Camp Whitcomb/Mason
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Camp Whitcomb/Mason is a year round facility located near Hartland, Wisconsin, approximately 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Lake Keesus. Founded in 1911 and owned and operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, it is the oldest Boys and Girls Clubs camp in America.
Set on 306 acres of hills, fields, wetlands, and forests, Whitcomb/Mason provides campers with a variety of natural experiences. Their lodges, cabins and pavilions are available for rent to school, family, church, non-profit and corporate groups throughout the year. Accredited by the American Camp Association, the camp operates residential (overnight) and day camp programs throughout the summer.
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[edit] Misson Statement
The mission of Camp Whitcomb/Mason is to provide an imaginative, outdoor educational/recreational experience where youth have the opportunity to develop a sense of competence, usefulness and belonging through their accomplishments, while developing skills, responsibility and respect for others in a safe and healthy non-urban environment.
[edit] History
1911 Gift of 7.93 acres received on Lake Keesus from Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Thompson. Boys' Busy Life Club transfers summer camping activities from Beaver Lake to their very own tenting area on Lake Keesus.
1912 "Won Hon Ta" built. Combination kitchen; dining hall; five wings for sleeping quarters for ten boys each; single staff quarters for five; staff library for planning program. (Also served as rainy day recreation hall).
1912 February 8, Camp Whitcomb receives another donation of 18.07 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Rogers--camp now totals 26 acres
1926 Gift of 13 acres donated by Mr. and Mrs. John J Hansen - total acreage now 39
1938 "Chic A' Gami", sleeping quarters for the camp's cooks built
1939 "Kangi Bloko", first campers' cabin built due to popularity of camping program, expanding the capacity beyond the five wings in the "Won Hon Ta." This was the first of three, square cabins, with cots and clothing bins for eight campers and one counselor.
1941 "Joint Council No. 200" of Truck Drivers Union gave funds to construct; "Una Li-Ya" Lodge, (meaning house of Friendship). Facilities hold large fireplace and floor area to hold entire camp for indoor programs during inclement weather. First instance of any labor organization actively supporting the work of a social agency.
1947 "Apache Cabin"-The first of eighteen cabins built--each with a fireplace, screened porch, quarters for eight campers and two staff.
1950 Camp Whitcomb started "Day Camp" program for boys not emotionally ready for overnight camping
1950 "Una Li-Ya" Lodge extended--to include heated areas for Milwaukee boys' club winter camping program. Small kitchen, dining area, toilets, and supplies storage area.
1950 Winter camping activities implemented for weekends and three-day school holidays
1951 Bert Loock Health Lodge dedicated
1952 Initiated camping for diabetic boys; only camp in Wisconsin offering two-week camp periods to diabetics
1954 "Dayo Ha Gwenda" (Fred Loock) Indian ceremonial council ring dedicated
1954 Staff apartments built-complete quarters for four families of married staff
1957 Forty acres of land donated to Camp Whitcomb in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Thompson by their daughter. This tract is known as the "Henry M. Thompson Woods."
1962 "Bradley Nature Crafts lodge" dedicated
1966 Camp Elliott B. Mason established--purchase of 150 acres of land contiguous to Camp Whitcomb
1966 "Weinberg Moccasin Lodge" dedicated
1967 Lakeview Lodge built
1968 Camp Elliot B. Mason opened and operating as "Teen-age" camp for boys during the summer months
1969 "Walter H. Stiemke lodge" built in Camp Mason
1970 "Henoch Nature Study Lodge" dedicated
1986 Name officially changed to "Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee"
1992 First annual Camp Whitcomb/Mason Triathlon
1994 James Retreat/Conference Center constructed
1994 Kadish Environmental education center dedicated
1994 Wild World on Wheels portable Environmental Education Center takes maiden voyage to Milwaukee
1995 Team building course developed
1996 Sargento foods petting farm remodeled for year round use
1995 Adventure based counseling program begins
1996 Lakeshore lodge purchased
1997 Archaeology Center opened
1998 Health Center winterized & renovated
