Contact Us | Where are we located? 

Camp History

1900-1919

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 to their own tenting area on Lake Keesus from Beaver Lake

1912 - First multi-purpose building constructed ("Won Hon Ta"). It includes a combination kitchen; dining hall; five wings for sleeping quarters for ten boys each; single staff quarters for five; and a staff library for planning

1912 - Camp Whitcomb receives another donation of 18.07 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Rogers--camp now totals 26 acres

 

 
 
1920-1939

1926 - Gift of 13 acres donated by Mr. and Mrs. John J Hansen - total acreage now 39

1939 - First campers' cabin built ("Kangi Bloko") 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.

 
 
1940-1959
 1941 - Joint Council No. 200 of Truck Drivers Union gave funds to construct; "Una Li-Ya" Lodge (House of Friendship). Facilities contain a large fireplace and floor area to hold entire camp for indoor programs during inclement weather. This was the first instance of any labor organization actively supporting the work of a social agency.
1947 - The first of eighteen cabins is built and named Apache Cabin--each with a fireplace, screened porch, quarters for eight campers and two staff.
1950 - Day camp program started for boys not emotionally ready for overnight camping
1950 - Winter camping activities implemented for weekends and school holidays
1950 - Swimming pool and camp caretaker's lodge built
1951 - Bert Loock Health Lodge dedicated
1952 - Camping for diabetic boys initiated; only camp in Wisconsin offering two-week camp periods to diabetics
1957 - Forty acres of land donated to Camp Whitcomb in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Thompson by their daughter. This expanse is known as the "Henry M. Thompson Woods."
 
 
1960-1979
 1962 - "Bradley Nature Crafts lodge" dedicated
1966 - Camp Elliott B. Mason established--purchase of 150 acres of land contiguous to Camp Whitcomb
1968 - Camp Elliot B. Mason opened and operating as teenage camp for boys during the summer months
1969 - Walter H. Stiemke Lodge built in Camp Mason
1970 - Teipel Family Woodcraft Lodge and Henoch Nature Study Lodge dedicated
 
1980-1999

1986 - Name officially changed to "Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee"

1990 - Camp Whitcomb/Mason receives national award for Program Excellence for the Frontiers Program

1991 - Camp Whitcomb/Mason receives national award for Program Excellence, merit award for Chick Squad

1992 - Camp Whitcomb/Mason receives national award for Program Excellence, for the Discovery Zone Environmental Education Program

1992 - First annual Camp Whitcomb/Mason Triathlon

1993 - Camp Whitcomb/Mason receives national award for Program Excellence, for the Friends of Riverside Park Program

1994 - James Retreat/Conference Center constructed

1994 - Kadish Environmental education center dedicated

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

 

2000-present

2007 - Growing Power and Camp Whitcomb/Mason embarked upon

          a cooperative project involving a piece of camp land transformed

          into an organic farm
 
 

 


 
Jobs | Map & Directions | CONTACT US

@2009-2010, Camp Whitcomb/Mason, All Rights Reserved.