What a thrill to be able to shoot a bull's-eye using a bow and arrow! At the Foley Archery Range, campers are instructed in:
Safety
Equipment selection
Proper stance
Proper procedures of aiming, drawing, and release
Scoring of targets
All equipment including recurve bows, arrows, forearm guards and finger guards. Awards challenging the beginner to the advanced shooter from the Camp Archery Association as well as daily challenges, 3 dimensional field targets, games and friendly competitions add fun for all shooters.
Join us on a journey of creativity. Let your imagination run wild! Create one-of-a-kind works of art. Talented art instructors help guide campers in completion of quality projects. What can you make? Although the projects vary from summer to summer, here is a list of some of our past projects…
Don't get lost in the woods! Use your senses and the knowledge you'll gain from Foley's camp craft classes to help make your outdoor excursions successful and fun!
You can challenge yourself and take safe physical risks on our awesome climbing tower! If you have never climbed or are already a climbing fan there is something for you on this tower! We also have a bouldering wall to practice your moves and hone your skills.
Be whoever you want to be in the snap of a finger. Sing a solo out loud in front of the whole camp community! The stage is set…. dare to be in drama!
The fun begins each session as campers chose to sign-up for a three-day activity sign-up or for the whole session and participate in the all-camp drama production!
The shorter sign-up offers campers fun impromptu moments for their creativity to come alive. Quick skits and charades teach campers to be silly and develop other personas.
The drama production allows all campers who want to participate be a part of the action. Try-outs are held for lead roles. Campers help to re-write roles and develop their own take on familiar plays. The final production is held for the whole camp community on the Sunday before campers depart.
Ever seen Zorro smoothly flip his sword around and think, "Hey that looks cool!" Well at Foley the word "Engarde" is held in high appreciation. Foley offers instruction in foil fencing and provides all the necessary safety equipment!
Campers learn:
Safety
Proper footwork for lunges, advancing, retreating, cross stepping, and some trickier moves.
A variety of grips
Offensive and defensive moves
Inner-camp tournaments held at the end of the session.
Whether you take fishing seriously or do it as a leisure activity, there's nothing like feeling a tug on the end of your line! The exhilaration of reeling in the "big one" can be yours at Foley. You can also learn to cast a fly fishing line and tie your own flies.
We provide open faced reels and plenty of lures and bait.
Sign-up for a fishing activity period and learn about:
Safety precautions
Proper casting methods
Hook removal
Baiting
Not in to the early mornings, but rather like the leisure pace of fishing? Sign-up for social fishing and enjoy kicking back on the docks with friends while you fish.
The Whitefish Chain of Lakes has a variety of fish including Walleyes, Northern Pike, Bass, and various Panfish.
Strap on your helmet and jump on your bike! Peddle like mad as you go up and down Foley's own mountain biking off-road trails! Feel a thrill as you conquer "The Bowl"!
Obstacle course to improve technical riding skills.
Foley provides Trek mountain bikes of variety of sizes
Off-road trails ranging from novice to advanced are located right on Foley property.
Safety helmets are worn at all times.
Campers learn:
Basic bike maintenance
Techniques for ascending or descending terrain
Proper shifting techniques
Learn how to "Bunny Hop" and other ways to go over obstacles like logs, etc.
Campers can choose to sign-up for an extended day or overnight mountain biking trip adventure!
Be the captain of your own boat as you smoothly glide along the water in your self-propelled playak, challenge each other in Paddle Board battles or relax on a four person paddle boat.
Receive basic instruction in the use of double-bladed paddles and simple kayak-type boats.
Learn how to maneuver your playak through experiential games and relays.
Take quick trips around the lake.
Play games to test your balance on the white paddleboards
Fun and laughter!
The Log! Try your skill at balancing on the free spinning center portion just like the lumberjacks used to do.
Be part of a team that is the first to capture the flag of your opponent and return it to your base! In this activity we will focus on using teamwork, making quick decisions, thinking strategically, learning to communicate under pressure and having a lot of fun!
Tippmann 98 Markers, full face V-force goggles and quality paints
60' x 260' woods course and a 100' x 150' speedball course
Play many types of games, all professionally run using American Paintball League standards.
Get some training in for all those great fall sports or just come out and learn some techniques for running faster for longer. The Running Club is for anyone that wants to just get out and run! A couple times a summer we also will enter in local 3k or 5k races and charity events. If this happens to be during your session you, too, can join in the fun! Sit ups, push ups, stretching and other calastetics will also be part of every club meeting.
Camp Foley is the only camp in Minnesota, and perhaps the Midwest, where sailing instruction follows the US Sailing Association format. With only one to two campers per boat, campers are able to gain more hands-on experience and learn at a better and faster rate.
Foley campers sail JY-15's, Catalina 14s and Escape Mangos
Campers can choose to sail between 1 to 3 hours every day!
Basic land instruction using videos and drills given prior to going to boats.
Learn: Launching and landing from dock, Proper tacking and jibing, Proper body positions, How to read the wind, Sail positions, Sail trim, Sail racing techniques and skills
Sailors can sign-up for Sail Racing and participate in Regattas with surrounding camps.
All campers can choose to take instructional sailing classes on any of the boats
Younger campers can enjoy sailing by riding along with our staff or experienced older campers.
Foley sailing instructors are trained in US Sailing Association teaching techniques.
Design, plan, cut, drill, sand, hammer, glue, create, embellish…become a woodworker! Start with a basic and boring piece of wood and end up with a creative personally designed masterpiece!
Learn the proper procedure and safety precautions for basic woodworking hand tools.
Power tools including a Jig Saw, Band Saw, Drill Press and a Power Sander.
Skilled shop instructors help guide campers in their completion of quality projects.
Although the projects vary from summer to summer, here is a list of some of our past projects...
Test your aim, accuracy and consistency on the Foley Slingshot Range. Made entirely of junk that we found around camp, the slingshot range features moving parts, things to knock over and special awards. Will you become part of the "Camp" or "Foley" club? Ring the bell? Win a game of scrabble?
Enjoy the refreshing feel of clean and cool water on a nice warm day! Participate in a game of water basketball! What about those fun inner tubes and noodles?
All campers have plenty of opportunities to have a blast swimming and playing in Whitefish Lake.
Lessons are offered to improve skills and work on specific strokes.
Imagine the sensation of floating on air...but hey, what's that? A fish! You're not floating on air; you're floating in the water! Enjoy the view and breathe easily through your snorkel as your fins propel you along.
A variety of different sized masks and fins are available.
Campers learn how to effectively use a mask, fin, and snorkel.
Snorkel along a sandbar.
Find hidden treasures!
Play games!
Is your best move off the diving board the belly flop? Have no fear at Foley! Try front dives, back dives and even special tricks from the 1-meter diving board.
Quality instruction offered by staff with competitive diving experience.
Instruction techniques and award progression adapted from Ron O'Brien's, former US Olympic Diving Coach, coaching methods
Pack your camping gear and join your friends on some exciting trips!
Are you eleven years or older?Choose a backpacking adventure!Choose a canoeing adventure!Choose a mountain biking adventure! Discover the art of open fire and propane stove cooking with cuisine to fill and appease the most active adventurer!
Some of our past trips have found Foley trippers travelling to and exploring:
Crow Wing River
Mississippi River
Pine River
Savanna State Forest
Pillsbury State Forest
Itasca State Park
Foothills State Forest
Chippewa National Forest
Chequamegon National Forest
Lake Superior Hiking Trails
Jay Cooke State Park
Split Rock State Park
Echo Lake – Foley's own private wilderness reserve of 160 acres
Tipi Island – Foley's own private island located on Whitefish Lake
Campers of all ages are also able to experience camping-out by going on sleepovers to our in-camp treehouses and tent sites with their cabin groups. By making an evening snack over the campfire, playing night games, and then sleeping in a treehouse or tent, campers are able to have a fun experience in camping.
Foley has a great ski program. Kids get to ski! You can ski almost every day if you want! This isn't true at all summer camps.
Foley water-ski program was highlighted in the March 1996 issue of WaterSki and ranked as one of the top 100 summer camp water-ski programs in the United States!
Camp Foley was specifically noted as one of the TOP eleven summer camp water-ski programs in the United States!
Try wake boarding!
Try barefooting!
Try tricks on the disc!
Two 2009 Ski Nautique ski boats running every activity period.
Booms used for instructional work.
Quality equipment available and a variety of sizes.
Trained instructors
Award ribbons can be earned based on the National Water Ski Association program.
Join the weight training class and continue your routine from home or start a program here and discover the healthy benefits of a weight training program. A variety of equipment is used including exercise balls, free weights and machines.
Catch the right wind and you are on your way to a successful day of windsurfing! What a rush as you breeze by others, controlling your own destination!
Extra wide Starboard boards
Sails ranging from 3.2 to 6 meters
On-land simulator and videos used for instructional purposes
Campers can participate in inner-camp races and regattas with surrounding camps.
Progressive awards available from novice to advance.
Campers learn:
Proper stance
Wind direction
Tacking
Sailing techniques for going up and down wind
Qualified and experienced instructors guiding campers from docks and small boats.
Instruction based upon US Sailing, Teach Windsurfing Right!
