MINNEAPOLIS — YMCA of the North is offering a new series of outdoor day camps meant to show families you don't have to travel far to have an adventure - sometimes it's right in your own neighborhood. Registration is now open for day camps at five park locations in Wright, Otsego and Ramsey counties. Each camp lasts between four and five days and offers childcare options before and after.
Betsy Grams, Vice President of Adventure at YMCA of the North, says over the past few years, the organization has piloted some of these programs and received a great response. She says campers reported more use of the parks long after camp was over.
"You don’t always have to go an hour away to a camp to have an adventure, and to have the healing power of nature touch your family," Grams said. "Being outdoors - even being proximate to green space - elevates our mood and our mindset and improves our mental health."
Kids will enjoy traditional camp activities like canoeing, arts and crafts, archery, fishing and hiking. They'll also interact with their natural surroundings, gaining a better understanding of the ecosystem. Grams is excited that these opportunities can promote environmental stewardship.
"In enjoying the parks, our belief is that young people and their families will care about the environment and the parks in new ways. Because when you care about something you want to protect it," she said.
The camps range from $234 to $294, and full and partial scholarships are available.
Aside from camp experiences, YMCA offers another opportunity for families who want to enjoy parks together. They can take part in a self-guided scavenger hunt called "Unlock It" at 20 park locations.
Watch more KARE11 Sunrise:
Watch the latest coverage from KARE11 Sunrise in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.