Miniwanca days are intentionally designed to encourage Seekers (entering grades 6 to 8) to discover their best, live a balanced life, and contribute to a positive community. Campers live in cabin group with a dozen peers and a dedicated staff leader, creating a dynamic and supportive environment. Cabin groups serve as their family at camp, eating family-style meals and participating in daily community activities and games together.
A typical day at Miniwanca features plenty of community time, free time, and the opportunity for campers choose from a variety of Interest Groups to create personalized daily experience. Each evening our community gathers for a high-energy, all-camp activity, before bringing the day to a quiet close during Evening Reflection while the sun sets over Lake Michigan.
As older, more independent campers, Seekers venture into Miniwanca’s vast acreage to experience an overnight camping adventure where they are introduced to campcraft skills and outdoor cooking. They engage in more advanced activities and deepen their understanding of what “my own self” truly means.
Summer 2025 Dates and Registration
Early-bird registration begins Monday, Sept. 16!
Session A: June 29 to July 18
Session B: July 20 to August 8
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email [email protected].
2025 Dates and Rates
Seekers entering grades 6 to 8
Session A
One week: June 29 to July 5
2024 Rate: $1,725
Two weeks: July 6 to July 18
2024 Rate: $3,400
Three weeks: June 29 to July 18
2024 Rate: $4,875
Session B
One week: July 20 to July 26
2024 Rate: $1,725
Two weeks: July 27 to Aug. 8
2024 Rate: $3,400
Three weeks: July 20 to Aug. 8
2024 Rate: $4,875
Financial Aid
The AYF is committed to making summer camp accessible to all youth. As a nonprofit foundation fueled by generous donations from our alumni and families, the AYF offsets the price of every program for every participant. AYF also offers need-based financial aid and sibling discounts.
A Typical Day at Miniwanca
Most weeks at Miniwanca consist of four or five typical days and two or three special days. We know consistency is important for campers, so we ground the week in regular schedules and activities, while making time for atypical celebrations and exciting activities.
Special days may include Opening and Closing Days, the Fourth of July, and other camp-specific holidays like Founder’s Day and Nostos.
Morning
7:50 a.m.: Polar Bear and Rising Bell
8:20 a.m.: Flag Raising
8:30 a.m.: Breakfast
9:15 a.m.: Camper Free Time
9:45 a.m.: Interest Group 1
10:45 a.m.: Community Time
11:45 a.m.: Quad Games/All Camp Activities/Service
Afternoon
12:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 p.m.: Rest Hour
2:45 p.m.: Assembly
3:15 p.m.: Passing and Prep Time
3:30 p.m.: Interest Group 2
4:15 p.m.: Snack Time
4:30 p.m.: Interest Group 3
5:15 p.m.: Camper Free Time
Night
6:15 p.m.: Dinner
7:30 p.m.: Night’s Doings
9:00 p.m.: Evening Reflections
9:45 p.m.: Bed Time Prep
10:00 p.m.: Cabin and Bed Checks
11:00 p.m.: Lights Out
Interest Groups
What are they and how do they work?
Each week, campers sign up for three different Interest Groups, activities designed to have fun, learn a new skill, and practice being their best selves. Campers also have the opportunities to make new connections with campers of all ages.
Typical Interest Groups will include:
• Sailing
• Pool Party/Swim Games
• Paddle sports (kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding)
• Lake Michigan beach time
• Sports (soccer, dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and more)
• Archery
• Woodshop
• High ropes course and rock climbing
• Pottery
• Yoga
• Theater/improv
• Arts and crafts (knitting, friendship bracelets, copper enameling, print making, and more)
If campers have a new idea for an Interest Group, they’re encouraged to share their thoughts and help create special Interest Groups for the following week! Previous camper-created Interest Groups include Creative Writing, Harry Potter Fun, and Hike and Dip.
Daily Schedule FAQs
Campers can choose to wake up a few minutes early each morning to take a quick dip in Lake Michigan. If a camper completes Polar Bear every morning while at camp, they’ll earn a Polar Bear T-shirt at the end of the session!
Community Time is a chance for all the campers in each age group to spend some time together doing fun activities! Activities range from “getting to know you” games, fun team sports, and even deep group conversations. We meet the campers where they are as an age group and have fun.
Quads are communities or teams (Beaches, Breakers, Sands, or Creeks) that engage in friendly competition throughout the session. Quads compete in games like camp sports, trivia, and more to earn points towards the ultimate prize: their name on the coveted Quad Paddle hanging in Dining Hall.
Assembly is a call to our entire Boys Camp community to reenergize after Rest Hour each day. Campers and staff participate in games, skits, and songs presented to each other inside our Community Circle. Highlights include the Sports Report, Paddle Clues, and Cleanest Cabin.
Night’s Doings is one of the most fun and active times of the day with a new activity, game, or event. Night’s Doings can resemble a classic game of capture the flag with a camp twist, involve trying to catch leaders dressed as wizards and lizards, a talent show, and much more.
“When they return from camp as always, our kids are better behaved, incredibly grateful, kind to siblings- all that the wonderful traits you pine for. Our boys always return better than they left.”
– Miniwanca Camper Parent