Discovery Day Camp

A Full week of Day Camp

Discovery Day Camp is a week long program (5 days) that is open to all youth in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Each day will be filled with activities such as swimming, hiking, climbing, archery, STEM activities, outdoor skills, crafts, and more! All of the activities will be age appropriate and guided by our well trained and enthusiastic staff. With multiple sessions offered at a variety of locations you are sure to find something that will fit your busy schedule! Activities vary by location.

Some Activities You'll Do

GAGA BALL

Enter the Octagon with your friends and try and be the last to survive the round!

CRAFTS

Crafty things to do at our camps

STEM

STEM activities can be anything that gets your unit thinking scientifically about a project.

BB GUN SHOOTING

Take aim at a target and nail the bullseye with a BB gun

KNOTS AND LASHINGS

Use one of our knot/lashing kits to learn the basics of this outdoor skill.

PEDAL CARTS

All the fun of go-karts combined with biking at camp!

NATURE TRAIL

Day or night, our nature trails make your hike even more exciting.

HIKING

Hiking at camp is a fantastic way to enjoy the environment.

BOUNCE PILLOW

It's like a giant bouncy house that's built into the ground.

FIRE BUILDING TECHNIQUES

Start and stop a fire the right way.

ARCHERY

Take up a bow and fire a few arrows toward the bullseye

MAPS AND COMPASS

Map and compass is a key skill if you plan to do any backpacking

BOULDERING

Bouldering provides challenging horizontal routes for climbers that like the unique challenge of going sideways instead of up and down.

CAMP STORE

Get yourself a camp souvenir or pick up something you may have forgotten at home.

CLIMBING

We have climbing structures at four locations, providing physical and mental challenges to campers of all ages

ANIMALS

Get a chance to see some pretty cool animals in the wild

Restrooms

Indoor Restrooms

Restroom facilities include a flush toilet and a sink.

Outdoor Latrines

You can expect to see latrines near every campsite and program area. Latrines are stocked with toilet paper and a hand washing stations (either hand sanitizer or a sink with soap).

Internet and Cell Phones

Internet accessibility and cell phone coverage is limited at all of our camp properties. Participants will be asked to keep cell phones and other electronic devices in their backpacks during the day.

Camp Store

The camp store is stocked with small convenience items, snacks, apparel, souvenirs and patches. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. The store will be open during the lunch hour each day. Pocket knives will not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 without permission from their parent or legal guardian.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • STEM activities
  • Boating (Phillippo and Kiwanis only)
  • Pool (Phillippo, Kiwanis, and Base Camp only)
  • Crafts
  • Outdoor Skills

SCHEDULE

  • 9:00 am Camper Drop Off and Health Screening
  • 9:15 am - 11:30 am Morning Activities
  • 11:30 - 12:00 pm Lunch (bring your own lunch)
  • 12:00 pm - 3:15 pm Afternoon Activities
  • 2:00 Snack/Rest Time
  • 2:15 pm - Afternoon Activities Continued
  • 4:00 pm - Camper Pickup

During the day, participants will be in divided into small groups by grade level. This allows us to provide age appropriate activities for all of our campers. Exact schedule varies by location.

LOCATION SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

Base Camp (Team Building Center): Rock Climbing, Pool

Phillippo Scout Camp: BB Guns, Pedal Carts, Pool

Kiwanis Scout Camp: BB Guns, Pedal Carts, Pool

Rum River Scout CampBounce House

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Discovery Day Camp is open to all youth (boys and girls) entering Kindergarten through 5th grade.

DO PARENTS HAVE TO ATTEND?

Discovery Day Camp is a drop-off programs run by qualified and trained staff. Our staff ratios meet our supervision requirements. Parents are not part of the Day Camp programs.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The fee to participate in this program is $285, of which $50 is the program deposit. This includes all program supplies, staffing, activities, and any other fees associated with the full-week program.

IS THERE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Yes! We think that every camper should have an opportunity to attend Summer Camp and we do not want cost to hold anyone back from this experience. If you are in need, please complete the form linked in the "Related Articles" section on the right-hand side (or below on mobile devices) to receive up to 50% of the youth cost covered.

WHEN IS CAMP?

Sessions will be offered starting mid June and running until the end of August. See the Register tab for dates and locations!

Is bussing available to/from camp?

Our Phillippo Camp location (Cannon Falls, MN) will be offering a bussing option in 2024 from Lakeville and Northfield for an additional $55/week.

  • Northfield: Pick up (8:35am) Drop Off (4:25pm) at Northfield City Hall, 801 Washington Street, 8th Street end of Parking Lot.
  • Lakeville: Pickup (8:00am) Drop off (5:00pm) at Hosanna Church – Lakeville, 9600 163rd St W in the East Lot.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We recommend that each youth participant brings a back pack each day with the following items:

  • Swim Suit (for water activities at all locations)
  • Towel
  • Sun screen
  • Bug spray
  • Hat or sunglasses
  • Snack
  • Any medications that they might need (tell staff about these at check in)
  • Rain jacket
  • Bag lunch

Every day, participants should have closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. They will be spending a majority of the day outdoors so it is important that they are dressed properly.

WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO BRING?

Each participant must have:

  • Signed parts A and B of the Health Form
  • A signed Participant Day Camp Waiver
  • Additionally, each participant who would like to participate in shooting sports activities must have a completed Shooting Sports Waiver. 

These forms can be found under the "Related Articles" header to the right (below on mobile devices).

Forms will be turned into the staff at check in on Monday morning. If you do not have them completed, you will be asked to fill them out once you arrive.

If you are attending multiple sessions of Discovery Day Camp, you may use the same forms each time.

FOOD SERVICE

Please bring a bag lunch each day.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHECK IN

On the first day (Monday) please be prepared to turn in a completed Health Form, Particpant Day Camp Waiver, and Shooting Sports Waiver. Make sure you have an emergency contact listed on the Health Form and if anyone else plans to drop off or pick up your child during the week, their names and phone numbers need to be listed as authorized persons.

If your child needs to take any medications during the day please inform the staff.

Groups

In order to run our camp as effectively as possible, we split up all youth in the session into smaller groups. This allows us to maintain better youth-staff ratios and ensures everyone is always able to stay busy - they never need to wait their turn for an activity.

If you want your kid to be in a group with another kid, you can submit up to two names and we'll do our best to keep everyone together. When registering, please enter the full name (first and last) of anyone else attending that session that you want your kid to be in a group with.

IS THERE EARLY DROP OFF / LATE PICK UP OPTIONS?

All locations offer early and late drop off. See the parent guide for more details.

SWIMMING QUALIFICATIONS

Our swimming areas are supervised by staff who are certified lifeguards and trained in CPR and First Aid. All participants will be required to stay in the shallow (learner) section unless they are able to pass a swimming test. Those that can pass with lifeguard approval will be allowed to move into the deep end.

Life jackets and flotation toys will be provided upon request. If may also send personal life jackets or flotation devices for you child to use if you wish.

FIRST AID & ONSITE MEDICAL STAFF

Each camp property has at least 50% of their staff trained in First Aid and CPR. In addition to that, they have a designated staff member to respond to any injuries or other medical situations that might happen while at camp. If something happens that will require a trip to a clinic or hospital, emergency contacts will be called immediately.

WHAT IS THE PAYMENT TIMELINE?

Full payment is required at the time of registration.

Cancellation Policy

All events hosted by the Northern Star Camping Department utilize the same cancellation policy:

Requests for refunds/cancellations need to be made in writing (preferably via email). The amount refunded is determined by when we are notified. If we are notified:

  • 30 or more days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit (dependent upon the program you are cancelled for).
  • 29 to 8 days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid besides the deposit will be refunded to you or your unit as a credit that can used for any program operated by the Northern Star Camping Department.
    • This credit can be applied to any future registration(s) that have a balance due.
    • This credit will be available for 365 days from the date of the cancellation.
    • Some examples of programs this credit could be used at include: Cub Summer Camp, Scouts BSA Summer Camp, Fall Day Camp, Polar Cubs, North Wind, Snow Base.
    • This credit currently cannot be applied to facility reservations or events held by other parts of Northern Star, such as the Klondike Derby or Wood Badge.
  • 7 or less days prior to the start date of your session: all fees paid will be forfeited.

Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the camp director for family or medical emergencies.

Ready to register? Select the register button for the property you would like to attend and you will be redirected to our online registration site! If you would like assistance or are experiencing problems with the registration process, please contact Customer Service at 612-261-2303.

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Register Here!

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stylized text that says DISCOVERY DAY CAMP AT RUM RIVER

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Register Here!

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