YMCA CAMP MINIKANI






Blog

2019

100th Anniversary Spotlight: Céline Groman

Aug12
Introducing Céline Groman, one of our counselors. The prose below is from her mom, Sylvie Groman. Thank you, Sylvie and Celine, for sharing your story! Céline was born and raised in Paris, France. Like her sister Emma, she grew up speaking English at home and French at school. After primaryRead More

100th Anniversary Story Spotlight: Tom Cramer

Aug02
He was nervous and homesick when he first attended camp as a nine-year-old, unsure of himself and his surroundings. Slowly but surely, he forged a path with the help of counselors that became future mentors that encouraged him to grow from camper to counselor and later Summer Camp Director. HisRead More

Affordable and Inclusive for All

May29
One of Minikani’s greatest missions is to make a week at camp accessible to all. The camp experience fosters creativity, builds confidence and friendships, encourages goal setting, and establishes independence. We believe that everyone’s experience is better when everyone gets to participate. There are many roadblocks to making camp accessibleRead More

2018

Day campers celebrated in new Steel Wolf program

Oct01
Last summer, day campers, counselors and directors gathered around a campfire each week to share stories about wolves and leadership. While mostly fictitious lore, the stories represented a set of values that emboldened the Day Camp program this summer. Through a new accolade program called “Steel Wolf,” day campers wereRead More

YMCA Camp Minikani celebrates opening of Tom’s Treehouse

Jun15
Camper-centric counseling is a 99-year-old legacy at YMCA Camp Minikani. This summer, a grand treehouse along the shores of Mud Lake will continue this very legacy—in the name of one exceptional mentor. Tom Cramer reacts during a private unveiling of the treehouse, which was dedicated to him and his serviceRead More

Becoming our best selves: The Raggers and Bear Claw programs

May16
Summer Camp Director Peter Drews and Girls Unit Director Grace Barlow pose for a photo in their white rags before opening campfire. By: Peter Drews Every summer, campers open the door to the cabin that will be their home for a week or two and are met with endless newRead More

Facilitating friendships through thoughtful cabin placements

May16
The camper’s mind races leading up to the first day of camp. Among these thoughts is a question that has been kernel to the Minikani experience for almost 100 years: “Which cabin will I be in?” As you and your camper head to camp, the anticipation increases. Thoughts seem toRead More

The role of the counselor in a camper-centric program

Apr04
By: Rachael Shaff YMCA Camp Minikani counselors are known for their energy, enthusiasm and ability to inspire campers’ best selves. If you ask any counselor why they are passionate about camp, one truth rings through: When they were a camper at Minikani, a counselor inspired them to be themselves, unabashedly.Read More
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