Specialty Camps

  • The Corral
  • The Boathouse
  • Mountain Biking
  • Fishing
  • The Art Center

The Corral

Camp Olson’s Corral is home to over 30 horses, a state of the art barn and classroom, three outdoor riding arenas, and miles of trails. Our well-trained, safety conscious wranglers provide riding instruction through exercises and fun games in our arena, as well as trail rides through Camp Olson’s beautiful forest. Experienced staff will instruct campers on the finer points of tack, safety, equine health, grooming, identifying breeds, and respect for the animal.

This program is geared toward younger campers with a passion for riding or a curiosity to see what it is all about. Beginner Riders will spend three mornings at the Corral, learning the basics of horseback riding and the other two mornings trying out other program areas. Beginner Riders will have the ability to achieve trail ride eligibility that is otherwise restricted to campers age 11 and older, working their way up to a trail ride on their final day. Afternoons are always free to enjoy all of our great programs.

Beginner Horseback Riding Camp

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
BR-1Beginner Horseback Riding 1June 9-159-114 Male
5 Female
BR-2Beginner Horseback Riding 2June 16-229-111 Male
4 Female
BR-7Beginner Horseback Riding 7July 28-August 39-11#REF!
#REF!

Riding Camp participants will learn basic riding principles in a sand arena and along our many miles of trails. Camp Olson cowpokes stay in the Riding Cabins next to the corral area, and learn and practice their riding skills each morning. Riding campers will learn about our horses and how to take care of them while gaining self-confidence as they hone their riding skills and work to attain riding level awards. Later in the week, they will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal on the trails around our beautiful Shurds Lakes. Afternoons are free to enjoy more riding or other program areas.

Horseback Riding Camp

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
R-1Horseback Riding 1June 9-1511-164 Male
15 Female
R-2Horseback Riding 2June 16-2211-164 Male
14 Female
R-3Horseback Riding 3June 23-2911-162 Male
8 Female
R-4Horseback Riding 4June 30 - July 611-163 Male
14 Female
R-5Horseback Riding 5July 7-1311-162 Male
16 Female
R-6Horseback Riding 6July 14-2011-162 Male
14 Female
R-7Horseback Riding 7July 21-2711-163 Male
9 Female
R-8Horseback Riding 8July 28-August 311-162 Male
15 Female

The Wrangler in Training Program offers campers the chance to learn what it takes to work at the Camp Olson Corral. WITs will gain extensive training and experience in riding, horse care, and teaching skills from our Corral Staff. WIT participants should have already received at least their level of Ranch Hand or Cowgirl/Cowboy or have equivalent experience/knowledge (it is not guaranteed that WITs will receive the status of “Wrangler”). Choose single or multiple-week sessions.

Wrangler In Training

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
WIT-1Wrangler In Training 1June 9-1515-172 Male
3 Female
WIT-2Wrangler In Training 2June 16-2215-172 Male
2 Female
WIT-3Wrangler In Training 3June 23-2915-170 Male
2 Female
WIT-4Wrangler In Training 4June 30 - July 615-171 Male
2 Female
WIT-5Wrangler In Training 5July 7-1315-171 Male
0 Female
WIT-6Wrangler In Training 6July 14-2015-172 Male
2 Female
WIT-7Wrangler In Training 7July 21-2715-171 Male
0 Female
WIT-8Wrangler In Training 8July 28-August 315-172 Male
2 Female

8:00 am – Breakfast

Morning – Time spent in your specialty program

*Beginner riders will spend M, T, W mornings at the corral and T, TH at other program areas

12:15 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Siesta (Quiet/Reflection Time)

Afternoon – Free-choice activities

6:00 pm – Dinner

Evening – Group Game & Campfire

10:00 pm – Lights Out

*Riding campers will have the opportunity to ride to the Shurds and enjoy a campfire cooked breakfast or dinner on one of their last days

Register for your favorite camp Today!

REGISTER NOW!

The Boathouse

Camp Olson is a premier, Midwest sailing camp with a stellar fleet of boats including Sunfish, windsurfers, and a wide range of larger boats. Our well-trained, safety conscious skippers provide sailing instruction both on land and in Camp Olson Bay which is nestled on 1,372 acre, Little Boy Lake.

Sailing Camp participants will learn basic sailing principles through a hands-on and experiential approach. Sailors will gain first-hand knowledge in sailing technique, terminology, parts and equipment by sailing aboard a variety of vessels and challenge themselves to earn progressive awards in sailing achievement. Afternoons are free to enjoy more sailing or other program areas. Come sail with us!

Sailing

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
S-1Sailing 1June 9-1511-1610 Male
6 Female
S-2Sailing 2June 16-2211-1610 Male
6 Female
S-3Sailing 3June 23-2911-165 Male
10 Female
S-4Sailing 4June 30 - July 611-1613 Male
9 Female
S-5Sailing 5July 7-1311-1610 Male
14 Female
S-6Sailing 6July 14-2011-1612 Male
12 Female
S-7Sailing 7July 21-2711-1613 Male
12 Female
S-8Sailing 8July 28-August 311-1612 Male
10 Female

This voyage to the Apostle Islands is the perfect program for our more advanced sailing
campers. Campers will spend either 5 or 10 days out on the big water on a 33’+ sailboat learning what
it takes to captain such a vessel. In addition to time spent learning more about sailing,
campers will get to explore these beautiful and unique islands. Groups will be sent with one of
our advanced sailing counselors and will form bonds that will last a lifetime!

Lake Superior Sailing Trip

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
SST-5Superior Sailing Trip 5 (Coed) *5-day tripJuly 7-1313-166 Male OR
6 Female
SST-56Superior Sailing Trip 56 (Coed) *10 day tripJuly 7-2013-166 Male OR
6 Female
Superior Sailing Trip is dependent on enrollment. If the minimum number of participants is not met, trip may be canceled and refunded.

The Skipper in Training Program offers campers the chance to learn what it takes to work at the Camp Olson Boathouse. SITs will perfect their sailing skills while gaining knowledge of boat maintenance, teaching skills and program leadership. SIT participants should have already received at least their level of Mate or Mate First Class or have equivalent experience/knowledge (it is not guaranteed that SITs will receive the status of “Skipper”). Choose single or multiple week sessions.

Skipper In Training

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
SIT-1Skipper In Training 1June 9-1515-172 Male
2 Female
SIT-2Skipper In Training 2June 16-2215-172 Male
2 Female
SIT-3Skipper In Training 3June 23-2915-170 Male
0 Female
SIT-4Skipper In Training 4June 30 - July 615-172 Male
2 Female
SIT-5Skipper In Training 5July 7-1315-172 Male
2 Female
SIT-6Skipper In Training 6July 14-2015-170 Male
2 Female
SIT-7Skipper In Training 7July 21-2715-170 Male
2 Female
SIT-8Skipper In Training 8July 28-August 315-172 Male
2 Female

8:00 am – Breakfast

Morning – Time spent in your specialty program

12:15 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Siesta (Quiet/Reflection Time)

Afternoon – Free-choice activities

6:00 pm – Dinner

Evening – Group Game & Campfire

10:00 pm – Lights Out

*Sailors will get the opportunity to sail their very own sunfish or big boat in the Friday Regatta!

Register for your favorite camp Today!

REGISTER NOW!

Adventure Camps

Camp Olson’s 6 lakes and 1350 acres is home to a diverse network of trails and aquatic life. Adventure is waiting around every corner, whether it be on land or in the water. Our well-trained, safety conscious staff provide instruction on basic gear maintenance, skills and techniques.

Mountain Bike Campers will spend the morning learning all there is to know about this sport. Campers will learn basic maintenance, how to handle minor obstacles on our mountain bike skills course, and will spend hours on trail. Campers will work towards achieving one of our bike level awards. In the afternoon campers will get to spend time enjoying all of our program areas. This program includes a trip to a mountain biker’s dream destination, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Afternoons are free for more biking or to try any of our other activities. Camp provides bikes and helmets. Campers are also welcome to bring their own gear.

Mountain Biking

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
MB-6Mountain Biking 6July 14-2013-162 Male
6 Female
MB-8Mountain Biking 8July 28-August 313-165 Male
2 Female
Fishing Campers will get hooked on fishing as they explore Camp Olson’s 5 lakes full of bass, pike, perch, muskie, walleye, and crappies. Campers will spend each morning fishing by dock, canoe, or pontoon and learn basic catch-and-release fishing skills, including baiting, knot tying, casting, and reading the water. Fishing Campers will be able to enjoy a fish-fry cookout at one of our pristine Shurds campsites. Afternoons are free for more fishing or any of our other activities. Camp provides poles and bait. Campers are also welcome to bring their own gear.

Fishing

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
F-3Fishing 3June 23-2913-154 Male
*includes off-site overnight chartered fishing trip4 Female
F-5Fishing 5July 7-1311-136 Male
2 Female

8:00 am – Breakfast

Morning – Time spent in your specialty program

12:15 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Siesta (Quiet/Reflection Time)

Afternoon – Free-choice activities

6:00 pm – Dinner

Evening – Group Game & Campfire

10:00 pm – Lights Out

*Fishing campers will have the opportunity to have a fish fry in the Shurds over campfire on one of their final days.

*Mountain Bike campers will get the opportunity to take a field trip to Cuyuna’s Mountain Bike Trails.

Register for your favorite camp Today!

REGISTER NOW!

Art Camps

The Art Center is at the heart of Camp Olson, and offers a multi-purpose space for creativity to be explored and expressed! Our well-trained, safety-conscious staff provide instruction that inspires camper’s creative processes and self-expression through learning the history, skills, techniques, and fundamentals of a specific medium or genre of art. 

Art Campers will tap into their creativity and express themselves through a week-long exploration of the arts. Each morning, they will access several different artistic mediums which may include drawing, painting, sculpting, paper mache, theater, jewelry-making, music, creative writing, and more! Campers will build art knowledge and their technical skills while also celebrating their expressive sides, increasing confidence, and building new friendships! Afternoons are free to enjoy more arts and crafts or other program areas.

Art

SESSIONSESSION NAMEDATEAGES2024 FeesAFTER 4/15SPACES REMAINING
A-2Art 2June 16-229-114 Male
0 Female
A-4Art 4June 30-July 612-154 Male
7 Female
A-6Art 6July 14-209-114 Male
8 Female
A-7Art 7July 21-2712-154 Male
7 Female

8:00 am – Breakfast

Morning – Time spent in your specialty program

12:15 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Siesta (Quiet/Reflection Time)

Afternoon – Free-choice activities

6:00 pm – Dinner

Evening – Group Game & Campfire

10:00 pm – Lights Out