Attend camp as a family
The definition of "family" can be different for many people. At YMCA of the North, we appreciate the value of different populations and welcome all. Our Family Camps bring families of all kinds together – strengthening relationships and creating unforgettable memories to share for a lifetime.
Family Camps take you away from your routine with a north woods escape, where you can surround yourselves with serene wilderness.
Camp du Nord
Founded in 1961, Camp du Nord is a family destination deep in Minnesota's north woods. Situated on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, du Nord provides access to miles of hiking and skiing trails and family and group programming throughout the year.
Camp Northern Lights
YMCA Camp Northern Lights, a North Woods family camp and getaway destination, is the YMCA's newest family camp in Northern Minnesota. Located on the edge of the Superior National Forest, families experience a beautiful wilderness setting that promotes community, relaxation, and adventure.
Lottery 'Waves'
The lottery occurs December 9–12, with one registration wave occurring daily. Each registered household is randomly assigned to a registration wave.
Wave assignments will be sent the week before the lottery. Links to register online will be sent to each registered household on the morning of their assigned wave.
Updates are posted to the Facebook pages for Camp du Nord and Camp Northern Lights during the lottery.
Waiting List
Register for the waitlist using the buttons below. The price to join the waitlist is $25 per camp location. Waitlist registrants will receive an email the morning after a site becomes available.
Open Registration
Open registration begins December 16. The remaining sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open registration for 2025 will reopen on April 14 at 7:00 a.m.
Please confirm your login information works before your assigned registration day.
To confirm, visit the login page and make sure you can successfully sign in.
All Lottery and Open Registration reservations require a 10% deposit payment at the time of registration. The remaining balance will be billed in four monthly installments on the first of each of the following months: March, April, May and June.
A group is two or three households that will be placed in the same registration wave. To register as a group, each household must register for the lottery.
During the assigned wave, each household will register for its own site. Households may not register on behalf of another household. You may not register for multiple sites.
To remain fair in our registration process, households may only register for one family camp during lottery day. During open registration, households may register for any available site, at either camp.
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.