YMCA Builds Generations of Leaders at Camp

The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities (YGTC), a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, offers camp programs to help kids and families build confidence and develop friendships while growing as leaders.

With school out during the summer, many kids face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Through summer camp, the Y provides meaningful outdoor experiences for urban and suburban youth, giving them the opportunity to discover who they want to be.

"In our Y camp programs, kids enter a safe, inclusive environment with nurturing adults where they can build character and confidence to grow into tomorrow's leaders," said Tom Kranz, vice president of YGTC camp programs.

Kranz added that young people demonstrate the impact of their camp experience by sharing it with others – a large number of Y counselors were once campers themselves, and still more have grown up to pass the experience along to their children and families.

To ensure all have the opportunity to experience camp, the Y offers a wide variety of programs to choose from, including:

• Day camp at 10 locations throughout the metro area for kids and teens ages 4 to 14

• Overnight camp at four locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for kids and teens ages 7 to 17

• Specialty day and overnight camps so youth can develop a new skill, such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, hiking, arts and crafts, science, theater and more

• Teen wilderness leadership camps at two locations in northern Minnesota featuring adventures like canoeing, backpacking or climbing trips

• Leadership development programs for future counselors at many day and overnight camp locations

• Family camp for all ages to enjoy together near Ely, Minnesota

Through the generosity of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, more Twin Cities youth than ever are able to enjoy camp this summer. Discover how students from John A. Johnson Elementary School in St. Paul were empowered by a week at Y day camp. - YMCA Youth to Camp

Summer opportunities like camping give kids of all backgrounds a safe space to learn, grow and thrive as leaders – and many choose to give back as counselors. Learn how Demetrius is passing along the lessons he learned at camp to the next generation of kids. - Demetrius' Story

Camp is an experience that can span generations. Explore how Y camps have impacted Beka Butter Grathwohl's family. Beka attended family camp with her mother and sister years ago and even served as a counselor; today, she is sharing that experience with her husband and four children. - Beka's Story

For more than 100 years, YGTC camps have offered an enriching, safe experience with caring counselors who allow campers the freedom to be themselves. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, financial assistance is available to those in need to help cover the costs. To learn more about the Y's camp programs, visit http://www.ymcamn.org.

About the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities

The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established in 1856 in St. Paul, 160 years ago, and a decade later in Minneapolis, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region and western Wisconsin communities. The 27 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage nearly a quarter million men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y's mission and work, visit ymcamn.org.