Michigan Summer Camps for Kids
When you’re a kid, there’s nothing like going to summer camp for a week. When you go to summer camp, there’s nothing like going to one in Michigan. Our pristine woods and water are the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. Here are just a few of the many children’s summer camps in Michigan.
Camp Daggett
Camp Daggett is located on 43 acres along beautiful Lake Walloon near Petoskey in Northern Michigan. Daggett has been welcoming campers for almost one hundred years. It’s evolved from its beginning as a traditional boys camp into a camp that has something to offer both boys and girls today.
An independent, non-profit camp, Daggett’s mission is to provide youth with character building experiences through education and recreation. They especially seek to serve youth in their surrounding community. The camp’s board is made up of local leaders, and it receives support from many generous local businesses.
Campers, age 7 through 14, arrive for their one week stay on Sunday. They build new friendships and make new memories as they bunk in rustic cabins and enjoy the many activities Daggett has to offer. Walloon Lake provides opportunities for many water sports, including swimming, canoeing and fishing. Campers will also enjoy arts & crafts, music, hiking and even learn about campfire cooking. The staff at Daggett hope that campers leave with a sense of accomplishment, courage and respect for others.
Daggett also offers Wilderness Adventure Trips for youth, ages 13 – 15. Campers learn basic survival skills and how to camp in the back-country and leave no trace. Trips vary in difficulty to meet a variety of skill levels. Adventure Trip destinations include places like Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Learning teamwork and leadership are the main focus of the Adventure Trips.
Visit Camp Daggett’s website for registration information.
Camp Henry
Camp Henry is located in on 200 forested acres along lake Kimball in Newaygo County. Their week-long summer camps include soccer, music, horsemanship, music and water sports. They also offer off-site adventures to places like North Manitou Island and the Upper Peninsula. Henry is open to campers ages 5 – 17. Visit the Camp Henry website for more information.
Interlocken Arts Camp
Interlocken is located in Northwest Lower Michigan near Traverse City. The 1200 acre campus features two inland lakes with sandy beaches and more than 12 performance spaces. Arts programs are available in music, theater, motion picture making, visual arts, dance and creative writing. Children, grades three through 12, learn about their areas of study from artists and educators while also enjoying Michigan’s beautiful outdoors. Campers also participate in performances and of exhibitions of their work. Programs run from one week to as long as six weeks. Visit the Interlocken Arts Camp website for more information.
Black River Farm and Ranch
Black River, just and hour from Detroit, is the perfect summer camp experience for girls who love horses. The 360 acre ranch sits along 2 miles of the Black River, has a five acre lake and woodlands. Campers have an hour and a half riding lesson every day on one of the ranch’s 75 horses and participate in trail rides as well. Other outdoor activities include swimming, boating and archery. Programs are available for girls of all ages. See the Black River Farm Ranch website for more information.
Camp Hayo-Went-Ha
Hayo-Went-Ha is a YMCA camp with a girl’s camp on Lake Arbutus and and boy’s camp on Torch Lake outside of Traverse City. Kids leave their electronics at home and spend spend two to four weeks participating in classic summer camp activities such as swimming, sports and wilderness exploration. The camp has been in operation for over one-hundred years. Their program seeks to build healthy minds, bodies and spirits. Visit the Camp Hayo-Went-Ha website for more information.
