Bond that Binds Us Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign Goal = $6.6 Million

Thank you to those who have made a capital gift and those considering making a capital gift to keep Clearwater strong for future generations of campers and counselors. From Fall 2023 through March 27, 2026, you have contributed $5.4 million (82% of the $6.6 million goal), and we have completed the first two portages of the master site plan. We seek to secure the final $1.2 million by the end of this year so that we can properly plan and build the final portages of the plan.

If you donate today, a generous, long-time supporter will double your gifts up to $500,000!

Please watch the recording of our latest Town Hall to learn more about our next portages and how you can support this important strategic initiative. Your support will build Clearwater’s future and continue our mission for many generations to come.

Today’s girls need a place like Clearwater to literally unplug from the world and leave the pressures of school and sports behind so they can flourish and “grow in purposeful maturity” (a favorite quote from Halokwe). Clearwater campers deserve the best programming, and this requires high-quality facilities and grounds. We have created a plan to meet the needs and safety of campers now and into the future without compromising the values and traditions of Clearwater, and now we ask you to consider making a significant capital gift toward the Bond that Binds Us Campaign. Your support is pivotal on this journey to strengthen Clearwater’s future.

Halokwe, Sunny, and all of the women who over our history have nurtured Clearwater’s enduring value for girls and young women will be proud that this legacy will continue. With the community’s support, we ensure many more generations will learn, grow, sing, and make lifetime memories and friendships in our lovely Northwoods paradise on Tomahawk Lake.

Campaign History & Progress Updates

We officially launched our capital campaign, The Bond that Binds Us: Building Clearwater’s Future in early 2024 to fund the master site plan.

One hundred thirty-six capital donors made the first two portages possible, and several donors made an early investment in the future portages. We are deeply humbled by the generosity of our community, who have donated $5.35+ million (81% of the $6.6 million goal) today. Now we need the help of our entire community to secure the final $1.3 million of the goal so we can complete the entire master site plan. We invite all members of our community to join the Bond That Binds Us Capital Campaign with a donation that will be doubled by a generous donor who will match all gifts up to $500,000.

All donors who make a capital gift before camp ends on August 6th will become members of the Coffee Cake Club in honor of Clearwater’s famous Sunday coffee cake. Stay tuned for more perks, but just know, if you come to see our upgraded dining hall on a Sunday, we will have some delicious coffee cake waiting for you fresh from our brand-new ovens! Maybe you can even request which coffee cake recipe you prefer!

It is important to secure all the required capital funds by the end of this fiscal year (October 31, 2026) so that we can properly plan and execute the many steps involved in the construction process (i.e., securing permits, scheduling contractors, purchasing building supplies and furnishings, and building in the off-season).

Portage #1 Projects 

$2.4 Million secured! Completed and enjoyed by campers and counselors in summer 2024!

Initial fundraising efforts began in the fall of 2022 by meeting with those who could expedite an initial round of priority capital projects with their significant personal donations. These donors provided $2.4 million for the first “portage” and construction was completed on the following projects during the off-season before Clearwater’s Opening Day in 2024. You can read more about this portage in our July Site Plan Sparks.

• Mainstay, the new Welcome Center, is a beautiful new focus when you drive into camp. It houses a welcome center office, the camp store, nurses’ quarters, exam rooms, and an infirmary. A large new storm shelter on the lower level doubles as a great space for rainy-day activities

• Backstay, our new maintenance facilities near the riding ring.

• Increased green space on the waterfront and behind the swamp for expanded programming. We still have “Tennis Court” supper here on Sundays!

• New multi-purpose sports courts for tennis, pickleball, and basketball.

Portage #2: Staff Housing 

$550,000 secured for 2 new staff cabins used in summer 2025

August 2025 Update: THANK YOU, Clearwater Community, for your generous response to the $150,000 challenge in Fall 2024! We now have two new staff cabins that were used by senior staff this summer.

While our traditional college-aged counselors remain an important key to our success, we would like to expand the depth of our summer team, and this would require additional staff housing. Previously, our staff housing options were more communal and did not allow staff members to bring a partner or child to camp with them. Now that we can offer a more family-friendly option, we know of multiple alumni who would happily return to work at camp. This upgrade to staff housing allows us to fill very important leadership positions requiring more maturity and life experience than our younger staff members can offer, thus elevating the camp experience for everyone. Additionally, having more adults at camp creates a more balanced staff culture and provides more opportunities for mentorship and guidance for our younger generations of counselors, which is always a need.

We will build more staff cabins in future portages of the plan. To more about this portage, please read our Site Plan Sparks.

Future Portages

approximately $3.6 million required

Join us Wednesday March 18, 2026 for a virtual town hall to learn more about our next portages.

• Expanding the Mains’l (the dining hall) so that campers and staff have more room to comfortably eat, enjoy one another’s company, and continue traditional after-meal singing! This will include adding a porch and additional mainland bathrooms.
• Re-building and expanding the early 1900’s kitchen to modern standards, as well as to ensure safety and longevity as the wear and tear of so many years has taken a toll.
• Shoring up the area between Mains’l and the Deck, creating new activity space.
• Upgrading the storm shelter and reinforcing the shoreline on the island.
• Expanding program offerings by adding a wetlands classroom.
• Adding 2-4 more new staff cabins.

Read more details on our Master Site Plan page.

Every donor is an important partner in our mission to foster confidence, courage, compassion, and community – four points on Clearwater’s compass – by providing a traditional sleepaway camp experience for girls. You help us achieve camp’s vision to provide the Clearwater Camp experience to as many girls as possible –because we know it makes a difference in their lives and they will make a difference in the world. 

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.