Parent Resources

Here at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, we recognize how important it is to provide a fun and educational summer opportunity for your child. We truly believe there is no substitute for the camping experience and for the meaningful friendships that we build.

Below are some resources/links we think you will find helpful before, after and during your child’s camp experience.

Theme Weeks

Each week of camp is uniquely themed to add some fun and excitement to the mix. The week will contain additional activities that correspond to the theme.

Spies & Ninjas

Week 1
Unleash your stealth and test your skills with top secret adventures.

Minecraft & Mario

Week 2
Explore, build and conquer camp as your favorite characters.

Shipwrecked!

Week 3
Search for treasure, fill up on s’mores and keep an eye out for pirates.

Stars & Stripes

Week 4
Let’s wish America a very Happy Birthday!

Harry Potter

Week 5
Hop on platform 9 3/4 for an enchanting good time!

Star Wars

Week 6
Fly your Millennium Falcon to camp and have an amazing week.

Disney

Week 7
“Be our guest” as we celebrate your favorite fairy-tale characters.

Summerween

Week 8
Pack your costumes and get ready for frightful fun in the sun.

Bluey

Week 9
Pass the parcel of greatness - Bluey is here this week!

Mad Scientists & Their Minions

Week 10
Experience mischief, mayhem and wacky adventures.

Packing Lists

  • Sleeping bag or blankets in stuff sack or plastic bag
  • Pillow
  • Laundry bag
  • 1 bath towel, 1 beach towel, 1 washcloth or loofah
  • Shampoo and soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant/antiperspirant
  • Comb and/or brush
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
  • Sweatshirt
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Pajamas or other sleeping clothes
  • Underwear and socks for each day, plus two extra
  • T-shirt for each day
  • Shorts
  • 2 pairs of long pants (required for horseback riding)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (in case one pair gets wet)
  • Sandals with heel straps (i.e. Tevas, Chacos, Crocs)
  • Swimsuit (1-piece or trunk style is recommended)
  • Refillable water bottle (wide mouth preferred, i.e. Nalgene)
  • Sunscreen (spray or cream)
  • Bug spray
  • Chapstick
  • Flashlight and/or headlamp
  • Playing cards, UNO, travel games, etc. (optional)
  • Book or quiet activity for reading time
  • Notebook or journal and pen/pencil
  • White t-shirt or other clothing item to tie-dye

Campers should bring a backpack to camp every single day.

  • Swimsuit and towel (one piece or trunks recommended)
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Hat and/or sunglasses
  • Rain gear and boots (if needed)
  • Sunscreen (spray preferred)
  • Bug spray (optional)
  • A book for reading time
  • One item to tie-dye (white t-shirt, bandana, etc.)
  • Sturdy walking shoes or boots
  • Backpack for transporting gear or clothing
  • Compressable sleeping bag (down or synthetic fill)
  • Sleeping pad
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant/antiperspirant
  • Comb or brush
  • Swimsuit (1-piece or trunk style recommended)
  • 1 sweatshirt
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
  • 1 pair of long pants
  • 1 long sleeved shirt
  • Pajamas or other sleeping clothes
  • Underwear and socks for every day, plus 2 extra
  • 5 t-shirts
  • 2-3 pairs of shorts
  • Sandals with heel straps (i.e. Chaco, Teva, Crocs)
  • A portable mess kit (plate, spork, Nalgene bottle)
  • Day pack (or string backpack) to hold:
    • Refillable water bottle (i.e. Nalgene)
    • Sunglasses
    • Towel
    • Sunscreen

Camp Corral

Camp Corral, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation, is a free, one-of-a-kind summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members. Camp Corral is proudly sponsored by its founding sponsor, Golden Corral Corporation, and other generous donors. YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin is one of 17 sites in the nation selected to host Camp Corral. Enrollment space is limited so apply early!

Providing positive, recreational experiences in the outdoors helps foster resilience, and Camp Corral has proven to be a ‘week of a lifetime.’ The week also encourages the campers to create friendships and bond with other kids who share similar family situations. Your camper will spend the week outdoors enjoying the many traditional overnight camp activities Camp Manitou-Lin has to offer: swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boards, tubing, fishing, archery, high ropes, zip line, hiking, outdoor living skills, and more!

Who can attend?

  • Any child, ages 8-15 of a military family may attend. However, registration priority is given to children of wounded, injured, ill, or fallen military service members.

How does my camper apply?

  • The camper’s parent or legal guardian must complete their camper’s Camp Corral application online on the Camp Corral website. Registration opens in January each year for summer. Apply at www.campcorral.org

What happens after I apply?

  • YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin will review applications to ensure your camper meets the established guidelines. Once accepted you will be sent instructions on parent/medical forms, what to bring to camp, and arrival and departure times.

Additional Camp Information

Meals

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin offers multiple healthy, nutritious options which include a full salad bar at lunch and dinner, as well as a full cereal and cold breakfast bar in the morning. For campers with special diet concerns, every meal includes a vegetarian, and gluten free option. The food we serve is also nut-free. For more specific information, contact the Camp Kitchen at 269-205-9014 or email Steve at ssallese@grymca.org

Safety

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin takes pride in its quality of staff, volunteers, and counselors. For our campers’ safety, every staff member has their background checked through multiple agencies that are required and recommended by our Michigan Youth Camp License and American Camp Association. Supervision is a key component to a great camp experience, so we ensure campers are never unattended and no staff member is ever alone with just one camper. Every member of our team goes through an intense two-week staff training that includes basic first aid and CPR as well as conflict resolution, emergency procedures, homesickness prevention, positive praise, bullying prevention and core values recognition.

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Accreditations & Partners

The American Camp Association is the only nationwide accrediting organization for all types and designs of organized camps. ACA standards focus on health, safety, and risk management practices.

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Michigan’s YMCA Camps has over 100 years of experience, and provides kids with a safe, familiar, and fun-filled environment for them to explore the outdoors, build confidence, develop skills and make lasting friendships and memories, so they can grow as individuals and leaders.

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Camp Corral has been transforming the lives of the children of wounded warriors to empower America’s most vulnerable military children to live their best lives possible.