News & Events

Meet the Dobbelmann/Bestler family through their one-of-a-kind story about love, legacy and the desire to make camping affordable for all through philanthropy.

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This is the time of year to get excited about the powerful impact of our programs and to celebrate the 110 years of accomplishments of our campers, staff and community participants. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve so many youth, young adults and families. With our mission and vision as a guide, the strength of our staff and board as our navigators and our alums and community that supports us, Camp Icaghowan continues to transform the lives of youth. Thank you to all!

We are proud of the great work happening at Camp Icaghowan, and we have so much to share in this 110th year; a new Teen Unit (Arrowhead Unit) with two cabins to unveil this summer, updates to the Health Service Center, a brand new whole food menu with plans to locally source ingredients, a new Program Director and a new partnership with Vertical Endeavors to support our Taylors Falls climbs. 

With so much underway we can't wait to share it with you all at our 110th Anniversary Celebration on June 15th. Join us to reflect upon the great achievements of our camp community, past Directors, Board Members, and friends. I am honored and humbled to serve with such an outstanding team of leaders at Icaghowan, and hope you will join us on the island soon. 

Michel Tigan, Executive Director

Hi all, I'm Katherine, and I'm thrilled to be the new board chair for Camp Icaghowan. Four years ago I was recruited to join the Icaghowan board and fell head-over-heels for our amazing island. It's been my honor to serve Icaghowan the past few years - from chairing the program committee, serving as vice chair and making annual campaign fundraising calls to representing Camp Icaghowan on the YMCA of the North Camping Council, where representatives from each of the YGTC overnight camps join together to preserve and advocate for the future of camping. I am a passionate believer in the importance of nature-based youth development and am so proud of the experience Icaghowan curates for our campers. 

The momentum I've seen over the past four years continues to grow - under the tireless leadership of our amazing staff team - as we build board, make critical site improvements and, most importantly, continue to deliver the Icaghowan experience that campers our generations have loved and revered. On top of all that, this is an exciting year for us, as we prepare to celebrate our 110th anniversary in 2019. I look forward to working closely with Michel, the board and the broader camp community to continue moving us forward to a strong and exciting future while remaining firmly anchored in the 110 years of history and traditions that make us who we are. 

I'd love to hear from you with any thoughts or just to talk camp, so please send me a message if you'd like to connect. FOP!

Katherine Hauser, Icaghowan Board Chair 2018-2020

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Work Weekends have been a part of the Icaghowan history for some time. Together as a camp community, we transform camp in a short weekend, from a sleepy winter respite to a lively summer camp waiting to welcome campers. It is engrained into our culture from weekly service projects in the summer to work weekends in the fall and spring. 

Please join us for our spring work weekend at camp! We will be sprucing up camp, setting up the waterfront, turning over the adventure building to its summer set up and much more. 

Campers have the opportunity to decrease their summer enrollment cost through participation ($100 for Saturday, $50 for Sunday). Youth must be accompanied by an adult. 

Our workdays are all day Saturday and Sunday morning, but we encourage you to arrive Friday evening. Meals will be provided with the exception of Friday dinner and Sunday lunch. 

We hope you can make it!

Not sure how to pick the right summer camp program for your child? The American Camping Association shares details on how to decide the right summer camp experience and answers questions all parents have while planning the perfect summer for their child.

Nothing is more important than family, and nobody does a better job bringing your family together than Camp Icaghowan. On Memorial Day weekend, rent out one of our spacious cabins, stay in our modern retreat house, and even plan a night away in a tree house with those you love most. With a flexible schedule and activities for all ages, you can do what you love at your own pace. From climbing through the oak forest, to paddle boarding around the island, Family Camp provides plenty of opportunities for unique, shared experiences designed specifically to bring your family together. Join us on the island!

Camp is about jumping into something new, making friends, and feeling comfortable in your own skin. Camp is about gaining confidence by overcoming a challenge, discovering the value of service, or discovering a lifelong passion. Camp is about finding the balance in life, forgetting about the challenges you might be facing and finding a place where you belong. Together we can help more kids learn the value, the impact of nature through an experience at Camp Icaghowan.

Help us reach our $72,000 goal and donate today!