Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14 · $1,640/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 12–14

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days)

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · $1,640/week

A 9-day introductory canoe trip in the Boundary Waters.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, leading to the registration page for YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, which is part of the YMCA of the North. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, ensuring adherence to industry standards for health, safety, and program quality. YMCA Camp Widjiwagan is a nonprofit organization, as it is part of the YMCA. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. The 'Intro to Canoeing' program is an overnight wilderness trip, focusing on developing canoeing skills, leadership, and environmental awareness. Google reviews for 'YMCA Camp Widjiwagan' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100+ reviews, with parents frequently praising the transformative wilderness experiences and dedicated staff. Social media handles include @ymcacampwidjiwagan on Instagram and YMCACampWidjiwagan on Facebook, both actively showcasing camp life and activities.
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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 12–14

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 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
Not listed
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, 2 sessions (0 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from Jun 11 to Aug 18.

Sessions ⛓

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

  • Session 23 Jun 11 – 19, 2026 · 2 weeks · $1,640
  • Session 24 Aug 10 – 18, 2026 · 2 weeks · $1,640

↗ What parents like

  • Longer than Pathfinder trip
  • Focus on teamwork

↘ Watch for

  • More demanding than Pathfinder

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days)

What ages does YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) accept?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 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 (9 days) cost?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) publishes $1,640/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 (9 days)'s hours?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 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 (9 days) accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) 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 - Intro to Canoeing (9 days)?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) 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 - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) provide lunch?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 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 (9 days) compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Ely?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Intro to Canoeing (9 days) with other camps.

Camps near here

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