Camp Icaghowan | Program Overview
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About Us
Icaghowan ("eye-KAH-goh-wahn") is from Lakota origin and means "To Grow in Every Way". Programs and activities seek to instill the YMCA’s four core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
YMCA Camp Icaghowan is located in Amery, Wisconsin (90 minutes east of the Twin Cities) on a beautiful 40-acre island in Lake Wapogasset with an additional 80 acres of mainland property. An isthmus road bridge connects the island to the mainland.
We have been helping boys and girls learn and discover the excitement of overnight camping for more than 100 years. We offer Summer Camp, a Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp, and a Winter Camp.
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Camp Culture
Days are action-packed and challenge campers in a fun and safe setting. Our staff is dedicated to developing a sense of community through small-group living that helps campers learn teamwork and cooperation, learn to accept responsibility, and learn how to help and respect others. Through intentional programming in fun and educational activities, campers have the opportunity to build their self-confidence, self-reliance, resourcefulness and their self-esteem.
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Summer Camp
Camp Icaghowan is the perfect place for boys and girls to try new skills, develop team work and leadership skills, and discover a sense of adventure in a resident camp setting for 3-day, 1-week, 2-week or 3-week sessions.
Traditional camp favorites include swimming, rock climbing, overnight camping, hiking, environmental education, arts & crafts, archery, target sports, large group games, outdoor cooking, fire building, wilderness survival skills, canoeing, make your-own-ice-cream, songs, drama/theater, skits, campfires, fishing, and more!
We also have specialty camps for horseback riding, river canoe trips, teen travel adventures, skateboarding and leadership development.
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What to Expect | Campouts, Cabins, Meals
Every cabin goes on an overnight campout during their session. They will pack their gear and food and either canoe or backpack to one of Icaghowan’s many campsites, including a tree house and a yurt.
Campers are placed in cabin groups of 8-10 campers of the same age range. They sleep in cabins with their 2-3 counselors. Our staff to camper ratio is 1 staff to every 6 campers. There will always be at least 2 trained staff per cabin group. Campers are supervised by staff 24 hours a day. Cabin groups are single gender and are on designated sides of the island in what we call "units." There are new bathroom facilities in both units with comfortable amenities including hot water, private toilet stalls and private showers.
Campers eat their meals in the dining hall. Each cabin has their own round table and the food is served family style making it easy for meal time conversations. Campers give great reviews about the food which includes a salad bar for lunch and dinner and a cereal bar at breakfast. Vegetarian options are available.
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Safety
The safety of each child is our primary concern. Camp Icaghowan is accredited by the American Camping Association and is visited to assure compliance with the ACA standards. This means that camp practices have measured up against 300 national standards that go way beyond our state’s basic licensing requirements. ACA accredited camps voluntarily go through a rigorous risk management process to provide a supervised, positive environment where children can grow.
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Fall, Winter and Spring Programs
Camp Icaghowan can provide the relaxed environment conducive to learning, team building and fellowship during the fall, winter and spring months.
Icaghowan can provide indoor meeting spaces, meals, winterized sleeping facilities, recreational equipment, team building activities, high ropes adventure challenges, and a unique experience that will benefit your group the rest of the year.
We can customize programs for school groups, church groups, family reunions, corporate meetings and retreats. Call 763-479-1146 to learn more or schedule a tour.
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