Pathfinder Summer Camp

2025 summer Camp Information

Camp Registration will open on December 16th at 8am

What We Offer

Hello Camp Families!

Please read the following information as some things have changed since summer 2024.

The Pathfinder Day Camp is a long-standing summer tradition in the Traverse City region. Our camp is a classic experience where kids are outside all day playing in the woods. All campers get a chance to swim in Cedar Lake every day. Voyagers and Adventure campers will all have the opportunity to go canoeing. Each week has a theme that our counselors design their lessons around. We offer four different age-group options. All programs are full day from M-F. Age groups are found below:

  • Explorers (4-5-year-olds) - Must be potty trained 

  • Discovery (6-7-year-olds) 

  • Voyagers (8-9 year olds)

  • Adventure (10-12-year-olds)

Each age group is split up into smaller groups of 8-12 campers depending on the age. 

Pricing

A session (week) of full day camp costs $410. This includes a non-refundable $100 deposit. The second week of camp will be prorated for the shortened week. You will be required to pay the $100 deposit during initial registration, but you can utilize a payment plan for the rest. If you would like to pay the remaining balance via check, please send us an email and we can waive the credit card fee from your account.

Schedule

Session 1: June 23rd to June 27th

Becoming a Naturalist

  • Campers will learn to use their observation skills to explore the natural world. They will create and carry out investigations on our large wooded campus.

Session 2: June 30th to July 3rd (No camp on Friday)

Superheroes Save the Day

  • Share in the adventures of your favorite superhero to save our campus from Danger. Will good prevail over evil? We shall see! Discovery, Voyager, and Adventure campers will get to learn archery this week!

Session 3: July 7th to July 11th

Inventors

  • Bring your thinking caps, because this week we will be solving the world’s problems one invention at a time! If you love to find solutions by building inventions, this week is for you!

Session 4: July 14th to July 18th

Reach for the Stars

  • Here in Northern Michigan we are lucky to have unobstructed views of the night sky. Though we won’t see the stars during the day, campers will investigate their favorite space-themed concepts. They may even build their own rocket!

Session 5: July 21st to July 25th

Wonderful Water

  • What is an Up North summer without water?! Pathfinder is lucky to be on the beautiful cedar lake, and this week will be all things water. Campers will learn about the importance of water in our ecosystem

Session 6: July 28th to August 1st

Animal Exploration

  • Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! They may not all live here, but campers will learn about their favorite animals. They will have to track them around campus and might even find a den!

Session 7: August 4th to August 8th

Art in Nature

  • Develop your skills as an artist through a variety of art forms including water-coloring, painting, building nature art projects, and putting on shows. 

Session 8: August 11th to August 15th

Choose your own Adventure

  • For the last week of camp, campers will be able to choose from a menu of activities each day!


Programming runs from 9 am-4 pm each day. Receive a 10% discount when you register for all weeks of the camp.

We also offer extended child care for those who need it. Before-Care runs Tuesday - Friday 7:30am-9:00am, After-Care runs Monday - Thursday 4:00pm-5:30pm.

Food

Please make sure to send your child with a packed lunch and plenty of snacks for the day. All campers eat outside so there is no access to a microwave. Pathfinder does not provide food for campers in the form of snacks or lunch. Each Friday, campers will have the opportunity to roast a marshmallow and eat a s’more. If your camper has dietary restrictions, we can provide an alternative to the regular s’more.

Cancelation Policy

Cancellation received prior to 30 days in advance of the start of a registered session is eligible for a full refund minus the $100 deposit. A cancellation received less than 30 days in advance of the session start date is not eligible for a refund.

We are looking forward to another great summer. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at camp@thepathfinderschool.org.

Best,

David McCoy

Camp Director