YMCA Gathering Pines Story

Welcome to YMCA Gathering Pines, where adventure, community, and well-being come together in harmony. Nestled amidst the serene natural beauty of rolling hills, pasturelands, forests and five ponds. We use adventure as a tool to experience nature, personal growth, and connection. 

YMCA Gathering Pines is the legacy site of Day Camp Kici Yapi, which was located on Pike Lake Trail in Prior Lake. Day Camp Kici Yapi has a long history of providing excellent day camp experiences for youth and had a strong community connection to the Southdale YMCA.  

Day Camp Kici Yapi was sold to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux in 2011 with a long-term lease in place that allowed camp to continue on site until 2021.  The 225 acre Gathering Pines property was purchased by the YMCA of the North in 2020 and opened for operation in 2022.  Gathering Pines was previously the site of a buffalo ranch, hut club and family homestead.  

The new Gathering Pines property will allow for Day Camp programs to expand into new adventures including ropes courses, zip lines and into vast natural landscapes. We are excited to continue the Kici Yapi’s long legacy of day camp, community and adventure.