Register for Day Camp Heritage
Wee Backpackers
The Wee Backpacker program aims to foster a love and appreciation for the outdoors for our younger campers. 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.
Traditional Day Camp
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!
Little Seeds Day Camp
‘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!
Extravaganza Camps
Summer Extravaganza is a chance to enjoy the great outdoors, playing all the best games and enjoying some of your favorite camp activities! All available programs are jam-packed into fun session!
Arts and Imagination
Arts and Crafts
Participants discover their artistic side and let their imaginations soar. Projects may include sketching, painting, collage, beadwork, and more. Participants create masterpieces to take home and enjoy!
Imagination Quest
Participants will get to use every corner of their imagination. Each day, campers will get to explore a new imaginative adventure. Examples may include pirate day, superhero day, princess/prince day, and more! Counselors may lead campers through scavenger hunts, themed arts and crafts, and encourage imaginative play!
Theater
Kids free their imaginations and develop their acting skills! Participants explore the theater world through games, acting exercises, script rehearsals, and even performing for an audience.
Nature and Science
Farm and Garden
Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily.
Outdoor Living Skills
Participants discover the finer points of preparing for outdoor adventures while learning various practical camping skills, including building a fire, making camp shelters, knot tying, campfire cooking, and more! Outdoor Living Skills camp does not include an overnight experience.
Wild About Nature
Enjoy the great outdoors as we explore the wonders of nature! Participants will venture on nature hikes to discover camp's natural landscapes and ecosystems. Campers can learn to identify various trees, plants, and animals in this fun nature focused camp.
Outdoor Action
Archers & Anglers
Archers & Anglers camp is your chance to learn the fundamentals of both archery and fishing. Learn more about archery equipment, proper stance and aim, and the science behind target shooting. Dive deeper into fishing skills, catch-and-release fishing, and put what you learn into practice.
Campers may bring their own pole & tackle or use equipment provided by the YMCA of the North. The YMCA is not responsible for lost or broken items.
Climbing
Learn about basic climbing skills and safety with low and high ropes challenges. Under the supervision of specially trained climbing staff, campers will get to test their strengths, strategy, and skills on our high ropes courses and elements!
Extreme Adventure (with Overnight)
This camp provides participants the opportunity to advance your skills and challenge yourself in various outdoor activities, survival skills, and more. Campers’ new skills will be put to the test as they work together to prepare for an overnight at YMCA Camp Icaghowan on the Wednesday of your week of camp.
Outdoor Adventure
Outdoor Adventure camp participants will get to try out different challenging camp activities. These activities might include advancing skills in climbing, archery, paddling, outdoor survival, and more! Outdoor Adventure is your chance to sample many different outdoor adventures at our camps.
Water Action
Water Adventure
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.
Teen and Leadership
Leaders-In-Training
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.
Junior Counselor
Do you love working with kids in an outdoor camp setting? Here's your chance to take a leadership role as a volunteer at camp! Junior Counselors are assigned to a group and/or program area where they assist Counselors in leading and carrying out various Day Camp programs.
Entering Grades 9 - 11
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 Mackenzie Erpenbach for more information: mackenzie.erpenbach@ymcamn.org or 612-465-0554.
A day camp lead staff member will reach out Mid-April through Mid-May to set up an interview and talk over details and information about the program. We ask for a minimum of a 3-week commitment. Hope to see you this summer!
Please check back in April for the 2026 application!
Campers attending specialty camps will enjoy other traditional camp activities throughout the week.
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.