Register for Day Camp Christmas Tree

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.

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.

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.

Participants in this specialty camp will have our youngest campers saying "howdy" with big grins. They'll spend a part of each day at the horse stables and say "giddy-up" for a pony ride, a hayride, and campfire sing-a-longs in the great outdoors!

Colts is an approximately one-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.

In Circle Y Camp, experienced riders spend ten hours per week in advanced riding instruction, including mounting, trotting, and ring work. Riders also learn about proper horse care, such as feeding, grooming, and saddling.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The application process does not start until March of 2025. Please contact Max Ostenso to apply or for additional information: maxwell.ostenso@ymcamn.org or 763-230-6549. We kindly ask that the applicant reaches out directly to apply as it is a part of the career readiness aspect of the program. Hope to see you this summer!