Tamahay Camp
Overview
Tamahay Camp is committed to providing a safe, supportive space for girls. Encouraging them to explore nature, learn new skills, and develop self-confidence. Our entire staff gets to know each and every camper personally. Helping to provide guidance and encouragement.
Most of all, Tamahay Camp is away from the distractions of modern technology and the pressures of social media. Here, girls are free to be themselves. In addition, our judgment-free atmosphere allows young women to try new activities and make new friends without fear of ridicule or bullying.
Registration
Coming soon for 2025!
Founding Mothers
Lois Haskin
Jane Besler
Donella Palmer
Shirley Malcolm
Our Staff
Elaine Denne, Camp Director
Rachel Hoffelt, Program Director
Naomi Hoffelt, Personnel and Outdoor Living Director
Anne Pavlik, Food Service Coordinator
History
Tamahay was founded in 1969 by four teachers from Kansas with the intent of building a girls’ camp. Their dream was to provide a quality summer camp program at an affordable price. Together, these four women (Lois Haskin, Jane Besler, Donella Palmer, and Shirley Malcolm) cleared the land, built the buildings, and designed the program over the course of several years. Their mission remains the same today as it was in 1969: to help girls discover their true potential, and empower them to develop into confident young women.
For more stories about how Tamahay started, please click on these links to two newspaper articles published in 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should my daughter choose Tamahay?
Tamahay is a unique experience, full of adventure and opportunity. Girls learn, grow, and have fun in a supportive environment without peer pressure or judgment. Our wide variety of activities ensures that every girl will find both new and familiar interests to explore. Campers develop self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and make lifelong friends while enjoying the beautiful north woods.
How long are the camp sessions?
We offer two-week and four-week sessions.
Can my daughter choose her activities?
Yes. On arrival day, campers choose their activities for the first week of camp. At the end of the week, campers sign up for the second week’s activities. Girls can continue with their previous activities, or choose new ones to try.
How does my daughter get to camp?
Most families drive up to camp, but there is Greyhound bus service available from the Twin Cities. We meet the girls at the bus station in Walker, MN. Some families are willing to carpool to and from camp. We can help connect you with someone in your area. If your daughter needs to fly to Minnesota, please contact us to make arrangements.
Should my daughter bring a friend to camp?
Some girls are more comfortable having a friendly face arrive with them, but many come alone the first time. In such a small community, campers make friends very quickly, and our counselors watch closely to make sure no one feels left out. Many girls tell us that they like having a place that is “just theirs,” away from school friends.
What are the cabins like?
The cabins are set up as duplexes, with six to nine girls on each side, and two counselors in the middle. The cabins are simple, open and airy, without electricity. Bunkbeds, of course, are essential to the camp experience.
How are girls assigned to cabins?
Girls are assigned by age to their cabin groups.
Are there bathrooms in the cabins?
No. Flush toilets and hot showers are available at the lodge, not far from the cabins.
What is the ratio of campers to staff?
Each cabin group of six to nine girls has one counselor. Often counselors will have a junior counselor or counselor-in-training working alongside them. Our overall ratio of campers to staff is about 3 to 1.
Can my daughter bring a cell phone, tablet, or computer?
No. Electronic devices are distracting and disruptive to the camp atmosphere, and will be held in the camp office until the last day of the camp session.
How can I contact my daughter once she is at camp?
Write cheerful snail mail letters to your daughter. Help her to know how fortunate she is to be at camp. Letters from home are great morale builders and can help make summer camp a wonderful adventure.
Emails will not be delivered to campers.
Please do not send treats to campers, unless you wish to treat the whole camp, and then only by special arrangement. Food is not allowed in the cabins, and unauthorized treats will be held in the camp office until the last day of the camp session.
Can I visit my daughter at camp?
Not allowing visitation the last few years during the two and four week sessions, we found that we had a lot less homesickness. The campers knew they were going to be here for a certain length of time and it worked really well for them and for us.
What if my daughter is homesick?
The first day or two of camp are an adjustment period for new campers, as they learn the camp routine and make new friends. Homesickness is not uncommon, but usually does not last long. Campers are so busy that they often do not even notice that their homesickness has faded within a day or two.
What about laundry?
Laundry service will be offered to four-week campers only at the end of first session. The $8.00 laundry fee will be deducted from the campers’ Trading Post accounts.
Can my daughter attend church services?
A non-denominational inspirational service is held at camp each Sunday. (No transportation to local churches)