Activities

The Chippewa Fleet consists of six X-boats, four Open Bics, and one Hobie Cat. Campers new to sailing learn parts of the boat, useful knots, how to rig and de-rig a boat, and how to properly trim sails. More experienced campers try their hand at skippering by learning proper tacking and jibing techniques and the points of sail. There are few things as enjoyable and satisfying as an afternoon spent sailing on Cass Lake!

Every camper goes on an overnight canoe trip, and older campers are out for upwards of three weeks. Canoeing is a guarantee at Chippewa, and our canoeing program teaches campers the necessary skills to feel comfortable in a canoe. Whether it’s flatwater paddling or shooting serious whitewater, canoes will continue to be used at Chippewa for many years to come!

Buck Lake hosts Chippewa’s swim instruction area. New swimmers receive instruction beginning with being comfortable in the water, floating, treading, and basic stroke mechanics. Experienced swimmers learn about water safety, demonstrate proficiency in a range of strokes, and practice diving skills in their spare time!

Cass Lake is the perfect lake to learn how to waterski. Campers can learn from the basics of getting up on two skis to advanced slalom maneuvers. They can even try their hand at wakeboarding!

Cap’s favorite activity at camp is also one that requires a considerable amount of skill. Campers shoot recurve bows at camp, and instruction heavily focuses on form and patience. Full-body awareness and attention to detail are two skills that the archery program at Chippewa teaches its campers.

Riflery at Chippewa is all about form and safety. Campers progress through ranks designed to require greater attention to form in order to achieve mastery. Safety is always the number one priority on the range, and Chippewa’s staff are trained to run the program in a safe, responsible, and efficient manner.

Once campers demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in riflery, they are able to participate in trap shooting. Located in the old “potato patch,” trap tests campers’ ability to maintain proper form while adjusting to a moving target. As with riflery, safety is heavily emphasized while shooting trap.

Brought to camp in the mid-90s by past camp director Michael Thompson, fencing is one of the most mentally engaging activities at camp. Often referred to as physical chess, fencing is just as much a sport of the mind as it is of the body. Camp Chippewa teaches foil fencing and hosts the highly prestigious Chippewa Fencing Tournament at the end of each session.

Cap and JP were both talented tennis players, but their teaching style on the court is what has lasted throughout the generations. Their outward focus on fun alongside intentional instruction has transformed many beginners into high school varsity athletes. The tennis courts are rarely empty during the summer!

As more and more staff from Mexico and the UK began working at camp, soccer began to increase in popularity. The talent and excitement they brought to the game make soccer one of the few activities that almost every camper signs up for. The World’s Sport has something for everyone, and the World Cup Tournament at the end of the camp session will continue to be campers’ highlights for years to come!

As one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, climbing offers the opportunity to challenge your body and mind in an entirely new way. Chippewa’s climbing staff are qualified belayers that help campers reach heights they never thought possible!

Knowing where you are and how to navigate while in the backcountry is a vital skill that will serve a lifetime. The Chippewa National Forest is an ideal place to practice reading a map, using a compass, and feeling comfortable in the wilderness.

The tripping program at Chippewa gives campers the unique opportunity to travel via canoe in the genuine wilderness. Making a fire, pitching a tent, and cooking outside of a kitchen are all essential skills in the backcountry. Campers will learn, hone, and refine campcraft skills that will make living in the wilderness feel just about as comfortable as living at home.

The forests and lakes around Camp Chippewa are as fascinating as they are beautiful. Exploring the geology and ecology of the Chippewa National Forest fosters a greater appreciation for the wild places that remain in today’s world. From identifying minerals and plants to learning how lakes and eskers form, nature class is all about building connections and fostering curiosity.

Cass and Buck Lake offer some exceptional fishing. Cass Lake boasts trophy muskie and delicious walleye, while Buck Lake teems with panfish and perch, and if you know where to look, bass and northern pike. Casting off the dock or trolling from a boat are both guaranteed ways to enjoy your time at Chippewa.