Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14 · $2,185/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14

Intro to Canoeing (12 days)

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · $2,185/week

Camp Widjiwagan offers wilderness canoeing and backpacking trips for youth, focusing on leadership, environmental stewardship, and outdoor skills.

▌ Editor's read Camp Widjiwagan, part of the YMCA of the North, is an ACA accredited camp, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, as evidenced by the ACA search tool. The camp has a long history, operating since 1929, as stated on their 'About Us' page. It is a nonprofit organization, consistent with its YMCA affiliation. The camp explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks and provides a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4 for wilderness trips. The program is exclusively overnight, focusing on wilderness canoeing and backpacking. Social media presence includes an active Instagram (@campwidjiwagan) and Facebook page (CampWidjiwagan).
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 971929+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 12–14

Intro to Canoeing (12 days) is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway 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
97 (1929 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 12–14
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (612) 822-2267
  • Cost notes: Cost is for a 12-day session, not per week.

8 sessions (0 one-week, 8 multi-week blocks), from Jun 15 to Aug 14.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 25 Jun 15 – 26, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 26 Jun 22 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 27 Jun 29 – Jul 10, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 28 Jul 6 – 17, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 29 Jul 13 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 30 Jul 20 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 31 Jul 27 – Aug 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 32 Aug 3 – 14, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Intro to Canoeing (12 days)

What ages does Intro to Canoeing (12 days) accept?
Intro to Canoeing (12 days) is open to children ages 12–14. 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 Intro to Canoeing (12 days) cost?
Intro to Canoeing (12 days) publishes $2,185/week for the standard session. Cost is for a 12-day session, not per week. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is Intro to Canoeing (12 days) accredited?
Yes — Intro to Canoeing (12 days) is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 1929 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 Intro to Canoeing (12 days)?
Intro to Canoeing (12 days) is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 1929 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 Intro to Canoeing (12 days) provide lunch?
Intro to Canoeing (12 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 Intro to Canoeing (12 days) compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Ely?
Intro to Canoeing (12 days) is one of 9 overnight/sleepaway 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 Intro to Canoeing (12 days) with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Intro to Canoeing (12 days).