YMCA Camp Miller
Celebrating the Past and Creating the Future...

Camp Miller was started as the 9th YMCA camp in the United States. Today it is the 6th oldest YMCA camp in the USA. Over the years, Camp Miller has been relocated to a few different sites. Initially, it was located near Ely, MN.



Camp Miller moved to Deerwood MN (on Serpent Lake) and remained there for the next 10 years. During these years, the camp was run during the month of August and was for boys only.



Norman McLeod became the director and continued on in this position for 46 years. Mac, as he was affectionately known, helped to shape the lives of thousands of young boys.

The Entrance to YMCA Camp Miller

Camp Miller moved to to its present-day site on Sturgeon Lake. The new 54-acre site was purchased for $1000.00. As years passed, more land was purchased and today, Camp Miller rests upon 340 acres.

A 1920's Camper's Cabin

This year, tents were replaced with a camper cabin-Moore Cabin. The following year, two more cabins were built. 1918 was the year that Camp Miller escaped the Moose Lake fire.



Congdon Hall was built and served as the dining and recreation hall for 50 years until 1992 when Mitchell Lodge replaced it.

Norman McLeod retires from his position as Camp Miller director.



William S. Hanson serves as the Youth Director for the Duluth YMCA and the Director for Camp Miller until 1953. Hanson Lodge would be named for him.

The Camp Miller Committee of Management was formed and they began plans to rebuild a now much worn down Camp Miller. Today, they continue to be an integral part of carrying out the Camp Miller mission.



to 1968, Ten new cabins were built.

McLeod Lodge

McLeod Lodge was built as a memorial to Norman McLeod who had passed away in 1951.



Camp Miller received American Camping Association accreditation.

The Sauna

The Camp Miller Sauna was constructed.



Purchase of Camp Miller farm.

A 1976 Camp Miller Truck preparing for a trip

Camp Miller became winterized, making it possible to provide year-round camping programs. Wade Woods was purchased. Les Blacklock provides a naturalist's interpretation of the natural Camp Miller property: "You know that Camp Miller has one of the finest natural settings for a camp in the state. The big pines, a sand beach, clear lake, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, a wide-shored out-camp lake, a spruce-tamarack bog, flat play fields, a farm, am exceptionally good climate-all in one neat, beautiful package."



YMCA Service Club chartered.



For the first time in Camp Miller history, girls came to camp.



YMCA Camp Miller Endowment Fund (Both the Endowment Fund and the YMCA Service Club offer campship support to Camp Miller which allows low-income children to attend.)



McLeod Lodge remodeled.



Mitchell Lodge and the Conference Center are built. Named for the Mitchell Family who has been involved with both the YMCA and Camp Miller since 1903. Dining and programming are enjoyed in this state-of-the-art facility.

Jack McLeod Donates $300K to Camp Miller

YMCA Camp Miller was pleased to accept a donation of $300,000 from former Camper and Camp Counselor, Jack McLeod. As Jack describes it, his best friend (mom) sent him off to "cruel and strange place" as a young boy – Camp Miller! At that time Camp fees were $12/week!

Jack ended up loving camp and returned as a camper in 1942,1943, 1944, and 1945! Jack was a member of Bill Hanson’s High Y Club at Denfeld High School in 1948 where "we did some great activities, including a trip to what is now Thunder Bay. He was a camp counselor in 1951 with Camp Director, Bill Hanson and in 1952 with Camp Director, Jack Ullenhop. If only we had pictures of Jack in those years! In Jack’s words, " we were too poor for a camera in those days!"

Jack grew up in a family and a time of very limited resources. "We did not have a cabin on a beautiful site with boating, horses, riflery, archery, games, and campfires. That was not available to poor people, friends of the Y provided that for us. The Y story is phenomenal. I was a beneficiary of those who contributed before me. This is my way of giving back to the community. Older folks have to help the younger folks"

Jack hopes that this gift will lead the Camp to develop a vision and design for newer facilities and others who will provide the funding for the next facility.



The first summer for the "Jack A. McLeod Leadership Lodge". We celebrated the past and looked to the future with the opening of this wonderful new sleeping lodge on the girl's side of camp. The "Pines" as the new lodge came to be called this summer, was well received by campers, parents and staff. Through the efforts, hard work and contributions of many volunteers, the "Pines" will serve campers and year-round groups for many years to come.

Do you have Camp Miller memories that you would like to share? Old photos perhaps? Please contact us! We would love to hear about it!