Register for Day Camp DayCroix
DayCroix Families: Due to the childcare standards from the State of Wisconsin, we are held to tight to licensing rules and regulations. Campers who are under the age of 7 can only register for the following camps – Little Seeds, Wee Backpackers, and Junior Camps (Junior Offerings – Traditional Day Camp, Arts & Crafts, Arts & Imagination, Wild About Nature). As you register for camps, please know that our licensed campers who are 3-6 years old can’t be registered with campers who are 7 and older. If you have campers who want to be together and aren’t BOTH over or under 7 when their camp week starts, we will not be able to put them in the same camp group.
Traditional Options
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!
Half day program, runs 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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!
Arts and Imagination
Arts & Imagination camps spark creativity through diverse artistic experiences that ignite imagination, foster creative world-building, and instill confidence, while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for art and self-expression.
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.
Horse Camp
Colts
Colts is a two-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.
Buckaroos
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.
Broncos
Build confidence as you develop horsemanship skills. Trained instructors will teach the basics of western horseback riding. You will work on leading, mounting, ring work, grooming, trotting, and saddling. By week’s end, groups may have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic trail ride.
Nature and Science
Farm and Garden
Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily.
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
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!
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.
Target Sports
Participants learn the fundamentals of target sports, 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.
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
Extreme Adventure
This camp provides participants the opportunity to advance their skills and challenge themselves 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!
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.
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.
Contact us at day.croix@ymcamn.org or 612-461-9694 for more information.
A day camp lead staff member will reach out for an interview in late April 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!
Junior Counselor applications are now live! Apply using the button below to fill out a quick questionnaire and set up an interview to start the process of becoming a Junior counselor!
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.