Camps, Conferences, School and Community Programs inspiring Youth to Action
Why Choose Miniwanca?

Where is Miniwanca located?
Located in Shelby, Michigan on 360 pristine wooded acres and a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, Miniwanca draws you into a life that is rustic, uncomplicated, and filled with excitement. Trails wind through forests leading you to sand dunes and fresh Lake Michigan waters. Our boathouse and swimming areas are located on the banks of Stony Lake and hosts boating instruction, swimming activities, and our regattas. The Miniwanca facility includes beloved older structures as well as many newly constructed buildings such as bathrooms, camper cabins, challenge courses, and an indoor activity center. Enjoy a virtual tour using the links above to see East Camp, which houses our Boys Camp during the summer, and West Camp, which is home for our Girls Camp.

What makes Miniwanca unique?
When Camp Miniwanca was founded in 1924, the original goal was to create a program where young people could come together to have fun and “learn to live successfully”. This underlying philosophy continues today, and sets our programs apart from other camps. Miniwanca is designed to help campers develop their personal best and discover more about what they are capable of achieving. The activities you will find at Miniwanca may be similar to many camps, but our intentional approach to camping is unique.

At Miniwanca we know the first step toward a great camp experience is FUN. And we believe that in order to have fun, campers need to be and feel safe. Miniwanca is unique in how intentionally staff and campers work together to create a fun, safe community.

Miniwanca is a place campers return to year after year – a home away from home. We take that opportunity, that responsibility, very seriously. For more than 3 generations we have been a part of families’ lives, providing fun camp experiences designed to help their children “learn to live successfully”. We invite you to come grow up with us, too!


What will my child gain by being a Miniwanca camper?
As a leader in youth development, Miniwanca inspires people to be their best selves. We achieve this goal by creating a fun and safe environment where campers will learn new skills and make new friends – and we believe much more is possible! Campers 8-17 will find a progression of age appropriate adventures and opportunities waiting for them. As a result, we believe Miniwanca campers will:
* Leave with newly gained confidence in themselves
* Be able to talk about who they are and what they are capable of achieving
* Discover and develop their personal best
* Act in ways consistent with their values
* Help to create a diverse community where trust, cooperation and respect are the foundation


What safety measures does Miniwanca take?
Miniwanca is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. We safeguard the health and safety of each participant, meeting or exceeding state health requirements and industry safety standards in our adventure programs. American Red Cross standards guide waterfront activities. Miniwanca maintains fully equipped health centers with on-site health professionals, and the nearest hospital is just 12 miles away. Miniwanca campers are supervised 24 hours a day, and we maintain a 1:6 staff to camper ratio so that we can provide a fun and safe summer for our campers.


What qualifications do the staff have?
Miniwanca staff strive to be excellent role models by adhering to the camp motto of “My own self, at my very best, all the time.” Our senior staff are caring professionals who work with children year-round at the camp, or as teachers, counselors, and coaches. Staff come from all over the U.S. and from several countries to share their skills. Our counselors, whom we call leaders, live and work closely with campers. They are chosen very carefully, bringing honesty, integrity, and energy to the job. Leaders have completed a minimum of their first year of college and go through two weeks of extensive training at camp prior to the arrival of campers. Leaders are certified in First Aid and CPR. Our adventure trip leaders are a minimum 21 years of age, and are certified as Wilderness First Responders. Trip leaders participate in over three weeks of specialized training.


Is Miniwanca affiliated with a religion or church?
Miniwanca is a non-denominational camp that welcomes campers of all faiths and religions. Our camp community gathers on a regular basis for reflection and sharing. We begin and end each day with opportunities for campers to discuss the beliefs that are important in their lives, and encourage each camper to think about how these personal beliefs guide their actions on a daily basis. The values we strive to teach in our program are universal – we teach tolerance, respect for others, service to others, and the golden rule.

Can I communicate with my child while he/she is at camp?
Campers love to hear from their families while at camp! Parents are welcome to send mail to their camper or send e-mails through a password protected area of our website, www.ayf.com. This secure, easy to use area of our website lets you stay in touch with your camper through photos and updates. You may also purchase Bunknotes, allowing you to write a letter to your camper via email. Due to limited phones and busy schedules, it is impossible to provide campers with phone privileges. However, you can always contact our Family Liaison if you have questions or concerns about how your camper is doing at Miniwanca.

Does my child need previous experience to participate in a Four Trails Adventure trip?
Four Trails Campers should be in good physical condition and ready for an experience in the rugged outdoors. A positive attitude and a sense of adventure are the only things required to be part of a Four Trails experience. Upon enrollment, Four Trails campers receive information on training and conditioning. No previous trip experience is required.