Parent FAQ

Since 1954, Camp Olson has been Sharing the Spirit of the Northwoods with countless youth and leaders through quality camping programs. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions from parents.

Jump to sections below: Program | Registration | Health & Safety | General Camp

Program

What's so great about summer camp?

The answer is different for everyone, which is one reason camp is so great – it can cater to just about every type of person!

Summer camp provides children with many opportunities for growth like setting and attaining goals, being away from home and gaining independence, trying new things and building confidence, or living with peers and learning cooperation, respect, and trustworthiness.

Summer camps are an environment specifically suited to provide children with a unique and beneficial experience they won’t find anywhere else. It’s a place that ensures children leave with new friends and role models, new life skills, new memories that will last a lifetime, new appreciation for nature and the world around them, and a new view of themselves.

What ages can come to camp?

We offer programming for all ages! Our Day Camp is offered to ages 5-11 and our Overnight Camps (ranging from 4 days to 4 weeks) is offered to ages 7-17. We also offer a family camp, open to any age!

What activities will my child do?

Each morning, campers will participate in various program areas with their cabinmates, and have independence to choose afternoon activities, such as:

What should my child pack for camp?

Click here to view a pdf of our current packing list.

Do you require the campers to go on camping trips? What is an Overnight?

At Camp Olson YMCA, we want to ensure that each of our traditional campers has the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Each cabin has a designated overnight and canoe/hike that will become more challenging through cabin years as campers grow older. Our youngest campers, Pathfinders, will enjoy a cookout over a fire at the Trips Center on the shore of Cooper Lake. Our younger Discovery campers enjoy an overnight with their cabinmates at one of our on-site camps located a short distance from our Trips Center which can be reached by foot or canoe on Cooper Lake. Our older Discovery campers will enjoy a bit more of an adventure, as they paddle across Cooper Lake and hike a short distance to a set of private lakes called the Shurds, where they will again paddle to a campsite amidst the loons and beavers.

We have a number of other overnight trip options away from camp with our Leadership Development Program and Superior Sailing Trip.

Can my child bring a phone, tablet, or other electronics?

At Camp Olson, we strongly feel that our ability to share the Spirit of the Northwoods is enhanced by an experience free of the distractions of electronic devices. It is an excellent exercise for a child to be without their cell phone for a week. It encourages personal interaction and immerses your child in the beautiful natural surroundings and people we have here at Camp Olson. Electronic devices like cell phones or things that can connect to the internet are collected at the beginning of the week and kept safely in the management office. They will get their devices returned on the Sunday of their departure day.

My camper is staying for more than one week. What do the weekends look like?

Weekends are a relaxing 24 hours for campers to enjoy camp with a smaller group.They will have 2-3 counselors as well as a management staff supervise them all weekend. All meals will be provided as well as snacks. Throughout the weekend we will have a nurse on duty 24 hours to help with medications and camper needs. Your child will get to enjoy selected programming like swimming, sailing , craft shop etc. Campers are allotted time with their electronic devices to contact family and friends. After dinner, there are options for more fun and relaxation, such as a game night, movie and popcorn, or night hike.

Registration

What is Option Pricing and why use it?

Camp Olson recognizes that families have different abilities to pay and has developed this three-option fee structure to best meet everyone’s needs. Here are a few key things to know:

It’s a family choice. Using the honor system, we want to empower our families to determine which rate best fits their budget.
It doesn’t impact the quality of your child’s camp experience. Once at camp, there will be no way to know which campers are registered at which tiers.
It’s confidential. Unless you tell them, your child won’t know. Their counselors won’t know. Other than you, the only others who may know your selection are the camp staff handling registration.
It’s easy. No additional documentation or explanation is needed unless additional financial assistance is requested.
It’s intended to help make camp more accessible and provide additional funding for our long-term maintenance and program sustainability.

How do I choose my option?

Recognizing that a Camp Olson YMCA camp experience is an investment and a tremendous value to your child’s development, you should choose the tier that reflects your family’s income level and asset base. We ask that you carefully read the description of each option and choose the option that best matches your financial situation. You will select your fee option during the application process. The option you select will remain confidential and will not impact your camper’s experience.

What if we cannot afford any of the three options? Do you offer financial assistance?

At Camp Olson, our mission is to “Share the Spirit of the Northwoods,” and we believe all kids should have the opportunity to experience that spirit, regardless of their ability to pay. If Option C is outside of your family’s ability, you are welcome to apply for further Financial Assistance on our website.

Financial assistance can include the camp fee, transportation fee, and camp store money. To serve as many children as possible, financial assistance awards range from partial to full assistance of the cost to attend a camp session. Financial assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until our funds are depleted.

What is your refund/cancellation policy?

Cancel four weeks in advance to receive a full refund less the deposit. We will refund in full for illness or medical issues with a doctor’s note.

Can my child be in the same cabin as a friend or family member?

We’ve learned that campers actually settle in much more easily and get more out of camp when they are not in the same cabin with a best friend from home. You’ll have tons of opportunities to be with your friend, including choosing the same activities and spending free time together.

Still, we make our best effort to accommodate cabin mate requests, though we cannot guarantee your camper will be with a friend or family member as we use a number of criteria to group campers. Typically we try to separate cabins by program type (i.e. Discovery, Pathfinder, Sailing, Horseback Riding, etc.) and age (ideally a cabin’s age range will be within 1-2 years or grade level difference). Special circumstances and other factors are also considered.

To make a request, please do so in your camp forms by logging into your Parent Account.

When are my fees due?

The deposit of $200 is due upon registration (for one-week sessions). The entire balance is due four weeks before the start of your camper’s session. Please contact our office for information on payment plans.

You mentioned the Annual Campaign– what is it and how do I support it?

Every year, members of our Camp Olson community make generous charitable donations to support camp operations, camperships (financial assistance), and investments in our camp programs. Annual Campaign donors include parents, grandparents and alumni, our Board, and even full-time and seasonal staff! Gifts at every level are integral to supporting our camp experience and sustaining Camp Olson for all campers. Our commitment to inclusivity, equity, and shifting to an option pricing model relies on continued Annual Campaign support. Find out more here.

Health & Safety

General Camp

Since Camp Olson is a YMCA camp, are you religiously affiliated?

Our long time mission of “For All” encourages and welcomes campers and staff from all backgrounds. Our purpose is not to change or instill upon campers any particular faith or belief. Our goal is to make every person feel comfortable while still including the traditions and values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Grace is sung before each meal and we start and end the day with an inspirational word or phrase.

Camp Olson is ACA Accredited. What does this mean?

Camp Olson is accredited by the American Camp Association, meaning we have undergone a thorough review (300 standards) of our operation- from staff qualifications to emergency management. To learn more about what it means to be ACA accredited, check out the ACA’s website.

When is drop off and pick up?

Each overnight camp session begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. If you are driving to camp to drop off our camper, please plan to arrive between 2:00pm and 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon. Pickup up is Saturday morning between 8:30 am and 9:30am. We also offer bus transportation from Rochester, Owatonna, Edina, St. Cloud and Brainerd.

Day camp runs 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.

Does my child need spending money at camp?

Camp Olson provides campers with the opportunity to purchase snacks and souvenirs. Campers can visit the store twice daily. We recommend Trading Post funds of $40-$100 per week (lower end of the range if your camper does not plan to buy clothing or souvenirs). You can view a preview of our Trading Post offerings at www.campolson.org/trading-post.

Is laundry available?

Campers who are with us for three weeks or more are allowed laundry privileges while at camp. Please call our main office for special circumstances.

Can I send my child with snacks?

For the safety and well-being of all campers, we do not allow campers or staff to bring food or snacks into cabins.

There are three main reasons for this policy:

Camper Safety and Allergies: We are a peanut- and tree-nut-aware camp, and some of our campers have severe allergies. Keeping food out of cabins helps reduce the risk of accidental exposure.
Wildlife & Pests: Camp is in the woods! Food attracts ants, rodents, and other unwanted critters. Keeping cabins food-free helps keep living spaces clean and comfortable.
Camper Equity: Not all campers arrive with the same resources. Having food stored in cabins can lead to unnecessary conflicts, sharing pressure, or exclusion.

We do understand that some campers may have specific dietary or medical needs that require snacks. If this applies to your child, please contact the Camp Director prior to their session to make arrangements. Approved snacks will be safely stored in a designated location, not in cabins.

When campers arrive on the bus, our staff will:

Collect any snacks or food on the bus and sort through them.
Dispose of anything perishable or open.
Set aside any travel snacks to be returned for the bus ride home at the end of the week.

How can I contact my child while they are at camp?

The best way for a parent to communicate is by mail or email. A good idea is to pre-send a few encouraging letters or postcards to your child ahead of time (it normally takes up to 3 days for mail to reach Camp Olson). Label which days you’d like the letters delivered, and we’ll see to it that they receive them. Many parents also pre-address and post letters or postcards home to encourage their camper to write home. You can send emails and view photos through your online CampInTouch account. There is a fee required to use the email service and to order photos, but all parents can login for free to view the daily photo uploads. All emails are printed daily and delivered. Photo or images you add to emails will only be printed in black & white.

Our address for packages and letters are as follows:

USPS:

‘Camper Name’
Camp Olson YMCA
PO Box 118
Longville, MN 56655

SpeeDee, UPS, FedEx:

‘Camper Name’
Camp Olson YMCA
4160 Little Boy Rd NE
Longville, MN 56655

We love when campers receive letters and care packages! Please keep in mind:

🚫 No food, candy, or gum in packages.
To keep all campers safe from allergens and avoid pest issues, we will remove and dispose of any food items sent.

✅ Great things to include instead: