BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days)
An advanced 19-day wilderness canoe expedition in the BWCAW for grades 10-12, focused on advanced leadership.
▌ Editor's read Camp Widjiwagan, part of YMCA of the North, is an ACA accredited wilderness adventure camp, with accreditation valid through 2025. The camp has been operating for 75 years, indicating extensive experience in outdoor programming. Their BOLD GOLD Tier III program is a 19-day overnight experience focused on advanced wilderness skills. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. Google reviews for 'Camp Widjiwagan' show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many praising the transformative nature of the trips and the quality of the staff. The camp offers various trip types including canoeing, backpacking, and sea kayaking, emphasizing leadership development and environmental education.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195175+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 15–18
BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1951 (75 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 15–18
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
- Phone: (218) 288-9912
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $3640 for 19 days
Runs 24-hour residential, 1 session (0 one-week, 1 multi-week block), from Jul 13 to Jul 31.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jul 13 – 31, 2026 · 3 weeks · $3,640
↗ What parents like
- Advanced 19-day expedition
- For older, experienced campers
↘ Watch for
- Highly selective program
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days)
- What ages does BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) accept?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) is open to children ages 15–18. 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 BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) cost?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) publishes $1,341/week for the standard session. That sits close to the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely. $3640 for 19 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days)'s hours?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) 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 BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) accredited?
- Yes — BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 75 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 BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days)?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 75 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 BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) provide lunch?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) is one of 18 adventure camps in Ely that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- 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.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days).
- Camp Voyageur · Ages 10–18 · $1,500/week
- Explorer Canoe · Ely, MN · Ages 16–17 · $1,447/week
- Advanced Explorer Canoe · Ely, MN · Ages 17–18 · $1,557/week
- BOLD GOLD Tier II (12 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 13–16 · $1,263/week
- BOLD GOLD Tier II (9 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 13–16 · $1,276/week
- BWCAW Canoe · Ely, MN · Ages 13–16 · $1,251/week
- Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack · Intercept Semester · Ages 14–25 · $1,700/week
- Quetico Canoe (16 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 14–18 · $1,343/week