Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 13–16 · $2,145/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 13–16

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · $2,145/week

A 12-day canoe adventure in the Boundary Waters for various skill levels.

▌ Editor's read The YMCA Camp Widjiwagan website loads successfully and provides information about their wilderness canoe expeditions. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards for safety and program quality. The camp is part of the YMCA, a well-known nonprofit organization. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not explicitly listed, the website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and are trained in wilderness first aid and CPR. The program is exclusively overnight, focusing on multi-day canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Google reviews for 'YMCA Camp Widjiwagan' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many reviewers praising the transformative experience and skilled staff. Social media handles include @ymcacampwidjiwagan on Instagram and YMCACampWidjiwagan on Facebook.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 13–16

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe 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 overnight/sleepaway, 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
Not listed
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 13–16
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731, USA
  • Phone: (612) 230-9622
  • Cost notes: YMCA member/non-member pricing may apply

Runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 9 sessions (0 one-week, 9 multi-week blocks), from Jun 15 to Aug 21.

Sessions ⛓

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

  • Session 41 Jun 15 – 26, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 42 Jun 22 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 43 Jun 29 – Jul 10, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 44 Jul 6 – 17, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 45 Jul 13 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 46 Jul 20 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 47 Jul 27 – Aug 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 48 Aug 3 – 14, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 49 Aug 10 – 21, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145

↗ What parents like

  • Suitable for new and seasoned canoeists
  • Refine paddling skills

↘ Watch for

  • Can be a long trip for some

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe

What ages does YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe accept?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe is open to children ages 13–16. 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe cost?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe publishes $2,145/week for the standard session. YMCA member/non-member pricing may apply Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe's hours?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe is operated by a nonprofit organization. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe provide lunch?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Ely?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - BWCAW Canoe with other camps.

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