Pathfinder Summer Camp

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2026 summer Camp Information

Camp Registration open on December 8 at 8am

What We Offer

Hello Camp Families!

Please read the following information as some things have changed since last summer.

The Pathfinder Day Camp is a long-standing summer tradition in the Traverse City region. Our camp is a classic experience where kids are outside all day playing in the woods. All campers get a chance to swim in Cedar Lake every day. Voyagers and Adventure campers will all have the opportunity to go canoeing. Each week has a theme that our counselors design their lessons around. We offer four different age-group options. All programs are full day from M-F. Age groups are found below:

  • Explorers (Prek & K) - Must be potty trained 

  • Discovery (going into 1st and 2nd grade) 

  • Voyagers (Going into 3rd and 4th grade)

  • Adventure (Going into 5th grade-7th grade)

Each age group is split up into smaller groups of 8-12 campers depending on the age. 

Pricing

A session (week) of full day camp costs $435. This includes a non-refundable $100 deposit. The week of 4th of July will be prorated for the shortened week. You will be required to pay the $100 deposit during registration, but you can utilize a payment plan for the rest. If you would like to pay the remaining balance via check, please send us an email and we can waive the credit card fee from your account.

Schedule

Session 1: June 15- 19 Animal Exploration

From the forest floor to the lake shore, campers will investigate the wild world of animals that call our campus home. Through hands-on discovery, creative crafts, and outdoor adventures, we’ll learn about animal habitats, adaptations, and the importance of caring for our furry, feathered, and finned friends.

Session 2: June 22-26 Water Adventure: Pirates of the Camp-ibbean

Ahoy, explorers! This week we’ll set sail on a water-filled adventure where science meets imagination. Campers will dive into water experiments, explore Cedar Lake, and learn how water shapes our world—then transform into pirates seeking hidden treasure. With boat-building, map-decoding, and lakeside challenges, it’s a week of waves, wonder, and watery fun.

Session 3: June 29-July 2 (no camp on the 3rd) Space Week

Blast off for a week of cosmic discovery! Campers will explore the mysteries of our solar system through art, engineering, and imagination. From designing rockets to mapping the stars, we’ll reach for the skies in this out-of-this-world adventure.

Session 4: July 6-10 Secret Agent Week

Calling all junior detectives! Campers will crack codes, solve mysteries, and test their observation skills in a week filled with intrigue and teamwork. From scavenger hunts to spy missions, our agents-in-training will uncover clues and keep the campus safe—Pathfinder style.

Session 5: July 13-17 Mythology Adventure

Step into the world of ancient myths and legendary creatures! Campers will explore stories from Greece, Egypt, Norse lands, and beyond—meeting heroes, gods, and monsters along the way. Through creative challenges, outdoor quests, and imaginative crafts, children will bring timeless myths to life and even invent legends of their own.

Session 6: July 20- 24 MAD SCIENTIST WEEK

Get ready to experiment, invent, and get a little messy! Campers will explore the wonders of chemistry, physics, and biology through hands-on experiments and creative projects. Curiosity is the key ingredient in this week of discovery and fun.


Session 7: July 27-31 Inventors- Reduce Reuse Recycle

Campers become eco-innovators as they design and build new creations from repurposed materials. Through art, engineering, and problem-solving, they’ll learn how sustainability sparks creativity—and how small ideas can make a big impact on our planet.

Session 8: August 3-7 Time Travelers

Journey through the ages as we explore ancient civilizations, medieval times, and the far-off future! Campers will build, create, and imagine their way through history—learning how people lived, worked, and dreamed in different eras while creating adventures of their own.

Programming runs from 9 am-4 pm each day. Receive a 10% discount when you register for all weeks of the camp.

We also offer extended child care for those who need it. Before-Care runs Tuesday - Friday 7:30am-9:00am, After-Care runs Monday - Thursday 4:00pm-5:30pm.

Food

Please make sure to send your child with a packed lunch and plenty of snacks for the day. All campers eat outside so there is no access to a microwave. Pathfinder does not provide food for campers in the form of snacks or lunch. Each Friday, campers will have the opportunity to roast a marshmallow and eat a s’more. If your camper has dietary restrictions, we can provide an alternative to the regular s’more.

Cancelation Policy

To ensure proper staffing, supplies, and planning for a safe and engaging summer, The Pathfinder School has established the following payment and cancellation guidelines for all camp sessions:

Payment Deadline

All summer camp sessions must be paid in full by April 15.

  • Unpaid registrations after this date may be released to families on the waitlist.

Cancellations & Refunds

  • Cancellations made on or before May 1 are eligible for a refund, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit.

  • No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after May 1.

Session Transfers

  • May 1–June 1: Families may transfer to a different camp session for a $100 transfer fee, provided space is available.

  • After June 1: No changes (including transfers, date changes, or switching sessions) can be accommodated.

We are looking forward to another great summer. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at camp@thepathfinderschool.org.

Best,

The Pathfinder School

Camp Director