FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ® FOR HEALTHY LIVING GO WILD! FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY YMCA CAMP MENOGYN 2015 Teen Wilderness Adventures Ages 12 – 18 Canoeing ∙ Backpacking ∙ Climbing EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2014 Receive a limited edition Menogyn T-shirt. campmenogyn.org YMCA CAMP MENOGYN YMCA CAMP MENOGYN YMCA Camp Menogyn changes lives. I have experienced this first OUR MISSION hand as a Menogyn camper, summer staff member, board member To provide and camper parent. If you or your son or daughter are looking for an transformational extraordinary opportunity to build character and self-confidence, strengthen values and leadership skills, explore wilderness, make experiences in a friends and have fun, Menogyn is your place. wilderness setting “Menogyn” is an Ojibwe term meaning “to grow fully.” Menogyn provides young emphasizing quality, people with unique and powerful ways to learn and care about themselves, about personal growth and others, and about the world. As Menogyn campers explore the wild places of North America, from the Boundary Waters to Alaska, they make amazing progress in their relationships. growth as individuals and as members of a welcoming community. Every Menogyn staff member is excited about the summer of 2015. We care deeply about each camper and look forward to Menogyn’s 94th summer of providing high quality and transformative wilderness experiences for teens. If you have any questions about Menogyn, please contact me. Cheers, Doug Nethercut, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Menogyn [email protected] 763-479-1146 THE Y CAMP EXPERIENCE ABOUT CAMP MENOGYN YMCA camps share one thing: DISCOVERY. For 93 years, Camp Menogyn has offered high quality wilderness adventures Campers have the opportunity to explore for teens. At Menogyn, campers will enjoy exceptional and transformational nature, try new activities, find new experiences. We specialize in small group wilderness activities such as canoeing, talents, gain independence, and make backpacking, rock climbing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. lasting friendships and memories. And, of We emphasize personal growth, skill development and relationships that give course, camp is fun too! campers adventures and memories they’ll treasure for a lifetime. All of our wilderness adventures focus on safety and are fun and enriching in an environment Our commitment to nurturing the potential where positive values are at the core. of children and teens, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social Menogyn facilities include camper and staff cabins, a wonderful dining hall with responsibility comes alive at YMCA camps. great food, and a world-class sauna. During the summer, campers stay at Menogyn’s For over 125 years, our camps have base camp for two nights before heading out for a wilderness canoe, backpacking provided a safe, thriving environment for or rock climbing trip. At the end of their trip, campers return to Menogyn for a grand young people to explore and grow. Join the welcome, sauna, banquet and closing campfire before leaving for home the next day. YMCA camp experience! In the winter, campers take full or half day adventure trips from our base camp. Menogyn is fully accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). 2 campmenogyn.org • [P] 612-822-2267 • [F] 612-223-6322 • [email protected] YMCA CAMP MENOGYN GENERAL INFORMATION THE MENOGYN COMMUNITY We nurture character development in campers by teaching and embodying the Y values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Our well-trained staff members lead CAMP MENOGYN wilderness adventures that are fun, inspiring, and challenging for teens. Life as a Grand Marais Menogyn camper carries many privileges and responsibilities. We expect campers to participate in the total life of Menogyn — to work, play and live together. Please call Lake Superior Doug or Fred at 763-479-1146 if your child has any specific needs. At Camp Menogyn, your camper will: Duluth . Develop integrity, confidence, self-reliance and leadership skills. MINNEINNNEEESSOTSSOTAT . Build lasting friendships. Enrich their spirit, mind, and body through challenging and fun wilderness trips. Gain an appreciation for wild places. WISCONSINWISW NNS . Experience a sense of community by living with campers in age-appropriate, single-gender small groups. Big Stone L. FRIENDLY, WELL-TRAINED STAFF St. Paul Our counselors and staff are special people, serving as role models, who are passionate Minneapolis about giving every camper an exceptional wilderness experience. Each one of them possesses outstanding wilderness and risk management skills. Menogyn staff members Grand Marais, MN are carefully selected based on leadership abilities, prior experience working with youth, decision-making capabilities, respect for the environment and safety awareness. BOUNDARY WATERS LOCATION Camp Menogyn is located in northern Minnesota Counselors are college-aged with keen interests in environmental studies, teaching and on the shores of West Bearskin Lake, surrounded other disciplines. Many return each year. All of our staff have completed our own intensive by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness training program and are dedicated to supporting each camper’s personal growth. (BWCAW). There are no roads to Menogyn – you LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS ARE MADE AT CAMP have to cross the lake to get to camp! One of the main joys of camp is living and participating in an environment that fosters YMCA CAMP MENOGYN and facilitates friendships. At YMCA camps, common experiences, mutual respect and SUMMER OFFICE open communication create bonds between campers that can last a lifetime. 55 Menogyn Trail HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLNESS Grand Marais, MN 55604 Phone: 218-388-4497 Camper safety comes first at Menogyn. Staff members are trained in Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness Water Safety. While some risk is part of any wilderness experience, our counselors have the training and judgment to make appropriate decisions in the case of accident or illness. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Menogyn welcomes all who wish to participate, and annually raises campership funds to help make that possible. Please let us know if we may serve you or your family in this way. Campership application materials are available at campmenogyn.org or you can call us at 612-822-2267. [email protected] • [F] 612-223-6322 • [P] 612-822-2267 • campmenogyn.org 3 YMCA CAMP MENOGYN “Menogyn has helped me grow MENOGYN (min-O-jin) into a better, stronger, kinder FROM THE OJIBWE “TO GROW FULLY” and more honest person.” — Menogyn camper LIFE AT CAMP MENOGYN A TYPICAL SESSION AT CAMP MENOGYN Each camper is important to us. Trips are Menogyn sessions are filled with planning, learning new skills, adventures, personal growth, structured so that campers can enjoy friendships, accomplishments, and fun! themselves and participate regardless of their previous experience with outdoor DAYS 1 & 2 and wilderness activities. Campers can Preparation for the upcoming adventure. Through planning the route and menu, learning new expect to assist in a variety of activities skills for wilderness travel, and all-camp activities, campers make new friends, build group such as planning the trail route or trust and get ready to go “on-trail.” Campers are checked-in by the health officer, visit the preparing the food menu. canoe workshop and learn about safely traveling through beautiful wild places. Our small, single-gender groups of 3 to DAY 3 & ON 8 campers with 1 or 2 trail counselors Campers typically go “on-trail” the morning of Day 3 (for scheduling purposes, a few groups ensure special connections that result may go on trail on Day 2). They canoe, hike, or climb, experiencing amazing wilderness areas in personal growth, mutual respect and with their small trail group. Daily activities vary depending on the type of trip. Campers have support as campers face a variety of time to practice their new wilderness camping skills. The challenges and joys of small-group challenges during their adventures. wilderness travel help develop maturity, leadership, and self-esteem. Trail life also provides campers with many fun opportunities for positive interaction with peers. SECOND-TO-LAST DAY After being welcomed ‘home’ to base camp from trail in the afternoon, campers visit the health officer, and are then treated to a sauna and a banquet dinner. An all-camp closing campfire celebrates everyone’s achievements, and the evening ends with a trail-group closing ceremony. LAST DAY Following breakfast, campers fill out brief evaluations and exchange contact information with their new friends before boarding the bus for the story-filled trip back home. 4 campmenogyn.org • [P] 612-822-2267 • [F] 612-223-6322 • [email protected] photo by Alex Messenger YMCA CAMP MENOGYN THE MENOGYN PROGRESSION Experienced Menogyn campers who are THE MENOGYN PROGRESSION ready to take on more challenges can Challenges are important to a teenager’s growth and development. We offer our campers also be invited to participate in these opportunities for progressive challenges in a range of wilderness adventures that become longer, more advanced wilderness trips: increasingly remote and demanding. NOR’WESTERS 5–11 DAYS • ENTERING GRADES 7–10 30–32 days Plus 11-day canoe and 8-day backpacking sessions for These adventures travel to areas located campers entering 11th & 12th grade in the Western United States and Canada. These trips present an introduction to wilderness travel – over water in a canoe, on a trail Campers work on leadership development with a backpack, or up a vertical rock face. Traveling in the Boundary Waters, the Superior while learning about whitewater paddling or Hiking Trail or on Isle Royale, campers develop team-building skills, practice leave-no-trace off-trail hiking. Campers also increase their camping and learn basic backcountry camping skills. Campers going into 7th Grade are map and compass, backcountry cooking, and eligible to register for the 5-day and 8-day sessions only. Campers are placed in trail groups teamwork skills. with campers of similar age. Trail groups with 7th graders are usually co-guided by two Menogyn staff members.