Register for Day Camp Gathering Pines

Traditional camp is about exploration and discovery. Campers will explore by hiking, studying the wonder of nature, building connections through teamwork, and conquering many challenges under the leadership of well-trained staff. It exposes participants to various activities, including archery, fort building, tie-dye, gaga ball, swimming, nature studies, paddling, arts and crafts, cookouts, group games, and more. Campers will participate in some, but not all, of these activities, depending on their age and camp locations. Each camper will leave camp with a wide range of memories and experiences!
 

Grades 1–6 | $309 ($339 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 1–3 | $185 ($203 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

The Wee Backpacker program aims to continue fostering a love and appreciation for the outdoors. Campers sing songs, tell stories, and play games while beginning to experience the variety of activities camp has to offer. Wee Backpackers maintains a low staff-to-child ratio.
 

Grade K | $329 ($359 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• July 1–3 | $197 ($215)

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

‘Planting Seeds’ of interest and appreciation for the great outdoors in our youngest campers at Little Seeds Summer Camp! Little Seeds maintains a low staff-to-child ratio under the watchful eye of leadership staff and counselors trained to meet the needs of young campers. Little Seeds offers children the opportunity to engage in nature-based programming while experiencing new things and making new friends!
 

Pre–K | $329 ($359 non-member)

• June 24–28

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Summer Extravaganza is the last chance to enjoy the great outdoors at camp before summer ends! All available activities are jam-packed into a single session.
 

Grades 1–9 | $329 ($359 non-member)

• Aug 26–30

BAM! POW! KAZAM! Kids think, dress, and act like superheroes! Activities include super games, super crafts, and super fun. Where else can kids spend the day exploring their superpowers as their alter-ego superheroes, meet other superheroes and save the world?
 

Grade K | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• Aug 19–23

ROAR! Campers will travel back to explore the Jurassic period with their favorite dinosaurs. We Dig Dinos camp aims to ignite the passion and fuel the enthusiasm of budding paleontologists. Campers dig for fossils, create their dinosaur, and more! Will your kids have a great time at this camp? You bet, Jurassic!
 

Grade K | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 1–3 | $215 ($233 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Participants in this specialty camp will have our youngest campers saying "howdy" with big grins. They'll spend a part of each day at the horse stables and say "giddy-up" for a pony ride, a hayride, and campfire sing-a-longs in the great outdoors!
 

Grades K–2 | $379 ($409 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 1–3 | $227 ($245 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

• Aug 26-30

Colts is an approximately two-hour-per-day introductory program for campers with little or no experience around horses. First-time riders will build confidence and skills while learning the basics of western horseback riding. Instruction includes safety, leading, mounting, dismounting, reining, and basic riding. Kids spend the remainder of the day in traditional camp activities.
 

Grades 3–6 | $499 ($529 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 1–3 | $299 ($317 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

• Aug 26-30

Buckaroos is an intermediate program for campers with at least one year of riding experience. Approximately two hours of daily instruction includes a basic skill review, intermediate ring riding, trotting, grooming, and saddling. The remainder of the day is spent in traditional camp activities.
 

Grades 4–6 | $499 ($529 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

• Aug 26-30

Build confidence as you develop horsemanship skills. Trained instructors will teach the basics of western horseback riding. You will work on leading, mounting, ring work, grooming, trotting, and saddling. By week’s end, groups may have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic trail ride.
 

Grades 7–9 | $499 ($529 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 1–3 | $299 ($317 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

Participants become “Eco-Explorers” as they investigate the natural surroundings at camp. We will take nature treks to explore our camp environment and search for signs of local wildlife. Activities include bug safaris, nature hunts, and more!
 

Grade K | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily. These young farmers will experience the daily routines of caring for a garden. They will have the chance to gain an appreciation for farm plants and animals through crafts, hands-on activities.

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 1–3 | $215 ($233 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

Grades 4–6 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

Filled with exploration and environmental education, we’ll focus on fort-building and discovering insects, fish, and frogs. Campers will take one field trip (weather permitting) to a local lake to learn basic fishing skills while practicing the catch-and-release method for shore fishing.
 

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

Participants discover the finer points of preparing for a big outdoor adventure while learning various practical camping skills, including building a fire, making camp shelters, knot tying, campfire cooking, and more!
 

Grades 4–6 | $399 ($429 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

Enjoy the great outdoors as we explore the wonders of nature! Participants will hike along our many paths to discover the camp's natural landscapes and ecosystems. Kids learn to identify various trees, plants, and animals.
 

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Participants learn the fundamentals of archery, examine equipment close-up, and learn the science behind target shooting. Instructors teach proper grip, stance, and aim alignment. YMCA of the North provides equipment.
 

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• Aug 12–16

• Aug 19-23

Grades 4–6 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Learn about basic climbing, belay techniques, knot tying, and safety. Challenge participants to test their strengths, strategy, and skill on our ropes courses.
 

Grades 4–6 | $399 ($429 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 22–26

• Aug 5–9

Participants spend the whole week enjoying an incredible array of water activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming, along with other fun water games and adventures.
 

Grades 4–6 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 1–3 | $215 ($233 non-member)

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

Kids get hooked on fishing as they learn basic fishing skills. Local lakes and rivers provide the scene for fishing fun using the catch-and-release method. Campers can bring their pole and tackle or use equipment provided by YMCA of the North.
 

Grades 4–6 | $399 ($429 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 8–12

• July 15–19

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Participants spend the whole week enjoying an incredible array of water activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming, along with other fun water games and adventures.
 

Grades 1–3 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• June 10–14

• June 17–21

• June 24–28

• July 22–26

• July 29–Aug 2

• Aug 5–9

Participants discover how plants, animals, soil, and people work together to produce the food we eat daily. These young farmers will experience the daily routines of caring for a garden. They will have the chance to gain an appreciation for farm plants and animals through crafts, hands-on activities.
 

Grades 7–9 | $359 ($389 non-member)

• July 1–3 | $215 ($233 non-member)

• July 15–19

Lakes provide the scene for fishing fun using the catch-and-release method. Campers can bring their pole and tackle or use equipment provided by YMCA of the North.
 

Grades 7–9 | $399 ($429 non-member)

• June 10–14

Discover your leadership qualities by learning to lead campers in activities and assist in planning the week for your group! The second week allows you to put those new skills to the test while you shadow a counselor and assist staff in camp activities.
 

Grades 7–9 | $469 ($499 non-member)

• June 17–28

• June 24–July 3 | $422 ($449 non-member)

• July 8–19

• July 15–26

• July 22–Aug 2

• July 29–Aug 9

• Aug 5–16

• Aug 12–23

• Aug 19–30

Do you love working with kids in an outdoor camp setting? Here's your chance to take a leadership role! Junior Counselors are assigned to a group and assist Counselors in leading and carrying out various Day Camp programs.

Ages 14–15

Previous experience in a LIT program or leadership experience working with children is preferred. Candidates will be selected through an application and interview process while gaining career readiness experience.

If you have questions, you can reach out to us via Gathering.Pines@ymcamn.org or 651-309-4414.

A day camp team member will reach out for an interview around mid-March to talk over details and information about the program. We ask for a minimum of a 3-week commitment. Hope to see you this summer!