The Sweetest Lesson at Camp

Jana Graczyk (executive director 2021-25) remembers driving into YMCA Camp Ihduhapi for the first time, thinking, “Holy cow! Look at these incredible maples! I hope there are people tapping these trees.” As Jana was about to find out way back then in 2014, the answer at the time was, unfortunately, "no.” But, during her time on staff at Ihduhapi, she brought back a tradition at camp that dates back at least 90 years.

The sticky basics

Maple syruping is the seasonal process of tapping maple trees (primarily Sugar Maples) to collect sap, typically from early-March to early April when temperatures alternate between freezing nights and warm, above-freezing days. Key steps include identifying trees, drilling a hole (about 1.5 inches deep), inserting a tap/spile, gathering sap, and then boiling the sap using a machine called an evaporator (a process that takes about 12 hours). Once the sap has boiled down, a “finishing boil” on the stove completes the process and results in maple syrup. 

Sap, steam, and syrup

Jana had been interested in maple syruping since she was young and learned even more about the process when she worked as a naturalist in college. She was hired in 2014 to be the Ihduhapi Day Camp director and, naturally, began tapping the trees herself. As she delved deeper into her “tapper expertise” journey, Jana even built an evaporator from a metal file cabinet.

“Maple syruping is the perfect outdoor education subject,” she shared. “Young or old, everyone can be involved. And it touches on math, science, cultural history, weather, and includes being outside paired with movement. There are so many ways to be involved in the process. Plus, it comes at a time of year when everything is just waking up, and it’s a great time to be outside and gather together.”

Festival of flavor

Seven years later, in her role as executive director, Jana’s passion for maple syrup eventually spurred the creation of Ihduhapi’s annual Maple Syrup Festival. Since 2022, Ihduhapi has welcomed hundreds of guests to an afternoon of maple syrup immersion and adventure. Participants learn how to go through the entire process, equipping them with the knowledge to identify, tap, collect, evaporate, and sugar on their own. In addition to learning the process, the Roe Family Singers band provides music, there’s an on-site petting zoo, and concessions are available in the dining hall. 

Senior Program (OLP) director Walker Nyenhuis shared how this event “provides an opportunity to invite people out to camp, gather, celebrate spring, help families get excited for summer camp, and is an open invitation to the Ihduhapi community as well as the locals. It is a joy to share the space with everyone.”

Camp Ihduhapi Maple Syrup Festival

The Maple Syrup Festival is only five years old, but maple syruping at Ihduhapi isn’t new. Photos from 1935 show campers tapping trees and processing the sap. We reached out to several Ihduhapi alumni but were unable to obtain firsthand accounts of historic maple syruping at Ihduhapi. Do you know anything about this part of Ihduhapi’s history? We want to hear from you! Email lettertotheeditor@ymcamn.org.