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

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days)

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · $2,185/week

A 12-day immersive canoe trip in the Boundary Waters.

▌ Editor's read YMCA Camp Widjiwagan's website loads successfully and provides detailed information about its wilderness tripping programs, including the 'Intro to Canoeing' option. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with its accreditation valid until 2025, ensuring adherence to industry standards for safety and program quality. The camp has been operating for 75 years, indicating a strong history and experience in outdoor education. As a YMCA camp, it operates as a nonprofit organization. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks, emphasizing a commitment to camper safety. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not explicitly listed, the nature of wilderness tripping generally implies close supervision. Google reviews for YMCA Camp Widjiwagan average 4.9 stars from over 100 reviews, with many parents praising the transformative experiences, leadership development, and the competence of the staff. The camp offers various wilderness trips, including canoeing and backpacking, with a focus on skill development, environmental ethics, and personal challenge.
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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 12–14

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - 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
1951 (75 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 12–14
  • 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, 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 33 Jun 15 – 26, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 34 Jun 22 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 35 Jun 29 – Jul 10, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 36 Jul 6 – 17, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 37 Jul 13 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 38 Jul 20 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 39 Jul 27 – Aug 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185
  • Session 40 Aug 3 – 14, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,185

↗ What parents like

  • More immersive experience
  • Develops resilience

↘ Watch for

  • Requires more commitment

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days)

What ages does YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) accept?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) cost?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) publishes $2,185/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 - Intro to Canoeing (12 days)'s hours?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) 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 - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days)?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) provide lunch?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (12 days) compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Ely?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - 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

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