Camp Programs
The Epilepsy Foundation’s Camp Programs provide safe, educational, and fun camping experiences for children and teens with epilepsy. With on-site medical staff and counselors trained in seizure first aid, campers and their parents can rest assured they will be safe and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
To make sure a camp experience is accessible for youth of all abilities, we offer Camp Oz and Family Camp that are designed to accommodate youth with different needs.
Camp Oz – June 21-25, 2021
Founded in 1982, Camp Oz is a traditional summer camp that provides a safe and fun camping experience for youth ages 8–17 with epilepsy.
With safety in mind, we’re hosting a virtual at-home Camp Oz this summer that spans five days like in years past. Camp Oz is intended for youth with epilepsy, and siblings, ages 8-17 who have a high level of independence – in order to participate in 30-60 minute virtual activities, move from session to session and follow the directions virtually.
Expected Schedule:
- Half-day sessions with multiple activities; Monday-Friday
Age Requirement:
- 8-17 years old
Technology Requirements:
In order to ensure we can provide the best experience possible, we these technology requirements are important. Please make sure you have the following:
- A device that enables you to communicate with others – through a computer, tablet, or phone. A camera is preferred so that you connect with other campers, but it is not required.
- If siblings are attending Camp Oz and will be attending different sessions, multiple devices will be needed.
- Pair of headphones and a quiet space in your home. This is to ensure less distraction from Camp Oz, and to provide you with the best experience!
Family Camp – July 19-23, 2021
Family Camp is intended for youth with epilepsy ages 5+ who have additional healthcare needs, e.g. medical, emotional, developmental, social, etc. At least one adult/caregiver needs to be present for the session however the whole family is welcome.
With safety in mind, we’re hosting a virtual at-home Family Camp in 2021.
Expected Schedule:
- 90-minute sessions per day
Age Requirement:
- 5 years and older
Technology Requirements:
In order to ensure we can provide the best experience possible, we these technology requirements are important. Please make sure you have the following:
- A device that enables you to communicate with others – through a computer, tablet, or phone. A camera is preferred so that you connect with other campers, but it is not required.
- Pair of headphones and a quiet space in your home. This is to ensure less distraction from Family Camp, and to provide you with the best experience!
Additional Camps Options
With Camp Oz and Family Camp being virtual this year, we have created the Seizure Smart Camps program, which will give youth with epilepsy and seizures opportunities for in-person camp programs and other virtual camp programs across Minnesota.
Don’t see the summer camp or program that you are signed up for on this list? Contact Erik Williams at ewilliams@efmn.org to try and set up a Seizure Smart Camp training for their staff!
Seizure Smart Camps
At least 75% of camp staff will be trained by the start of summer
Camp Olson YMCA – Overnight and Day Camps – Longville, MN
Location: Longville, Minnesota
- ACA Accredited
- Overnight Camp open to 8-17 year olds
- Day Camp open to 5-17 year olds
- Minimum of 2 RNs on site in addition to a nursing assistant and an EMT all summer. Approximately 75% of staff are trained in Lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid. All staff undergo training in Health and Wellness and are directed on our health and safety policies and procedures during staff training.
- Lake swimming. Each camper needs to have a buddy while swimming and buddy checks are completed at least every 15 minutes. Lifeguards and staff lookouts are required for any swimming to occur. Swim tests are completed when campers arrive (deep end, middle end or shallow end, life jackets are allowed in certain restricted areas).
Contact: info@campolson.org | Website: https://campolson.org/
YMCA Camp Northern Lights – Overnight Family Camp – Babbitt, MN
Location: Babbitt, Minnesota
- ACA Accredited
- Open to families of all ages. Program Staff-led Age Group activity periods in the morning and afternoon are open to 0-18-year-olds.
- All program staff members are lifeguard and waterfront safety trained (First Aid/CPR/AED/Oxygen) and all other camp staff are FA/CPR/AED/Oxygen trained. Northern Lights’ health lead is also a Wilderness First Responder.
- During staff-led water programs, 2 lifeguards are on duty and each camper is swim tested (shallow or deep) to swim in the lake. At all other times, the waterfront is un-lifeguarded and parents are in charge of safety.
- Contact: isaac.patterson@ymcamn.org, 651-747-0951 | Website: https://www.ymcanorth.org/camps/camp_northern_lights
St. Cloud YMCA Summer Day Camp – St. Cloud, MN
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Serving 5-13 Year Olds
- Each staff is First Aid/CPR certified
- Each camper is swim tested during their first time in the pool. Red (lifejackets allowed), orange or green levels. Staff members are in the water with the campers and lifeguards are on the pool deck. Only swim in pools.
- Contact: carolyne.anderson@scymca.org | Website: https://scymca.org/summer-day-camp/
Mesabi YMCA Day Camp – Virginia, MN
Location: Virginia, Minnesota
- Serving those entering 1st-6th grades
- Each staff is First Aid/CPR certified. Camp is run at a school location so school nurse is occasionally present. Medications administered by camp leads with a medication authorization form from parents.
- Anyone can swim. YMCA has lifejackets and in order to swim in the deep end without a lifejacket, campers must pass a swim test. Lifeguards are present and staff are in the pool with swimmers.
- Contact: amathson@mesabiymca.org, 218-749-8020 | Website: https://mesabiymca.org/programs/summer-day-camp
Worthington YMCA Adventure Day Camp – Worthington, MN
Location: Worthington, Minnesota
- Serves 5-10 Year Olds (potentially some spots for older kids if there is space)
- Two Day a Week Preschool Day Camp open to 3-5 year olds
- All staff are First Aid/CPR/AED trained.
- Only swim in pools. Counselors are in the water with kids, lifeguards on the pool deck. Every kid is swim tested (Green for all areas, lifejackets for those who don’t pass). Swimming 3-4 times a week.
- Contact: Jordan.Balster@YMCAWorthington.org, 507-376-6197
Monticello Magic Adventures Summer Program – Monticello, MN
Location: Monticello, MN
- Open to Preschool-5th Grade
- Staff are First Aid/CPR and Concussion trained. The program follows State guidelines and undergoes Medicine Administration Training. Parents fill out a Health Form when registering.
- Parents indicate swimming ability when registering (Red for depths below armpit, Green for all depths) and kids are wristbanded accordingly when swimming. They only swim in pools with lifeguards and they staff at a higher ratio on swim days to have more adults in and around the pool. Lifejackets are NOT allowed due to pool rules.
- Website: https://www.monticello.k12.mn.us/Page/978
Big Lake Summer Kids Club/Hive Time Summer Program – Big Lake, MN
Location: Big Lake, Minnesota
- Hive Time open to 3-5 Year Olds
- Summer Kids Club open to 5-12 year olds
- All staff are CPR/FA/AED trained. Most staff are district paras so they have additional training in providing one-on-one services, medicine administration and working with various development delays.
- Will NOT be swimming this summer. In a typical summer, parents select their child’s swim ability while registering (Shallow end or deep end).
- Contact: t.fowler@biglakeschools.org, 763-262-7169 | Website: https://biglake.ce.eleyo.com/
Additional Camp Options
Camp Leadership or Medical Staff is Seizure Safe Trained
Concordia Language Village Camps – Overnight Camps – Bemidji and Cass Lake, MN
Location: Bemidji and Cass Lake, MN
- ACA Accredited
- Residential Family camp (all ages) and Residential Youth camp (ages vary by program)
- Health staff (nurses and assistants) live on-site 24/7 for both sites. Additionally, CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid training is offered to all staff, but it is mandatory for all lifeguards or staff participating in any off site programming.
- Certified lifeguards are on duty for all waterfronts and any participant (villager or staff) who uses the waterfront must first pass a swim test. Lifejackets are provided and required for any watercraft activity.
- Contact: CLV@cord.edu | Website: http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org/
YMCA Summer Power Summer Program – Multiple Locations
Locations: Ridgedale, New Hope, Downtown YMCA, Maplewood YMCA Community Center, Midway, Blaisdell, Southdale, River Valley, Red Oak and Jackson
- Summer Power Kindergarten open to kids entering or just completing kindergarten
- Summer Power open to kids entering 2nd-5th grades
- Summer Uproar open to kids entering 6th-8th grades (available at Ridgedale, New Hope, Southdale, Blaisdell and Red Oak)
- All staff are First Aid/CPR/AED certified. Parents fill out health forms when registering and medication administration forms when attending.
- Only swim in pools. Each kid is swim tested and wristbands accordingly (red, yellow or green). Staff are in the water with the kids and lifeguards are on the pool deck.
- Website: ttps://www.ymcanorth.org/child_care__preschool/summer_programs/summer_power
Thriving with Epilepsy
Meet Camper Mara
Mara LeRoy is always looking for her next activity. She recently learned about indoor skydiving, which naturally she had to try, and just finished up her eighth year of adapted downhill skiing. She’s eager now for the snow to back off and plans to attend the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota’s (EFMN) Family Camp for the third consecutive year this July.
Mara's Story
Thriving with Epilepsy
Meet Camper Ben
Ben Stowell has carried both friendships and memories from camp into his adult life. It helped him become more comfortable with his epilepsy, and as he puts it, "Camp Oz taught me the only job I have is to be myself, and that's the best thing there is."
Read Ben's Story
More programs for youth with epilepsy
In addition to our camp programming, we offer a Shining Star program specifically for youth to help kids and teens with epilepsy meet and support each other.
Learn MoreThis program is funded in part by:
