What to Know
Before you arrive at Camp Michigania, get the lowdown on policies, safety information, and other helpful resources to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
What to Know
Before you arrive at Camp Michigania, get the lowdown on policies, safety information, and other helpful resources to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Michigania is a family camp, and all campers and staff comprise a supportive and encouraging community. We ask that everyone treat each other with courtesy and respect. We welcome campers and staff from all backgrounds, and we want everyone in this community to feel welcome to be themselves and have the absolute best time of their year. Please have fun, please be safe, and please lead with kindness.
Policies
There is a gated entrance to Michigania, allowing us to monitor who comes in and out of the property. The gate opens at 3 p.m. each Saturday for the start of check-in, which is held at the Education Center.
If you need to exit Michigania during the week, you can ring the doorbell between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and the office will open the gate for you. Outside of those times, you will need to check out a gate access card from the office before you leave and return it the next day.
Michigania’s policy with regard to alcohol and drugs is consistent with state law:
- In Michigan, the legal age for the purchase, distribution, and consumption of all alcoholic beverages is 21. Those who violate the law will be held legally responsible for their actions and may be required to forego the balance of their week at Michigania. In addition, future attendance at Michigania may be denied.
- It is the responsibility of those who have alcoholic beverages at Michigania to make certain they are not available to minors at any time, including ensuring that all alcoholic beverages are stored securely inside their cabin unit (not in common rooms, on front porches, etc.). Michigania is a family camp and should be treated as such at all times. Consumption in program areas and other common areas should be kept to a minimum. Campers choosing to drink should do so responsibly, with an awareness that inappropriate, alcohol-impaired behavior that is dangerous to themselves or dangerous/disruptive to others may result in Michigania administration intervening and possibly asking them to forego the balance of their week. In addition, future attendance at Michigania may be denied.
- The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Campers are also responsible for properly handling and securing prescription medications. Those who violate the law will be held legally responsible for their actions and may be required to forego the balance of their week at Michigania. In addition, future attendance at Michigania may be denied.
Participants must be at least 10 years old to participate in Riflery. Private guns, ammo, bows, and arrows are not permitted at Michigania.
For all non-summer programs, check-in will be from 3-5 p.m. on the first day of your program. If you are arriving after 5 p.m. please contact the Michigania office to make alternative arrangements at 231.582.9191 or [email protected].
Check-out for all programs is at 11 a.m. on the final day.
To ensure the safety of all campers and enhance the “camp” atmosphere, the use of vehicles at Michigania is severely restricted. After unloading belongings to your cabins, campers should park their car in one of Michigania’s parking lots.
Unless authorized by the administration, cars should not be driven to cabins, program areas, or anywhere else at Michigania until the end of the week. Campers who leave Michigania mid-week should walk to and from the parking lots. Pull carts will be provided at each lot to aid those who need to transport items between their cabin and their car during the week.
Bicycles may be ridden only in designated areas at specified times. These include the Camp road, west of the North Camp parking area. Campers are requested to walk their bicycles to and from their cabins. Please ride slowly and use extreme caution at all times.
Michigania follows the University of Michigan’s drone policy. Operation of a drone is prohibited unless the use is approved by U-M’s Institutional Autonomous Systems Committee.
Michigania has a limited number of golf carts available for campers with mobility issues.
- Drivers/riders must be at least 16 years of age. Children may not ride in carts unless they have mobility issues and are approved by the office.
- Limit of two passengers/riders at a time (the driver and one other person). Both passengers must sit in the seats.
Day guest: $175
- Arrival is 8 a.m. or later, and departure is by 10 p.m.
- Can come up to 3 days
- Must be a guest of a registered camper
- Includes all meals and activities (some activities to incur extra charges)
- Check in at office and leave credit card on file
- Must wear guest lanyard
Overnight guest: $250
- Can come up to 3 days
- Includes all meals, activities, and lodging (some activities to incur extra charges)
- Must be preregistered by the registered family a minimum of 10 days in advance of arrival
Meal guest: $25 per meal
- Should arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before a meal and leave 30 minutes after the meal has ended
- Must register at the office
Respect for the rights of others is essential if everyone is to enjoy their Michigania experience. We remind you that sound carries at Michigania (more than you may realize), and many children and adults attempt to sleep early in the evening. If you are being disturbed, we encourage you to make your concern known. We expect that an appeal for quiet will generate a positive, cooperative response.
Excessive inappropriate behavior, as determined by the Michigania administration, may require campers to forego the balance of their week at Michigania. In addition, future attendance at Michigania may be denied.
Some of our best friends walk on all fours, but we simply don’t have accommodations for them at Michigania. Please leave your pets at home with a friend or at one of our local kennels (contact the Michigania office for information on local kennels).
The Alumni Association recognizes the increased prevalence of service animals in society. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, under ADA requirements, defines a service animal as follows:
Service animals are defined as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task an animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Per ADA and Department of Justice guidelines, the service animal policy for Michigania is as follows:
A written request from a camper to bring a service animal to Michigania must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the start of the week the camper will be attending Michigania. The letter must answer and agree to the following terms:
- Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
- The animal shall wear a service animal vest at all times when outside the cabin.
- The animal should be on a leash at all times, be under the control of the owner, and not be allowed to run loose. This includes the entire Michigania grounds, hiking trails, beaches, and roads.
- The animal shall not threaten or disturb (including barking) any other person or persons, nor any Michigania program.
- The owner must immediately pick up after the animal and properly dispose of any waste.
The Director of Camp Michigania shall have the authority to ask that a service animal be removed if the terms of the above policy are violated.
At this time, Michigania is not able to accommodate emotional support animals.
Because of the serious dangers associated with fire, we ask all campers to be especially careful with matches, cigarettes, and other flammable materials. Smoking and vaping are prohibited except in designated areas.
Smoking and vaping are only permitted in two locations:
- On the hill northwest of the Education Center.
- Near the staff parking lot, west of the horse pasture.
Safety Information
Limited space is available for campers to bring private boats. Private boat owners are expected and required to register their boats/watercraft prior to launching their boat, either through the online form or at the Michigania office when they arrive.
Please remember when bringing a private boat:
- We will begin accepting private boats (by land or water) at 3 p.m. We are not able to accept boats before that time.
- Dock space is limited and given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Small boats (14 feet and under) may be launched at Michigania’s boating area.
- Larger boats (over 14 feet) may be launched at the Sumner Road public access.
- It is the responsibility of the guest to launch their own boats using their own vehicle and trailer. Private boats cannot be launched using camp vehicles or equipment.
- When using your boat on Walloon, please do not make a wake within 100 feet of a sailboat, and do not make a wake within 100 feet of the mooring area.
It is the responsibility of those who use Michigania-owned vessels to comply with Michigan state law and Michigania’s rules and policies.
Thank you so much for helping us keep everything safe and equitable in our boating area.
Life Jackets
All campers must wear a properly-fastened life jacket in any Michigania-owned boat. Those ages 0-9 (or children in 4th grade and under) must wear a life jacket when on the boat docks. Michigan law requires that one life jacket per person be on board every boat. The sheriff patrols Walloon Lake regularly and will not hesitate to give you a ticket if you violate this law. Michigania’s life jackets are for everyone’s use. Please return them to the boathouse when you are finished.
Swimming/Wading
Swimming and/or wading in the boating area is prohibited. Please use the swimming area during open hours.
Signal Flags
Located on the flagpole next to the boathouse, these flags signal the following:
- GREEN indicates that the boating area is open.
- YELLOW indicates abnormal conditions and restricted sailing (check with staff for details).
- RED indicates the boating area is closed due to normal schedule or hazardous weather conditions. Please bring your boat in immediately.
There is a sense of security and well-being at Michigania. It provides many opportunities for personal growth and development. Children, in particular, are often given more freedom and less supervision than usual. While we all would like the Michigania environment to be worry-free, there are risks present.
Children must not be left unsupervised on the docks or near the water when the boating and swimming areas are closed, and they may not visit the riding stable and venture into the horse stalls unattended. These are but two examples of activities (both in violation of Michigania rules) with potentially serious consequences.
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians of minors to supervise the children under these and similar circumstances and times. Everyone, and in particular adults attending with children, should be cognizant of and obey Michigania rules (provided in each cabin unit and available at the office) and use common sense to avoid potential hazards. Parental/adult supervision of children is needed at Michigania just as much, if not more, than at home.
The Michigania infirmary is located on the lower level of the Education Center and is staffed by a medical professional during posted hours.
- In case of a serious medical emergency, if you are able, please call 911 first to get the emergency response in motion.
- In case of a medical emergency during the day, report to any staff person and a medical professional will be contacted.
- In case of an emergency during the night, you may choose to go directly to Northern Michigan Hospital’s emergency room (located in Petoskey, approximately 15 minutes from Michigania; directions are on the Emergency Action Plan posted in your cabin) or may contact the Michigania administration per the information posted in your cabin.
In order to help minimize the potential for accidents, please obey Michigania’s safety rules, which have been established for everyone’s safety and well-being.
Michigania is a magical place, but we need your help to proactively prevent health issues and ask you to follow these guidelines:
Lice Checks
All children under the age of 18 will be checked by our trained staff at the Education Center prior to heading to their cabins. Specific instructions and follow-ups will be given to those found to have evidence of lice.
Healthy Kids
We ask you to bring healthy children to Kids Camp, and if you’re unsure, please take your child to the Michigania nurse.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are an issue affecting almost any place around the world that welcomes visitors. We continue to be highly proactive in working to minimize the incidence of bed bugs and have comprehensive extermination processes in place.
Other Resources
Michigania is committed to providing accessible and inclusive experiences for all campers. Please direct all accessibility considerations, requests, and questions to [email protected].
Cabins
Michigania has a limited number of handicap-accessible cabins available for campers. Please be sure to request an accessible cabin if needed for your family.
Golf Carts
A limited number of golf carts are available for campers who have difficulty walking since Michigania has many hills and dirt roads. Golf carts can be rented for $125 per week. We ask that golf carts are reserved for those individuals with mobility challenges.
Equipment
Items such as shower chairs, transfer boards, and other adaptive or sensory equipment are available upon request. Camp currently owns one GRIT freedom chair and one beach wheelchair that are available for camper use as needed and for daily or weekly loans for families.
Programming
Our staff and program areas are equipped to accommodate all camper abilities and needs through our collaboration, training, and consultation with UMAISE (University of Michigan Adaptive & Inclusive Sports Experience). Campers will have access to specific adaptive equipment when participating in challenge ropes and kayaking, and Michigania will continue to add additional adaptive equipment to our programs.
Camper Shadow Program
Our camper shadow program provides additional staffing support for kids and teens to participate in camp programs. This program is dependent on evaluation of needs, timeline of request, and staffing access in a given week. If you want to learn more about this program and if it might be a fit for your family, reach out to Kelley Stearns, Associate Director of Michigania, at [email protected].
Check the lost and found area in the Dining Hall North Lounge. A lost and found box can be found in each program area but are all brought to the Dining Hall North Lounge at the end of each week. If you cannot find an item in the area you lost it or in the Dining Hall North Lounge, check with the office.
Valuable items (wallets, watches, cameras, jewelry, etc.) are taken to the Main Office, and a loss report can be made in the office. Unclaimed items are given to charity 14 days after the end of each week. If you arrive home and realize you are missing an item, please contact Michigania as soon as possible. If your item is found, we will ship it to you at your expense.
Additional charges for materials and other expenses are assessed in the following program areas:
- Ceramics/Arts & Crafts
- Horseback Riding
- Nature
- Riflery
Children’s groups in the morning are not charged program fees.
Exact amounts for the above-mentioned materials/activities are available at those program areas. Charges incurred in program areas are added to your Michigania account. Invoices are emailed to campers following their week at Michigania. Final payments may be made online or by check.
University of Michigan Wi-Fi networks are available in all cabins and program areas around Michigania. While we don’t intend to rely heavily on Wi-Fi for programming, it allows us to be better prepared for emergencies and to increase our offerings for year-round programming.
There are two networks available:
- MWireless, for anyone who has an active U-M login.
- MGuest, the network most campers will utilize.
Please note that we do not have the ability to turn off Wi-Fi in individual cabins or units. We encourage families to have conversations on the proper usage level that your family is comfortable with.
Michigania offers facilities and staffed programs for infants, toddlers, and children through age 9. Children will be split into developmental groups based on the needs and number of children in a given week and taking into consideration program and staffing needs. Each group will have their own schedule that they follow throughout the day and counselors to guide them through activities. Parents will be asked to fill out our Child Information Form to be shared with staff ahead of their week.
Accessibility
Michigania is committed to providing accessible and inclusive camp experiences for all campers. We have a variety of support options and adaptive equipment available for camper use. Please reach out to Kelley Stearns, Associate Director of Michigania, at [email protected] prior to your week to discuss specific needs and supports for your child.
Schedule Overview
Programs run from 8:45-11:30 a.m. and 1:15-4:30 p.m. each day. For children 6 and under, parents are free to sign in or sign out their child anytime during the sessions. 7- to 9-year-olds are free to come and go within the programming sessions.
The morning sessions are made up of three one-hour program blocks where staff take children to various program areas. The afternoon sessions include structured activities and opportunities for free play and exploration.
Outdoor Play
At Kids Camp, we aim to connect children to the natural world daily through extended outdoor play and exploration. We will provide natural play spaces with features like mud kitchens, play structures, sandpits, and water play tables. To set children up for success, please consider packing clothing suitable for all weather conditions, including sun hats, swimsuits, sunscreen, water shoes, sturdy play shoes, and rain gear.
Infants and Young Toddlers (typically children ages 2 and under)
This group is typically for children who:
- Are wearing diapers or pull-ups
- Have specific daily nap routines and may nap as part of the daily camp program
- Have specific daily feeding routines
- Are non-mobile, crawling, or early walkers
- Are interested in exploration, independent play, adult-led activities, and open-ended time
- Are able to go outside for short explorations, walks, and/or play time
- May demonstrate difficulty when separated from parents
- A lot of the time may require one-on-one attention and care from an adult
This group meets at Kids Camp daily, which is located west of the softball field. Morning and afternoon activities include supervised play, exploration, walks around camp, feeding, and naps. This group goes outside every day (depending on weather), so children should come prepared to explore (sun hat, sunscreen, etc.). We baby-wear and utilize camp strollers to help our youngest campers explore camp. Parents must provide diapers, wipes, and any specific food for their children. Individual routines will be followed to the best of our abilities, but parents are encouraged to stop by to assist with desired feeding or sleeping routines. Please know that staff members may contact you during care hours to return to Kids Camp and assist at any point.
Each child will be assigned a cubby to store diapers, wipes, feeding supplies, extra clothes, etc. All food and bottles must come to Kids Camp labeled with the child’s first and last name, contents, and date (i.e., Ro Stearns, breast milk, 6/9/25). We will have supplies to assist you in labeling items at dropoff. The Kids Camp building has fridge and freezer space that families have access to and bottle warmers and other baby-care essentials. The Kids Camp building always remains open and accessible to families when staffed programs end for the day.
Older Toddlers and Preschool (typically children entering preschool in the fall)
This group is typically for children who:
- Are potty-trained
- Have experience with preschool or other structured group activities away from parents
- Are able to stay with the group on short walks around camp to the various program areas
- Are able to follow simple instructions from staff to ensure safety
- Are interested in participating in structured (age-appropriate) camp activities with other children
- Are able to recover from separation from parents within 10 minutes and stay engaged with the adults and children in the group
- Will not nap as part of their daily camp programs (can nap at cabin and join the group after)
This group meets at Kids Camp daily, which is located west of the softball field. Morning activities will be posted in the classroom in Kids Camp. In the morning, this group will visit the various program areas at camp to engage in a variety of activities. In the afternoon, children will play at North Beach. Children receive a snack each morning and each afternoon. Special activities include exploring the nature center, organized field sports activities, crafts at CAC, and leadline at horseback riding. Each child has a cubby in the classroom for materials. Snacks and water will be provided each morning and afternoon.
Early Elementary (typically children entering Young 5s-1st grade in the fall)
This group is typically for children who:
- Are independent with personal care routines (bathroom, putting on clothing, etc.)
- Have experience with school and/or other structured group environments
- Are able to follow directions from staff
- Demonstrate stamina for walking to and participating in most camp program areas
- Can stay engaged with the adults and children in the group with support
- Can carry their own backpacks (if they bring them to camp)
This group meets at the flagpole gazebo each day (outside of the Dining Hall). Staff members remain with the children at all times and escort them from one program area to another for morning sessions. It is recommended that children carry a backpack with water, sunscreen, extra clothes (weather-appropriate), and an extra snack if desired. In the afternoons, this group visits North Beach, receives an afternoon snack, and participates in additional program area activities.
789s Program (typically children entering 2nd-4th grade in the fall)
For morning programs, 789s meet their group at their first assigned program location on the Morning Activity Grid in the Blue Book. Sometimes, the 789s program is split depending on the group size, typically taking into account age, family/groups, and other needs. If the group is split, families will find out which group they are in at the first morning activity. A dedicated staff member will guide the group(s) between programs, and parents should talk with their kids about what to do when the program ends at 11:30 a.m. Often, parents ask their kids to meet them at their cabin or near the Dining Hall for lunch.
In the afternoons, 789s are able to do any age-appropriate activities listed in the daily special events schedule. The optional staffed afternoon 789s program will help provide structure and guidance for 789s while also encouraging independence and exploration. Children are free to come and go from 789s programs without being signed in or out, so parents should be sure to communicate expectations with their kids and staff.
Teen Programs
This program provides fun, supervised activities for all teens and preteens ages 10-17. Teens will be divided into three groups, with some activities separate and others together with all teens. Preteens evening programs run from 8-9:30 p.m., and Maize and Blue Teen evening programs run from 8:30-10 p.m.
Preteens (10-12 years)
Preteens have a morning schedule that they can follow. They can also participate in any programming that is open to their age group in the Blue Book. Preteens evening programs meet in the Long Barn every evening (Sunday-Friday) at 8 p.m. Activities may include hayrides, campfires, capture the flag, and more. Staff can walk preteens back to their side of camp after their evening activity. Staff supervision of preteens ends each evening at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Maize Teens (13-14 years) and Blue Teens (15-17 years)
Maize and Blue Teens have their own morning schedules that they can follow as well as flexibility to participate in any programming that is open to their age group in the Blue Book. Maize and Blue teens meet in the Long Barn every evening. Activities run from 8:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Friday. Activities may include a hayride, campfire, ropes course, and dance. Staff supervision of teens ends each evening at approximately 10 p.m.