Camp Arcadia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Walther League Camp – Camp Arcadia
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The Wigwam in 2018
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3046 Oak Street, Arcadia Township, Manistee County, Michigan |
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| NRHP reference No. | 100000884 |
| Added to NRHP | April 17, 2017 |
Camp Arcadia is a super fun summer camp located right on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in Arcadia, Michigan. It's a special place for Lutherans, and it's been open every single year since 1922! That's a really long time for a camp to be running.
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Where is Camp Arcadia?
Camp Arcadia is found in Arcadia Township, which is part of Manistee County, Michigan. You can easily get there by taking the M-22 highway.
The History of Camp Arcadia
Camp Arcadia first opened its doors in 1922. It was started by the Walther League, which was a group for young adults in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
The "Chief" and "Mom"
From the very beginning until 1963, a man named William Wieherman, known as "Chief," ran the camp. His wife, Hildegard, was lovingly called "Mom." They helped make Camp Arcadia a special place for many years.
A New Beginning
In 1968, the Walther League stopped operating. This made the future of Camp Arcadia uncertain. But a group of campers who loved the place stepped up! They formed a new group called the Lutheran Camp Association (LCA). This group bought all 110 acres of the camp. The LCA is a non-profit organization, and they have been running the camp ever since.
A Historic Place
Because of its long history and importance, Camp Arcadia was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. This means it's recognized as a special historical site!
What Happens at Camp Arcadia Today?
Camp Arcadia is still run by the Lutheran Camp Association. The current president is Stan Scheumann.
Summer Staff
Each summer, about 39 college-age adults come to live and work at the camp. They do many important jobs like cooking meals, keeping the camp clean, and leading fun programs for all the campers.
Year-Round Team
Besides the summer staff, Camp Arcadia also has a team of people who work there all year. This team helps make sure everything runs smoothly. They include an executive director, a food service director, an office manager, a program director, a caretaker, and a person who helps with donations and communication. There's even an archives manager who looks after the camp's history!
When is Camp Open?
The camp usually opens for a special weekend around Memorial Day. During this time, campers can stay for free if they help get the camp ready for the summer season. After a week of training for the summer staff, the camp starts its main summer programs. Most of these are "family weeks," where whole families can come and enjoy the camp together.
After Labor Day weekend, the camp continues to host retreats until October. Then, it closes down for the winter.
Images for kids
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A beautiful sunset over Lake Michigan from Camp Arcadia.
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The Wigwam building at Camp Arcadia, Michigan, facing east.
