Project Description

Fresh off a sizzling summer of fun, Camp Helen Brachman is gearing up for a white winter full of even more delights for Milwaukee’s children. COA looks forward to our upcoming Winter Camp session from December 28th-30th. Camp continues to be a life-changing experience where kids learn about the great outdoors as well as themselves and others!

Summer Highlights:

During the summer of 2018 – COA’s 113th summer of camp – 280 children came to COA’s Camp Helen Brachman (CHB) in Almond, WI over three 12-day sessions and one 6-day session. 34% of these children were attending summer camp for the first time! Each day, campers got to explore nature, make new friends, meet counselors from around the world, eat healthy foods, read, and participate in fun activities that helped them bond with themselves, their communities, and the environment. Kids got to kayak, swim, bike, canoe, hike, go on nature walks, play sports, build campfires, and many more exciting activities. This year, counselors came from places like South Africa, Mexico, and Egypt! 98% of campers needed and received scholarships to attend camp. Hundreds of children had life-changing experiences at CHB. One child named Amber (name changed for privacy) particularly blossomed at camp:

“Over time, Amber forged close friendships and even became close with her counselors.”

When Amber first came to CHB for a 12-day session, she did not want to be there. She sulked during meals and didn’t want to spend the night. As days went on, Amber participated in arts and crafts, outdoor play, and swim lessons. Amber began to open up and talk more with her cabin mates. Over time, Amber forged close friendships and even became close with her counselors. She even learned how to swim! A few weeks after the camp session ended, CHB counselors were shocked to receive a letter in the mail. It was from Amber. She wrote: “I just want to thank you for inviting me to your camp. When I first went at first I didn’t like it but all that changed…All the counselors were amazing, they were also fun…Thank you for having me.”

Winter Camp:

The fun at Camp Helen Brachman doesn’t stop when temperatures drop. From Friday, December 28th to Sunday, December 30th, CHB will host its annual Winter Camp. Located on 200 acres of beautiful land and water in Central Wisconsin, during the winter time CHB becomes a snow and ice covered oasis! Campers will get to explore a winter wonderland complete with sledding, snowboarding, cozy campfires, arts & crafts, ice skating, snow sculpture, and lots more fantastic winter fun. Winter Camp is open to youth ages 8-15 years old. Registration is open until December 1st.

Click here for more information on Winter Camp at Camp Helen Brachman.