Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Summer Camp Experience for Boys in Wisconsin
Camp Horseshoe has been dedicated to creating transformative summer experiences for boys aged 8-18 since 1935. Located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, our program combines premier athletics, outdoor adventure, water sports, and tripping programs with a focus on character development and lifelong friendships. With a 4:1 camper-to-counselor ratio, we ensure personalized attention and mentorship, fostering values like integrity, leadership, and fellowship. Our dynamic staff, many of whom credit their professional success to skills honed here, guide campers through activities designed to build confidence and resilience.From climbing 'Mt. Shoe' to navigating Boundary Water rapids, every experience is crafted to challenge and inspire. The Heart of Horseshoe philosophy emphasizes meaningful accomplishment alongside endless fun, creating memories that endure far beyond the summer season. Over 90 years of tradition, including Na Ta Ne and Golden Horseshoe Honor Tribes, underscores our commitment to excellence. We welcome families globally, uniting boys from diverse backgrounds in a supportive, spirited community where 'each boy matters.'
Services
Athletics
Outdoor Adventure
Water Sports
Tripping Programs
Special Events
Basketball Camp
Rookie Weekend
Father/Son Weekend
Alumni Weekend
Leadership Development
Details
- Year established: 1935
Highlights and features
- We offer a 4:1 camper-to-counselor ratio for personalized mentorship.
- Our program combines athletics, adventure, and character development since 1935.
- We foster lifelong friendships and leadership skills in a supportive community.
- Our staff includes experienced professionals who credit camp with shaping their careers.
- We provide structured goal-oriented programs like Na Ta Ne Honor Tribes for growth.
What people say
Best time of my life
Transformative for my career
Confidence to take on the real world
Skills used daily in professional life
Lifelong friendships
Services
Athletics
Our premier athletics program offers competitive leagues in basketball, soccer, and more, emphasizing teamwork, skill development, and sportsmanship. Expert coaching and state-of-the-art facilities like Doc H Field ensure campers grow both physically and mentally. Every game reinforces values like perseverance and camaraderie.
Outdoor Adventure
From scaling 'Mt. Shoe' to navigating Boundary Water rapids, our outdoor adventure program challenges campers to build confidence and resilience. Activities include hiking, canoeing, and survival skills training, all guided by experienced staff prioritizing safety and personal growth.
Water Sports
The waterfront program features swimming, tubing, and sailing on Lake Snowden. Certified lifeguards supervise all activities, ensuring safety while campers master skills like one-match fire lighting. Water sports emphasize both individual achievement and team collaboration in a fun, energetic environment.
Tripping Programs
Multi-day tripping programs like canoeing the Namekagon River teach navigation, environmental stewardship, and group problem-solving. Campers bond through shared challenges, learning to rely on teammates while exploring Wisconsin's Northwoods under staff guidance.
Special Events
Unique events like Shoe Madness and Council Horseshoe foster community spirit through themed competitions and rituals. These programs blend tradition with creativity, allowing campers to express individuality while strengthening bonds within the Horseshoe brotherhood.
People
Jordan Shiner
Owner/Director
Jordan Shiner co-leads Camp Horseshoe with a focus on program excellence and camper development. With decades of experience in youth leadership, he ensures every activity aligns with the camp's values of integrity and fellowship.
Fran Shiner
Owner/Director
Fran Shiner partners with Jordan to maintain Camp Horseshoe's legacy of excellence. Her dedication to personalized mentorship and community-building shapes the camp's inclusive environment where every boy feels valued and supported.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We welcome boys aged 8-18, offering age-appropriate programs from introductory activities to advanced leadership training.
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
Our 4:1 ratio ensures personalized attention, with small cabins and dedicated staff fostering individual growth.
How long has Camp Horseshoe operated?
We've provided transformative summers since 1935, combining tradition with evolving programs for modern youth development.
What safety measures are in place?
Certified lifeguards supervise water activities, and all trips follow strict safety protocols. Staff undergo rigorous training in emergency response and child welfare.
Are there leadership opportunities for older campers?
Yes! Advanced programs like Na Ta Ne Honor Tribes challenge teens with goal-oriented activities and mentorship roles for younger campers.
Reviews (3)
Joyce S.
Mar 26, 2017
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Camp Horseshoe is the best investment you can make for your son! I have 2 sons that started at Horseshoe since the first day that they opened their doors. Not only did they enjoy the vast amount of activities that they participated in, they learned life skills on team building , friendship making and goal setting. My sons have added to their life skills of self esteem building and independence through the Horseshoe values that have been instilled in them. As a matter of fact, the skills that they learned , they then applied to their campers when they BOTH became counselors at Horseshoe!!
The
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Kelly D.
Jun 17, 2016
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It's painful to give them even one star. The owners of this camp are incompetent. The magnitude of the failure on their part to do right by my son is epic.
YOUR KIDS ARE NOT SAFE AT THIS CAMP. Run away and run away fast. Find your self a better camp where there is no breakdown in communication and where there are more responsible, honest, and professional owners and staff.
YOUR KIDS ARE NOT SAFE AT THIS CAMP. Run away and run away fast. Find your self a better camp where there is no breakdown in communication and where there are more responsible, honest, and professional owners and staff.
Suzanne H.
Feb 20, 2016
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Biggest complaint with the basketball camp for us was that they did not give my son medicine we provided. it was an unorganized drop off. counselors were taking medication. not even sure if it made it to the nurse.
our son and his friend also complained that the counselors would cut the line for tubing and for trampoline type games, and that they ran out of food during meals.
our son and his friend also complained that the counselors would cut the line for tubing and for trampoline type games, and that they ran out of food during meals.
