50+ Years of PELC Camp Bird Adventures

In 1969 John Brosig and PELC Staff loaded buses and set off on a three-day, two-night outdoor education adventure at Camp Bird State Youth Recreational Center. His vision was to build community among students and staff with an overnight outdoor education adventure.

This journey has continued ever since for 6th graders in the Peshtigo School District.  

It has evolved into one of the most notable aspects of the school community here in Peshtigo. Years after graduating, alumni often cite Camp Bird as one of their favorite school experiences.

Located about 40 miles northeast of Peshtigo, students and staff load buses early in the morning on day one and camp overnight in cabins for the next two nights. While at camp, students take part in outdoor survival and education lessons that bring science and environmentalism to life in tangible ways. At the same time, students join together to take care of themselves and each other, while learning valuable life lessons about kindness, cooperation and responsibility. For some students, the experience at Camp Bird represents the first time in their lives that they spend overnights away from home.

50th Anniversary

On September 25, 2019, PELC held a 50th anniversary celebration and open house and invited the public back to Camp Bird to take a walk down memory lane. Tours were given by Junior Counselors, as guests walked the grounds to see how Camp Bird has changed over the years, but also how the fun and family of Camp Bird has stayed the same.

Mr. Brosig, the founder of PELC's Camp Bird outdoor education program, was present and gave a short history of the program. All guests and students enjoyed cake in honor of this special occasion.