Register for Day Camp DayCroix

Traditional camp is about exploration and discovery. Campers will explore by hiking, studying the wonder of nature, building connections through teamwork, and conquering many challenges under the leadership of well-trained staff. It exposes participants to various activities, including archery, fort building, tie-dye, gaga ball, swimming, nature studies, paddling, arts and crafts, cookouts, group games, and more. Campers will participate in some, but not all, of these activities, depending on their age and camp locations. Each camper will leave camp with a wide range of memories and experiences!

Traditional camp is about exploration and discovery. Campers will explore by hiking, studying the wonder of nature, building connections through teamwork, and conquering many challenges under the leadership of well-trained staff. It exposes participants to various activities, including archery, fort building, tie-dye, gaga ball, swimming, nature studies, paddling, arts and crafts, cookouts, group games, and more. Campers will participate in some, but not all, of these activities, depending on their age and camp locations. Each camper will leave camp with a wide range of memories and experiences!

The Wee Backpacker program aims to continue fostering a love and appreciation for the outdoors. Campers sing songs, tell stories, and play games while beginning to experience the variety of activities camp has to offer. Wee Backpackers maintains a low staff-to-child ratio.

‘Planting Seeds’ of interest and appreciation for the great outdoors in our youngest campers at Little Seeds Summer Camp! Little Seeds maintains a low staff-to-child ratio under the watchful eye of leadership staff and counselors trained to meet the needs of young campers. Little Seeds offers children the opportunity to engage in nature-based programming while experiencing new things and making new friends!

Half day program, runs 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Kids free their imaginations and develop improvisational skills! Participants explore the theater world through games, acting exercises, script rehearsals, and even performing for an audience.

ROAR! Campers will travel back to explore the Jurassic period with their favorite dinosaurs. We Dig Dinos camp aims to ignite the passion and fuel the enthusiasm of budding paleontologists. Campers dig for fossils, create their dinosaur, and more! Will your kids have a great time at this camp? You bet, Jurassic!

Colts is an approximately two-hour-per-day introductory program for campers with little or no experience around horses. First-time riders will build confidence and skills while learning the basics of western horseback riding. Instruction includes safety, leading, mounting, dismounting, reining, and basic riding. Kids spend the remainder of the day in traditional camp activities.

Buckaroos is an intermediate program for campers with at least one year of riding experience. Approximately two hours of daily instruction includes a basic skill review, intermediate ring riding, trotting, grooming, and saddling. The remainder of the day is spent in traditional camp activities.

Build confidence as you develop horsemanship skills. Trained instructors will teach the basics of western horseback riding. You will work on leading, mounting, ring work, grooming, trotting, and saddling. By week’s end, groups may have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic trail ride.

Participants discover the finer points of preparing for a big outdoor adventure while learning various practical camping skills, including building a fire, making camp shelters, knot tying, campfire cooking, and more!

Participants will spend the week engaged in hands-on, interactive projects. There will be lots of learning, using their imaginations, and exploring the indoors and outdoors at camp!

Enjoy the great outdoors as we explore the wonders of nature! Participants will hike along our many paths to discover the camp's different natural landscapes and ecosystems. Kids learn to identify various trees, plants, and animals.

Kids develop their camping skills by learning how to safely build a fire and cook over it. Campers receive lessons in outdoor cooking safety, cooking techniques, and the essentials for making healthy food in the great outdoors.

It’s all fun and games as participants learn to play various outdoor games with a “camp style.” Participants learn to play gaga ball, 9-square in the air, and other field games.

Kids get hooked on fishing as they learn basic fishing skills. Field trips to local lakes and rivers provide the scene for fishing fun using the catch-and-release method. Campers can bring their pole and tackle or use equipment provided by YMCA of the North.

Each day young sailors learn the basics of sailing and safety with YMCA instructors. Participants will be taught techniques and terminology for operating our fleet of sailboats as they practice their skills.

Participants spend the whole week enjoying an incredible array of water activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming, along with other fun water games and adventures.

Participants in the Content Creator camp will use their creativity to highlight the camp experience through video-making. Instructors will emphasize responsible technology and collaboration with other campers and staff. Bring a tablet to take videos during the week, if possible.
 

Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily. Campers will experience the daily routines of caring for rotational grazing sheep and chickens and practice caring for egg-laying hens. Campers will learn about regenerative farming and how to be good stewards of the land through these hands-on farm chores and work in the garden.

Teen Quest is an exciting day camp program geared toward teens that want real outdoor fun! As a group quest, you will decide and plan out some of the camp activities and events throughout the week. This program develops valuable life skills such as open communication, team building, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Receive daily ground and water instruction in basic sailing skills and techniques, as well as boat maintenance and care. Time is spent learning skills such as rigging, jibbing, tacking, knot tying, water safety, and river etiquette. You will operate our fleet of sailboats on Lake St. Croix.

Develop your camping skills as you work together to set up camp and prepare for a big outdoor adventure while learning various helpful camping skills, including building a fire, building shelters, knot tying, campfire cooking, navigating maps, and more!

Discover your leadership qualities by learning to lead campers in activities and assist in planning the week for your group! The second week allows you to put those new skills to the test while you shadow a counselor and assist staff in camp activities.

Do you love working with kids in an outdoor camp setting? Here's your chance to take a leadership role! Junior Counselors are assigned to a group and assist Counselors in leading and carrying out various Day Camp programs.

Ages 14–15

Previous experience in a LIT program or leadership experience working with children is preferred. Candidates will be selected through an application and interview process while gaining career readiness experience.

Contact us at day.croix@ymcamn.org or 612-461-9694 for more information.

A day camp lead staff member will reach out for an interview in late April to talk over details and information about the program. We ask for a minimum of a 3-week commitment. Hope to see you this summer!