Camp Chippewa
Nonprofit boys overnight camp in the Chippewa National Forest with a strong wilderness canoe-tripping program and outdoor activities.
▌ Editor's read Camp Chippewa is an ACA-accredited overnight camp for boys in Cass Lake, Minnesota, with accreditation valid through 2025. The camp has been operating for over 70 years, founded by Todd and Mary Endres, and emphasizes wilderness trips, skill development, and character building. They explicitly state that all staff undergo background checks and are CPR/First Aid certified. The camp maintains a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4, which is excellent for supervision and individualized instruction. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many parents praising the camp's positive impact on their sons' independence and outdoor skills. The camp's website details a wide range of activities including sailing, canoeing, archery, and extensive wilderness tripping programs.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 193591+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 8–17
Camp Chippewa is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. outdoors/nature programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1935 (91 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Money & Policies
- Financial aid
- Available · Need-based
Apply →
A limited number of scholarships are available through the Camp Chippewa Scholarship Fund.
Details
- Category: Outdoors/Nature
- Ages: 8–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 22767 Cap Endres Road SE, Cass Lake, MN 56633
- Phone: (218) 335-8807
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: 2026 tuition: Full Session $13,720; Session I/II $7,890; Badger Camp I/II $4,740; CLT $12,620. Tuition is all-inclusive for the program, including trips, weekly laundry, and transportation to/from camp on session start and end dates.
↗ What parents like
- Wilderness canoe trips
- Focus on character building
- Individual achievement focus
↘ Watch for
- No co-ed activities
- Remote location
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: Yes
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Camp Chippewa
- What ages does Camp Chippewa accept?
- Camp Chippewa is open to children ages 8–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Chippewa cost?
- Camp Chippewa publishes $1,973/week for the standard session. 2026 tuition: Full Session $13,720; Session I/II $7,890; Badger Camp I/II $4,740; CLT $12,620. Tuition is all-inclusive for the program, including trips, weekly laundry, and transportation to/from camp on session start and end dates. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Chippewa's hours?
- Camp Chippewa runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Chippewa accredited?
- Yes — Camp Chippewa is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 91 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Chippewa?
- Camp Chippewa is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 91 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Chippewa provide lunch?
- Yes — Camp Chippewa includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
- Does Camp Chippewa offer transportation?
- Camp Chippewa provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
- Does Camp Chippewa offer financial aid?
- Yes — Camp Chippewa offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Chippewa with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Chippewa.
- Badger Camp I · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 8–11 · $2,370/week
- CLT Session · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 17–17 · $1,578/week
- Camp Kamaji · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 7–16 · $2,063/week
- Full Session · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 8–17 · $1,715/week
- Badger Camp II · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 8–11 · $2,370/week
- Session I · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 8–17 · $1,973/week
- Session II · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 8–17 · $1,973/week
- Camp Kamaji - Second Four Week Session · Cass Lake, MN · Ages 7–16 · $2,063/week