Nissokone Overnight Camp

Creating lifelong memories

Camp Nissokone is northern Michigan’s premier overnight camping destination for kids. As one of Michigan’s longest-running summer camps, we have more than 100 years of experience that ensures your child will have a positive camp experience.

Our programs are focused on developing self-confidence, and based on our four core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Great camps are built on tradition. Since 1914, campers from around the world have come together to experience adventure, friendship, and laughter on our shores, in our cabins, and in our woods. Discover 100 summers of tradition. Discover summer at its best.

Overnight Camp Sessions boys and girls entering grades 3-9

Campers stay in single-gender cabins with our camp counselors. Our cabins are well maintained, with modern restrooms in each cabin. Most of the weekly schedule takes place with the cabin group – same gender, similar-aged groups that travel around camp together under the guidance of camp counselors trying different camp activities. The ‘specialty’ time in the afternoons are choice periods when campers choose which skill building clinic they want to focus on for the week. All of our activities are ‘Challenge by Choice;’ we create an environment to encourage campers to push themselves to try each activity, but we don’t make anyone try something they don’t want to do. Each week has a different theme at camp, but the themes don’t affect the activities available for your camper from week to week. Themes simply provide a backdrop or storyline throughout the week, the counselors will have different costumes or skits as the story progresses throughout the week. Great activities are an important part of camp, but the real benefits of summer camp are the strengthened values, being part of a positive community, the confidence that comes from learning new skills, and life-long friendships.

Specialty Activities:

archery, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, theatre, yoga, outdoor cooking, arts & crafts, sports & games, fencing, paintball*, wakeboarding*, horseback riding*

*May require pre-registration and additional fee. See specialty camps above.

Cabin Challenge Activities:

Voyager canoeing, teams course, kayaking, zipline, archery, paintball, horseback riding, arts & crafts, swimming, tent campout, tubing, climbing wall, nature hike, waterslide

Nissokone Overnight Camp Daily Schedule

7:15Wakeup
7:45Morning Watch at Lakeside Chapel
7:55Flag Raising
8:00Breakfast
8:30Prepare for the day/Camp Store
9:00Cabin Challenge 1
10:15Transition
10:30Cabin Challenge 2
12:00Flagpole
12:15Lunch
12:45Siesta
1:45Specialty #1
3:00Flagpole
3:15Specialty #2
4:30Flag
4:45Cabin Challenge 3
6:00Flag lowering
6:15Dinner
6:45Court Time/Prepare for evening activity
7:45All camp themed evening activity & snack
9:00Cabin Group Reflection
10:30Lights out

Overnight Camp Sessions

SessionDatesTheme
Overnight Camp Week A6/16/24–6/22/24Fairytalesregister
Overnight Camp Week B6/23/24–6/29/24Out of This Worldregister
Overnight Camp Week C6/30/24–7/6/24Holidaysregister
Overnight Camp Week D7/7/24–7/13/24Blast From the Pastregister
Overnight Camp Week E7/14/24–7/20/24Animal Planetregister
Overnight Camp Week F7/21/24–7/27/24World of Magicregister
Overnight Camp Week G7/28/24–8/3/24Olympicsregister
Overnight Camp Week H8/11/24–8/17/24Treasure Islandregister

Overnight Camp Rates

Fee on 10/24/2023Fee after 10/24/2023
$619$719

Overnight Camp Bus Options

LocationCost (one way)
Birmingham Family YMCA$99
Plymouth Family YMCA$99

Specialty Overnight Camp Programs

Specialty Camps are available every week as an add-on to traditional overnight camp, and allow your camper to enjoy unique experiences in an in-depth way.

Ranch Camp

Campers get the thrill having “their own” horse for a week! Ranch campers spend time learning what it takes to care for a horse, while improving their riding ability. Kids discover the joy of developing a relationship with a companion horse and work on their riding skills. Ranch Camp includes class and arena instruction, barn management and trail riding. Campers can progress in skill level each week, and are recognized with a neckerchief ceremony at the end of each week. Sessions are available by riding experience, please call us with questions about which session your camper would feel both comfortable and challenged.

Wakeboarding

Campers spend each afternoon working with our wakeboarding instructors learning the basics of getting up on the board, moving left and right, and, for our advanced wakeboarders, jumping the wake, and learning basic tricks.

Paintball

Campers spend each afternoon out at the Nissokone paintball field. They will learn paintball safety before moving on to game strategy and different game modes.

Specialty Camp Add-on Rates

Add-onGradesAdditional Fee
Ranch Camp5-9$179
Wakeboarding7-9$129
Paintball7-9$179

Wilderness Immersion – Leadership Development Track Camp grades 7-11

The Wilderness Immersion – Leadership Development Track (WI-LD Track) at Camp Nissokone is a progressive track designed to teach leadership skills through wilderness experiences appropriate for each grade level. Campers will spend time learning team-building and communication skills, while also preparing for upcoming wilderness trips.

Grade 7: Trekkers

Trekkers will learn to prepare gear and equipment, learn outdoor skills and map reading, before heading out to find some of Michigan’s greatest natural treasures. The Trekkers program includes a 3-day, 2-night hiking trip along the Highbanks Trail and Corsair Trail situated in Huron National Forest. Trekkers will experience some of the best and most dramatic scenery the state has to offer, from vistas overlooking the AuSable River, to hidden lakes surrounded by dense forest.

Trekkers Itinerary & Guide

 Datesrate on 10/24/2023rate after 10/24/2023
6/16/24–6/22/24$829$929Register

Grade 8: Trailblazers

Trailblazers will embark on a 4 day, 3 night adventure to North Manitou Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Trailblazers will have the chance to hike the Sleeping Bear Dunes, explore historic villages on North Manitou Island, all while surrounded by the pristine natural lakeshore that Lake Michigan provides.

Trailblazers Itinerary & Guide

 Datesrate on 10/24/2023rate after 10/24/2023
6/30/24–7/6/24$829$929Register

Grade 9: Navigators

Navigators is a two week program with two components: Skills Week and the Trip Experience.

Skills Week focuses on developing wilderness skills including Leave No Trace Principles, fire safety, outdoor cooking, and backpacking, with an emphasis on leadership. Throughout Skills Week, campers will do activities focused on team-building and communication in the mornings and in the afternoons they will participate in sessions that will help them prepare for their upcoming trip.

The Trip Experience will take place the following week at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – a truly pristine area of Northern Michigan. Campers will experience a 5-day, 4-night backpacking trip along the Lakeshore trail – part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. With sandy beaches, lighthouses, and Lake Superior always in view, it is sure to be a trip of a lifetime.

Navigators Itinerary & Guide

Datesrate on 10/24/2023rate after 10/24/2023
7/7/24–7/20/24$1199$1299Register
7/21/24–8/3/24$1199$1299Register

Grade 10: Leader-in-Training (LIT)

The LIT program is a two week program with two components: Skills Week and the Trip Experience Skills week focuses on improving the leadership skills of each LIT with particular emphasis on team-building, communication, canoeing skills, and advanced wilderness skills. LITs will be placed in a Leader-of-the-Day team that will take ownership over the planning of a single day of the upcoming Trip Experience.

The Trip Experience will consist of a 4-day, 3-night canoe trip down the scenic AuSable River. Campers will canoe throughout the day, visiting scenic sites along the way and camp along the river at designated campsites at night. Ultimately, LITs will canoe all the way back to Nissokone and, in the process, create a camp experience the group will never forget. Campers will return home more confident and ready for new challenges.

LIT Itinerary & Guide

 Datesrate on 10/24/2023rate after 10/24/2023
LIT AB: 6/16/24-6/29/24$1499$1599Register
LIT CD: 6/30/24-7/13/24$1499$1599Register
LIT EF: 7/14/24-7/27/24$1499$1599Register

Grade 11: Counselor-in-Training (CIT)

The CIT program is the beginning of the journey to becoming an outstanding staff member! The CIT program consists of three components: education, team-building and real life experience.

In the first week CITs participate in activities designed to create strong bonds within the group as well as educate them on necessary skills to become a counselor. These activities include an off-site camping trip, and sessions focused on problem solving, communication, child development, cabin group dynamics and behavior.

The following week, CITs get first-hand experience in the cabin under the supervision of senior staff members. In addition to working with younger campers, part of the CIT program is learning the value of giving back to their community. CITs will participate in a community service project that will help improve camp as well as the local community. At the end of the CIT program, CITs have the opportunity to return to camp later in the summer as volunteers, as well as full staff members the following year.

 Datesrate on 10/24/2023rate after 10/24/2023
CIT ABC: 6/16/24–7/6/24$1699$1799Register
CIT DEF: 7/7/24–7/27/24$1699$1799Register