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Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camps

We believe that the camp experience is transformational for all ages.

Serving hundreds of thousands of kids, the Y offers a variety of programs from Preschool and School-Age to Teen and Residential camps. Camps give kids the chance to make new friends, learn new skills and engage in indoor and outdoor adventures. We utilize the YMCA core values to teach campers how to be more independent and contribute to a group through physical, social and educational activities.

Summer Camp At a Glance
2024 Summer Camp Guide
School-Age Camps Parent Handbook
Camp Patterson Parent Handbook

Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Camp

Under the care of our nurturing preschool staff, campers will enjoy theme related games, art, music, and stories; plus swimming, snacks, playtime, and outdoor play! Kindergarten Prep goes a step further to focus on Kindergarten readiness. Come explore and enjoy our YMCA Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Camps!

School-Age & Specialty Camps

Join us for fun and adventure at the Mankato Family YMCA Summer Day Camps! Each week is filled with action-packed days full of activities focused on our core values: Caring, Honesty, Responsibility, Respect and Faith. Campers will learn through ways of discovery, exploration and community involvement on how to make friends, gain independence and experience new adventures. Specialty camps include Chesley Skate Park Camp, Sports Camp, and Pathfinders Day Camp.

Resident and Teen Leadership Camps

Camp Patterson is nestled on 19 acres off the shores of Lake Washington in Southern Minnesota. Utilizing our core values of Caring, Honesty, Responsibility, Respect and Faith – adventure awaits! The YMCA is committed to ensuring campers will be safe, have fun, meet new people, gain a sense of independence in a positive and supervised environment. Camps include Traditional Camp, Leaders in Training (LIT), Counselors in Training (CIT) and Junior Counselor (JC).

Payment & Registration

Member Registration: February 15
Non-Member Registration: March 1
A $25 non-refundable deposit per session is required to reserve camper’s spot. Deposit is applied to the final balance.

A non-refundable deposit of $25 is required for each week your camper plans to attend. This deposit will be deducted from the overall weekly fee and secures your spot unless the remaining balance is not received by the 15th of the month prior to attending.

Full camp payment is due on the 15th of the month prior to the month of camp. For example, if your camper is signed up for camp(s) in June, full payment of all June camps would be due May 15th.

Yes, click the “Register” icon at the top of the website homepage. Click “log in / register online”. On the left side you will see “My Programs and Balances”.

We do offer financial assistance for those in need. Download our financial assistance application and return it to the Y with the necessary documents. 

If you have questions, contact our Director of Youth Activities, Dustin at [email protected].

Those who wish to withdraw their registration for a camp must do so no later than two (2) full weeks before the camp is scheduled to start. The initial $25 deposit used to register for a camp session is non-refundable and non-transferable. No refunds will be given after the two (2) week policy prior to the start of camp. If you are registered for a program and you cancel your membership, you will be billed for the non-member rate of the program.

Planning for School-Age Camp

Our counselors are trained in CPR, First Aid, child abuse prevention, bloodborne pathogens, emergency procedures, water safety, and our camp curriculum including songs and games that incorporate values and education. All counselors must pass a background check prior to employment.

We have a Youth Facebook page called Mankato Family YMCA Youth (@YMCAMankatoYouth) and a Youth Instagram account (@mankatoymcayouth) for promotional purposes. We also use the REMIND app to communicate with parents during camp. A REMIND code will be provided once registration is complete.

It is important that your child comes to camp after having received a good night’s sleep, as well as a healthy breakfast in order to ensure for a fun, safe and energetic day. Our staff wants your child to get the most out of what our camp has to offer. Campers should come to camp dressed in clothes they can easily move around in, closed toe shoes, a water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and a book. They should also bring a swimsuit and towel on scheduled swim days.

Children are not allowed to bring toys and electronic devices, including cell phones, from home. Exceptions apply to field trip days. The YMCA is not responsible for any item that is broken, lost or stolen during camp.

The YMCA participates in the District Food Service program. This means we provide lunch for youth camp attendees at certain camps. Look for the red apple next to your camp in the Camp Brochure. If your camper does not want to participate in the program they will need to bring a cold lunch from home. Equestrian Campers and Skatepark Campers must bring their own lunches. Please note: refrigerators and microwaves are not available for camper use.  The YMCA also provides an afternoon snack to all campers.

If your camper has food allergies, make sure to note them on the student’s health form. The YMCA will provide snack options that accommodate your camper’s dietary needs provided at registration. Contact Camp Director if new needs arise.

Campers should come to camp dressed in their provided field trip shirt for identification purposes. They should pack a lunch, water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen, swimsuit and towel for water trips, and an individual activity to do on the bus (books, fidget toys, electronics, etc.) however, the YMCA is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

At Camp

Please communicate with camp staff via REMIND.

To minimize the chance of misplaced clothing and other items, please label all clothing and other property clearly. We are not responsible for lost or missing items. There will be a lost and found container at the sign-out station for all misplaced items each day.

Parents will be notified by camp personnel if their child has not been feeling well for a period of time and does not seem to be getting any better. Moderate injuries will also be communicated to the parent once proper first aid has taken place. In the case of a severe injury needing professional medical attention, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately.

If a camper is showing symptoms of a communicable disease or illness, they will be sent home immediately and will not be permitted until 24 hours of being fever-free and symptoms were present (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

At the first sign of inclement weather during our outdoor activities, campers will be brought indoors or to the nearest shelter until it is safe to return to the scheduled camp activity. The Camp Administration will send out communication if there is an emergency.

Visiting your camper is not recommended during the camp day. If you feel a visit is necessary contact the Camp Director to schedule a day and time.

Parents/Guardians are expected to park their vehicle and check in or check out campers from camp staff at Door A between the hours of 7:30-8:30am and 4:30-5:30pm. If campers are arriving late to the YMCA and the camp in which the camper is registered for has already departed, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to get their camper to the location of the camp. If a camper needs to be picked up prior to the dismissal time, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to meet the camper at the location in which their camp resides. A photo ID is required to pick up your camper. Campers will not be released to someone other than the parent/guardian. If someone other than the parent/guardian plans on picking up camper, that person must be listed on the camper’s registration or have written authorization provided from the parent/guardian to the camp after registration.

If your camper brings medications to camp including over the counter medications, it must be in the original container with the original label with their name. Do not pack medications into the camper’s luggage or backpack. Medications must be turned into the Camp Staff upon Check In.

Reach Out to Learn More

Denise Harpestad

Preschool/Kindergarten Prep Camp Director

507.345.9810
[email protected]

Dustin Slaughter

Youth Activities/School-Age Camp Director

507.386.2706
[email protected]

Anna Lieske

Teen Director

507-386-2707
[email protected]

Nicole Rieger

Chesley Skate Camp Director

507-386-2710
[email protected]

Sophie Tonander

Sports & Recreation Director

507-386-2724
[email protected]

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