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The
earliest record of a WELS sponsored camp dates back to 1951 when
Camp Whitewater opened between St. Charles and Weaver,
Minnesota. Camp Whitewater focused on growth in faith and
knowledge of God's Word as well as Christian fellowship.
When Camp Whitewater was destroyed by a summer storm, it was
decided that another camp would be founded in the Minnesota area.
A
camp located on the Wisconsin side of Interstate Park across from
Taylor's Falls became available and was briefly considered.
The location of the camp was close to the Twin Cities, was
surrounded by beautiful scenery, interesting hiking trails and a
supervised beach - there was a problem though. The
buildings and equipment were in terrible condition.
Interstate Park had been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps,
a work program initiated by President Roosevelt during World War
II. The CCC constructed the camp out of native logs but
over time they had been left to deteriorate. Later, the
camp fell into complete disrepair and was officially closed.
At
this time, the St. Croix Conference began to discuss the
possibility of purchasing a camp rather than renting one.
The Conference felt that by purchasing a camp, the facilities
could be made available to groups and organizations all summer
long. The St. Croix Conference turned down an opportunity
to purchase Interstate Park for the price of "one
dollar" because it was so run down.
In
1958, Camp Croix changed locations and operated a summer camp at
Camp Tipi Wakan on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, one mile south
of Spring Park, Minnesota. The Christian "Disciples of
Christ" Churches of Minnesota had owned and operated this
camp for about twelve years. The camp location was
convenient being accessible from all points and had the added
advantage of being on the Greyhound bus route. Busses
passed by the camp several times each day.
In
1960, Camp Croix was relocated again, this time to Norway
Point. The move was made because of a substantial increase
in fees levied by Camp Tipi Wakan. Norway Point became home
for a number of years until a lack of campers, counselors and
funds plagued the camps existence just as it had through the
1950's. Soon after, the Minnesota State Park Association
began to rent Norway Point to parties based on certain
priorities. Handicapped children, poverty stricken or low
income families and other special interest groups were given
first priority while the church camps received a lower
priority. Again, the St. Croix Conference began looking for
another site.
In
1967, the property that was to became Camp Croix went up for sale
with an asking price of $125,000. In January of 1968, the
owners lowered the asking price to $95,000 and the St. Croix
Conference showed interest in buying it. The camp in question was
initially a Gold Star Mothers Camp. The Gold Star Mothers were a
group of mothers and wives of World War II veterans whose sons
and husbands were either killed during the war or died shortly
thereafter. The camp, which at this time consisted of only the
lodge, was built for them as a place where they could go and
relax. Money for the building of the camp was donated by various
sources, but of special interest was the donation of the camp's
first dock. Hopalong Cassidy donated the dock to the Gold Star
Mothers for their use at the camp. As the members of the Gold
Star Mothers grew older the camp was used less and less
frequently until finally the camp became vacant.
At
this time the area surrounding Camp Croix was occupied mainly by
people from Chicago who came up for the summer to vacation in
their summer cabins. A man who lived in the area talked three men
into investing in this camp for profit. One of the first changes
to the camp was the construction of the cabins which now stand at
the present site with the idea to build tennis courts, riding
stables and all the things many first rate camps had to offer.
These men operated the camp for one season charging approximately
$175.00 per child for a week of camp. After only one season the
camp showed a loss.
The
camp stood idle for two years while Camp Croix continued to
operate at Norway Point. An ad about a summer camp for sale in
Northwest Wisconsin ran in a newspaper and was brought to the
attention of the other committee members. The asking price of the
camp was $70,000. The owner wanted $10,000 as a down payment and
agreed to finance the rest at 6.5% interest with an annual
payment of $5,000 each subsequent year until the balance was paid
in full.
Pastor
Borchardt a Camp Croix committee member had a philosophy about
the camp and his philosophy influenced the other members of the
committee at this time. He said "Central in Camp Croix is
the cross of Christ. Our name, Croix, should be a daily reminder
of what God's Son did for us Christians".
Immediately
the members of the congregations in the conference were excited
about the prospect of owning such a camp and there was a
tremendous push to get the program started. In May of 1968 a
meeting was called at St. Croix Lutheran High School. That day, a
number of men gave written commitments and wrote out checks to
Camp Croix amounting to almost $10,000. The owner of the camp
agreed to accept $10,000 as a down payment on the condition that
the other $5,000 would be paid by the first of December. In May
of 1968 they purchased the camp and Camp Croix had found a
permanent home.
After
the purchase of the camp, many improvements were made to the
facilities. The athletic field as it stands today is twice the
size it was in 1969. The plumbing, insulation and rewiring were
done on the lodge, construction of the Athletic Building was
done, and painting of several cabins had been done.
The
camp operated for years by the hard work of the Camp Croix Board
and the labor and supplies donated by the congregations and
organizations of the St. Croix Conference. There is also a sense
of pride and accomplishment that goes along with the development
of the camp.
By
1986 the property was paid for in full. In 1994-1995, a new
"Red Cross" building was constructed. This building is
probably the most extensive building project Camp Croix has ever
undertaken. Camp Croix has truly been a spiritual blessing for
the children of the St. Croix Conference, and a wonderful
facility for the recreation of its congregations.
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