The YMCA Camping Experience
Join us at Camp Ihduhapi for daily adventures, learning new skills, and building lasting relationships! Campers will participate in several planned activities each day by registering for a Specialty Camp or Traditional Camp. In addition, Wednesdays are Theme Days that add zany and unique activities to the week and every Camper participates in an overnight tenting excursion to a campsite on Camp Ihduhapi property.
Camper Values | Development
At Camp Ihduhapi, we nurture character development in our campers through the values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Our well-trained staff lead quality programs that are safe, fun and enriching. At Camp Ihduhapi, campers will:
- Develop integrity, self-reliance and leadership skills.
- Build life-long friendships.
- Enrich their spirit, mind, and body through challenging and fun activities.
- Gain an appreciation for the natural environment.
- Experience a sense of community by living with campers in small age-appropriate, single-gender groups with trained staff.
Safety – Our First Priority
The safety of each child is our primary concern. We are American Camping Association (ACA) accredited! This assures you that camp practices have measured up 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. These ACA standards establish criteria for areas such as:
- Emergency Preparedness
- Transportation
- Health Care
- Program Practices
- Living Areas
Cabins
Camp Ihduhapi has small, single-gender cabin groups of 8-12 campers and 2 cabin staff, which provides individual attention and positive, small group dynamics. Campers eat family style as a cabin group in the dining hall.
Camp Menu
Healthy and delicious meals are a component of Ihduhapi’s total wellness program. Our kitchen staff prides themselves on creating well-balanced and tasty meals based on sound nutritional guidelines. A salad bar is provided at lunch and dinner, and fresh fruit is offered each day. Campers are encouraged to drink water (especially during extreme heat) throughout the day. Milk is provided daily and campers eat family style as a cabin group.
If your child has a special dietary need, include a note to the food service staff with Registration and Health Forms. Call Joey Cottew, Camp Program Director, at 763-479-1146 with any questions or concerns.
A Typical Day at Camp Ihduhapi
Morning
7:00 a.m. Road Runners or Yoga (optional)
7:30 a.m. Polar Bears (optional) and wake-up bell
8:00 a.m. Flag Raising
8:05 a.m. Inspiration
8:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Service Projects/Cabin Clean-up/Cabin Activity
10:00 a.m. Specialty Camp or Achievement 1
11:00 a.m. Specialty Camp continued or Achievement 2
Afternoon
12:00 p.m. Meet with cabin/ prepare for lunch
12:15 p.m. Lunch and Mail
1:15 Rest Hour
2:30 Specialty Camp or Achievement 3
3:30 Specialty Camp continued or Achievement 4
4:30 Meet in Commons
4:50 Flag Lowering
Evening
5:00 Dinner
6:00 Cabin Activity (Cabins play in small group activities)
7:15 Food Store
7:30 All-Camp Game
8:30 Campfire and Taps Talk
9:30 KYBO time (Keep Your Bodies Orderly – a.k.a. wash up before bed!)
9:45 Devotions in Cabins
10:00 Cabin Lights-Out
A Typical Week at Camp Ihduhapi
Along with the daily schedule, campers at Ihduhapi have a different activity each night!
Sunday Night: Opening campfire and skit night.
Monday Night: Half of camp goes on an overnight. Those in camp play an all-camp game and participate in a traditional campfire.
Tuesday Night: The other half of camp goes on the overnight while those in camp play an all-camp game and participate in a traditional campfire.
Wednesday Night: Theme Day! Includes themed activities and possibly a dance, a carnival, or a floating campfire.
Thursday Night: Picnic style dinner, closing campfire, and closing devotions.
Theme Day
Theme Days are a rich part of YMCA Camp Ihduhapi tradition. Campers (and counselors!) get wildly creative, dress-up and spend the day on theme-related activities, including all-camp games such as Counselor Hunt, Capture the Flag, or Trench. Theme Day may also include a dance, carnival or floating campfire. And it’s sleep-in day (one extra hour!). Plan ahead and bring a costume and accessories to compliment your Theme Day!
