Camp Starlight

June 15-20, 2025

YMCA's Mystic Lake Camp for children ages 7-16 with dyslexia. This overnight camp provides a unique experience for children with dyslexia or who are struggling readers. Campers will participate in a transformational experience thoughtfully designed to build confidence, compassion, increase self-esteem, and create a sense of belonging all while new friendships are being built.

Camp Starlight campers reside with and participate in activities with non-dyslexic campers from Mystic Lake Experience as well as an engaging daily session related to dyslexia with other Camp Starlight Campers. In addition, a dynamic evening event will be hosted by Michigan Dyslexia Institute. This engaging evening is designed to provide an interactive experience that brings all campers together with a powerful message of hope, kindness and persevering through challenges in order to realize our potential. The goal is to better understand dyslexia and inspire campers to explore these themes throughout their camp experience and beyond.

Campers return year after year and develop lifelong friendships. Many have even become staff members at Mystic Lake! Mystic Lake staff are trained by the Michigan Dyslexia Institute in inclusion and strategies to provide a safe and positive environment to support your child. An experienced staff, engaging opportunities, new experiences and a beautiful location are the ingredients for an outstanding week at Camp Starlight.

Goals/Objectives

Campers gain an understanding of dyslexia and how it impacts the lives of many people.
Campers meet and interact with others with dyslexia. These may be other campers, counselors or presenters.
Campers experience engaging activities and dynamic presentations for at least one hour each day designed to help them better understand dyslexia, how it impacts their lives and the lives of others, and be exposed to strategies to address various challenges related to being a person with dyslexia.
Campers recognize, reinforce, and celebrate their strengths through a growth mindset.
Campers grow in self-confidence through activities that model responsibility and leadership skills.
Campers build strong friendships with children through shared experiences.

Other Activities

Campers will also experience traditional camp activities with both Camp Starlight and Mystic Lake Campers. Examples include: swimming, boating, hiking, cooking dinner over an open fire, archery, all camp games, daily inspiration, fishing, arts and crafts and more!

Location

Camp Starlight is held at Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, located 15 miles west of Clare, Michigan. This beautiful camp has 600 acres of forest, lakes and wetlands with miles of hiking trails. For more information on the Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, visit the website here.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance will be provided by Michigan Dyslexia Institute in partnership with Mystic Lake. Apply for Scholarships directly through Mystic Lake. On the application in “Program and Week desired” fill in Week 1 / Camp Starlight. If you are in need of financial assistance, please complete the financial assistance application before registering for camp by clicking here. Once you submit the application, Mystic Lake YMCA staff will review it and will provide you with an email notification of the outcome. If assistance has been granted, the email will also provide a code for you to use when registering that will adjust the price before completing registration. Please note, it could take 7-10 days for YMCA staff make this determination. If you do not hear back in a timely manner, please phone them at the number below.

Camp Registration

Click Here to Register. You will register directly with Mystic Lake. Using the following steps:

Camp Starlight-Week 1 is the first session listed. Please note there is only one session of Camp Starlight. Click on View More Details.
Follow directions on the next page to choose your session and add it to the cart. Choose Contine to proceed to the payment process.
If applying for financial assistance, complete the form here before registering. Once the YMCA reviews the application they will email you a notification of the outcome. If an award is granted, you will also recieve a code. Complete the registration steps 1-3. At checkout, use your code when indicated to have your payment adjusted appropriately.
Once registered, Mystic Lake will email you required health forms and information about your child’s camp week.
If you have any difficulty registering, please contact Mystic Lake YMCA Camp at 517-827-9650.

The Camp Starlight Team

Marsha Chance, CEO/ Executive Director, Michigan Dyslexia Institute

Taylor Harris, Program Director, Mystic Lake YMCA Camp