There are a few different options for transportation. Please visit our Transportation page for details. 

Before a camper arrives at camp, parents fill out and mail to camp a “Let’s Get Acquainted” form.  This questionnaire is reviewed by the Camp Director and appropriate cabin staff and is used to identify the needs, interests, and expectations of campers. When campers arrive at camp, staff  spend a lot of time with them talking about their interests, helping them to feel at home and make friends and introducing them to other campers and staff.

Each camp has two full-time nurses on staff.  Both camps have well-equipped health centers, and a large percentage of our staff are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED, in addition to being certified lifeguards.  Lakes Region General Hospital is located a short drive from the Y-Landing Marina.

Our staff are young adults, many of whom grew up in our camps and completed our Counselor-in-Training program. All complete thorough pre-season training and the Redwoods Child Abuse Prevention Course. They have been selected for maturity, leadership ability, activity skills, positive and friendly attitudes, commitment to young people and a genuine love for camp. Each camp’s leadership includes seasoned leaders, some of whom are professional educators and registered nurses.

We hold non-denominational services each Sunday that all campers and staff attend.  These services are traditionally conducted by our staff and tend to focus on the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.  We respect the religious perspectives of all campers and staff.

Our cabins house between eight and twelve campers as well as two staff members. Campers enjoy adequate personal space and sleep in wooden bunk beds with guard rails.  Cabins are wood-frames with window screens.  Cabin assignments are based on age and school grade.  The directors place campers in specific cabin groups with attention to the balance of people from the same hometown, the ratio of new to returning campers, as well as other factors.

Cabin assignments are made on the basis of grade. It might seem logical to try to guarantee a happy camp experience by requesting a specific cabin mate for your child. Experienced Camp Directors universally agree that these requests frequently create more problems than they solve. In addition, our camps do not schedule daily activities or dining hall assignments by cabin, therefore campers from different cabins have many opportunities to spend time together at camp. With that in mind, cabin mate requests may be submitted, but are not encouraged.

• Campers may request one cabin mate, when both campers are in the same grade and the request comes from both families.
• Cabin mate requests are not guaranteed as many factors go into cabin placement decisions.
• Cabin assignments are revealed when the campers arrive at the island.
• Requests may be emailed with the subject line Cabin Mate Request to:

Camp Nokomis – Gretchen Seifert at gseifert@mvymca.org

Camp Lawrence – Charles Seifert at camplawrence@mvymca.org

Our camps offer activities that are instructional and meaningful, offering challenges and growth for both beginning and advanced learners.  We focus our attention on ensuring that our activities are both safe and fun.

Our campers come from all over New England, the United States and around the world.  Some of our staff and campers have traveled from areas in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.

Our camps stand out for their unique island location and for the team of dedicated staff who return summer after summer.  The counselors are strong models of our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.  Our camps offer a great mix of athletic and creative activities in a setting that promotes self-confidence and teamwork.

Our camps can accommodate most dietary food preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.).  Staff are also made aware of identified food allergies and campers are monitored for safe and healthy eating habits.