Wilderness Camp
2027 Deposits and Cancellations
We want every camper to have the opportunity to experience the adventure, growth, and community that make Widji and Menogyn special. As we prepare for the upcoming registration season, we are making updates to our deposit structure and our cancellation policies to better support families and create a more consistent registration experience.
Deposits
Why are Camp Widjiwagan and Camp Menogyn changing its deposit structure?
We are updating our deposit structure to support thoughtful trip commitments and help us make the most of every available spot. When a family reserves a spot and later cancels, another camper may have missed the opportunity to participate.
A deposit helps families plan their commitment and supports our ability to offer openings to waitlisted campers when plans change. We want to balance a reliable registration process with equitable access to wilderness experiences.
What is the new deposit amount?
- For open enrollment wilderness trips, the deposit will be 10% of the total program cost.
- For advanced or invitational wilderness trips, the deposit will remain $500.
- These deposits are applied toward the overall cost of your camper's program.
Why is the deposit higher than it was previously?
The updated deposit is intended to better reflect the commitment involved in reserving a spot on a wilderness trip. It also helps us manage enrollment and respond to cancellations so that available spaces can be offered to other interested campers.
We recognize that an upfront payment can create a barrier for some families. We remain committed to making Widji and Menogyn accessible and encourage families to explore financial assistance if they need support. Please use this link to apply for financial assistance. If the YMCA assistance does not meet your current needs, then you can apply through both of our Camps to support accessibility. We encourage families to apply for financial assistance as soon as possible and you do not need to wait for registration to open.
Cancellations and Refunds
Why is Camp Widjiwagan and Menogyn changing its cancellation policy?
We know that family schedules and circumstances change. We want our cancellation policy to recognize that reality while allowing us to plan responsibly for each trip.
Wilderness trips require advance planning for staffing, food, transportation, equipment, and other logistics. As a trip approaches, some of these costs become committed, and a canceled spot can be more difficult to fill.
We are moving toward a cancellation approach based on how far in advance a family cancels relative to the program's start date, rather than relying on one blanket calendar date, such as May 1. This approach will support families who have scheduled trips later in the summer season as we know plans can often change.
We consolidated the refund tiers to better align with current payment schedule for all trips.
Cancellation Refund Tiers
| Cancellation Timing | Total Costs Retained | Total Costs Refunded |
| 91+ days before session | Retain Deposit Only | Refund 90% of trip cost |
| 61-90 days before session | Retain 25% of trip cost | Refund 75% of trip cost |
| 31-60 days before session | Retain 50% of trip cost | Refund 50% of trip cost |
| 30 days or less before session | Retain 100% of trip cost | Refund 0% of trip cost |
To see our full Teen Wilderness program cancellation policy details, please visit our cancellation policy page.
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.