Girl Scouts River Valleys Summer Camps – Camp Elk River
Camp Elk River, 10775 237th Ave. Northwest, Zimmerman, MN 55398
About
Girl Scouts River Valleys Summer Camps – Camp Elk River offers activities such as horse programs, horseback riding, mountain biking on a trail with a skills course, archery, canoeing, kayaking, key log rolling, and swimming. Campers also take part in low ropes course challenges, outdoor skills, science activities, tent camping, campfires, boating, hikes, arts and crafts, teambuilding games, and campfire cooking.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
The program states that its camps are backed by expert staff and are a safe environment where campers try new things confidently, knowing their fellow Girl Scouts and camp counselors have their back. The primary summer camps are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), and the five summer camp locations follow American Camp Association standards, with all resident camp locations American Camp Association accredited. The property was acquired in the early 1960s, with events such as Discovery ’68 held in 1968, day camp operating in the Timber Meade Area since 1969, and the Prairie Dog event in 1979 with 1,000 campers and adults. In 1985, an Equestrian Center, modern bathhouse, and Tree House cabins were built near the Red Barn, and in the early 1990s a fundraising campaign added the Timber Meade Area buildings, the Gray Koch Program Building, The Pines dormitory, and Lake Barbara, which opened in June 1993. From 2018 to 2020, another fundraising campaign added the Whispering Prairie equestrian neighborhood and a 2.1 mile mountain bike trail and skills course. Unique features include a year-round operation, a variety of horse programs, a large covered riding arena, the Whispering Prairie equestrian neighborhood, a 2.1 mile mountain bike trail and skills course, 1,130 acres of woods, wetlands, prairies, and rolling hills, a sand bottom swimming pond called Lake Barbara, and The Promise Path, a brick path honoring and memorializing people and events in Girl Scouting. Camper and parent comments include statements such as “If you keep trying, you will reach your goals,” “The best thing was the archery—but I loved all of it!,” “Even if you’re scared keep going,” and a parent noting that a camper had an “awesome experience,” came home more confident, made new friends from throughout the region, and is already planning next year’s experiences.
Last updated February 23, 2026.
• Ages: 7–18 years old
The program states that its camps are backed by expert staff and are a safe environment where campers try new things confidently, knowing their fellow Girl Scouts and camp counselors have their back. The primary summer camps are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), and the five summer camp locations follow American Camp Association standards, with all resident camp locations American Camp Association accredited. The property was acquired in the early 1960s, with events such as Discovery ’68 held in 1968, day camp operating in the Timber Meade Area since 1969, and the Prairie Dog event in 1979 with 1,000 campers and adults. In 1985, an Equestrian Center, modern bathhouse, and Tree House cabins were built near the Red Barn, and in the early 1990s a fundraising campaign added the Timber Meade Area buildings, the Gray Koch Program Building, The Pines dormitory, and Lake Barbara, which opened in June 1993. From 2018 to 2020, another fundraising campaign added the Whispering Prairie equestrian neighborhood and a 2.1 mile mountain bike trail and skills course. Unique features include a year-round operation, a variety of horse programs, a large covered riding arena, the Whispering Prairie equestrian neighborhood, a 2.1 mile mountain bike trail and skills course, 1,130 acres of woods, wetlands, prairies, and rolling hills, a sand bottom swimming pond called Lake Barbara, and The Promise Path, a brick path honoring and memorializing people and events in Girl Scouting. Camper and parent comments include statements such as “If you keep trying, you will reach your goals,” “The best thing was the archery—but I loved all of it!,” “Even if you’re scared keep going,” and a parent noting that a camper had an “awesome experience,” came home more confident, made new friends from throughout the region, and is already planning next year’s experiences.
Last updated February 23, 2026.
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