what to sign up for
What is the age eligibility for each session?
During our regular summer camping season (Session 1-6), we serve all genders, gender expressions, and gender identities. Sessions 1, 5 and 6 (one-week sessions) are for campers ages 8 to 15. Sessions 2, 3, and 4 (two-week sessions) are for campers 9 to 16. Mini Camp, offered during the first half of Session 6, is designed for campers ages 6 to 8. Family Camp is open to all ages.
One Week vs. Two Week Sessions?
Has your camper been to a one-week session? Are they ready to go for two weeks? We know an extra week can sometimes be intimidating, but at AGQ our two-week sessions allow our campers to experience camp on a whole new level! Special activities offered include Climbing Wall Concentration and the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program. Additionally, during two-week sessions campers have the opportunity to enjoy more of our regular activity areas, compete against other camps during our Sports Day, and experience the magic of the All-Day Activity. Camp just got a whole lot more magical!
Am I Fit For Mini Camp?
Mini-Camp is a 4 day, 3 night program designed for our youngest AGQ campers (ages 6-8). These campers have the opportunity to experience all aspects of camp via a set rotation of activities while under the supervision of our dedicated staff. Mini Camp gives younger campers a unique, facilitated overnight camp experience in a setting where they can get an introduction into AGQ. If your camper is attending Mini Camp, they are not eligible to attend a normal AGQ session in the same season.
What are AGQ’s housing options?
Camp AGQ is organized into two sides of camp: Northside and Southside. Northside has historically been a home for campers who have an affinity to the female space, while Southside has historically been a home for campers who have an affinity to the male space. Parents and campers select their housing preference during the registration process based on the gender they select. AGQ is a place for campers of all genders, gender identities, and gender expressions. Unfortunately, due to constraints with session capacities in our registration system, campers are asked to select their gender as either male or female. ‘Male’ represents the Southside, and ‘Female’ represents the Northside. When going through the registration form, please select the gender corresponding with the side in which your camper would be most comfortable living on. Your camper is welcome to live on the side of their choice, or can select All Gender Housing if they are coming Session 2, 3, or 4.
All Gender Housing will be available during our two-week sessions (Sessions 2, 3 and 4), enrollments permitting. You will be able to express interest in this housing option as part of the registration process. The AGQ Team will contact you closer to the summer to verify this housing placement is still available. Should we be unable to offer this option for a given session, we will communicate with you and your camper about which side the camper would feel most comfortable living on prior to camp. Please consider speaking with your camper prior to registering so you can get the most accurate picture of where they feel most comfortable living during their time at AGQ, and if the All Gender Housing option is something that appeals to them.
No matter which area of camp your camper resides on, they will have their own bunk and designated space for personal items in the cabin. All campers have access to a bathhouse for showering and bathroom needs, where there are privacy stalls available for changing purposes.
What are Add-On Concentrations?
We offer four concentration classes which allow campers to experience a more advanced and thorough curriculum for the following activities: Sailing, Horseback Riding, Water-skiing, and Climbing Wall. These concentration programs are available at an additional cost and the camper must be registered before camp begins. All concentration programs are available for both one-week or two-week sessions, except Climbing Wall, which is only available the second week of a two-week session. Campers will only be eligible to sign up for one pre-registered concentration class per week for their time at AGQ. You can register your camper for these programs the same way you would register for a regular AGQ session. Campers are not required to pick an add-on activity. Elective activities offered that campers select upon arrival include Swimming, Canoeing, Sailing, Drama, Landsports, Arts & Crafts, Woodshop, Riflery, Archery, Nature, Cards & Games, Southstar and Northstar, etc.
Make sure you select the coordinating session group to ensure your spot is held for the correct add-on. If you would like to add one of these programs after you have registered, you can go back through the online registration form or call us in the camp office at (734) 661-8051 to check on availability and register over the phone. We highly recommend you reserve a spot in one of these programs early, as there is a limited enrollment each session.
Please note that parents are not required to sign their camper up for an add-on activity. These are recommended for campers who are interested in enhancing their skills in these areas since each will run for two periods, rather than the standard one period. They will have the choice to choose from a variety of activities at camp that do not cost extra. They will also have the opportunity to go to the climbing wall with their cabin group at some point throughout their session.
What is Stayover Camp?
Stayover camp is the only add-on offered that is not a concentration program. It is an overnight camping experience facilitated by 2-3 staff members where campers who are staying for one of the following *session pairs listed below will be supervised between sessions. Stayover campers will stay on camp for the evening but during the day will be able to explore local towns, do laundry, and enjoy the beauty that is northern Michigan in the summer.
Session 1 to 2 (6/22-6/23)
Session 2 to 3 (7/6-7/7)
Session 3 to 4 (7/21-7/22)
Session 4 to 5 (8/10-8/11)
Session 5 to 6 (8/11-8/17)
Campers can either get picked up for the day in-between or sign up for our Stayover Camp. Stayover camp is listed as an ‘Add-On’ in the registration platform but will not count towards the camper’s allocated add-on sessions. Spots are limited so please make sure to register early.
Transportation
Transportation is available to and from Camp AGQ by a chartered coach for an additional fee of $90 each way. Drop-off and pick-up will be from a school in Ann Arbor. Each coach is complete with a restroom and air conditioning, and YMCA staff members accompany each bus. All drop-off and pick-up times and locations are provided in the Parent Handbook that you will receive shortly after registration. Pre-registration is required for bus transportation and all cancellation policies apply. Scholarships are available for the bus.
Leader-in-Training (LIT) Program
If your camper is entering 10th or 11th grade, they are eligible to be registered for the Leader-In-Training program. This program originated for the purpose of providing older campers with an opportunity to hone their leadership skills at camp. It’s incredibly important that all participants recognize they are role models for the rest of the camper base and should act accordingly. If your rising 10th or 11th grader is more interested in the traditional camp experience, they should sign up for a regular session instead of the LIT program. Please note that some LIT sessions have historically filled up within the first 5-10 minutes of registration opening. If your desired session is full upon entering registration, you will be left with three options:
Enrolling your camper in an alternate LIT Session
Enrolling your camper as a regular camper in their desired session while waitlisting for the LIT session
The camper can remain waitlisted and if a spot becomes available, we will contact you. We cannot guarantee a spot will become available.
LIT vs. Counselor-In-Training (CIT)
Although traditionally campers entering 10th grade have made up the majority of LITs each summer, the program has always been open to anyone entering 10th or 11th grade. If a rising 11th grader feels like they are ready to be a counselor and put kids first over their own experience, then applying for a Counselor-In-Training position is a good route to take. Otherwise, they can always wait a year. Someone does not have to be an LIT to be a CIT, although we’d recommend it for the additional year of growth and leadership experience. CIT applications will be announced in January, but will not be due until February. We'll be sending an email to parents and eligible applicants with more details about the role itself and the hiring process. If you’d like to ensure camp for your child in some capacity, we recommend registering them for an LIT session.