Agreement reached with Concerned Citizens and Wood Lake Camp & Retreat
JOINT PRESS RELEASE WOOD LAKE CAMP & RETREAT CONCERNED CITIZENS OF BIG WOOD LAKE DATE: FEB. 17, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRANTSBURG — Wood Lake Camp & Retreat (WLCR) announces plans to apply for two new conditional use permits for the former Baptist camp located on Big Wood Lake. The applications seek to 1) use approximately 179 acres of the total 234-acre property as a Christian Recreational and Educational (Rec Ed) Camp for youth, families and community groups and 2) use the remaining land (approximately 57 acres) for community events centered on the oldest Baptist church in Wisconsin.
WLCR has worked together with the Concerned Citizens of Big Wood Lake (CCoBWL) to address the group’s concerns and develop the details of these conditional use permits.
Rec Ed Camp – 179 Acres
The Rec Ed Camp will operate on the lakefront property, the two parcels to the south (including shoreline along Peterson Lake), and an additional 80 acres to the west of Big Wood Lake. The Rec Ed Camp will be operated by a non-profit entity. The camp’s mission statement is:
Supporting Christian Faiths through partnerships with the community to promote and strengthen our bonds with Christ and with each other. Bringing like-minded people together to worship and encourage others in a camp setting.
The application includes details on camp renovations to be completed, activities to be offered, stormwater runoff management plans, and lighting and minimizing light pollution. The application also addresses other aspects of how the property will be used and operated. In particular, the application states that the 12 campsites that were part of the former bible camp will be used by volunteers, staff, and family campers while at the Rec Ed Camp. These campsites will not be open to the general public.
Any other plans to build an RV park have been abandoned.
The application also includes a comprehensive plan outlining future development of the property. Once camp is up and running, WLCR will explore expanding camp and building additional camper cabins on the west 80 acres to add capacity for more kids and youth campers over time.
Historic Church Property – 57 Acres
The oldest standing Baptist church in Wisconsin is located on part of the property now owned by WLCR. The church was built around 1870 and moved to the camp sometime in the 1970’s. WLCR has been working with Leif Erickson, a representative of the local Baptist churches, to renovate the historic church and update the property.
The property will be used for community events such as local church picnics, family reunions, weddings, and graduations in addition to continuing to support some activities of the Rec Ed camp. In the past, the property has not had bathroom facilities, limiting its use by local churches.
Minor renovations will be done to the historic church to preserve it for future generations. Two existing buildings will have bathrooms installed and will be available as multi-purpose buildings for activities like bible studies, prayer groups, small groups, etc. In addition, a new assembly hall and pavilion will be constructed on the property to allow for larger group events. The application states the maximum capacity of the property is 150-200.
Additional detail is provided in the CUP applications.
If you have been following the former bible camp, you know that it has been a long road to where we are now. WLCR and the CCoBWL are committed to working closely together to address the community’s concerns over the future of the property in addition to mending relationships that started out on the wrong foot.
“We are encouraged to know that the community wants the same positive outcome that we want: a thriving Christian camp for youth and families. We are committed to working closely both with local churches and with the Concerned Citizens group to achieve this vision,” said Patrick Kinsella, owner of WLCR.
“Wood Lake Bible Camp had a special place in my heart as I was born and raised in the area. I am excited to get camp up and running again for future generations,” said Judith Kinsella, owner of WLCR.
“It’s exciting to have a plan where the camp, the neighborhood, local churches, and the lake can all thrive. We are committed to working with Wood Lake Camp & Retreat to preserve Big Wood Lake and the tradition of Christian youth camps on the lake for generations to come,” said Patrick Hansen, chair of CCoBWL.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
For questions about WLCR and the CUP applications, contact Samantha Langenbach, woodlakecampwi@gmail.com
For questions about CCoBWL, contact Patrick Hansen, protectbigwoodlake@gmail.com