Mission
Our mission: To provide transformational experiences in a wilderness setting, emphasizing quality, personal growth and relationships.
We specialize in wilderness activities like canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Respect is the foundation of all Menogyn sessions and trips.
- Respect for self: Respect begins by believing in yourself and your own capabilities. At Menogyn we stress taking care of yourself and taking responsibility for your actions.
- Respect for others: We emphasize goal setting, sharing and working together as a group to accomplish more collectively than would be possible individually. We honor individual differences, believing that diversity presents many opportunities for learning and personal growth.
- Respect for the environment: Travel in the wilderness is conducted using "Leave No Trace" ethics and standards.
- Respect for equipment: We stress the importance of taking care of the tools and equipment we use in wilderness travel.
Camp programming
During the summer, we offer canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips for teens entering grades 7–12. Our trips take groups through stunning wilderness settings, like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming. Trips are structured to progressively improve skills, and campers of all experience levels are welcome.
Off-season programming includes sessions for teens, families, private groups and individual adults.
This business operates on behalf of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness program located within the Superior National Forest. As a BWCAW program Cooperator, this business is an equal opportunity service provider.
Fall, winter and group programming
Facilities
Menogyn facilities include several camper and staff cabins, a wonderful dining hall with great food and a world-class sauna. There are no roads to Menogyn. You have to cross the lake to get to camp. We believe crossing the lake is a perfect reminder to breathe in the fresh air and stay present with nature.
ACA Accreditation
YMCA Camp Menogyn is accredited by the American Camping Association and is visited every three years to ensure compliance with the ACA standards.
This assures you that camp practices have been measured against 300 national standards that go a step beyond our state's basic licensing requirements. ACA-accredited camps voluntarily go through a rigorous risk-management process to provide a supervised, positive environment with controlled boundaries where children can grow.