Camper & Parent Information

YMCA Camp Cormorant is located on the beautiful shores of Big Cormorant Lake, MN and provides a unique outdoor environment with cozy cabins, an extensive beach and waterfront, athletic fields, a volleyball sand court, horse trails, a newly remodeled ropes course and much more!

Our camp curriculum provides more than just a good time or teaching outdoor skills. We believe that the young men and women that come to camp are shaped by those around them. Campers will be placed in cabins with campers of their same gender and around their same age. Each cabin is also paired with a staff who are of utmost quality, possessing a strong moral character and the enthusiasm to have spontaneous fun.

All cabins are equipped with bunk beds. A newly built separate male and female bath house with flush toilets, sinks and showers is on site.

Our guiding principles include:

  • Campers come first. They are the focus of everything we do.
  • Quality and high standards are paramount. This is apparent in our conduct and risk management with every aspect of camp. We also expect a lot from our campers.
  • Teamwork, respect for each other and participation are important elements of values in every Cormorant experience.
  • We want to provide an opportunity for campers to accept responsibility, exert leadership, and to serve others.
  • And our main goal: To laugh, sing and have fun!

This positive environment is created through a large variety of age-appropriate activities, well-trained staff and quality program and services.

 

Please review the following information prior to arriving at Camp Cormorant. This information includes important health & safety guidelines, packing lists, and answers to frequently asked questions.

>> Forms Needed Before Arriving At Camp

Before You Arrive At Camp

The following forms needs to be digitally completed or printed and delivered to staff at drop-off. 

These forms are required and must be completed before your child can attend camp. They cover important details like emergency contacts, allergies, and more. The sooner we have them completed, the better we can plan for a smooth and safe camp experience.

•        Camper Code of Conduct/Bullying

•        Health History Form

•        Medical Permission Form

•        Child and Adult Care Food Program (Household Income Statement form).  This should be filled out by any family that gets YMCA assistance, SNAP, MFIP, FDPIR, Foster Families or if Military Family.

•        Special Diet Statement for Campers without a disability (only if special diet is needed, such as allergy)

•        Release of Camper form.  This form must be filled out if parent/guardian will not be picking camper up from camp.

 

Click on the link and select the "Camp Cormorant Form"

If your child has a special diet or dietary restrictions, please fill out that form as well.

 

Click Here To Access Camp Forms

 

Please read the instructions on the forms.  Be sure they are complete before arriving at camp. This will save you time at check in. We do not save forms from previous years.

All forms received will be collected online and at the time of check in at camp. Please do not mail them to the YMCA

For questions, contact Dee Jones: Jones@ymcanorthernsky.org

>> Drop-Off & Pick-Up Times

Camper Check-In For Overnight Camp

It is very important that you arrive at camp check at the designated time listed below for your camper.

*All camper check-in times are Sundays and are staggered to help elevate long lines and parking issues.

•        3:45-4:10pm if your last name begins with A-F

•        4:10-4:35pm if your last name begins with G-N

•        4:35-5:00pm if your last name begins with O-Z

If you need special arrangements made for the other times, please contact Kim Reger at 701-367-6582.

 

When you arrive for Overnight Camp

1. Go to the Welcome Center to check in your camper.

2. Campers will be privately checked for headlice and have their temperatures checked.

3. Camp staff will help you with the following steps to get fully checked in:

•        Check-in and get your cabin assignment.

•        Turn in money for the store.

•        Turn in any medications (prescribed and non-prescribed) with the Health Officer. All medications must be in the original container and labeled with the campers’ name and dosage.  Please only send the amount of medication needed for the stay at camp.

After checking in at the Welcome Center you can take your belongings to your cabin.

Remember, campers are required to be supervised by their parent/guardian until they are completely checked in.

 

Camper Pick-Up For Overnight Camp

Camper pick-up is Friday 2:00pm-3:00pm. Check out could take up to 30 minutes. Camper must be picked up by 3pm.

If you need an earlier pick-up, please notify camp staff at drop in for the week.

Late pick-ups. We will charge $25 per camper for each ½ hour you are late in picking them up. 

Check in with staff at the Welcome Center. You will be required to show photo ID when picking up your camper. At this time, you will collect any medications and cabin photo for your camper.

Please check out the lost and found table. We will not keep lost and found items that are not labeled with your camper’s name.

The camp store will be open for any last-minute shopping. Any unspent money for the camp store will not be refunded.

 

Check-In & Pick-Up For Day Camp

Check-in will be in the Welcome Center at 8:50am. It is very important that you arrive at camp on time.  We will start camp at 9:00am daily.

Campers will need to be picked up at 4pm Mon-Thu and by 3pm on Friday.

>> Health & Safety Guidelines

Health Check Prior To Camp

Your child will be checked for headlice and have their temperature taken at check in.

Please do not send your child to camp if:

•             They are not feeling well or are running a temperature of 100.4.

•             They have diarrhea or if they are vomiting.

If your child is not able to attend camp due to health reasons, please call 701-364-4130 to reschedule camp dates.

 

Inclement Weather

Yes, sometimes it does rain or storm at Camp. Our camp staff is alert to changing weather conditions at all times. On rainy days, we organize additional indoor activities within the cabins or at our newly built Welcome Center for the campers to enjoy. A little rain won't dampen our ability to provide fun, laughs and lasting memories!

If weather becomes severe, the Welcome Center also includes a certified storm shelter. This shelter is large enough to safely house all campers and staff. The shelter is ADA compliant with an elevator & ground floor access, includes bathrooms for campers to use while sheltering and electricity. A movie, games or other activities are planned to help keep campers occupied while in the shelter.

>> Camp Packing List

camp packing list

>> Daily Camp Schedule

Here's a typical day at YMCA Camp Cormorant overnight camp:

  • 7:50am - Polar Plunge

  • 8:25am - Flag / Breakfast / Cabin Clean Up

  • 9:30am - Camp-Specific Activities

  • 12:00pm - Lunch

  • 1:00pm - Rest / Store / Open Rec

  • 4:00pm - Bonus Activity

  • 5:25pm - Flag / Dinner

  • 6:15pm - Bonus Activity

  • 7:30pm - Evening Program

  • 9:00pm - Campfire

  • 10:30pm - Lights Out

>> Activities At Camp

Bonus Activities

In addition to activities specific to each camp, kids get to experience a variety of activities, including:

  • Swimming
  • Archery
  • Gaga Pit
  • Horse/Trail Rides
  • Zipline & Ropes Course
  • Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Water Tramp & Rock Wall
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Paddle Boarding
  • Sports & Games
  • Arts & Crafts
  • and much more!