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Intergenerational Camp

Do you think that summer camp is a thing of your past? Think again. You can return once more, but this time you don’t have to go alone; bring along a very special friend—your grandchild. Intergenerational Camp is offered at Wolf Ridge, near Finland, Minnesota along Lake Superior’s North Shore.

For six nights and five days grandparents and their grandchildren participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, offering both entertainment and education for everyone. All that you need is provided: rooms, bedding, meals, transportation and a full schedule of fun and adventure.

With all of the logistics handled by the staff, grandparents are free to focus their attention on their grandchildren. This is an opportunity like no other. You and your grandchild come together for countless bonding opportunities. Discover the wonders of nature. Hike and explore new territories, like a beaver pond or a wetland. March to the tunes of the songbirds, and perhaps even hold one.

This camp isn’t all “old person” stuff either. You can step aside and cheer your young one on as she challenges herself on the high ropes obstacle course or the climbing wall. Learn exciting, new skills together such as canoeing on the lake. Play games, laugh and have a great time. Plus, just like at summer camp, kids quickly make new friends, so grandparents have time to socialize with one another too.

Your week will place you in the “Northwoods” an area of cliffs and conifers, views of Lake Superior and remote smaller lakes. You will share meals and adventure, and most importantly these memories will last a lifetime.

In no time at all, it’s Friday evening. Everyone gathers around the closing campfire, making s’mores, singing songs and writing down addresses and phone numbers before saying farewell to newfound friends.

Summer camp was never this good.

Bonding and bridging:

There’s no other experience that’ll make you feel quite as young again as a stay at Intergenerational Camp—talk about a flashback! Still, you’ll find an even better reason to attend: It presents a special opportunity for you and your grandchild. Instead of being the authority figure, you stand on equal ground. You’re not in charge, making all of the rules. You’re a camper just like she is. A shared experience such as this is a big step in creating a close relationship. It’s a chance for your grandchild to realize that you can be her friend, as well as her grandparent.

A word to the wise:

In December, The Audubon Center and Eagle Bluff offer a Holiday Family Camp. This intergenerational event is open to entire families, each getting its own dorm room which can sleep up to eight people. During the four days of this event, you and your grandchild can participate in some of the same activities offered during the summer—such as high ropes and wall climbing. However, with the right snow conditions, events can include dog sledding, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. New Year’s Eve is also celebrated in a special, family-oriented way.

Age of grandchild: 9 to 12

Best season: Summer and Winter

Contact: Audubon Center of the North Woods, 54165 Audubon Drive, Sandstone, MN 55072 • (888) 404-7743 • audubon1@audubon-center.org • www.audubon-center.org

Also check out:

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro; (507) 467-2437; www.eagle-bluff.org/

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland; (800) 523-2733 or (218) 353-7414; www.wolf-ridge.org/

Wonder of Wolves, Ely;

www.roadscholar.org/n/program/summary.aspx?ID=1%2bOI%2b1377

Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance. MILTON R. SAPERSTEIN