Calling All Parents: This Is Your Invitation to Connect with Birch Trail

Is your child back home, still carrying a little bit of that Birch Trail magic? And are you wondering how to keep that momentum going?

During the summer, our focus is 100% on the kids. But now that the buses have left, we're shifting our attention to you, the parents who make it all possible.

In this episode, Todd, Hannah and Gabe dive into why the off-season is the most critical time for us to connect with you. It’s when we slow down, have real conversations, and build the deep understanding of your family that helps us give your camper the best possible summer.

Seriously - email us today: directors@birchtrail.com

Tune in to learn:

• Why the staff at Birch Trail genuinely wants to hear from you during the school year (and what to talk about!).
• The "Two-Way Street": How sharing information about your child's growth at home directly helps their counselors and the camp team plan for their next summer.
• A real-life example of how an off-season phone call about sibling/cousin dynamics allowed us to better support two campers' independence.
• How we work with your family (and even your child's therapists/counselors) to speak the same language and keep their growth journey consistent between home and camp.
• Introducing the Birch Trail Value Series: Simple, short reflections to keep the conversation about kindness, courage, and friendship going at home.

The off-season is for you, and your time is now. We can't wait to connect!

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/

The Heartbeat of Birch Trail: Staff Stories & Camp Traditions

Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at Birch Trail? From the excitement of Theme Day to the daily life of campers and counselors, this episode is your all-access pass to the heart of camp! We're talking to a variety of voices who share their unique perspectives on what makes Birch Trail so special.

Join us as we explore:

• Theme Day Secrets: Learn how our TMs (Tamarack Captains) secretly plan and execute the fun-filled Theme Day, including their incredible safari and wedding day themes!
• From Camper to Counselor: Hear from a former camper who’s returned as a counselor. She shares her journey from "Lower Maple" to "Counselor" and what it's like to be a role model for the next generation of campers.
• The International Perspective: We sit down with two staff members from different parts of the world—the UK and Mexico—who share their stories of finding and loving Birch Trail. Discover how international staff add to the vibrant, global community at camp.
• The Power of Growth: Hear why one staff member says camp "changed my life," and learn about the amazing activities and roles that help both campers and staff grow and thrive.

Tune in for an exclusive look at the people and traditions that make Birch Trail a place of growth, fun, and lifelong memories.

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/

Embracing Emotions: Behind the Scenes of Birch Trail's "Inside Out" Play

Get ready for an episode full of "all the feels"! This week on the Birch Trail Podcast, we dive into the excitement and emotion of the camp play, "Inside Out."

We sit down with four amazing campers – Vivian (Anger), Elle (Fear), Violet (Joy), and Marty (Riley) – who share their unique experiences preparing for the show. They open up about:

• Finding their character: What it's like to embody an emotion on stage and why some roles just feel right!
• The art of memorization: Their clever strategies for learning lines, from repeating in different voices to quizzing themselves.
• Building confidence through performance: How the camp play helps them overcome nerves and embrace new challenges.
• The bonds of the stage: Making new friends and finding a shared passion for theater at camp.
• Why camp is the perfect place for creativity: How the supportive Birch Trail community allows girls to shine.

Listen in to hear heartwarming and humorous stories that highlight the incredible personal growth happening on and off the stage at Birch Trail!

State representative Chanz Green visited Birch Trail - so of course, we had to have him on the Pod!

Are you curious about the people shaping the place your daughter calls home for the summer? In this special episode, we welcome Wisconsin State Representative Chanz Green to Birch Trail! Join us as he shares his journey from small-town Wisconsin to the State Capitol, and what brought him to experience the magic of summer camp firsthand.

Tune in to discover:

• What it's like to be a State Representative and how decisions are made for all Wisconsin residents.
• How Representative Green transitioned from a career in municipal services to public office.
• The most rewarding and most challenging aspects of serving in government.
• His passion for making Wisconsin a leading state for search and rescue dogs – a fascinating insight into his legislative work!
• Why he values seeing campers from all over the world embracing Northern Wisconsin.

This episode offers a unique look at local government and the dedicated individuals working to improve communities, including the one Birch Trail calls home.

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/

Unpacking Birch Trail's Wildest Nighttime Adventures!

Ever wonder what secret adventures unfold after lights out at Birch Trail? Get ready to pull back the curtain on one of camp's most beloved and mysterious traditions: the "Pop Raid!" This episode dives deep into the fun, surprise, and teamwork behind these legendary late-night escapades.

Join us as we explore:

• What exactly IS a Pop Raid? Hear from campers and even the "DOPRAT" (Director of Pop Raids and Tourism!) herself on what goes down when the lights start flashing.
• The hilarious tactics of a successful Pop Raid: From "Gabe's coming!" to "Be a tree!" discover the silly commands that make blindfolded campers jump and laugh their way to a secret destination.
• The magic of the "secret soda machine": Learn what delicious treats await at the end of a thrilling Pop Raid journey.
• Why Pop Raids are more than just soda runs: Discover how these unique adventures foster teamwork, creativity, and unforgettable memories for every camper.
• The history and evolution of Pop Raids – and how they became the wonderful tradition they are today!

Tune in to discover the playful spirit and community-building fun of Birch Trail's Pop Raids, and why they're a core part of the camp experience!

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/

Who is the Birch Trail Sasquatch? The Investigation Begins!

What's furry, mysterious, and loves to pop up when you least expect it? It's the Birch Trail Sasquatch! In this special segment, "Squash Watch," we're taking you inside one of camp's most exciting traditions: the camp-wide search for our elusive, friendly beast. Who is in the Sasquatch costume? The entire camp is on the case, and the list of suspects is growing.

Join us as our camp reporters interview witnesses and suspects to get to the bottom of this hilarious mystery. From getaway golf carts to suspicious footprints, this investigation has it all!

In this week's "Squash Watch," we uncover:

• The Dinner-Time Sighting: The Sasquatch makes a memorable appearance at the lodge, does a dance for the Maples, and makes a quick escape in a golf cart—allegedly driven by village director Lauren!
• The Waterfront Clue: Mysterious size 10 footprints are discovered in the sand on the waterfront. Who at camp has feet that big?
• The Suspect List: We interview a lineup of potential Sasquatches, including Rosemary, Jack, Abby, and Natalie. Hear their alibis, accusations, and theories.
• Prime Suspects Emerge: All signs seem to point toward the waterfront staff, with many campers convinced it must be John Knight.
• A Suspicious Twist: In a stunning development, prime suspect John Knight has declined our request for an interview! What is he hiding?

Tune in for a dose of pure camp fun and see if you can solve the mystery alongside our campers!

Find out more about Birch Trail's unique traditions at https://birchtrail.com/

Straight from the Bunk: A Camper's Guide to Packing, Friendships, and First Days

Ever wonder what your daughter is really thinking about camp? For the first episode of Second Session, we handed the microphones over to the experts themselves: the campers! This special episode is an authentic, unscripted conversation about everything from packing lists to making lifelong friends. It’s a must-listen for new and returning families looking for the real inside scoop.

Join the campers as they discuss:

• The Ultimate Packing Tip: Hear the camper consensus on packing – and why you should always add a few extra shirts to the duffel bag.
• A New Camper's First Days: Listen in as a brand-new camper shares her journey to camp and her exciting first impressions of her cabin mates, the food, and the welcoming community.
• First vs. Second Session: What makes each session unique? An eight-week camper breaks down the differences in traditions and favorite evening programs.
• Camper-Approved Favorites: From chicken patties to French toast sticks, and from waterskiing to just relaxing in the hammocks, find out what the girls love most about their days at BT.
• Building Friendships: Campers from Chicago to Connecticut talk about meeting new people, connecting with friends from different states, and keeping in touch after the summer ends.
• Navigating Camp Life: How do you handle a rainy day? The girls share their perspectives on making the most of every moment, rain or shine.

Tune in for this heartfelt and honest look at Birch Trail through the eyes of our amazing campers.

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/

It's a "Wicked" Good Time: A Camper-Led Look at the Summer Musical

Have you ever wondered what goes into making the magic of the Birch Trail camp play? This week, we’re handing the microphone over to the campers themselves for a special episode that takes you behind the curtain of this summer's blockbuster production: the musical Wicked!

From nerve-wracking auditions to the thrill of landing a lead role, the cast members share their personal stories of hard work, friendship, and newfound confidence. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to hear directly from the campers about how activities like the camp play help them grow, overcome challenges, and support one another.

Join our camper hosts as they interview the stars of the show and explore:

• The Audition Process: Hear a firsthand story about losing your voice right before a big audition and finding the courage to go for it anyway!
• Building Confidence: The campers playing Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, and Nessarose share how they tackle the challenges of memorizing lines, playing new character types, and taking center stage.
• Teamwork in Action: Discover how campers collaborate in the "Pixley" theater to create everything from costumes to props, making the show a true team effort.
• Favorite Moments: The cast shares their favorite songs and scenes from Wicked (get ready to hear a line from "Popular"!).
• Meet the Cast: Stick around to the end as the hosts proudly read the entire cast list for this summer's production of Wicked.

Tune in to this special episode to celebrate the incredible talent, dedication, and spirit of the Birch Trail campers!

Find out more about Birch Trail at https://birchtrail.com/