At Camp Esquagama, we believe kids need time to be kids – and that’s what we are best at helping them do! Youth have been creating memories and lasting friendships at Camp Esquagama for over 85 years. Located a few hours north of the Twin Cities and less than an hour from Duluth, our 45 acre summer camp on Lake Esquagama is the perfect place to spend the summer outdoors!
A note from our Camp Director:
Hey Camp Families!
Get ready for an amazing summer at Camp Esquagama 2025! It’s hard to believe we’re heading into our 90th season of watching kids discover hidden talents, make best friends, and grow more confident among our towering pines and sparkling lake.
Big news for this summer – we’re in the final stages of a brand-new shower house! No more waiting in long lines, and yes, the hot water actually works! It’s a game-changer that keeps our rustic camp feel while making everyone’s stay a whole lot comfier.
I’m also super proud that we’re rolling into year three of our Explorer’s Program. A specialized day camp program for youth with autism and cognitive delay. It’s been incredible watching this program blossom and seeing how it’s enriched our whole camp community.
We’ve got some other cool additions up our sleeve too – wait until you see… you know, let’s just keep all the additional fun and exciting stuff a secret until you come to camp! Our amazing counselors can’t wait to kick off another summer of adventures, creativity, and fun.
First-timer or seasoned camper? Either way, we’re going to make summer 2025 one for the books! Can’t wait to see your smiling faces at check-in!
Share The Journey!
Robert
Camp Director
There’s never a dull moment at Camp Esquagama. Youth ages 4-17 can attend camp at any session mid-June through early August. Children and youth will then spend much of their week at camp participating in the same activities as other kids around the same age, so they can make friends fast.
Each camper is encouraged to try new activities, but if there is a particular skill a camper wishes work on, we can help them excel in a specific area. Our well trained and talented staff assists with waterfront, arts and crafts, archery, climbing wall and many other activities under the sun at camp.
Campers are organized into cabin groups by age. We do our best to honor friend requests when made in advance and the campers are in similar age groups. The majority of our campers come alone and make friends quickly.
The dining hall is more than a place for meals, it’s the time of day where all campers are able to gather in a common area and share their experiences with one another. We begin many of our meals with a camp song. Campers eat family style as a cabin group
Our kitchen offers a healthy yet tasty assortment of food options. Hot entrees every meal plus a fully loaded salad bar with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
We provide the nutrition necessary to energize campers for a full day of camp activity. Scheduled mealtimes are 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
If your child has any food allergies or dietary needs, please note these on their medical forms and we will do our best to accommodate. Our menu is planned in advanced with substitutions for campers and staff who have common dietary restrictions including but not limited to Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Seafood Allergy, Tree Nut Allergy, no Red Meat, etc. A phone call to the Camp Director in advance of the camper’s session is welcomed to answer any questions you may have.
Campers gather around our bonfire by the waterfront amphitheater almost every night of camp. Sounds of laughter from camp skits and the rhythm of the camp songs continue to echo through the pines as they first did in 1935. Of course, no campfire experience would be complete without all of the essential ingredients for the perfect smores – YUM!
Camper’s have the option to partake in a brief swim test at the beginning of the week. Swimming is a camp activity, but swim lessons are not provided on site. Campers who aren’t able to pass the swim test can still have fun by our sandy waterfront and closed dock area that’s only 4 feet deep. The waterfront is always staffed with a Waterfront Director and several other alert lifeguards during all waterfront activity.
Once a day, the Camp Esquagama Canteen opens where campers can grab a snack to enjoy around the picnic tables with their cabin mates. We believe that sharing an afternoon snack from the canteen with your fellow campers is part of the camp experience. Which is why there is no money needed for the canteen as each camper can pick and choose up to two treats each day. The treats in the canteen are being revamped in 2025 to include less sugary and healthier options all around.
On the last day, Camp Esquagama has a closing ceremony, which parents and friends are invited to attend and hear from our staff and campers. The program begins at 3:00 p.m. It’s a great way for all campers to get together for a final farewell – until next year of course!
