A Minnesota summer camp is helping connect city kids and children of refugees to the state's outdoor summer culture, often for the first time. Khalid Musse (left) and Abubakar Sherif (center) grab Bukhari Booker during a game of capture the flag at Sibley State Park.

Hanan Samatar (center) mimics a bird during a game of charades in the dining hall before dinner. More than 75 kids and their family members spent five days at this year's Youth and Family Circle summer camp.

From left, Hafsa Musse, 15, and Bayaan Booker, 18, play music over the megaphone during a bus ride in New London, Minn.

From left, Luqman Yusuf and Abdirahmen Adam laugh as they encourage Sgt. Michael Tombaga of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office to drive the boat faster. Abdirahmen says camp has helped him become a better person by allowing him to try new experiences that challenge him.

Hanan Samatar hikes on a trail at Sibley State Park. Youth and Family Circle co-founders Mahmud Kanyare and Mahdi Osman said they started the non-profit after attending camp as kids and falling in love with outdoor recreation.

Campers gather on the campground for the midday and afternoon prayers, which were combined because of travel. Youth and Family Circle is dedicated to connecting city kids and children of refugees to outdoor activities like hiking, boating and fishing, often for the first time.

Abdirahmen Adam, 13, floats in Lake Andrew. Language, lack of information and finances are often barriers to kids enjoying Minnesota’s lake life.

From left, Hafsa Musse, Mahdi Osman, Sucad Yusuf, and Samira Ahmed go water tubing. The summer camp is also a way to change perceptions about who enjoys outdoor recreation, said camp co-founder Mahdi Osman.

Abdinasir Mohamed goes down a water slide.

Campers hike on one of the trails toward the horse camp at Sibley State Park. Outdoor recreation can fall outside the norm for immigrant parents, which is why they’re invited along to experience camp along with the kids.

Hamza Yusuf points to a caterpillar to Asiya Mahdi as they explore the Sibley State Park campgrounds.

Campers talk about music as they relax in their cabin. Hafsa says that classmates are often surprised to find out that she goes to camp during the summer. "They were even impressed by that I slept in a cabin and I've been on a boat and I've done things similar to them. They didn't think somebody like me would actually like do those extracurricular activities," she said.

Campers sit around the fire to sing, tell jokes and ghost stories, perform skits and sing inspirational songs. The group gathers at the end of each day as a way to bond and build community.