Camp Kawaga offers a balanced, well-rounded program. Boys who are skilled athletes and those who are not both love Kawaga and find their own niche here. With endless opportunities, Kawaga offers an exciting array of more than 100 athletic and non-athletic activities! Our philosophy is to encourage our campers to participate in all areas of camp.

Our teams are open to every camper who wants to participate. Yes, we do play to win. But, we consider the experience a success if we participated, played hard, and displayed the best of sportsmanship.

Our Kawagian and Blue-Gold Leagues make for fun, healthy competition. We also compete against other camps in a wide variety of sports. Inter-camp competition builds camp spirit and unity, giving all our boys the opportunity to represent the camp they love.

Clubs & Activities

Clubs are the most intense instructional phase of camp. Each club runs for 3 or 4 days and campers are encouraged to choose clubs in which they have a desire to acquire new skills. Participation and improvement is stressed, regardless of the camper's initial level of proficiency when the club begins.

The following is a partial list of clubs that are offered at Kawaga:

Archery Baseball Basketball Bicycling Boating & Canoeing Boxing Drama

Fishing Football Frisbee Golf Improvisation Lacrosse Music Photography/ Video

Outdoor Adventure Riflery Roller-hockey Rugby Sailing Soccer Softball Swimming

Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Waterskiing Weightlifting/ Conditioning Wood Shop

Special Events

A summer at Kawaga is laced with numerous special days and programs. Most have existed for years and thus form an integral part of the Kawaga Tradition!

Indian Traditions of Mawanda and Sachem - Since the early years of camp, Kawaga has rewarded diverse participation and achievement by admitting campers into the honorary tribes of Mawanda and Sachem. Campers earn points by participating in every area of camp life. Once entrance into a tribe is made, the camper can receive a feather for his headband and an Indian name.

Powwows - Every Sunday evening, when the sun sets over Lake Kawaguesaga, Kawaga campers meet around the council fire for a Big or Little Powwow. The powwow is one of the longest traditions at Kawaga and promotes the philosophies and values that have been a part of Camp since 1915. The Little Powwow is an opportunity for campers to set individual and group goals, and also reflect on the previous week and the week to come. The entire camp gathers in the Council Ring for a Big Powwow to take part in a legendary ceremony!

Kawaga Spectacular and the Blue-Gold Color War - Three action packed days of teams, games, relays, tournaments, skits, special t-shirts, and tons of FUN! These events are considered by many to be their favorite part of the summer!

Inter-camp Competition - A full-scale competition with another camp at least once each session. There is a ton of enthusiasm and camp spirit!

Overnight Wilderness Trips - Each camper has an opportunity to take at least one canoeing or hiking trip during the summer. As campers get older, they go on more challenging trips. The oldest campers take a canoe trip through the Boundary Waters of Canada!

Kawaga Invitationals - Over the past 35 years we have annually hosted tournaments open to other boys' and girls' camps in sailing and water-skiing.

Fourth of July - The Senior campers play the Counselors in an annual softball game. The Mess Hall booms with cheers and excitement! In the evening Kawaga watches the renowned Min-aqua Bats water-ski show in town followed by the premier fireworks display in Northern Wisconsin!

Excursions - During the summer campers have a chance to benefit from out-of-camp attractions including bowling, hikes to town, go-karts, arcades, a Native American museum, a zoo, paintball, Apostle Island sailing, miniature golf and more!

Theme Day - Kawaga is created into a carnival with games and other attractions. Some of the best Theme Days have been Pirates of the Caribbean Day, Greco-Roman Day, Western Rodeo Day, and Nerd Day!