Winter Camp: If your kids like Camp Manitou’s swamp hike over the summer, they’ll love its Winter Camp over Valentine’s Day/President’s Day weekend Saturday, Feb. 14 through Monday, Feb. 16. Now in its fourth year, the camp offers outdoor activities for kids in grades three through eight: snowshoeing, hiking, and building igloos and snow forts; making a fire, roasting s’mores, and cooking a tin foil meal (meat, potatoes, carrots and potatoes); and games, such as dodgeball and capture the flag, as well as winter survival skills. Snow tubing at Christie Mountain, 40 miles north of the camp, is also included. Camp Director Brian Moore says while the camp draws a smaller crowd of about 50 kids compared to about 180 kids during the summer, it’s a great way to find out ways to enjoy the outdoors during the cold weather. The ratio of counselors to kids is higher than the summer camp, and  many of the summer camp counselors return from college for Winter Camp, because they love it so much. The cost is $120 for Y members; $180 for prospective members, and financial assistance is available. Registration must be made in advance by coming to the YMCA in downtown Eau Claire. Kids will need to be dropped off at the YMCA on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9am and picked up on Monday, Feb. 16 at 4pm. A list of required items, such as sleeping bag, warm clothes, extra pairs of socks and boots, etc., will be provided.

Snowshoe Hikes: Camp Manitou will also host a Snowshoe Hike and two in Eau Claire at the Lowes Creek County Park. Snow shoes and snacks are provided. On Saturday, Jan. 25, from 1-3pm at the camp, the hike will take different routes through the woods, making it to Sunfish Lake, Heide Lake and even traversing the mud hike area. On Feb. 1 and 8, also from 1-3 pm, the hikes will take place in Lowes Creek County Park. YMCA members are free; prospective members are $5.

For additional information, email Brian Moore, Camp Manitou Camp Director at camp@eauclaireymca.org or call the YMCA at (715) 836-8460.