Michigania East

Opened in 1973 and situated on a 25-acre peninsula in upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Point O’Pines hosts Michigania East. The Point O’Pines Farm, a 500-acre property five miles from camp, provides campers with hiking, horseback riding, and other recreational opportunities.

The application for 2023 will be available at a later date.

Application Guidelines and Instructions

To be eligible to submit an application during the initial lottery process, the primary camper must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

Be an alum of the University of Michigan (attended the university for at least one semester in a degree-granting program).
Have obtained Dedicated Camper Staff Alumni Member (DCSAM) status (closed December 2012) and kept their alumni membership active.
Be a member of the Alumni Association without lapse since June 30, 1999.
Be faculty with emeritus status as assigned by the University of Michigan.
Be current University faculty/staff.

To enjoy the benefit of Camp Michigania, every adult over the age of 18 not currently enrolled in college or university must be a current member of the Alumni Association prior to attending. “Family, Friends, and Fans” alumni members are not eligible to participate in the initial lottery and will be placed in the secondary lottery. Non-alum can join as “Family, Friends, and Fans” members and have access to many other Alumni Association member exclusives.

Families (related or unrelated) may apply as a group. Each family applying for a unit within a group must complete a separate application.
A group application gives you one lottery ticket for camp.
All families in group must apply for the exact same week(s).
If one family is not eligible for the lottery, the entire group is not eligible for the lottery.
If one family is not eligible for priority, the entire group is not eligible for priority.

The maximum number of families that may apply as a group is limited to the number of families that can be accommodated in one cabin or, in the case of “immediate” families (includes grandparents, parents, siblings, and children only), the number is unlimited.

A family member who qualifies for the lottery needs to apply as the primary camper and must have a current active Alumni Association of the University of Michigan membership.
- All adults who are not full-time college students will need to have an active membership with the Alumni Association before attending camp.
- Camp Michigania is an exclusive benefit of the Alumni Association.
  - Note: Buying a membership to the Alumni Association does not make you eligible for the initial lottery (see eligibility above).
Cabin units will be assigned on the basis of one unit per reservation form.
- Cabin units can accommodate one to 10 people. Please indicate a preference for a one bedroom for a single or couple.
- Larger bunk-style cabins are available for larger groups.
- Each unit offers privacy and has its own bathroom and shower. All units have electricity, blankets, pillows, and storage space for clothing and equipment. Campers may bring their own towels and bedding, or they may be rented at camp for a nominal fee. Families with infants should bring their own cribs, high chairs, playpens, and favorite toys.
Spouses/domestic partners are entitled to one unit and may NOT apply separately.
Members of “extended families” wishing to be assigned separate cabin units must fulfill the membership requirement, lottery requirement, AND submit their own camp application forms.
COVID-19 Requirements: We will begin collecting verification of vaccination for all campers age 5 and older. In accordance with the applicable state and federal laws, vaccine exemptions will be provided only on the basis of a medical condition that prevents vaccination (as supported by a statement from your physician) or a sincere religious belief (as supported by a statement from a religious leader of the applicable faith). Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to immunization do not justify an exemption. If you believe you or a member of your family qualify for an exemption to the vaccine requirement, you will need to provide documentation supporting that request no later than May 10, 2022.

Application cancellations received prior to confirmation: Full refund less a $50 service charge.
Application cancellations after confirmation:
- Cancellations received 60 days prior to arrival will receive a refund of camp fees less the deposit. Cancellations received less than 60 days from arrival will forfeit 50% of camp fees.
- There will be a $100 fee for each camper cancelled from an application after May 15 (if not replaced with another camper).
- In the case that you are not able to attend, your cancellation must be submitted in writing by emailing us [email protected]

To access the Summer Camp application, you will need to use a U-M login ID and password. University of Michigan alumni can log in with their U-M uniqname. Non-alumni can log in with a U-M “Friend Account.” To create or recover your login information, please follow the instructions on our login help page.

When filling out the application, you will need the following information for each camper:

Full Name, as written on their membership. Each member of your party over the age of 18 (who will not be a full-time student in the upcoming fall semester) must be a member, and we will cross-reference whether each person is already a member or needs to be charged for a membership.
Address, phone number, and email
Birthday
For children, provide the grade level they are entering in the fall so they can participate in Kids’ Camp with their peers.
Alumni/Membership ID. Please provide this 7- to 10-digit number for all adult campers who have one to help us correctly match campers with their membership status. The ID number can be found on past Camp invoices and mailing labels from U-M and the Alumni Association, or by calling the Alumni Association at 800.847.4764 during business hours, emailing us at [email protected], or using our new chat feature. If the Alumni/Membership ID field is left blank on the application form, a new account will be created, and a membership fee will be charged for that individual.

For questions regarding Camp or how to fill out the application, please contact Camp Michigania by phone at 231.582.9191 or email at [email protected].

Alum/Alumni

Status is available to those who have been regularly enrolled for at least one semester in a degree-granting program at the University of Michigan or have been designated as honorary alumni or granted an honorary degree by the Board of Regents.

Associate Members

Those who were Alumni Association members prior to June 30, 1999, and have continually maintained their membership and current or emeritus faculty and staff are considered Associate Members. Associate members who joined (or re-joined) after June 30, 1999, are classified as “Family, Friends, or Fans” members.

Family, Friends, and Fans

Memberships are for non-alumni who wish to join as members of the Alumni Association. (This status is not eligible for the lottery.)

Questions? You can contact Camp Staff by phone at 231.582.9191 or email at [email protected].

Recreational Activities

With the backdrop of beautiful Brant Lake, campers learn the skill of archery. Target Archery is a unique sport that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of previous experience. We teach both beginner archery skills and further develop the skills that campers bring to the range.

Our facility includes high-quality, modern wood and laminate recurve bows in sizes for all ages, and a shooting line with capacity of up to 18 archers at a time.

For the competitive archers, there is a weekly tournament.

The Point O’Pines Farm is home to our extensive English riding program. Caring professional instructors introduce beginning riders to our horses and riding, while more advanced riders are assessed by the instructors so that individual programs can be developed to fit their specific needs.

Our small group lessons provide an ideal opportunity for riders of every level to learn from our experienced staff. We have numerous horses appropriate for every level of rider. Our staff takes great care in matching each rider with the most suitable horse. Instructional facilities include our dressage arena, an oversized jumping and cross-country field, and two large circle arenas. Our 500-acre farm provides miles of trail-riding opportunities.

Classes are offered by sign-up only, and the opportunity to participate is not included in camp registration.

Our skilled sailing instructors come from all around the world to give campers the opportunity to become successful sailors, canoeists, and paddleboarders in a safe and enjoyable environment. Toward the end of each week, a regatta is also organized. The camp has a small fleet of Sunfish that make it easy to learn basic sailing. Small groups can enjoy sailing on the camp Hobie Cat. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are also available for use but campers are welcome to bring their own boats.

In addition to daytime boating, canoeists and kayakers enjoy sunset paddles on the lake. Toward the end of each week, sailors will have a chance to compete in a regatta.

Our waterfront has a spacious lane and dock system that is ideal for all swimmers, and the swimming area is open daily.

Children’s classes include aquatic games and activities that challenge and entertain children of different swimming abilities. The activities are designed to include all the children in the class regardless of ability.

Our swim instructors are all American Red Cross certified and have their certificates in Water Safety Instruction. All swimming lessons are based on the American Red Cross standard progressions.

Each camper has a chance to experience the thrill of water skiing on beautiful Brant Lake. With two performance Ski Nautique watercraft and one Sport Nautique with tower always in use, our campers have ample opportunity to glide on the water. Novices learn to ski with a ski boom on the side of our boats and have the security of our ski staff right beside them to give them direction and instill confidence.

Campers of all ages can sign up to enjoy a group ride on the giant inflated banana as it is towed.

Waterskis and wakeboards are available but campers are welcome to bring their own.

Adirondack Park provides Point O’Pines with a spectacular setting and plentiful opportunities for adventure in the wilderness. Our Wilderness, Adventure, and Discovery, or “WAD,” program provides our campers with endless opportunities to be inspired by our gorgeous natural surroundings.

Our farm property, with 500 acres of breathtaking mountains, is an ideal setting for hiking and outdoor enjoyment. In addition, day hikes varying in difficulty are offered in other locations within Adirondack Park.

The farm is also home to our “challenge course.” Campers can participate in weekly challenge activities that promote self-confidence and facilitate team building.

Campers of all ages also enjoy the challenge of the mile-long obstacle course with many features, including monkey bars, balance beam, and tire obstacles.