This is how we were all raised in the Chernov family, with the true values of the camp lifestyle: fostering emotional and social life skills, encouraging love of the outdoors, and creating lasting bonds that will last forever.
Birch Trail was founded in 1959 by Jerry and Pat Baer. Barbara and Richard Chernov bought the camp from them in 1985. A lot has happened at Birch Trail since our mom and dad started running the camp more than 55 years ago… The Chernov children grew up, the reigns were passed down, and we welcomed even more camp girls from across the States and internationally; girls who found their voice, developed strong friendships, gained inner confidence, and created memories to last a lifetime. My wife Erin and I took over as directors after my parents and our honored to be the second generation of Chernov's to run the camp.
We’ve lived the camp lifestyle for a long time, and Birch Trail is a family—the Chernovs, the staff and the campers. We work to create a loving, educational environment for our own three children, Raya, Miles, and Finn as well as our campers. As the ‘camp mom and dad’, we endeavor to create a place where your girls feel at home, feel cared for, and most importantly—feel ready to have fun!
Birch Trail has been in our family for two generations, and we’ve had the benefit of time, experience, and knowledge to create a program that’s truly suited to a child’s development and leadership.
With a talented and trusted team, Birch Trail functions on an incredibly high level of intention and care in everything we do, for the benefit of our campers.
Owner/director
Having grown up in the summer camp environment, I know firsthand the benefits that a camp experience can provide: the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore in a safe, nurturing setting. I want my life’s work to be about bringing those benefits to other children, helping them grow, develop lifelong friendships, and learn life skills. I believe this is what helps them build the resources to deal with life’s challenges.
I’ve worked at Birch Trail Camp since 1993, waterski instructor and trip leader to assistant director and now co-owner.
I believe passionately in developing in our girls a true spirit of adventure, born out of teamwork and individuality. Every summer is a new adventure. For us, for our children, and for our camp girls.
I’m an active volunteer serving on the Wisconsin Section of the American Camp Association board, Association of Independent Camps National Board, and the President of the Midwest Association of Independent Camps. I also speak at industry conventions and conferences on professional camping and child development.
Owner/director
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for children. I wanted to combine my love of children and my appreciation for the arts to empower young girls to grow into successful, emotionally intelligent young women.
At Birch Trail, I’ve managed Arts and Crafts, been the Maple Village Director, and taken over some of the ‘mothering’ activities (dealing with homesickness, washing teddy bears, and helping to write letters home). I have a B.A. from Marquette University and experience as a 5th-grade teacher, and I also tutor campers and volunteer at the Schlitz Audubon Nature preschool.
As an all-girls camp, there’s a particularly nurturing environment at Birch Trail for education, personal confidence, and individual growth. We place a lot of emphasis on outdoor education, the invigorating atmosphere of fresh air, pine trees, clear lake water and bird songs (and no electronic distractions).
I believe in helping children in cooperative group work to construct their own knowledge, and learn through doing. I’m so proud to nurture so many bright, happy kids in my role as director at Birch Trail.
Camp ‘Mom’ and Birch Trail Director
I’ve always loved camp, and I’ve always loved children. I’ve worked at Birch Trail for 32 years, but even before that, I worked at another camp as an arts and crafts director. I also went to camp as a teenager.
I always wanted a large family of children, and running a summer camp seemed to be the answer to that dream!
These days, a good camp experience is needed to let kids unwind, relax, have fun, and… just be kids.
I try to set my intentions every morning to help as many kids as I can and to see the good in each and every child. It’s really important not to judge them and to make them feel seen, heard, and believed.
Assistant Director
I believe the camp experience should offer a child the chance to have fun and try new things, all while gaining resiliency, confidence, and independence.
Camp Health Center Director
I’ve been at Birch Trail since 2005. I’m a registered nurse and I oversee the camp's Health Center here every summer.
Wilderness Trip Director
I’ve been the camp's longtime wilderness trips director for more than two decades, after my studies at the University of Alaska and working as a teacher and school administrator.
Waterfront Director
I’ve been Birch Trail's waterfront director for more than 30 years. Every summer, I travel to camp from my winter home in Hong Kong, where I work as a child psychologist.