Founded in 1919 with the mission of helping young campers grow in “spirit, mind and body”, YMCA Camp Minikani has a rich history that spans generations of families. The name Minikani itself has origins in Native American languages meaning “a place of beginnings” or “a place where seeds are planted”. As Camp Minikani looks forward to its next 100 years of existence, the camp leadership has undertaken extensive strategic planning to establish goals and priorities for facility enhancements. An essential goal of this planning process has been to identify forward-looking opportunities for change, without sacrificing the unique history, culture, and traditions that define the “Camp Minikani experience”. 

As part of the overall planning process, TKWA was hired to conduct a master plan/feasibility study. Key target areas for detailed study included improved waterfront accessibility and visibility, a new dining hall with swimming pool, upgrades to overnight cabins and adjacent toilet facilities, improvements to site circulation and camper vehicle pick-up/drop-off, improvements to site storm water management, and more naturalized overflow parking. The outdoor chapel relocation improves lakefront circulation and expands outdoor activity spaces. A totem-ringed new central commons creates a camp “heart space” and gathering/activity space from a previously underutilized tennis court area. Equestrian center upgrades include a new adaptive riding arena and support facilities, a new equestrian dormitory and improved equestrian vehicle circulation/parking capacity.