Camp · Adventure · Ages 11–12 · $1,127/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 11–12

Pathfinder Backpacking Trip

Ely, MN · $1,127/week

A 5-day introductory backpacking trip in the BWCAW for 6th graders, building independence and friendship.

▌ Editor's read The website for Camp Widjiwagan loads successfully and provides detailed information about their wilderness tripping programs. The camp is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, indicating adherence to recognized safety and operational standards. The camp explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks and are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, with many also holding Wilderness First Responder certifications. Camp Widjiwagan has been operating for 75 years, showcasing extensive experience in wilderness programming. It is owned and operated by the YMCA of the North, a nonprofit organization. The 'Pathfinder Backpacking Trip' is an overnight program designed for youth, focusing on wilderness skills. Google reviews for 'Camp Widjiwagan' show an average rating of 4.9 stars from 100 reviews, with many reviewers praising the transformative nature of the trips and the quality of the staff.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195175+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 11–12

Pathfinder Backpacking Trip is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. adventure 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
1951 (75 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 11–12
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (218) 288-9912
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $805 for 5 days

Runs 24-hour residential, 10 sessions (10 one-week), from Jun 15 to Aug 28.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

  • Session 1 Jun 15 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 2 Jun 22 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 3 Jun 29 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 4 Jul 6 – 10, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 5 Jul 13 – 17, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 6 Jul 20 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 7 Jul 27 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 8 Aug 3 – 7, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 9 Aug 10 – 14, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 10 Aug 24 – 28, 2026 · 1 week · $805

↗ What parents like

  • Intro to backpacking skills
  • Builds independence

↘ Watch for

  • Very short 5-day trip

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Pathfinder Backpacking Trip

What ages does Pathfinder Backpacking Trip accept?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip is open to children ages 11–12. 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip cost?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip publishes $1,127/week for the standard session. That sits 12% below the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. $805 for 5 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Pathfinder Backpacking Trip's hours?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip accredited?
Yes — Pathfinder Backpacking Trip 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip provide lunch?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
Pathfinder Backpacking Trip 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 Pathfinder Backpacking Trip with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Pathfinder Backpacking Trip.