Lake valley camp

Lake Valley Camp is the residential camp site for the PEAK Initiative, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It hosts overnight sessions for 3rd through 12th graders, offering activities like boating, swimming, archery, and horseback riding. The camp operates as part of a year-round program that also includes day camps in Milwaukee and specialty camps like Bike Camp.

The camp is located at Lake Valley Camp in Boscobel, Wisconsin, serving as the overnight residential site for the PEAK Initiative. It is distinct from the Milwaukee-based day camps, which cater to younger children (3rd-8th grade) with STEAM activities and community exploration. This separation allows for specialized programming, with the residential camp focusing on independent living skills and identity exploration in a diverse community.

Registration priority is given to previous participants, students attending partner schools, and residents of the Midtown neighborhood, though any Milwaukee resident youth can apply. Families must submit a refundable deposit of $10 per week of camp, which can be paid in-person or online but not by mail. Once a young person successfully attends camp, the deposit is refunded to the family.

The camp offers a wide variety of activities including boating, swimming, archery, field games, fishing, hiking, nature studies, stargazing, creative and performing arts, horseback riding, and team building. These programs are centered around experiential learning to provide a well-rounded experience that engages youth in hands-on fun and social-emotional learning growth.

Some reviewers say the camp provides a magical atmosphere with beautiful surroundings that create a memorable summer experience. They also praise the attentive and friendly staff who ensure campers feel safe, cared for, and right at home. Many families note that the wide range of activities ensures there is never a dull moment.

The camp operates on a seasonal schedule, with external building usage unavailable from May 22nd to September 30th due to high programming season. It will resume hosting external building usage starting October 1st. This schedule reflects the camp's active period for its summer programming.

The camp serves youth from 3rd grade through 12th grade, with day camp options specifically for 3rd through 8th graders. The residential camp is open to 3rd through 12th graders, allowing older students to practice independent living skills alongside younger peers.

The camp is part of the Kellogg PEAK Initiative, which has served thousands of youth through its programs since its founding in 2019. The organization is led by a team including an Executive Director and Directors of Camp Operations and Camp Programs, ensuring structured leadership development.

The camp provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for its residents, ensuring that food is fully covered during their stay. This is part of the comprehensive experience designed to support independent living skills and social-emotional growth.

The camp is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with a stated mission to bring out limitless potential in young leaders. It explicitly does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

The camp offers a refundable deposit policy to secure spots, with deposits made at the time of registration. This financial term helps manage resources while ensuring that families can recover their funds if their child successfully attends camp.

The camp's website states that the P-E-A-K stands for a commitment to long-term engagement and character development spanning from age 7 to adulthood. This philosophy drives their approach to leadership development using best practices in social-emotional learning and experiential education.

The camp has a clear policy regarding external building usage, reserving the facility for its own high programming season from May 22nd to September 30th. This scheduling ensures that the camp can maintain its high-quality programming without external interruptions during peak summer months.

The camp provides an Ultimate Guide in the spring to inform families about what to pack for resident camp. This proactive communication helps ensure that campers are prepared for the specific activities and living conditions they will experience.

The official website of Lake valley camp is lakevalleycamp.org.