100 Years of Changing Childhoods
100 Years of Changing Childhoods
Since 1916, Pretty Lake Camp has provided a totally free summer camp for more than 50,000 youth in the Kalamazoo County area who could benefit the most from the experience. No family pays to attend this nonprofit camp and everything is provided for them – from toothbrushes to clothing to transportation.
Pretty Lake relies on financial and in-kind donations from friends, donors and foundations to help support our core mission; to provide life-changing experiences through free summer camp and experiential learning. Our vision is that experiences at Pretty Lake will build stronger communities and a more just, inclusive and compassionate world. Our future goals are to enhance our educational component and reduce generational poverty.
Pretty Lake also provides the community with year round services such as facilities rentals and programming through the Adventure Centre, as one of Southwest Michigan’s leaders in providing outdoor team building and leadership training.
Summer at Pretty Lake
Summer camp can be a powerful experience in a child’s life. It can be a time to explore, laugh, learn and develop independence. Pretty Lake Camp provides a unique residential camp experience that resonates with children throughout their lifetime.
Children are selected to attend our camp based on need – whether financial, social or emotional. During their time here, campers are given the chance to be outdoors, play, try new activities, learn to swim, have fun, and meet new people. All of this helps to build a child’s self-esteem, independence, skills, and ability to care for others.
Making Memories
At Pretty Lake Camp, camp life is all about making friends, trying new activities and having fun; that is what summer dreams are made of! Kayaking under the blue sky; singing by the campfire; jumping into the refreshing lake; learning how to make a lanyard; hiking through the woods; aiming an arrow at a target… each day is full of new adventures. As you can see, whether on land or water, there’s an incredible variety of experiences to choose from, every one of them exciting and enriching.
News from Pretty Lake Camp
The Great Lakes Men’s Knitting Retreat Returns
The first weekend in November brought the Great Lakes Men's Knitting Retreat to Pretty Lake for four day and three nights of creativity for the third year in a row! The Retreat brought 19 participants staying overnight in the Retreat Centre, many of whom opted to use...
Fall Appeal Letter 2023
We recently sent out our Fall Appeal. You can read the full letter from our CEO, Eric Wimbley, below or view the PDF here. Please check it out and consider donating to support our mission of providing free summer camp to the youth of the Kalamazoo area. You can...
Regional Musicians Return to Pretty Lake
During the last weekend of September, Pretty Lake Camp welcomed back PRF Campout for 3 days of music, poetry, and outdoor fun for the Seventh Year! The group gathered around 60 individuals, all bringing their own unique artistic talent to share with one another. Bands...
Children in our programs
Campers this Summer
Become a Donor Today
Become a Donor Today
Map & Directions to Pretty Lake Camp
Where is Pretty Lake Camp located?
Pretty Lake Camp is located just ten minutes from Kalamazoo (southwest of the I-94/US-131 interchange) on Q Avenue in Texas Township.