Fall & Winter at Menogyn
Programs
In the Fall and Winter, Menogyn runs retreat-style, outdoor adventure programming that extends to all ages. We host four different family camps over holiday weekends, and we work with high schools, colleges, partner groups, women’s retreats, affinity groups, and more. Reach out if your organization would like to plan a visit!
Access
One of the most unique things about Camp Menogyn is its remote location, which requires you to travel across West Bearskin Lake. We have motorboats to bring people and luggage across the lake in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, participants walk across the frozen lake, about a ½ mile walk. We provide sleds for you to pull luggage across.
Food Service
We focus on creating hearty, healthy, and delicious food. Our staff make nearly all meals from scratch. Meals are served family-style in our dining hall. We can accommodate almost all dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Lodging
Menogyn facilities include “dry,” bunk-style cabins, which are rustic but comfortable. All cabins have electricity and are heated but do not have running water. Outdoor composting toilets are a quick walk from all the cabins. The cabins are also all within a 5-minute walk of our dining hall, with running water, two indoor flushing toilets, and one indoor shower. We do have some lodging available in the dining hall. Please let us know ahead of time if you prefer to be lodged there.
During family camp weekends each family will get their own sleeping space. We can host up to 150 participants in the summer and fall months. In the winter months, we can host up to 100 participants. Please let us know if you need any accommodations.
Gear and Recreational Equipment
Camp Menogyn has everything you need to have a beautiful time outdoors in any weather all year round! This includes an extensive loaner gear library consisting of sleeping bags, hiking boots, jackets, rain gear, snowpants, and more. In the fall you can borrow paddles, life jackets, canoes, and fishing gear. In the winter we have snowshoes, cross-country skis, and basic ice fishing gear to borrow. The use of all gear and equipment as well as the wood burning sauna is included in the booking fee for no additional cost.
Activities
Our program offerings in the fall and winter vary and are planned to meet your group’s needs! Our highly trained staff lead day trips to various destinations in the surrounding Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In the fall, our day trips travel via canoeing and hiking. During the winter months, our day trips travel via cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking. We also have a small sledding hill and ice fishing gear. In the winter, Menogyn is home to 21 sled dogs, and we offer dog sledding rides. We have indoor spaces available to practice yoga or gather for a meeting. Please let us know ahead of time what indoor spaces your group would like to use.
Participants are also able to borrow gear and head out on their own day trip adventures. We have books and games, as well as hot drinks available in the dining hall anytime. We have campfires, and on the final afternoon or evening of a group’s stay, we always fire up the wood burning sauna right on the shore of Bearskin Lake for folks to enjoy. The sauna can be booked for a second day with an additional fee.
Contact Us
Whether you have a question or are ready to plan, we have the answers and are prepared to assist.
Financial Assistance
The YMCA offers need-based financial assistance to help people access the programs that are important to them.
Special Accommodations
We are committed to improving access to our programs and spaces for all.