YMCA Camp Pepin

Summer Youth Camps

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.

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. 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.

3-DAY KICKAPOO CAMP (Entering grades 2-4) Our youngest resident campers receive a three-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!

4-DAY RESIDENT CAMP (Entering grades 2-9)
This sampler Resident Camp will take place over July fourth week. Experience all your favorite activities from our regular Resident Camp in a 4-Day week.

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 I 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, bridling and how to ride their horses. Wrangler Camp I participants will be transported each morning or afternoon to Hay Creek Stables in Red Wing. 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)
Wrangler Camp II takes campers to the next level of
horsemanship through all-day lessons at Hay Creek
Stables in Red Wing. Participants will leave Camp Pepin daily after breakfast to meet with stable staff who will review basic skills learned in Wrangler I and teach more advanced techniques in the ring and on the trail. Friday at 12:00 p.m. (Weather permitting) parents, relatives, and friends are invited to see a display of the skills campers learned during the week. Prior enrollment in Wrangler Camp I is necessary to register for this camp.

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 SeminarsandCharters in Pepin, Wisconsin. No sailing experience is necessary to register for this camp.

THEATER CAMP (Entering grades 5-9)
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 6:00 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.

PERFORMING ARTS CAMP (Entering grades 5-9) You talked, and we listened! We are proud to introduce Performing Arts Camp for those who love to sing, dance, and express themselves through music and movement. Activities include Zumba, performance choir (Glee!), and hip-hop dance to name a few. The group will perform for parents and campers during the closing ceremonies at the end of the week. “Jazz hands” not included. No experience necessary to register for this camp.

TRAIL & TRIPPING 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.

GREAT RIVERS CANOEING CAMP (Entering grades 6-10) 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.

VERTICAL PATHWAYS CLIMBING CAMP (Entering grades 6 -10) 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.

BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA TRIP (Entering grades 8-12)
Canoe in the crystal clear waters of Minnesota’s northern border. Experience the nature of pristine and greatly untouched environment while learning the techniques of camping, portaging and paddling on the fish filled waters of our boundary waters canoe area wilderness.

BLACK HILLS SOUTH DAKOTA TRIP (Entering grades 6-10)
Immerse yourself in the pine forest of the Black Hills! The first day is spent at camp playing games and preparing for the adventure. We will see Mount Rushmore by vehicle as we pass by, and then have the opportunity to backpack in during the trip to see them up close! The forest is filled with unfound treasures and breathtaking views all centered around the Centennial Trail. Join us on this Black Hills Adventure.

DEVILS LAKE/WISCONSIN DELLS TRIP (Entering grades 6-10)
This exciting 4-day, 3-night excursion into the Devil’s Lake State Park provides campers the opportunity to canoe, climb, hike and camp out. This trip will include a full day at Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells where they will experience the thrills of the water park. This trip is a great introductory into overnight tripping. No prior tripping experience is necessary.

APOSTLE ISLANDS KAYAK TRIP (Entering grades 8-12)
This area of Northern Wisconsin is a kayaker’s dream and outdoor persons haven. Similar to the boundary waters but on the shores of the great Mississippi, this collection of islands are best seen by the seat of a kayak. Spend the week with us as we tour the unrivaled beauty of this wilderness and take in the experience of camping at the Apostle Islands.

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 excursion and a 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.

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