Stephanie Love is the co-founder and director of Positive Energy Outdoors and has directed day and residential camp programs in Minnesota and Michigan.

Summer camp season is just around the corner.  Parents and grandparents have many choices of camps--from day camps to overnight camps, adventure camps, religious camps, scout camps, theater, music and arts camps, academic camps, sports camps, girls or boys only camps, and speciality camps for kids with diabetes, autism or cancer, to name just a few.

Formal summer camp programs for children have been popular for over 100 years, helping kids connect with the outdoors, try new skills and make lasting friendships.  Some campers have found that because of the shared experience of camp, they know more about the people they have spent time with at camp for a few days or a few weeks than friends they have know for years at home.  According to the American Camp Association, “quality camp experiences help children develop the healthy emotional and social skills necessary to grow into strong, considerate, competent adults.”

With so many choices, how do you pick a high quality camping experience that will best meet the needs and interests of your child?  Factors to consider include session length, location, and the expectations you and your child have for activities that will happen at camp.  The American Camp Association offers a directory of accredited camps, as well as tips for campers and parents at www.acacamps.org.  

For many children, day camps provide an ideal first camp experience.  Day camps offer a number of activities to try and the opportunity to sleep in your own bed at night.  Day camps range from a morning or afternoon for the youngest campers, some even offering mom and me or dad and me options, to full days with before and after work extended hours.  Some day camps include an overnight camping trip, and transportation may be provided from a central location if the camp is out of town.

Resident camps abound, and great options exist right here in our backyard, and around the country.  Resident camps range from one week to the entire summer, and are geared for a range of ages and activities.  Some camps offer a progression of trips, with participants who return year after year, working up to more advanced expeditions and trips by canoe, backpacking, horseback, sailboat, bike or kayak.  Other camps are know for their arts and cultural programs, and others train young athletes to make strides in their sport while having the opportunity to make new friends and try other traditional camp activities such as games, crafts, outdoor cooking, swimming, boating and the infamous camp skits!

Special needs camps include day camps and resident camps that help kids connect with other children and families, as well as staff trained to work with special needs populations, and may also include programs that have adapted equipment for campers with physical disabilities.  Speak with the camp director to find out how camp programs and staff accommodate campers with special needs to insure a high quality experience.

And what about safety while at camp?  Do your homework.  Many camps participate in the American Camp Association’s accreditation, a voluntary process that provides a high standard of practices for camp directors and staff, but camps that do not participate in accreditation may also provide high quality programs.  Look for low staff to camper ratios and the total number of campers per session.  Ask about staff experience and certifications, such as first aid and CPR, life guarding and other qualifications of staff leading camp activities, especially for specialized programs, such as outdoor adventure and sports programs.  If transportation is provided, find out who is driving and what kind of vehicles are used.  Ask about how the camp helps kids work through challenges and if they have a behavior policy.  If a camp outsources speciality programming, such as rock climbing or kayaking, find out information about the provider, such as their experience working with youth and if they have appropriate equipment sized for children.  Most camps offer scholarships for low-moderate income families, work days and other opportunities to offset the cost of camp to help make the camp experience accessible to all kids.  And remember, camp is popular so register early--some camps fill up by May. 

Summer Camp Guide

The school year is over and some parents might be wondering how to keep the kids busy besides letting them play video games all summer long. Here are some activities and summer camp ideas that might make for a memorable summer for the young ones.

Audubon Center of the North Woods
Grindstone Lake by Sandstone, MN
320-245-2648
audubon-center.org

There are a number of outdoor adventure programs for youth 10 to 14 years old.

Camp Nathanael
Hinkley, MN
888-869-4334
campnathanael.com

This faith based camp offers a variety of summer activities for boys from the age of 3 to 12. There is a low ratio of campers to councilors. There are also father/son programs and other programs for middle and high school boys.

Camp Roundelay
Minong, WI
800-955-6032
gslakesandpines.org/pages/
camproundelay

The Girl Scouts encourages confidence and education that spans from finances to science and the environment. Girls 6 to 18 can partake in skills from boating to crafts. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.

Courage Kenny Rehabilitaion Institute-Northland
Duluth, MN
218-746-4836 Ext. 1
Courage Kenny Northland offers summer recreation for youth 5 to 17 years of age who are disabled including young ones with autism.

Duluth Children’s Museum
115 S. 29th Ave. W.
Duluth, MN
218-733-7543
duluthchildrensmuseum.org/camps

This program is science oriented for youth ages 7 to 13. There are full day and half day camps.

Lake Superior Zoo Camps
7210 Fremont St.
Duluth, MN
218-730-4500
lszoo.org

Kids 4 to 17 years of age will get a wildlife and conservation contentious experience with animal encounters and hands-on activities.
Deep Water Music Twin Ports
Rock Camp
Superior, WI
715-363-2876
deepwatermusic.net

For individuals 9 and older, the Twin Ports Rock Camp is a one week day camp where musicians of all skill levels get the opportunity to become more familiar with an instrument and perform with a group on a Friday at the end of the program. There will be two weeks this summer: June 22-26 and August 10-14. Deep Water Music also offers summer lessons for individuals including children to adults.

Duluth Rowing Club
3911 Minnesota Ave.
Duluth, MN (Park Point)
218-724-2775
duluthrowing.org

The summer program is open to youth ages 13-19. Equipment is provided and all levels of experience will have the opportunity to enjoy rowing on the big lake.

Duluth Superior Sailing Association
Park Point Public Boat Launch
Duluth, MN
218-343-5373
sailingforall.org

There will be four day lessons offered throughout the summer for individuals, groups and families over the age of 8 to learn the world of sailing. Certified instructors will oversee sailors of all experience levels.

Hartley Nature Center
3001 Woodland Ave.
Duluth, MN
218-724-6735
hartleynature.org

Register your child ages 3-12 for a full or half day camp filled with nature activities. There are also opportunities for youth ages 13-17 to train as a counselor.

Learning Institute for Excellence
(Life) Summer Program
434-B N. 57th Ave.
Duluth, MN
218-249-0390

Youth from the 1st through 12th grades can benefit from this mentoring program that emphasizes math, science and other life skills.

Northern Lakes Canoe Base
Ely, MN
800-955-6032
gslakesandpines.org/pages/northern
lakescanoebase

Girls 12 to 18 and adults can choose to go out on a 3 to 10 day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters under the guidance of experienced guides who are certified as lifeguards and have accredited first aid training. They’ll have everything needed for the adventure.

Swift Nature Camp
W7471 Ernie Swift Rd.
Minong, WI
715-466-5666
swiftnaturecamp.com

Swift Nature Camp offers a rich traditional camp experience for boys and girls who are 6 to 15 years old. Fun, outdoor skills, friendship and respect of the environment and individuals is all encouraged.


Sylvan’s Academic Camps
1323 Rice Lake Rd.
Duluth, MN
218-723-1551
tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/us/
duluth-mn
The kids might not be as excited for this as much as the basket weaving and archery camps, but this program will give them an edge in math, writing and studying once the school year comes back around.

UMD-RSOP Summer Fun & Adventure Camp
University of Minnesota-Duluth Campus
1216 Ordean Court
Duluth, MN
218-726-7128
umdrsop.org

This program offers indoor activities like rock climbing, swimming and scuba diving for kids 5 to years old. Arts and crafts and the planetarium will also build creativity and knowledge.

UW-Superior Youth Summer Camps
UWS Campus
715-395-4675
uwsuper.edu/adventurecamp

UW-Superior offers both a theatre camp where kids in grades 6 to 12 are matched up with others their age learn about putting on a stage production or have the chance to engage in canoeing, rock climbing and other recreational activities.

WITC-College for Kids
600 N. 21st St.
Superior, WI
715-394-6677 Ext. 6269
witc.edu/continuing-education/kids

WITC will be offering various courses that your kids will actually like. It’s educational, but they make it fun!

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
6282 Cranberry Rd.
Finland, MN
218-353-7414
wolf-ridge.org

This nature oriented camp for kids in grades 4-12 will instill an appreciation for the environment while they enjoy the recreational activities that can be expected at a camp.

YMCA Camp Du Nord
3606 North Arm Rd.
Ely, MN
651-645-6605
ymcatwincities.org/camps/
camp_du_nord

Camp du Nord is a getaway destination for families, groups and individuals. Deep in the serene beauty of the north woods, we offer a natural setting that promotes relaxation, exploration and community. Camp is situated on Burntside Lake near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and offers miles of hiking and skiing trails, as well as family and group programming throughout the year.

YMCA Camp Menogyn
55 Menogyn Trail
Grand Marais, MN
612-822-2267
ymcatwincities.org/camps/
camp_menogyn

From the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota, Menogyn is uniquely situated to provide access to some of the finest wilderness areas in North America. We specialize in canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips for teens.
Generations of young lives, spanning over 90 years, have been transformed by a Menogyn experience. Through wilderness travel and environmental learning experiences, teens build leadership skills, gain confidence and explore extraordinary places.
MENOGYN (min-o-jin) is from the
Ojibwe, “To grow fully.”

YMCA Camp Miller
89382 E. Frontage Rd.
Sturgeon Lake, MN
218-372-3188
ymcacampmiller.org

Camp Miller is the 6th oldest camp in the nation. Experienced counselors will encourage outdoor activities and fun.