Attend camp as a family
The definition of "family" can be different for many people. At YMCA of the North, we appreciate the value of different populations and welcome all. Our Family Camps bring families of all kinds together – strengthening relationships and creating unforgettable memories to share for a lifetime.
Family Camps take you away from your routine with a north woods escape, where you can surround yourselves with serene wilderness.
Camp du Nord
Ely, MN
Founded in 1961, Camp du Nord is a family destination deep in Minnesota's north woods. Situated on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, du Nord provides access to miles of hiking and skiing trails and family and group programming throughout the year.
Camp Northern Lights
Ely, MN
YMCA Camp Northern Lights, a North Woods family camp and getaway destination, is the YMCA's newest family camp in Northern Minnesota. Located on the edge of the Superior National Forest, families experience a beautiful wilderness setting that promotes community, relaxation, and adventure.
Family Camp Lottery
The lottery occurs December 8–11, 2025, with one registration wave occurring daily. Each registered household is randomly assigned to a registration wave. Registration for the lottery is open from November 3–21, 2025, and is free of cost.
Wave assignments will be sent the week before the lottery. Links to register online will be sent to each registered household on the morning of their assigned wave.
Updates are posted to the Facebook pages for Camp du Nord and Camp Northern Lights during the lottery.
Waiting List
Once the lottery is complete, households may register for the waitlist. Waitlist registrants will receive an email after a site becomes available.
Open Registration
Open registration begins December 15. The remaining sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lottery Process
- Register for the Lottery
Between November 3–21, each household registers once for the lottery. - Receive Your Wave Assignment
After registration closes, each household is randomly assigned to a registration wave. Wave assignments will be emailed the week before the lottery. - Lottery Week (December 8–11)
Each day of lottery week represents a new registration wave. On the morning of your assigned wave, you’ll receive a registration link to reserve your preferred week and site. - Camper Registration (available February 11)
Prior to arriving to camp, you will need to fill out information about the individual campers who are staying in your site and sign-up for our optional meal service. - Meal Service (Camp du Nord only - available March 4)
Prior to arriving to camp, you have the option to register for meal service. Most cabins have kitchens. Meals fill up fast – so register soon! Camper Registration is required before registering for meal service.
Group Lottery Registration (Optional)
You may register as a group of two or three households if you hope to attend camp the same week as friends or family.
All households in a group will be placed in the same registration wave.
This can be “high risk, high reward.”
- Example: Each household in a group might be assigned to Wave 1 (best availability) or could be assigned to Wave 4 (limited availability).
Each household may reserve only one site during their lottery wave.
Each household will reserve their own site during their assigned wave.
Please confirm your login information works before your assigned registration day.
To confirm, visit the login page and make sure you can successfully sign in.
All Lottery and Open Registration reservations require a 10% deposit payment at the time of registration. The remaining balance will be billed in four monthly installments on the first of each of the following months: March, April, May and June.
A group is two or three households that will be placed in the same registration wave. To register as a group, each household must register for the lottery.
During the assigned wave, each household will register for its own site. Households may not register on behalf of another household. You may not register for multiple sites.
To remain fair in our registration process, households may only register for one family camp during lottery day. During open registration, households may register for any available site, at either camp.
Contact Us
Whether you have a question or are ready to plan, we have the answers and are prepared to assist.
Financial Assistance
The YMCA offers need-based financial assistance to help people access the programs that are important to them.
Special Accommodations
We are committed to improving access to our programs and spaces for all.