Around the Campfire- December 2025

Around the Campfire

YMCA Camp Miller Official Newsletter
December 2025

Greetings from Camp Miller! We hope your fall has been amazing and that you are gearing up for the winter season.  Not to worry- it will be summer before we know it and that means we will be gathering "Around the Campfire" in person at Camp Miller soon enough! Our hope with this newsletter is to keep you informed about camp happenings and staying connected with our Miller Family throughout the year. So build the fire, make the s'mores, and enjoy your time "Around the Campfire."

We hope to see you at camp sometime soon!

With gratitude,  

Katie Lakatosh

YMCA Camp Miller Program Director

 
Program Updates

 2026 summer camp registration is OPEN! Don't wait to register as spaces can fill quickly. The summer of 2026 brings some program improvements we think you will be excited about.  Some of these changes include:

-A new waterfront! That's right, new docks, canoes, kayaks, and more. Through a generous gift, we are excited to debut "Ty's Lagoon" this summer.

- Introducing....  Wood carving! Older campers will be able to sign up for wood carving as one of their Skill Block options. Camper won't make the same thing year after year. As their skills sharpen, they'll work on projects to advance their abilities.  

 
What's New Around Camp

One frequent question we get asked is "What's new at camp this year?"  The answer depends on what is meant by "new." We like to combine "new" and "improved" as one and the same. This year was a busy one, as we made upgrades to several facilities to enhance the camp experience. Major improvements completed in 2025 include:

- Logging project for better forest management around archery and high ropes

- The beloved pizza oven's chimney repair and back in operation

- The Hanson boardwalk boards replaced

- Updated slingshot and hatchet throwing course. We added a new divider wall and back wall.

Watch for more ongoing improvements!

 
Inside The Outdoors

This section is dedicated to helping us bring Camp Miller to your hometown.  "Inside the Outdoors" will highlight some Camp Miller summer camp favorites- activities, meals, songs, and more by providing game rules, recipes, and lyrics!  

Learn a song: I Love the Mountains

I love the mountains

I love the rolling hills

I love the flowers

I love the dafadodils

I love the fireside

When all the lights are low

Boom-di-ada, Boom-di-ada, Boom-di-ada

Heeeyyy

Boom-di-ada, Boom-di-ada, Boom-di-ada

Heeeyy

 
2025 Camp Miller T.A.C.

Summer 2025 introduced a new teen program, Teen Adventure Camp! Lovingly referred to as T.A.C., our teens learned camping skills and ventured to the camp farm for an overnight stay. At the farm, they set up camp, cooked over a fire for their meals, and enjoyed the wide-open night sky. The adventure didn't stop there. T.A.C. ventured to the other side of Sturgeon Lake and hopped into canoes and paddled 2 miles back to camp. While campers at main camp were enjoying their "floating lunch," T.A.C. was actually floating and enjoying their lunch! We can't think of a better lunch than a ham and cheese sandwich, chips, and of course a cookie for dessert, on an open lake with camp friends.

So, what will T.A.C. do next summer? More adventures, of course! Building on the success of last summer, we are investing in gear for backpacking and canoe trips for our teens.

 
Thanks For Visiting

In 2025, Camp Miller hosted many different groups. From birthday parties and weddings to symposiums and conferences, we loved having folks from all over the country visit.