Camp Olson YMCA - Youth and Family Camps

Camp Olson YMCA has been serving youth and families from Minnesota and beyond for over 50 years. Camp Olson is an inspiring place with over 1250 acres bordering five lakes. The spirit of Camp Olson is always alive in the songs we sing, the evenings spent around campfires on star filled nights and the sound of laughter that abounds every day. Camp Olson prides itself on having an excellent caring and committed staff with an overall ratio of one staff member for every four campers. Camp Olson has a variety of traditional camp programs for youth ages 8-17 and specializes in sailing, horseback riding and leadership programs. Camp Olson is located in Longville, MN and chartered coach transportation is available for each session with pick up and drop off at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport making it easy for your camper to get to camp. Camp Olson YMCA is accredited by the American Camping Association and is staffed with registered nurses 24 hours a day. Scholarships are available. Please contact Amy, Colton or Russ at Camp Olson YMCA, 218-363-2207 or email Camp Olson below.

Experience what it is like to have a horse for a week. You will learn safety with horses as well as stuctured riding lessons and trail riding opportunties.

Horse Camp gives campers the experience of “owning” their own horse! Activities include grooming, bridling and saddling, western riding techniques and safety around a horse. This program is designed for beginners as well as more advanced riders. There are plenty of opportunities thanks to Warren’s new riding pavilion and adjacent trails.

If you’re anxious to catch the elusive General Sherman, this emphasis camp is for you! Campers will have the opportunity to use two activity periods per day to navigate the shores of Half Moon Lake in hopes of reeling in a lunker.

Sail with us on Half Moon Lake for two activity periods a day! The Half Moon Yacht Club is a long-standing tradition at Camp Warren. The privacy of our lake provides ample opportunity or extensive sailing lessons incorporated in our skill progression program. Sailing instructors work with campers on basic and advanced sailing techniques, equipment care, tipping and safety procedures, and individual goal setting.

Come join us at the new covered archery range! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to spend two activity periods a day working on your accuracy and gaining ranks such as the Bowman and Master Archer!

Come dip your paddle into crystal-clear water while gliding past majestic pines in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! On this beginner to mid-level wilderness canoe trip, campers learn the basics of wilderness canoe-tripping and minimum-impact camping. Campers begin with in-camp preparations before their 5-day trip to the BWCAW. The remainder of the 2-week session is spent doing traditional camp activities. This is a great preparation for longer canoe trips.

Traditional camp includes all of the activities you expect to find at a summer camp. Campers choose four activities to participate in over the length of their session. During this time they will follow a skill progression in their activities.

Camp Featherbrook is a wonderful place for your child to experience fun and horse adventures this summer!
Camp Featherbrook is a camp packed full of exciting and structured activities for the new and returning camper. Located on 34 acres just minutes from Plymouth, MN, campers age 6 and up learn horsemanship as they build self-esteem, learn new skills, and practice the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Each year, every child leaves with a special hand-made craft to mark their accomplishments and treasured experiences.
Camp Featherbrook offers riding twice a day, immersion, fundamentals and foundation of horsemanship, games, crafts, horse grooming, horse anatomy, basic horsemanship skills, horse and stable safety, first aid, farm life and making new friends.
One and Three day camps starting at $90

Specialty Camps give campers an opportunity to spend more time on their favorite camp activities while still having a traditional camp experience. Specialty Camp activities take place for two hours each day. Campers also choose two Achievement Options to participate for another two hours of program time.

Our Horse Camp is perfect for the beginning rider! Campers learn basic horse care, riding safety, and techniques. They spend two hours each day at the Ranch for riding and instruction. They will also go on trail rides through the Ihduhapi forest during the week!

Water-Skiing Camp will get you out on the water having a blast while learning about boating etiquette, water-ski equipment care. You’ll learn how to get up on skis from deep water, and eventually cutting in & out of the wake, and possibly dropping a ski!

Sailing Camp is a great waterfront adventure program for campers who want to learn about sailing and develop basic sailing skills. You’ll learn knots, equipment care, and sailing terminology to help you succeed in learning to rig and sail a boat.

Young anglers in Fishing Camp learn the basics of fishing including tying knots and how to handle the fish once it’s landed. The highlight of Fishing Camp is a half-day boat charter to Mille Lacs Lake to catch the big one!

Our Outdoor Challenge Camp combines Camp Ihduhapi’s renowned High Ropes Challenges, Low Ropes Initiates and excellent facilitators to create an opportunity for campers to strengthen their character and learn group cohesion skills. Evens may include the Climbing Wall, the Leap of Faith, the Giant Zip, the High V’s, the Giant’s Ladder, and Ewok Village.

Naniboujou Session offers campers an 11 day session that includes one Specialty Camp and six Achievements! You stay over the weekend where extra activities are planned. Movie nights, bowling, and tie dying t-shirts are examples of the fun things done in the past.

Teen Extreme is for those teens that want to try something different! This fast paced, fun adventure program combines a variety of exciting outdoor excursions! Groups leave Ihduhapi for the day and return at night to stay in their own cabins. Some groups may have the opportunity to camp out at a state or national park for one night. Weather permitting; campers will enjoy the thrills of activities such as rock climbing, a guided cave tour, trail hiking, or a guided kayak tour.

Each camper gets their own horse for the week.
Beginners get to learn how to groom, saddle and bridle their horse with at least 4 hours of structured riding time each day. Riders with experience will progress at their own speed in classes designed for their riding abilities.