Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of some of the frequently asked questions regarding the camp, how to send your child to camp, etc. If you don't find the right answer here, then please contact us via email at [email protected]
Where do I find the forms to register a child for Elks Kids Week or Troops Kids?
Information pertaining to Elks Kids Week is located under Camp Sessions / Elks Kids Week. Troops Kids forms and information is found under Camp Sessions / Troops Kids
What age groups do you accept at the camp?
We accept boys and girls ages 9 to 13
Is my child eligible to go to camp?
There are no eligibility requirements per se other than the child must be between the ages of 9 and 13. The Minnesota Elks Youth Camp does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability. Please contact your local Elks lodge to begin the process of registering your child for camp.
How do I register my child for camp?
If you are an Elks member or the child has a parent deployed overseas, see next response. For all others, you need to contact the Elks lodge in your area and register with the contact person there. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you.
For children of Elks members, you can register your child or grandchild for Kids Week by sending in the registration form to the camp. Click on the "Kids Week" link to the right and download the registration form. Fill out the form and mail it to the camp. You should receive a confirmation from the camp that the child is registered. If you do not, please contact the camp at [email protected]
If one or both parents are serving or have served in the military, we have special sessions set aside specifically for children of military families called "Troops Week". To register for a spot during one of these sessions, click on the "Troops Week" link along the right hand side and follow the instructions located there.
How do I contact my child at camp?
The camp has daily mail service so we encourage you to write to your child ideally early in the week to ensure they receive it during their stay. The mailing address of the camp is
MN Elks Youth Camp
10860 Co Rd 118
Nisswa, MN 56468
Do you have WiFi at the camp?
Kids are not allowed to bring cell phones or other electronic devices such as iPads, Nintendos etc. with them on their stay as we want the kids to enjoy the full camping experience. Therefore, WiFi is not needed or allowed during their stay.
I can't afford to send my child to camp, do you offer scholarships?
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks pay all necessary camp fees for campers. Members of your local Elks Lodges arrange transportation to and from the camp. Therefore, no scholarships are necessary. Please contact your local Elks lodge to register your child for the appropriate session. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you. You can also find out which week your local lodge is scheduled for by checking our camping schedule. Please note that your child must attend the week scheduled for the local lodge. We cannot make exceptions.
My child has special needs. Are you able to accommodate his/her needs?
We are not equipped to handle special needs children at this time.
When does Camp start?
We have multiple sessions throughout the summer dedicated to different groups. You can find the full camping schedule by clicking on "Camp Sessions: Camp Schedule". See below for a description of the various types of sessions we offer.
Kids Week: There are two one-week sessions that are limited to children and grandchildren of active Elks members of Minnesota Lodges. Click the "Kids Week" link for more information.
Local Lodge Sessions: For all other children, there are five sessions throughout the summer each with several local Elks lodges assigned. You must register your child through your local Elks lodge to participate. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you. You can also find out which week your local lodge is scheduled for by checking our camping schedule. Please note that your child must attend the week scheduled for the local lodge. We cannot make exceptions.
How do I contact the camp?
You can reach us via one of the following methods:
Email at [email protected] - this is the preferred method
Call us at 218-963-2222 but please know that during the summer hours we are busy with the kids and may not return your call in a timely manner
Mail us at:
MN Elks Youth Camp
10860 Co Rd 118
Nisswa, MN 56468
I'd like to make a donation to the camp, how do I do that?
We gladly accept donations of both goods and monies. We are a 501c3 organization which qualifies your donation as a tax deductible item. Click on the "Donate" link above to view a list of some of the items we need. If you have items we need, please contact Camp Chairman John Miller at [email protected] and we can coordinate obtaining the items. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, please mail it to us at
Minnesota Elks Youth Camp
c/o Bill Schindele
212 Valley View Dr SE
Willmar, MN 56201
Please note in your letter if you'd like a receipt for the donation. We greatly appreciate donations as this is a free camp for the kids and donations help us to provide a great experience for them.
Where do I find the forms to register a child for Elks Kids Week or Troops Kids?
Information pertaining to Elks Kids Week is located under Camp Sessions / Elks Kids Week. Troops Kids forms and information is found under Camp Sessions / Troops Kids
What age groups do you accept at the camp?
We accept boys and girls ages 9 to 13
Is my child eligible to go to camp?
There are no eligibility requirements per se other than the child must be between the ages of 9 and 13. The Minnesota Elks Youth Camp does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability. Please contact your local Elks lodge to begin the process of registering your child for camp.
How do I register my child for camp?
If you are an Elks member or the child has a parent deployed overseas, see next response. For all others, you need to contact the Elks lodge in your area and register with the contact person there. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you.
For children of Elks members, you can register your child or grandchild for Kids Week by sending in the registration form to the camp. Click on the "Kids Week" link to the right and download the registration form. Fill out the form and mail it to the camp. You should receive a confirmation from the camp that the child is registered. If you do not, please contact the camp at [email protected]
If one or both parents are serving or have served in the military, we have special sessions set aside specifically for children of military families called "Troops Week". To register for a spot during one of these sessions, click on the "Troops Week" link along the right hand side and follow the instructions located there.
How do I contact my child at camp?
The camp has daily mail service so we encourage you to write to your child ideally early in the week to ensure they receive it during their stay. The mailing address of the camp is
MN Elks Youth Camp
10860 Co Rd 118
Nisswa, MN 56468
Do you have WiFi at the camp?
Kids are not allowed to bring cell phones or other electronic devices such as iPads, Nintendos etc. with them on their stay as we want the kids to enjoy the full camping experience. Therefore, WiFi is not needed or allowed during their stay.
I can't afford to send my child to camp, do you offer scholarships?
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks pay all necessary camp fees for campers. Members of your local Elks Lodges arrange transportation to and from the camp. Therefore, no scholarships are necessary. Please contact your local Elks lodge to register your child for the appropriate session. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you. You can also find out which week your local lodge is scheduled for by checking our camping schedule. Please note that your child must attend the week scheduled for the local lodge. We cannot make exceptions.
My child has special needs. Are you able to accommodate his/her needs?
We are not equipped to handle special needs children at this time.
When does Camp start?
We have multiple sessions throughout the summer dedicated to different groups. You can find the full camping schedule by clicking on "Camp Sessions: Camp Schedule". See below for a description of the various types of sessions we offer.
Kids Week: There are two one-week sessions that are limited to children and grandchildren of active Elks members of Minnesota Lodges. Click the "Kids Week" link for more information.
Local Lodge Sessions: For all other children, there are five sessions throughout the summer each with several local Elks lodges assigned. You must register your child through your local Elks lodge to participate. If you are unsure which local lodge to contact, please visit our Local Lodges page to find the lodge nearest you. You can also find out which week your local lodge is scheduled for by checking our camping schedule. Please note that your child must attend the week scheduled for the local lodge. We cannot make exceptions.
How do I contact the camp?
You can reach us via one of the following methods:
Email at [email protected] - this is the preferred method
Call us at 218-963-2222 but please know that during the summer hours we are busy with the kids and may not return your call in a timely manner
Mail us at:
MN Elks Youth Camp
10860 Co Rd 118
Nisswa, MN 56468
I'd like to make a donation to the camp, how do I do that?
We gladly accept donations of both goods and monies. We are a 501c3 organization which qualifies your donation as a tax deductible item. Click on the "Donate" link above to view a list of some of the items we need. If you have items we need, please contact Camp Chairman John Miller at [email protected] and we can coordinate obtaining the items. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, please mail it to us at
Minnesota Elks Youth Camp
c/o Bill Schindele
212 Valley View Dr SE
Willmar, MN 56201
Please note in your letter if you'd like a receipt for the donation. We greatly appreciate donations as this is a free camp for the kids and donations help us to provide a great experience for them.
