Register for Day Camp Gathering Pines

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!

Summer Extravaganza is the last chance to enjoy the great outdoors at camp before summer ends! All available activities are jam-packed into a single session.

BAM! POW! KAZAM! Kids think, dress, and act like superheroes! Activities include super games, super crafts, and super fun. Where else can kids spend the day exploring their superpowers as their alter-ego superheroes, meet other superheroes and save the world?

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!

This camp is great for kids who already know the basics of horseback riding, kids who can properly saddle/tack their horses with minor assistance and have had previous riding experience at our camp or riding lessons outside of camp. Buckaroos campers continue to gain skills and build confidence in and out of the saddle.

This program includes groundwork lessons (may include: daily chores, how to groom, lead and saddle, how to bridle a horse, how to lunge a horse, round pen work, in-hand obstacle course, giving a horse a bath, horse body language, and horse health) and a mounted group riding lesson (weather permitting) (may include: focus on safety skills like emergency dismounts, proper trail and arena horse spacing, learning the four natural aids, correct riding position, balance, horse yoga/stretching, steering, mounting, dismounting, and playing games on horseback). The majority of our horse camp will take place in a riding arena, and campers who can demonstrate required riding competencies may have the opportunity to go on a trail ride at the end of the week. Depending on the whole group’s ability, they may be taught how to trot at the end of the week in the arena.

Parents, it is okay (and recommended) for a horseback camper to do more than one summer of Buckaroos horseback camp (or multiple sessions in a summer).

Broncos is for kids who already know the basics of horseback riding, have taken several summers of our other horseback camps, or who ride in weekly lessons outside of camp. Broncos is a faster-paced, higher skill and more demanding camp. Riders will be given a refresher in the basics on day one, but they will be required to saddle/tack their horses, must know how to lead their horse, and mount and dismount with very little assistance.

This program includes a groundwork lesson (may include: daily chores, how to catch and halter a horse, how to bridle a horse, feeding a horse, how to lunge a horse, round pen work, in-hand obstacle course, giving a horse a bath, horse body language, horse training techniques, and horse healthcare) and mounted group riding lessons (weather permitting) (may include: focus on safety skills like emergency dismounts, proper trail and arena horse spacing, learning the four natural aids, correct riding position, balance, horse yoga/stretching, trotting, trail pattern obstacle courses, dressage patterns, and playing games on horseback). The majority of our horse camp will take place in our indoor or outdoor arena while working on their skills to achieve the trail ride eligible status for later in the week.

Participants become “Eco-Explorers” as they investigate the natural surroundings at camp. We will take nature treks to explore our camp environment and search for signs of local wildlife. Activities include bug safaris, nature hunts, and more!

Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily. These young farmers will experience the daily routines of caring for a garden. They will have the chance to gain an appreciation for farm plants and animals through crafts, hands-on activities.

Filled with exploration and environmental education, we’ll focus on fort-building and discovering insects, fish, and frogs. Campers will take one field trip (weather permitting) to a local lake to learn basic fishing skills while practicing the catch-and-release method for shore fishing.

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!

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

Participants learn the fundamentals of archery, examine equipment close-up, and learn the science behind target shooting. Instructors teach proper grip, stance, and aim alignment. YMCA of the North provides equipment.

Learn about basic climbing, belay techniques, knot tying, and safety. Challenge participants to test their strengths, strategy, and skill on our ropes courses.

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.

Kids get hooked on fishing as they learn basic fishing skills. 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.

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 discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily. These young farmers will experience the daily routines of caring for a garden. They will have the chance to gain an appreciation for farm plants and animals through crafts, hands-on activities.

Lakes 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.

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.

If you have questions, you can reach out to us via Gathering.Pines@ymcamn.org or 651-309-4414.

A day camp team member will reach out for an interview around mid-March 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!