Capital Campaign

• View Photo Gallery of Current Projects
• Download a Capital Campaign Brochure
• Download Camp Lakewood Letter/Pledge Card
• Download Trout Lodge Letter/Pledge Card

Help us Build the Future of YMCA Camp Lakewood

It’s an exciting time to be at YMCA Camp Lakewood. We’re building on our rich history of serving kids ages 5-17 while planning for a bright future. YMCA of the Ozarks/ Trout Lodge & Camp Lakewood is a branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, which purchased our original 120-acre tract of land and cabins in 1946. The 360-acre lake, built a year later by Joseph Sunnen, made the creation of the camp possible. Today, the campus encompasses more than 5,200 acres of forest-covered hills in the Mark Twain National Forest. 3,000 campers gather at YMCA Camp Lakewood year after year, to enjoy the natural environment, to learn new skills and build self-esteem, to appreciate nature and grow in spirit, mind and body.

In keeping with our mission, the YMCA has always responded to the needs of those we serve, whether by building the camp itself, expanding our property, adding cabins, programs or staff. It is time now to answer new needs and ensure that the Camp Lakewood experience is accessible for all. The projects we have planned will carry us forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring that all children can enjoy the natural gifts of this unique area. We invite you to join us at this exciting time and help us build our future by purchasing a tile, which will be prominently displayed in Lakewood Lodge.

Projects that we are embarking on include:

• Building a new 2,000 square foot Nature Center, which will provide classroom space for learning about animals and their natural habitat.
• Renovating Lakewood Lodge, to make it accessible to campers of all abilities. Adding a new amphitheater and flagpole will increase opportunities for activities and social space.
• Providing campers with a better swimming and boating experience by renovating the entire waterfront area.
• Building three new accessible cabins and widening walkways to ensure all can participate.
• Renovating Center Hall into prime indoor program space.

Today we are called to provide for future generations, as those who came before provided for us. To do so, we have launched our Building Stronger, Healthier Communities capital campaign, to raise $5 million for YMCA of the Ozarks/Camp Lakewood & Trout Lodge. These funds will enable us to preserve what is beautiful, remodel what must be improved and build what can be added to enhance current structures—all to better serve the needs of today’s children and families.