Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 11–12 · $805/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 11–12

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · $805/week

An introductory canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, directing to the registration page for YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, which is part of the YMCA of the North. The camp is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, as confirmed by the ACA directory. YMCA Camp Widjiwagan has been operating since 1929, indicating a long-standing history in outdoor education. The camp is a nonprofit organization under the YMCA umbrella. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not explicitly listed, the YMCA of the North website mentions that all staff undergo background checks. The program type is overnight, specializing in wilderness canoe trips. 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 guides. Social media handles include @campwidjiwagan on Instagram and 'YMCA-Camp-Widjiwagan-106093482761002' on Facebook.
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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
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 11–12

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip 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
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 11–12
  • 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, 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 11 Jun 15 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 12 Jun 22 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 13 Jun 29 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 14 Jul 6 – 10, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 15 Jul 13 – 17, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 16 Jul 20 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 17 Jul 27 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 18 Aug 3 – 7, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 19 Aug 10 – 14, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 20 Aug 24 – 28, 2026 · 1 week · $805

↗ What parents like

  • Introduces canoe skills
  • Builds independence

↘ Watch for

  • Short duration

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip

What ages does YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip accept?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip cost?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip publishes $805/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 - Pathfinder Canoe Trip's hours?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip 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 - Pathfinder Canoe Trip accredited?
Yes — YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip provide lunch?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe 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 YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Ely?
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip 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 - Pathfinder Canoe Trip with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Pathfinder Canoe Trip.