a Teepee. After a long trail ride, participants will enjoy dinner over an open fire, play games, learn about horses, swap campfire stories and more. Leader's will be required to pick scouts up following morning.

*Activity prerequisites and fees may be required in order to participate in Owasippe High Adventure programs. See your 2024 Owasippe program guide for current prerequisites & fees.


MOUNTAIN BIKING

Mountain Biking The Trails & Old Logging Roads

Mountain Biking

Mountain Bike Trail Rides – Join us in an afternoon or evening of cycling! Owasippe provides what is rated as one of the top ten biking trail systems in Michigan. Now it’s your chance to give it ago. Mountain bikes are provided for all participants. Rides leave from the Ad Center.

PLEASE NOTE: Off Season Bike Trails usage requires a Parking Pass Permit (Click Here- PTAC Link) request be submitted before arriving at camp. Please read the restrictions and rules for using the biking trails which can be found by clicking on the above link.


STEVE FOSSETT SAILING BASE

Fossett Sailing Base

Big Blue Lake provides Owasippe not only with beauty but also a natural resource for all boating activities. Whether it is wind, human or gas powered, you will find it at Fossett Sailing Base. Certain restrictions apply for all aquatic activities.

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Small Boat Sailing

Do you yearn to feel the rush of the wind as you fly across the water? If so, consider taking Small Boat Sailing merit badge.  You will learn to sail one of our dinghies around the open expanse of Big Blue and after some practice, you’ll be navigating your craft with calm skill and ease.  For experienced sailors, we also offer open sailing.

Water Sports

Develop your water skiing skills in a safe and fun environment while earning Water Sports merit Badge.

River Canoe Trips

Discover the beauty that is often overlooked at Owasippe. Both the canoeing trips and river tubing provide opportunities to see the natural splendor that is Owasippe and the Manistee National Forest from a completely different perspective. These trips are taken down the White River and are between 3 and 6 hours in duration depending on your preference.

Lake Tubing

Grab a friend and enjoy being pulled behind Blackhawk’s speedboat for a few laps around the lake and get a high speed tour of Big Blue lake.

Moterboating

Learn to operate a motorboat, as well as the rules of the lake, and earn Motorboating merit badge.  You will have the opportunity to drive one of Owasippe’s motorboats.

*Activity prerequisites and fees may be required in order to participate in Owasippe High Adventure programs.


CHARLES NAGLE C.O.P.E. BASE

Home of the Chris Hill climbing wall

High C.O.P.E. Course

Scouts have an opportunity to experience a “Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience”. This program will help scouts learn teamwork and build self-confidence. This elevated ropes course consists of six challenges including an exhilarating trip down the zip line. All of these programs is supervised by trained and qualified staff. Certain restrictions apply.

Low C.O.P.E. Course

Low C.O.P.E focuses on team building activities utilizing a number of challenging ground bases events.  After completing the Low C.O.P.E., Scouts can then participate in High C.O.P.E.

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Zip Line

Scouts feel the exhilaration of a ride through the air while zip Lining in the forest. Scouts can now bypass the C.O.P.E. challenges by taking the stairs up to the platform in order to ride the Zip Line.

Chris Hill Climbing Wall

This is the home of the 30 foot high, climbing tower where Scouts can participate in open climbing or earn Climbing merit badge.

 

Crate Stacking

See how high you can get in fun and exciting challenge. Test your balancing skills as you go for a record height.


OWASIPPE’S FISHING LAKES & PROGRAMS

Big Blue Lake

Fishing Outpost

Take a guided fishing trip on Owasippe’s pontoon boat on Big Blue Lake. Fish from one of our boats on Lake Wolverine.  Fishing Outpost is open to both Scouts and Leaders.

Northern Pike

Northern Pike Are an Invasive Species in Lake Wolverine.

 

Lake Wolverine

Located entirely, within Owasippe’s 5000 acre boundary. Motors are not allowed on Lake Wolverine.


ATV RIDING EXPERIENCE

ATV Riding Experience

This exciting opportunity, approved for Scouts over 14 years of age, consists of a hands on learning, care and riding experience. The program culminates in an Owasippe trail ride at the completion of the Scout's training.


ULTIMATE OWASIPPE ADVENTURE

Fill your week with exciting new opportunities developed for older Scouts. The Ultimate Owasippe Adventure program is for campers 14 years and older who are First Class Rank or above, and who have previously attended a summer camp.

On The Trail

Hiking The Bog

Ultimate Adventure

This high adventure program challenges Scouts in an exciting week-long adventure with something new each day. Scouts will have the opportunity to experience many of Owasippe’s adventures all in one place! COPE, Mountain Bike Rides, Canoe Trip, Horseback Trail Ride, Historic Rifle Shoot, Lake Tubing, Bog Hike, Fishing on Lake Wolverine, and More!! Don’t miss out on this amazing adventure!

The Climbing Wall

Fish Lake Wolverine

Boating Big Blue Lake

Master A C.OPE. Challenge