2020 Dates & Rates

The same place it’s always been! Main Camp is the heart of the physical property at Camp Echo, comprised of our Peninsula, Hill cabins, Trip Center Field, Dining Hall, and so much more.

Recently we have used Main Camp to describe both the location and the traditional camp programs. To more accurately describe our programs, we are simplifying this: Main Camp is a location and Traditional Camp is a program.

The updated Traditional Camp program is broken into different age groups for opportunities to progress through our programs.

Discoverers: rising 3^rd-6^th graders

Discoverers spend their first week of camp primarily with their cabin moving together as a group, trying a variety of activities, and experiencing so much more of what Camp Echo has to offer. In a two-week session, they follow our previous Main Camp schedule as they participate in camptivities during week two.  Both weeks still include free choice time with Fun Swim and Twilight Fun and Olympics during a two-week session.

Note: Rising 3^rd graders are still only eligible to attend one-week sessions.

Navigators: rising 6^th-8^th graders

Navigators follow the same schedule as our previous Main Camp program with two weeks of camptivities. In two-week sessions, 7^th and 8^th graders can also sign up for specialty camps for the second week. Check out “What are Specialty Camps?” to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Explorers: rising 9^th graders

We know many 9^th graders still want to participate in traditional camp activities. Explorers is a transitional program on Main Camp where they can do just that, while also participating in leadership opportunities following the Camp Echo progression. This is an update to our previous 9^th grade program, Villagers. The first week is spent doing camptivities and the second week provides opportunities to sign up for specialty camps or develop more focused skills in on activity area.. Explorers participate in activities with other teen groups, as well as have an on-camp overnight and an off-camp experience.

Returning 4^th and 5^th graders will participate in Discoverers. The first week guarantees campers the chance to experience the following activities: horseback riding, lake safety and swimming, archery, boating, fishing, arts and crafts, extended nature walks, tubing and more! Navigators in a two-week session will get the opportunity to sign up for camptivities.

6^th graders have the option to sign up for either Discoverers or Navigators. We encourage new campers to try everything with the Discoverers program. If they sign up for multiple sessions, 6^th graders can even participate in both Discoverers and Navigators.

Rising 8^th graders have two new program options: Take-Your-Choice and Upper Peninsula Paddleventures.

TYC is offered sessions 1 and 6 for rising 8^th and 9^th graders, living at our rustic Outpost site on camp.

UP Paddleventures is a new canoeing adventure trip, replacing the previous Sylvania trip which had limited capacity due to permit sizes. Campers on this re-vamped trip will venture to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for multi-river canoe adventure on the Manistique and Indian Rivers. They will hone their canoeing skills and work together to navigate the rivers as they flow south towards Lake Michigan. Each night of camping will be on the shores of the rivers, a refreshing and peaceful way to end the day. The group will combine their paddle experience with visits to nearby popular Upper Peninsula destinations such as Seney National Wildlife Refugee or Kitch-iti-kipi springs.

The new option for 9^th graders is Explorers at Main Camp, replacing our previous Villagers teen program. Check out “Where’s Main Camp?” above to learn more about Explorers.

Specialty Camps spend all three camptivities during the second week of camp focused on achievement in a specific area. Only Traditional Camp participants entering grades 7-9 can enroll in Specialty Camps. They may only enroll in one per session.

Pathfinders at Birches is an exciting new wilderness program for rising 10^th and 11^th graders. Campers who have participated in Rangers at Birches now have one more chance to experience rustic living at Echo with Pathfinders. This new program emphasizes the value of service both on- and off-camp, as we grow to understand our impact and the value of our surroundings.

All meals are cooked independently at Birches so campers can help with preparation and cleanup. The group will spend time on Camp Echo’s 500+ acre property developing a service project to give back to camp. As an off-camp service opportunity, Pathfinders will camp and volunteer in the Huron-Manistee National Forest with over 50 miles of the North Country Trail. The final component of the program will be a three-day two-night canoe trip (weather permitting).

Previously, our rising 12^th graders were eligible to apply to work at Camp Echo in a Junior Support Staff role. After much feedback and consideration, we have shifted the “J Staff” model to Staff-In-Training as the last step in the leadership progression. We want to provide this group additional support, training, and development before applying to the Echo staff as high school graduates.

This program is a job readiness opportunity where participants will receive a variety of trainings both pre-summer as well as at camp. Participants will learn the bigger picture of camp and healthy professional relationships as they are trained in various operational aspects of camp including food services, maintenance, clinic, barn, trading post, and more.

This is a two-session commitment (1&2, 3&4, 5&6), and SITs will live in cabins together for the first session. Their second session on camp, SITs will live in the staff quarters of Traditional Camp cabins and be seen as additional role models for campers (although they are not allowed to supervise as they are under 18).

Staff-In-Training are not paid staff members. This is a no fee program and camp will invest in the participants by providing certification opportunities like CPR/First Aid and Lifeguarding.

The 2-week GBay trip follows our traditional 2-week adventure trip itinerary with a quick prep-time at Echo before departing and returning to Echo on the last full day of the session.

The 3-week GBay option is part of our Adventurers program that prepares participants to experience more independence and be more prepared to one day lead a Camp Echo Adventure Trip. During their time on camp, Adventurers will take a deep dive into the essential trip skills. The Adventurers will have 3-4 full days at Echo before departing for their trip, and upon return to camp they will have additional days on-site. Adventurers will explore similar territory as the two-week Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking trip, but with more time to explore the vast network of islands. Whether you have been to the Georgian Bay before or this is the first time, it is sure to be full of surprises!