Master Site Plan

We know our community is excited to see what’s happening at camp, so we will share updates via this dynamic web page. Please check back often!

Last updated: November 20, 2024

Clearwater launched an ambitious plan to update and upgrade our entire campus for the benefit of our campers today and well into the next 90 years! The Master Site Plan will become a reality over the next three to five years by implementing:

• a special fundraising effort to secure approximately $6 million through our capital campaign, The Bond that Binds Us: Building Clearwater’s Future
• a coordinated effort to build and complete the projects around summer camp operations and the harsh winter weather of the Northwoods.

Clearwater board and staff have been working together since 2018 — with input from campers, summer staff, and the broader community — to develop a comprehensive site plan that will enhance our campers’ experiences while maintaining the beauty of our rustic camp in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Construction commenced on the first phase of projects in May 2023 and completed for the enjoyment of campers in summer 2024. 

Update: Portage #1 was completed in June 2024 just a few weeks before our campers arrived! 

Update: Portage #2 has been launched due to the generosity of donors in fall of 2024!

The work is being expertly guided by Blake Theisen, architect and principal of Parkitecture + Planning, and general contractor, Jimmy Rein, owner of Lee Construction Company, and Sarah Palmer, lead designer, Cozy Red Couch Designs. This map provides a basic overview of the entire plan.

Portage One (launched in Spring 2023 and completed in June 2024)

• Backstay (new Maintenance Building) 
• Mainstay (new Welcome Center, including a new storm shelter)
• Sport Courts
• Land Sports and Waterfront “Expansion”

Read about this portage’s completion in our July 2024 Site Plan Sparks!

Portage #2: New Staff Housing

Our next “portage” will be building two of four upgraded staff cabins. This is a vital need for camp because offering more comfortable and family-friendly housing options enables us to fill crucial leadership positions that require specialized skills, knowledge, and broader life experience. Having seasoned staff members in senior positions will provide even more opportunities for mentorship and guidance for our younger generations of counselors which will elevate the camp experience for all. Read more about the launch of this portage this fall in our Site Plan Sparks.

Future Portages

These projects will not be initiated until private funding from our community is secured and construction plans are completed.

• Dining Hall Expansion & Kitchen Re-Build
• Wetlands Classroom
• Ropes Course
• Shoreline Erosion Control
• Island Storm Shelter Upgrade
• Additional Bathrooms on the Mainland

To learn more details about the plan, please choose one of the buttons below, or contact our Development and Communications Director, Sheila Ferguson via sheila@clearwatercamp.org or by calling her at 901-830-7896.