fun is just the beginning
By sending your child to Overnight Camp, you are providing them an experience far more meaningful than pure fun. During your child’s session, they will be challenged to make an effort; meet new people; take action; and use their mind, body and heart to its full potential. Your child’s counselor, who was once a camper at Minikani, will help them navigate new experiences that may not always be comfortable. They will likely interact with someone who is different. They might try to scale the climbing wall for the first time. Or maybe, they will find it nerve-wracking to sleep away from home on their first night. Throughout these unfamiliar experiences, your child will be safe, supported, challenged and inspired by their counselor. In turn, the Overnight Camp experience will ask that they:
- Be a kind member of a cabin with eight campers and two counselors
- Enjoy cabin sleeping and tent camp outs
- Follow a daily schedule and choose how they spend supervised free time
- Maneuver rustic, sometimes steep natural surroundings while supervised
- Be reasonably responsible for personal care, health and safety
- Understand and engage in group activities
- Participate in songs, campfires, family-style meals and cheers that build a strong sense of community
- Contribute positively to the community of Minikani
Traditional Overnight Camp
Ages 8-13
Our traditional overnight program fosters exploration and independence. In one-or two-week sessions, campers forge lasting bonds with cabinmates and counselors while learning new skills and participating in tradition-rich activities.
EXPLORERS
Ages 13-14
During their first week, Explorers learn wilderness and trip-planning skills taught by well-trained counselors and directors at Minikani. The entire group, including counselors and directors, then travel to Rhinelander to backpack, tent camp and canoe down the Wisconsin River.
Campers must be 13 by June 15 of the year the camp occurs. Explorers or Master Explorers satisfy pre-requisites for the Leadership Training program. Explorers are not allowed to place cabin requests, because a fundamental aspect of the Explorer program is independence. We challenge our Explorers to expand their comfort zone.
Canoe & Climb Expedition
Ages 13-14
Come climb and canoe in Devil’s Lake State Park! Campers arrive at camp on Sunday and prepare for their excursion. On Monday morning, they travel to their campsite at Devil’s Lake for two days of hiking and rock climbing with professional climbing guides. On Thursday, campers enjoy canoeing down one of the oldest river systems in the world, the Kickapoo River! After canoeing, they will camp at an established site to finish out the week. Campers return back to Minikani on Friday afternoon for the closing campfire. Campers need to be able to participate in a week of strenuous climbing, canoeing, and hiking. Program is limited to 10 campers.
MASTER EXPLORERS
Ages 14-15
Master Explorers, similar to Explorers, spend their first week at camp in preparation for their second-week trip. Master Explorers travel to base camp in Bayfield, Wisconsin. From there, campers will kayak on Lake Superior and explore the Apostle Islands and its wildlife trails, rustic light houses and sandstone cliffs. Campers are accompanied by trained staff and a professional outfitter who safely guides the adventure. Spaces fill quickly for this popular program.
Campers must be 14 by June 15 of the year the camp occurs. Explorers or Master Explorers satisfy pre-requisites for the Leadership Training program. Explorers are not allowed to place cabin requests, because a fundamental aspect of the Explorer program is independence. We challenge our Explorers to expand their comfort zone.
While Masters can be youth ages 14 and 15, priority will be given to youth ages 15 at the start of registration.
EXPEDITION TRIP
Ages 15-17
Campers and counselors fly from Milwaukee to Denver for a two-week hiking and rock climbing exploration of the Rocky Mountains. While there, campers and staff work closely with highly trained trip outfitters in CO to safely outfit and accompany the adventures.
Campers need to be able to participate in two weeks of strenuous activity, such as hiking and rafting. Program is limited to 10 campers. Please call the camp office for more details and registration.
Trip details vary from year to year based on flights and outfitter availability, but as an example here is the schedule from a prior year’s trip.
Tuesday: Minikani campers arrive at Denver International Airport. Set up camp and evening hike to Old Mountain if time allows.
Wednesday: Introduction to Rocky Mountains and discussion on altitude, dehydration, and goals for the trip. Hike to Lake Haiyaha via Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
Thursday: Rock Climbing at Jurassic Park
Friday: Deer Mountain Hike from Kent Mountain Adventure Center
Saturday: Rock climbing at Wizard’s Gate
Sunday: Rest day at campsite and afternoon at the Rec Center pool
Monday: Summit day at either Mt. Lady Washington or St. Vrain Mountain
Tuesday: Hike to Ypsilon Lake or Cub Lake
Wednesday: Rock climbing and via ferrata at Deville then final night campfire
Thursday: Transportation back to Denver Airport then Minikani pick-up at Milwaukee Airport
**2025 schedule will be updated soon**