Highlights
- Exceptional development of character
- Individualized attention for each camper
- Highly-trained staff
- Beautiful wilderness location
Overview
Camp Chippewa is a non-profit summer camp for boys located in the Chippewa National Forest in northern Minnesota. Our carefully developed program promotes campers’ emotional and physical growth, develops confidence, and encourages friendships with fellow campers and counselors from around the globe. Camp Chippewa’s location in an expansive forest surrounded by two pristine lakes provides boys a respite from technology and hurried pace of 21st century living. A limited enrollment of 75 campers creates a tight-knit community in which everyone’s names are known and instruction is individually tailored to each camper. The in-camp program allows each camper to select their own schedule of activities including archery, riflery, climbing, sailing, swimming, soccer, tennis, fencing, and canoeing. Camp Chippewa is renowned for its out-of-camp canoe tripping program. Campers enjoy overnight canoe trips that increase in length as they return to camp each summer. Progressively longer trips in the wilderness of Northern Minnesota and Canada are the perfect environment for campers to build resilience, teamwork, confidence, and leadership, all while making lifelong memories. The evolution from an overnight camping trip to a nearby island at age eight to a three-week wilderness expedition to Hudson Bay at age 17 is intentionally crafted to foster growth and create coming-of-age opportunities for the boys as they advance. The camaraderie, accomplishment, and adventure experienced in the outdoors are often the boys’ summer highlights. Since 1935, Camp Chippewa’s mission has been to develop Character, through Adventure, inspired by Tradition. Today we remain the premiere opportunity for young people to experience the outdoors, build lifelong skills, and grow into more resilient leaders.
8-17 yo
From June to August
2 weeks
English
Max 75 campers
Boys Only
Shared
Since 1935
Activities
Camp Chippewa offers a variety of lifelong activities. Excellent facilities and equipment are utilized along with personalized instruction to ensure safety, promote growth, enable self-motivated mastery, and encourage lifelong enjoyment. Campers select their own daily schedule from activities including archery, sailing, tennis, climbing, riflery, fencing, swimming, canoeing, soccer, waterskiing, wakeboarding, trap shooting, and bouldering. Campers also enjoy “free periods” each day, when they can enjoy activities as they please, including basketball, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and table tennis. Special activities include Scatterball, Counselor Hunt, capture the flag, adventures to Cedar Island, and more!
Schedule
Morning: Flag raising (8:10), breakfast (8:20), inspection (9:00), activities (10:00-12:00)Afternoon: Lunch (12:30), rest (1:15), activities (2:00-5:00), free swim (5:00)Evening: Dinner (6:00), evening activities (7:00), lights out (9:30 lower/middle camp, 9:45 upper camp)
Accommodation & facilities
Campers sleep in rustic cabins located on the shore of Cass Lake. Beds are not bunked and each camper has their own personal space for clothing and gear. Each cabin sleeps two staff members and six to eight campers. Windows can be opened to let in fresh air and the sound of waves on the shore!
Video
Location
The nearest airport to Camp Chippewa for Boys is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Airport pickup is available upon request. Campers will be met by staff at their arrival gates in MSP airport. Camp Chippewa charters a bus to transport campers from MSP airport to Camp Chippewa’s location in Cass Lake, MN
Contact this camp
From
$4,575
Available from June to August
Reviews
Camp Chippewa for Boys
| 5 star | 100% | |
| 4 star | 0% | |
| 3 star | 0% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 0% |
Q&A
Enrollment may be cancelled prior to December 1st, with all payments refunded less a $75 administrative fee. For cancellations after December 1st, a refund will be made with the exception of the initial $900 deposit which will be directed to the Camp Chippewa Scholarship Fund or reserved for the camper’s use for the next consecutive year’s season. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after April 1st. Funds will be reserved for the camper’s use for the next consecutive year’s season. If reserved funds are not used for the next consecutive year’s season, they will be directed to the Camp Chippewa Scholarship Fund.
Camp Chippewa boasts a 1:3 counselor to camper ratio. Every activity is supervised, but staff are never alone with a camper. Contact the director for more information (sam@campchippewa.com).
Counselors must attend a full staff training, including obtaining a certification from the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid. Staff must be 19 and have completed one year of college. More than 50% of staff have attended Camp Chippewa as a camper.
Yes, and the backgrounds exceed requirements at the state and national level.
We personally train staff over two weeks, including a three-day Youth Development Training with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson.
Contact the director for more information (sam@campchippewa.com).
We have a Camper Code of Conduct policy, and full supervision policies. Contact the director for more information (sam@campchippewa.com).
Camp Chippewa is a screen-free environment.
The experience my son had this summer was everything I have ever dreamed that my son would have. As a camper, I thought about how if I had a son, one day, I would send him to Camp Chippewa. The best possible outcome I could imagine was when he saw us at the end of camp he would say, “Thank you for sending me to this wonderful place.“ That is exactly what happened. Rarely do the outcomes that you plan for others in your mind materialize like that.
Our son adored his experience. Sincerest thanks for all that you and your husband have done in creating this incredible experience that is memorable and life-changing.
My son returns from camp as a calm, confident, kind and respectful kid. What Chippewa does for these boys is something we as parents can’t give them on our own.
Camp is a second home to me. It builds my character and maturity. I have been going to camp since I was 11 and I have made many lifelong friendships as well as learned lifelong lessons. Being at camp is great but, the trips are amazing. They really do strengthen you mentally and physically. Camp is not only a summer camp, it’s an amazing place that teaches you amazing things.
He absolutely loves Camp Chippewa. The experience has provided such positive development for our son in terms of hard work, self-reliance, maturity, and patience. He also looks forward to seeing his cabin-mates each year.