History

Camping became a cornerstone of Y programming in 1885 with the aim to provide children with a positive developmental experience through making new friends, building confidence and growing in self-reliance. Those goals still hold true today.

Camp MacLean History

  • January 1940, Mr. and Mrs. M.H. MacLean donate a major gift to the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, expressing their desire that a new camp for boys be constructed in memory of their son, John Bartlett MacLean.
  • June 1940, 214 acres of land on Rockland Lake near Burlington, Wisconsin was purchased from the Consumers Ice Company. Construction of camp lasted through the summer of 1941.
  • The service of Dedication of Camp MacLean was held Sunday, July 27, 1941
  • 1941, first summer of operation, based out of the Austin YMCA branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
  • 1948 through 1952 saw an increase in camp improvements including additional cabins, buildings and landscape improvements
  • Early 1970's saw the combination of boys camp and girls camp into the current co-ed summer program
  • Camp programming expands from summer use only to year-round camping for schools, Indian Guides, churches and scouts
  • Summer Day Camp provided for the Burlington Area

YMCA Camp MacLean - 2011 Fact Sheet

More than 14,100 individuals participated in Camp MacLean programs, representing nearly 26,000 camper nights.

849 campers attended resident summer camp. Each summer over 70% of our camp staff are graduates of MacLean’s two-year Leadership Program.

63 children received scholarships to attend camp.

196 Burlington area youth attended Day Camp.

6,000+ dads, moms, sons, & daughters participated in weekend outings.

6,200+ students & teachers representing 78 schools participated in MacLean’s Outdoor Education Program.

YMCA Camp MacLean hosts Camp Kesem Northwestern whose mission is to provide kids whose parents have or have had cancer with a summer camp experience that gives them a chance to be kids. In 2011, 92 children attended.

YMCA Camp MacLean has an International Partnership with the Hannover YMCA in Germany. Periodic exchanges take place between MacLean and Camp Abbensen.

121 campers and volunteers attended Winter Camp.

Over 100 family members participated in MacLean Family Camp Programs.

Over 750+ attended MacLean's annual Craft Fair. Proceeds send children to summer camp.

MacLean hosted numerous gatherings and sports banquets.

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