Friends of Camp Batawagama

Camp Batawagama - Official Site

Tentative Dates for the 2023 Camping Season:

Staff Orientation - June 10 - 13
Senior Days - June 14 - 16
Band Camp - June 18 - 24
Week 1 - June 25 - July 1
Week 2 - July 2 - 8
Week 3 - July 9 - 15
Week 4 - July 16 - 22
Week 5 - July 23 - 29

Registration instructions will be posted here:

Camp Batawagama - Official Site Camp Batawagama is one of the most popular youth camps in Iron County, Michigan. The fun experiences had here last a life time.

FOCB Meeting will be Saturday, Oct. 8th from 9am-Noon in Iron River, Michigan.

Our concert starts at 3:00 p.m. central time today at Friends Hall!

Do you see what I see?

CRYSTAL FALLS — Voters in the county will be asked in November to renew a half-mill levy for funding the Iron County Youth Camp from 2023 through 2026.

The Iron County Board earlier this month authorized placing the .5 mill measure, or 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable property value, on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Camp Batawagama is at 909 Pentoga Trail on Indian Lake, off County Road 424 west of Alpha and east of Gaastra. The camp was established in 1945 by “two Iron County educators who were committed to creating an outdoor education experience for young people; a place they could come to learn camping skills and how to work together all while sharing an appreciation for the wilderness,” according to the Camp Batawagama website.

Friends of Camp Batawagama updated their address.

Friends of Camp Batawagama updated their address.

Campers have returned to the Iron County Youth Camp. The songs, friendships, outdoor adventures, campfires, lifelong lessons, and magical times are back at Indian Lake.

Friends of Camp Batawagama, a non-profit organization continues to work to enhance the infrastructure at camp. You may remember our “Caring for Camp Fundraiser” that began in November 2020 to support the new bathroom building project for the boy campers. As you can imagine, the costs of materials for this bathroom project have increased significantly in the last two years. With construction finishing this month, we are asking you to make a gift to bring this project across the finish line.

This project will have a huge impact on present and future generations of campers. Camp has raised 80% of the funds needed to complete this project and with your help, we are hoping to raise the remaining 20%.

Donations of $250 or more to this phase of the fundraiser will receive a plaque in Friends Hall.

The previous boy camper bathroom will be reused as a staff bathroom facility. The new C-Unit bathroom is being constructed on the site where the old staff bathroom stood.

Please help us continue to preserve the magic of Camp Batawagama.

Sincerely,
The Friends of Camp Batawagama Board 2022

CLICK HERE TO DONATE: http://www.friendsofcampbatawagama.com/donations-and-shopping.html

Open spots available at popular UP summer camp for kids 10-16

Spread the word!

Open spots available at popular UP summer camp for kids 10-16 Camp Batawagama is in Iron County on the shores of beautiful Indian Lake.

We are taking registrations for the Friends of Camp Batawagama 4-Person Golf Scramble. Please share this post with your favorite golfers.

Iron County Youth Camp - Online Payments

Camp Batawagama is now taking CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD AND E-CHECK PAYMENTS. If you have a camper that is attending camp this summer, save some time on drop-off day and get everything paid for AHEAD of time. Follow this link to pay for your camper's registration, camper t-shirt, and/or canteen book. https://client.pointandpay.net/web/ironcountyyouthcamp

Iron County Youth Camp - Online Payments Please complete the form below. When finished, click the Continue button and you will be asked to review the information for accuracy before your payment is processed.

The FOCB Board met this past weekend & had a very productive meeting! We are so happy that Camp will be open this summer!

update - - "Camp is so very appreciative and thankful for the continued support of DACF and its' most generous donors that donate financially to DACF to benefit organizations like ours and invest in our children! Over the last seven years, Camp has received over $16,000 in grant monies that have allowed us to purchase many items that we normally would not be able to afford such as - many new tents for overnights, a new fleet of ocean kayaks, life jackets, a new fleet of paddle boards, a new swim raft, arts & crafts items, and many other things. These items greatly improve the experience for campers and will continue to benefit campers for many years to come. We are so very grateful for our partnership with DACF, it's staff and most importantly, the donors that continue to invest in our future - our children. We could not provide the experiences that we do without DACF. Thank-you so very much!!"

Even though we have been a little quiet, lots of things have been happening at camp. A huge THANK YOU to Dickinson Area Community Foundation and the Forest Park Student Advisory Board for the 2021 grant which enabled Camp Batawagama to purchase 24 four-man Mountain Smith tents. Campers can assembly these dome tents In under five minutes. These tents come with a lifetime warranty and a waterproof "bathtub" floor. These tents will be a great addition to the camping program In 2022.
www.facebook.com/forgoodforever

Join us in August!! Forms available here: http://www.friendsofcampbatawagama.com/golf-outing.html

: Here's a new drawing of the new boys camper bathroom! Please make a donation and share this link to our GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-future-of-camp-batawagama

Please consider making a $25 donation!

CLICK HERE: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-future-of-camp-batawagama

#CaringForCamp Batawagama (ICYC), organized by Andrew LaCombe

Friends we need your help sharing our GoFund Me. We were hoping for 1000 donors to donate $25 from Nov. 25 to Dec. 25th. Please share this post and tag some friends and family that share your love of Camp Batawagama.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-future-of-camp-batawagama?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet

gofundme.com Take a second and think about the magic of summer camp: the songs, outdoor adventures… Andrew LaCombe needs your support for Batawagama (ICYC)

#CaringForCamp Batawagama (ICYC), organized by Andrew LaCombe

We are about one-third of the way to our goal for this fundraiser! Please consider a donation on this 😍

gofundme.com Take a second and think about the magic of summer camp: the songs, outdoor adventures… Andrew LaCombe needs your support for Batawagama (ICYC)

Friends of Camp Batawagama's cover photo

#CaringForCamp Batawagama (ICYC), organized by Andrew LaCombe

: By December 25, we would like 1,000 people to donate $25 to support the construction of a new bathroom building for our boy campers. Read more and donate here!

gofundme.com Take a second and think about the magic of summer camp: the songs, outdoor adventures… Andrew LaCombe needs your support for Batawagama (ICYC)

Camp Batawagama just posted more pictures of improvements that happened this summer. Check out www.campbatawagama.com for more pictures!

ALL ABOARD…2020 GRANT NEWS!
UPDATES FROM THE FOCB PRESIDENT, MARY MCCREARY

The Dickinson Area Community Foundation and the Forest Park Student Advisory Board awarded a grant to the Friends of Camp Batawagama for the purchase of six Isle paddle boards and twelve REI life jackets.

Twelve REI life jackets arrived at the Youth Camp in February of 2020. Six “Cruiser” paddle boards arrived recently at Batawagama from California on a snowy October morning. The “Cruiser” paddle boards could not be ordered until this fall because the company was temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Brian was able to negotiate a great price for the six boards which included paddles, ankle safety straps, and free shipping from California,. a savings of $550. Camp now has a total of twelve “Cruiser” paddle boards made possible by the Friends of Camp Batawagama .

The “Cruiser” model paddle board is one of Isle’s most popular. It is super durable and weighs only 28 lbs. The board has a full soft deck pad making it a great choice for all skill levels from recreational paddling to surf-board yoga. The “Cruiser” comes equipped with a six- point bungee system for holding gear and lunch for those summer Indian Lake adventures

Thank You! Denise for writing this grant for the Friends. Thank You! Brian for researching and ordering the boards and life jackets for Friends. Thank You! Dickinson Area Community Foundation and Forest Park Student Advisory Board for awarding this grant to the Friends of Camp Batawagama and all future Batawagama Campers.


FOCB NEWEST GRANT NEWS!

On November 2, 2020 we received notification that a Grant written by Denise Maloney was awarded to Friends of Camp Batawagama by the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund. This grant will enable us to purchase of 18 REI backpacks. These backpacks had been listed for $150. Brian was able to get them for $59 each. This will be a great addition to Camp’s outdoor camping program. Thank you again to Denise for writing this grant!

Check out Camp Batawagama's website, www.campbatawagama.com, to see the descriptions of what work was done this summer at Iron County Youth Camp.

This gave me a good chuckle!!

Do your eyes fool you?

Even though camp was unable to host campers in the summer of 2020, much needed work was done.

This photo reminds me of the time, out at Hunter's Point, staying up all night just watching the Stars, Shooting Stars and telling stories!! Great times!!

Camp Batawagama canceled for first time in 75 years

Thank you Andrew! https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Camp-Batawagama-canceled-for-first-time-in-75-years-570004641.html?jwsource=cl

uppermichiganssource.com This will be the first summer in 75 years that Batawagama will not be able to share its summer program with the citizens of Iron County and the many campers from across the country.

Camp Batawagama - Official Site

Please check out www.campbatawagama.com for the official word on this summer's programs.

campbatawagama.com Camp Batawagama is one of the most popular youth camps in Iron County, Michigan. The fun experiences had here last a life time.

Check out Camp Batawagama's website today for Andrew LaCombe's Tribute to John Denver's Today.

Friends - check out some awesome videos by Matt and Adel on campbatawagama.com

Camp Batawagama - Official Site

Please visit www.campbatawagama.com to find out about how Camp is dealing with the coronavirus. Stay safe and healthy.

campbatawagama.com Camp Batawagama is one of the most popular youth camps in Iron County, Michigan. The fun experiences had here last a life time.

BTW - If you haven't requested camp registration forms do so asap. Get them mailed back as soon as possible. To request forms either call 906-265-4476 and leave name, address and number of forms you need or email [email protected]. Camp starts getting full by the last week in March!

Leaves of Giving - Friends of Camp Batawagama

We had a FABULOUS and EXCITING Board of Directors meeting this weekend. We have a golf outing planned for Sunday, August 23rd at Youngs. A dinner and dance planned at camp on Saturday, July 11th.
More info to come on those events. We've also updated out website so that you can become a member of Friends of Camp Batawagama easier than ever. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgeYw-SOOvZHTeUJ18M-YUgX8mZ4uMroqGbhL-g7Vkrf0WSw/viewform?usp=sf_link

docs.google.com

National Meatball Day!!

Woody and his oldest boys cabin's two night overnight for week 2! Saches to Florence via the Brule River.

Lifejackets purchased through a Dickinson-Iron Community Foundation Grant. Adam is modeling the new jackets for us.

A little ride on the boat and saw some happy kids!

The Sentimental Journeys concert was a success. Thank you to Matt, Andrew, and Adam for all the time and talent. Thank you to the Batawagama staff for coming to support Friends and for everyone else coming to support and sing along with everyone.

Come one, come all. Take a Sentimental Journey with Matt, Adam, and Andrew and current staff. Join in our sing-a-long. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 17 and under. Free-will donations accepted.

Fireworks at Indian Lake

July 5th fireworks

Boom day all camp dance.

What a great day. Now on to the dance and then fireworks. 🎆🎇