What to Bring to Silver Birch Ranch

Essentials

  • Sleeping Bag or Blankets and Linens (twin beds)

  • Pillow

  • Bible, Paper, Pens, Envelopes, Stamps

  • Flashlight

  • Water Bottle and Drawstring Bag or Backpack


Clothing

  • Modest Casual Clothing

    • Shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sweatpants, socks, underwear

    • Sweatshirts for cooler nights

    • Pajamas 

    • See separate document for the 2025 SBR Dress Code

  • Old Clothes

    • Anything you wouldn’t mind getting dirty!

  • Jeans and Closed-Toe Shoes (required for horseback riding and zipline/climbing)

  • Modest Swimsuit (See SBR dress code)

  • Gym Shoes

    • Extra pair for rafting (that can get wet!)

  • For Cold Weather (Winter/Fall)

    • Winter coat, snow pants, boots, gloves, other layers of clothing


Personal Items

  • Towels

    • For showering and swimming

  • Toiletries

    • Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, cup, brush

  • Laundry Bag

    • Do NOT use a plastic garbage bag. They rip and get mixed up.


Additional Gear

  • Rain Gear/Jacket

  • Sunscreen and Bug Spray

  • Optional Items

    • Cell-phone (See SBR Cell Phone Policy)

    • Camera

    • Fishing gear

    • Personal sports equipment (basketball, baseball glove, etc.)

Prohibited Items 

SBR staff reserves the right to search and seize camper items that are not allowed or are misused at camp.

  • Do NOT Bring

    • Knives or weapons

    • Electronic games of any kind

    • Fireworks

    • Tobacco

    • Firearms or alcohol/drugs

    • Animals

  • Smoking

    • Not permitted inside buildings

    • Only allowed for non-campers aged 18+ (inside designated areas)

  • For High School Campers Driving to Camp

    • Keys must be turned in upon arrival.

    • Keys will be returned on departure day.


Important Notes

  • Silver Birch Ranch is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

  • Label All Items

    • Please mark all clothing and equipment with the camper’s first and last name.

  • Lost and Found

    • Missing items (except socks and underwear) can be returned upon request for a postage and handling fee.

  • Clothing Recommendations

    • Please don’t bring new or expensive clothing to camp.

    • Consider making a check-off list for your student(s) to review before the trip back home.


Other Important Information

  • Camp’s Goals
    The goals at Silver Birch are 4-fold: SAFE: Safe—Affordable—Fun—Effective (See our website for further description.)

  • Health & Safety

    • The safety of each camper is paramount, and we make sure that each program area of camp is staffed by well-trained individuals. There is a potential for risk whenever activities and campers are involved, however, we have initiated safety measures, to the best of our ability, to limit the level of risk. (See website for camp activities list: silverbirchranch.org.) We will contact you by phone in case of your camper’s illness or injury while at camp.

  • Medications

    • Please make sure that your camper’s prescription medications are updated and listed on the Medical section on your camper account Dashboard.

  • SBR Transportation (Coach buses & vans) (from Chicago area)

  • Camper Photos and Video

    • Digital Downloads-Check out our camp pics at silverbirchranch.org/camper-photos. Pictures will be posted beginning the 2nd full day of the session, but due to our location and tech issues, the postings may be delayed. Please visit our website for access to this year’s session pics and videos.

  • Spending Money

    • Our “Canteen/Trading Post” offers a wide variety of items for sale beyond the normal pop, candy, and pizza. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other camp apparel can be purchased for $10-$60+, along with other camp souvenirs. Items like toothpaste, stamps, etc. will be made available at a nominal cost. Money is banked “on account” at camp to avoid the risk of losing it. 

    • Unspent Canteen account money will be refunded to the credit card on the account, or returned to the camper in cash if deposited by cash or check.

    • Canteen Prices.

  • Special Dietary Meals

    • Gluten-free and/or dairy-free meal requests must be made online with the registration. There is an additional charge of $28 for 6-day sessions. Requests are not guaranteed, any late requests (within 7 days prior to the session) may not be able to be honored due to lack of food availability and will be charged an additional late fee. The SBR kitchen is not a celiac, wheat-free, peanut-free, or tree nut-free facility. See the Special Dietary Meals document or FAQs under Summer/Youth Camps/Need to Know Info button for more details. Contact foodservice@silverbirchranch.org with questions.

  • Mail

    • Mail letters to your camper before they leave for camp to ensure delivery while they are at camp and always use your return address. (We also encourage sending self-addressed stamped envelopes with your camper to send you a note from camp.) Send mail and packages to: Silver Birch Ranch Camper Name N6120 Sawyer Lake Road White Lake, WI 54491

  • Email

    • See the document about Bunk1—our form of camper one-way email communication. The campers do not have access to computers to return emails. (silverbirchranch.org→SUMMER→YOUTH CAMPS→“Bunk1 Email” link.) Cost is involved. Use of the authorization code on the Bunk 1 letter will be needed. The code for will be available closer to the camp session.

  • Payments

    • Please make a payment online or by mail for your camp balance 1 week in advance of your session. If any questions arise concerning your balance, please contact Linda at 715.484.2742x230/Linda.Wager@silverbirchranch.org.

  • Attire

    • Please see the 2025 SBR Dress Code Document. To maintain an appropriate atmosphere at camp, we ask that you pack according to the SBR Dress Code a modest wardrobe for active wear for the week, and that you don’t bring clothes that draw attention to your body. Thank you, guys and girls, for your cooperation with modest dress. Campers dressing inappropriately and immodestly will be asked to change to modest clothes.

  • Camper Departures

    • For those picking up their campers at the end of the session, the camp program for the week ends at 10:30 am. Campers will be picked up at the Chapel. Reminder: Note your session dates carefully. (No official check out for high school camps.)

  • Emergency Contact

    • Call our office (715.484.2742) if you have an emergency message to be given to your camper.

    • Program begins at supper-6pm on arrival day.

  • Cancellations

    • If your student is unable to attend his/her camp session, please call and let us know. (The registration deposit fee ($75) is not refundable and is only transferable within 2025 Youth Camps to not-yet registered campers or immediate family members registered for another session.) Any Canteen payment made online is refundable due to a camper’s cancellation.

Linda-Youth Camp Registrar
Email: Linda.Wager@silverbirchranch.org
PN: 715.484.2742x230