YMCA Camp pepin hosts summer activities that appeal to a variety of interests and age groups.  Our progressive programming means that additional camp sessions are available to campers each year that they return, meaning that campers can always do something different!  All of our summer youth camps are described below; check out what's available for you.

To sign up for one of YMCA Camp Pepin's Summer Youth Camps, please review our current rates and dates, and then send us your completed Registration Form.  You may also register online through the Red Wing Family YMCA's website.  Know of anyone else that would like to go to camp, too? If so, both campers can attend the same session and possibly sign up as cabinmates - send in your Registration Forms together!

Once you have registered for one of YMCA Camp Pepin's Summer Youth Camp sessions, you may either download or request to be mailed a Summer Planning Guide, which contains a Health Form, a Pick-up Authorization Form, a Camper Information Form, and a Red Wing Family YMCA Waiver.  The Parent Packet is for you to keep as an informative resource, while the four forms will need to be completed and returned back to us.  We invite you to contact us with any questions, or visit us at one of our Information Nights.  See you at camp!

RESIDENT CAMPS

A tradition at Camp Pepin since 1935, resident camps are the core of our summer program. Although the world has greatly changed since Camp Pepin first began operating, it's nice to know that today's youth can still enjoy some of the same things about summer camp that their grandparents enjoyed many years ago.

4-DAY KICKAPOO CAMP (Entering grades 2-4)

Our youngest resident campers receive a four-day introduction to camping, self-reliance, and group living. The focus is on exploring new activities in a caring social environment. Kickapoo campers will get their first taste of the many traditions at Camp Pepin, such as canoeing, arts & crafts, swimming, campfires, and more!

6-DAY RESIDENT CAMP (Entering grades 3-9)

Camp Pepin 's 6-day resident camp is a week of stimulating activities that promote life-long interests and friendships. Our waterfront, athletic field, challenge course, and target range are just some of the areas where campers can have fun and develop lasting skills at the same time. Resident campers will also join their cabinmates in all-camp games and a variety of evening activities.

2-WEEK RESIDENT CAMP (Entering grades 6-9)

Twice the camp is twice the fun! For campers that can't get enough of Camp Pepin in only one week, we present our 2-week Camp, which includes favorite activities from our regular resident camp, plus advanced sessions and time on the trail.

SPECIALTY CAMPS  

For campers wanting to grow beyond the standard resident camp offerings, Camp Pepin presents specialty camps. Through these sessions, campers can interact with others that share the same desire to better their skills in specific interest areas.

WRANGLER CAMP I (Entering grades 4-9)

Wrangler Camp is a great introduction to horsemanship for campers who would like to learn about riding and caring for horses.  Each camper will get to work one-on-one with a horse, and will learn basic skills such as horse safety, grooming, feeding, saddling, and bridling.  They will also spend time in the saddle learning how to ride their horses.  Participants in Wrangler Camp will be transported each morning or afternoon to Hawkridge Stables, operated by horse instructor Melanie York and located in Pepin, Wisconsin.  Campers will not have to miss the traditional resident camp activities, which they will be able to enjoy the rest of their day back at camp.  No horse experience is necessary to register for this camp.

WRANGLER CAMP II (Entering grades 5-9)

SAILING CAMP (Entering grades 5-9)

Lake Pepin provides the perfect playground for anyone that loves to sail – or would love to learn about sailing!  Campers will spend their mornings experiencing everything from the basics of sailing (such as rigging a sailboat) to more advanced skills (such as tacking and maneuvering).  The week will then culminate with a voyage on Lake Pepin aboard the 31-foot sloop, Messenger, hosted by Captain David Sheridan of On-Deck Seminars and Charters in Pepin, Wisconsin.  No sailing experience is necessary to register for this camp.

THEATER CAMP (Entering grades 6 and up)

Led by professional artistic directors from the historic turn-of-the-century Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minnesota, our Theater Camp is an outstanding opportunity for campers of all abilities to experience the complete process of creating a real production. The artistic directors will contact Theater Campers prior to the summer and ask them to contribute ideas for the plot. Upon arrival at Camp Pepin, the campers will then work in-person with the directors in developing the script, music, scenery, and costumes for their show, which will be performed for the public on-stage at the Sheldon Theatre, Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be on sale at the theatre’s box office the night of the show.  While no theatrical experience is necessary to register for either camp, prior theatrics are recommended for campers entering grades 6-8 who are considering Theater Camp II.

DANCE CAMP (Entering grades 6 and up)

Dance has been used by cultures all over the world not only as a form of entertainment and social interaction, but also as an artistic way of telling stories through music and movement.  At Camp Pepin, the Dance Campers will be able to work with instructors from the acclaimed James Sewell Ballet of Minneapolis as they create a modern dance performance that is “stage-ready” by the end of their 2-week session.  The performance will be held at the historic Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minnesota, on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets will be on sale at the theatre’s box office the night of the show.  No dance experience is necessary to register for this camp.

TAIKO DRUMMING CAMP (Entering grades 9 and up)

Known for its driving rhythms and visual artistry, Japanese taiko drumming is a truly physical form of music.  A drumming instructor from Mu Performing Arts of the Twin Cities (the largest Asian American theater company in the Midwest) will introduce the campers to taiko drums and lead them through daily sessions that will culminate at the end of the week in a live dress performance for campers and parents.  This free performance will be held at Camp Pepin’s closing ceremony on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.  No drumming experience is necessary to register for this camp.

TRAIL CAMPS  

Camp Pepin is fortunate to be located in an area where outside activities abound. The bluffs, woods, rivers, lakes, and trails provide a wonderful playground for those that enjoy adventures in the out-of-doors. During each trail camp, our staff will lead overnight trip experiences that teach skills and cover distances that are age-appropriate and tailored to the physical stature and experience of their campers.

PATHFINDER CAMP (Entering grades 4-6)

In the old days, "pathfinders" were adventurers who forged into the wilderness with the excitement of exploring unfamiliar territory. With that spirit in mind, Camp Pepin offers an introductory camping experience at Interstate Park, which straddles the Minnesota-Wisconsin border near St. Croix Falls, WI . The park, known for its stunning scenery, cuts a gorge along the state line. From their base camp, participants, led by our trip leaders, will get to hike, swim, and explore all that the park has to offer. They will also learn basic trail skills, such as setting up tents, cooking meals, and practicing no-impact camping. No camping experience is necessary to register for this camp.

GREAT RIVERS CANOEING CAMP (Entering grades 6 and up)

Camp Pepin lies among some of North America's grandest rivers, which were the highways of the past. Our Great Rivers Canoeing Camp follows in the footsteps of the voyageurs, missionaries, pioneers, and rivermen that once traveled the Mississippi River, the Chippewa River, and other rivers that are in our region. Our lifeguard-certified staff members will lead trip participants in developing their canoeing, camping, and water safety skills throughout the week. Orienteering, map-reading, cooking, and fun are just a small fraction of the experiences that campers will take home with them. No canoeing experience is necessary to register for this camp.

RAILS & TRAILS BIKING CAMP (Entering grades 6 and up)

The upper Mississippi valley boasts non-motorized bike trails that traverse through some of the most stunning scenery in the Midwest. Many of these trails have been converted from abandoned railroad grades, meaning that bikers can now follow the paths of the old locomotives - even through tunnels! Bike-paths such as the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, the Great River State Trail, and the Root River State Trail are just a few of the well-maintained routes that campers on this trip may get to travel. Being on a bicycle will allow our trip leaders to take the campers through areas that are not accessible to cars, meaning more chances to view wildlife along the way. Basic skills in camping and bicycling safety will be taught. Participants will need to provide their own mountain bikes and helmets. No biking experience is necessary to register for this camp.

VERTICAL PATHWAYS CLIMBING CAMP (Entering grades 6 and up)

For those that want to rise above it all, climbing camp is the way to go. First, participants will learn from our trained staff about the equipment and safety procedures involved with this sport. Then, they will be able to put their knowledge to use on our Challenge Course, which boasts low-ropes elements, high-ropes elements, a climbing tower, and a faith pole. This camp will also feature a trip that takes advantage of climbs around our region on natural rock outcroppings and vertical bluffs. No climbing experience is necessary to register for this camp.

SUPERIOR HIKING CAMP (Entering grades 8 and up)

The Superior Hiking Trail along Minnesota 's North Shore of Lake Superior offers over 235 miles of footpaths through the rugged wilderness of the north country. Campsites are primitive and the hiking can be tiring, but for those willing to "rough-it" for awhile, the rewards of meandering through a pine forest, listening to a cascading waterfall, and sitting on a peak overlooking the greatest of the Great Lakes is worth the journey. Guided by our trip leaders, campers will hike along the trail each day to a different campsite, where they will put their outdoor living skills into practice. Campers provide their own backpacks for this trip. Prior hiking or camping experience is suggested.

Y2Y (Y-to-Y) CANOEING CAMP (Entering grades 8 and up)

From Red Wing, Minnesota, to Stockholm, Wisconsin, paddlers on the Upper Mississippi are surrounded by towering bluffs, sandy beaches, and amazing wildlife.  Guided by our lifeguard-certified staff members, participants in this camp will get to enjoy all of this as they start their trip at the Red Wing Family YMCA and canoe their way down the Mississippi River to YMCA Camp Pepin.  They will also practice water safety skills and outdoor living skills, such as tent-camping and trail-cooking.  No canoeing experience is necessary to register for this camp.

LEADERSHIP CAMPS

Our older campers are in a position to share with our younger campers some of the skills and experiences that have been taught to them. In doing this, they must take on certain levels of responsibility in keeping the traditions of Camp Pepin alive for the next generation.

LEADERS-IN-TRAINING (L.I.T.) CAMP (Entering grades 9-10)

This program was designed for our older campers who would like to build their leadership skills or who are wanting to take the first step to possibly becoming a future staff member.  Campers will still get to enjoy the best features of our resident program, but they will also be able to participate in advanced activities, such as leadership training and team-building on our Challenge Course.  An off-site camping trip and community service project are also included in the schedule.  Prior enrollment at Camp Pepin is not necessary to register for this camp.

COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING (C.I.T) CAMP (Entering grades 10-12)

Some of our best staff were once campers themselves at Camp Pepin, and the Counselors-In-Training (C.I.T.) Camp helps to foster this exciting transition.  Campers enrolled in this session gain hands-on training in what being a staff member is all about.  They will participate in experiences that cultivate responsibility, leadership, and time-management – qualities which are necessary to the supervision of youth and which are important to future employers.  The first week of this camp models the training that all of our staff receive prior to the beginning of summer, including time on the challenge course and on the trail.  The second week is spent shadowing counselors and living in the cabins with them and the younger campers.  CIT campers will also have an opportunity to help run class sessions, campfires, and other camp activities.  After successful completion of this program, participants that join our Camp Pepin staff will be hired at an increased salary level over general applicants with similar qualifications.   Prior enrollment at Camp Pepin is not necessary to register for this camp.

Summer Youth Camps - What's Available For You?

Resident Camps | Specialty Camps | Trail Camps | Leadership Camps | What's Available for You | Registration Form | Summer Planning Guide

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