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.