Welcome to Camp Batawagama
909 PENTOGA TRAIL * CRYSTAL FALLS
CAMP BATAWAGAMA'S BENEFIT CONCERTS FOR
IRON COUNTY BAND CAMP 2026
Click the link below to read the article and watch the videos of interviews from some of the musicians that were a part of the concerts!
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/01/13/band-camp-batawagama-making-memories-musical-connection-since-1955/
Musicians Featured At The Concerts:
Robert Spring on clarinet,
Marc Finc on oboe,
Lynn Hansen on oboe,
Mike Hall on trombone,
and Ryan Ford, Susie Byykkonen, and Jon Ensminger on piano
Musicians Featured At The Concerts:
Robert Spring on clarinet,
Marc Finc on oboe,
Lynn Hansen on oboe,
Mike Hall on trombone,
and Ryan Ford, Susie Byykkonen, and Jon Ensminger on piano
THE 2026 TENTATIVE IRON COUNTY YOUTH CAMP SCHEDULE
YOUTH CAMP REGISTRATION…………………..…..........…MARCH 1
SENIOR DAYS REGISTRATION…………………..…....................JUNE 1
STAFF CERTIFICATION TRAINING……………………JUNE 8-13
STAFF ORIENTATION…………………..….............................……JUNE 14-16
SENIOR DAYS…………………………….........................................………...JUNE 17-19
BAND CAMP........................................................................................JUNE 21-27
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 1…….….…………...........JUNE 28-JULY 4
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 2…….……......................…………....…JULY 5-11
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 3…….…………………..........................JULY 12-18
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 4……........…………………..................JULY 19-25
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 5……...………......JULY 26-AUGUST 1
STAFF WORK DAYS.........................................................AUGUST 3-5
YOUTH CAMP REGISTRATION…………………..…..........…MARCH 1
SENIOR DAYS REGISTRATION…………………..…....................JUNE 1
STAFF CERTIFICATION TRAINING……………………JUNE 8-13
STAFF ORIENTATION…………………..….............................……JUNE 14-16
SENIOR DAYS…………………………….........................................………...JUNE 17-19
BAND CAMP........................................................................................JUNE 21-27
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 1…….….…………...........JUNE 28-JULY 4
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 2…….……......................…………....…JULY 5-11
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 3…….…………………..........................JULY 12-18
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 4……........…………………..................JULY 19-25
YOUTH CAMP/ WEEK 5……...………......JULY 26-AUGUST 1
STAFF WORK DAYS.........................................................AUGUST 3-5
FIND YOURSELF AT CAMP BATAWAGAMA IN 2026...
“A SPECIAL SUMMER PLACE WHERE EVERY KID CAN BE THEMSELVES"
The Iron County Youth Camp, Camp Batawagama, has been a special summer place for children since 1945. This summer the Youth Camp will be hosting nearly 800 campers from all over the continental United States, Africa, Central and South America. Most of the children that come to Batawagama each summer have roots in Iron County that go back for generations. Many of their parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents are originally from Iron County and are former Batawagama Campers.
What makes Batawagama so special? Why do people feel it is so important to share the “Batawagama Experience “with their children? It is the belief that every child needs a place where they can come and feel safe in being who they are. It is a place that fosters good manners, good morals, and respect for oneself and for others. It’s a place that accepts you as you are and challenges you to be more. Every camper leaves Batawagama with a favorite song, with a special memory, and with friendships, that will often span a lifetime.
Registration for the 2026 camping program starts March 1st, 2026.
Registration information and health forms can be found on the registration page.
We will continue to accept Registration Forms for every week until Camp is Full.
The Iron County Youth Camp, Camp Batawagama, has been a special summer place for children since 1945. This summer the Youth Camp will be hosting nearly 800 campers from all over the continental United States, Africa, Central and South America. Most of the children that come to Batawagama each summer have roots in Iron County that go back for generations. Many of their parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents are originally from Iron County and are former Batawagama Campers.
What makes Batawagama so special? Why do people feel it is so important to share the “Batawagama Experience “with their children? It is the belief that every child needs a place where they can come and feel safe in being who they are. It is a place that fosters good manners, good morals, and respect for oneself and for others. It’s a place that accepts you as you are and challenges you to be more. Every camper leaves Batawagama with a favorite song, with a special memory, and with friendships, that will often span a lifetime.
Registration for the 2026 camping program starts March 1st, 2026.
Registration information and health forms can be found on the registration page.
We will continue to accept Registration Forms for every week until Camp is Full.
PICTURE YOURSELF AT BATAWAGAMA IN 2026!
Thank You for your interest in CAMP BATAWAGAMA, we are looking forward to seeing you in 2026!
Brian Schulze
Brian Schulze
Four Generations Have Called Batawagama Home For The Summer
Camp Batawagama for four generations has been offering an unique experience for campers young and young at heart. Camp Batawagama is nestled in the woods on the shores of Indian Lake, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is a welcoming escape from the busy electronic age we find ourselves living in today. Camp Batawagama was established in 1945 by two Iron County educators who were committed to creating an outdoor education experience for young people; a place they could come to learn camping skills and how to work together all while sharing an appreciation for the wilderness. Camp Batawagama continues today to provide a safe and wholesome environment surrounded by nature with a sound and moral philosophy of fairness and respect for one another. This summer camping for many is the adventure of a life-time.
Special Thanks!
Thank you Citizens of Iron County for your continued support in the operation of Camp Batawagama.
Thank you Friends of Camp Batawagama, your fundraising has secured camp sites on Minnie Lake, Indian Lake, and the Brule River for the exclusive use of Batawagama's campers. Over the past 30 years, you have helped to build cabins, three latrines, and the new Friends Hall. Numerous watercrafts, a floating dock system, kitchen equipment, and arts and crafts supplies have also been purchased for Camp through the generous individual donations to the Friends organization.
Thank you Dickinson Area Community Foundation and the Forest Park Student Advisory Board for choosing Camp Batawagama as a recipient of grants in years past. The grants have allowed us to purchase 12 paddle boards, 4 Mastercraft woodburners for arts & crafts, lifejackets and tents.
Thank you Citizens of Iron County for your continued support in the operation of Camp Batawagama.
Thank you Friends of Camp Batawagama, your fundraising has secured camp sites on Minnie Lake, Indian Lake, and the Brule River for the exclusive use of Batawagama's campers. Over the past 30 years, you have helped to build cabins, three latrines, and the new Friends Hall. Numerous watercrafts, a floating dock system, kitchen equipment, and arts and crafts supplies have also been purchased for Camp through the generous individual donations to the Friends organization.
Thank you Dickinson Area Community Foundation and the Forest Park Student Advisory Board for choosing Camp Batawagama as a recipient of grants in years past. The grants have allowed us to purchase 12 paddle boards, 4 Mastercraft woodburners for arts & crafts, lifejackets and tents.
Counselor Auggie Barthelt works with his young campers using the Burn Masters to help them design and make their own wood-burned headbands.
