Camp Manito-wish YMCA is a 325-acre quintessential “Up North” Wisconsin youth camp, one of the first in Wisconsin and a model for similar camp facilities across the country. For over 100 years the Camp’s mission has been to “promote physical strength, spiritual growth and a strong commitment to service.”

In 2019, the camp hired MSA to perform a review of approximately 300 feet of shoreline along Boulder Lake that had started to deteriorate, was exhibiting signs of erosion, drainage issues, and causing concerns about undermining some of the historic shoreline infrastructure. The shoreline serves a multitude of camp uses, including acting as a launch pad for outbound camping and paddling excursions. Evaluation of the property revealed some key upgrades that needed to be constructed, which were accomplished in a phased manner.

MSA provided design, engineering and restoration oversight for the project, which was one of the largest in the camp’s 100+ year history. Designs focused on improving stormwater management, mitigating bank erosion, fortifying the camp’s shoreline, and introducing hillside landscape stabilization techniques to prevent further damage and sediment/siltation loads from entering lake waters.

Project elements included replacing a failing wood crib seawall with a combined steel sheet, wood clad and stone boulder shoreline to mitigate erosion; expanding concrete sidewalks for ADA compliance and improved accessibility to the lake; restoring deteriorating historic waterfront steps, stone walls and walkways; updating a boat ramp at Trips Boathouse; renovating the camp Nature Lodge/Sail Shack stairs; and constructing a new service ramp to provide an accessible route from camp housing to activities at the lakefront.

The project required sensitive planning and engineering to protect historic walls, steps and buildings while bringing modern design solutions into operation to prevent further deterioration. Key to success was implementing proper stormwater management. To this end, MSA designed a system to collect runoff from the bluff, lake-edge buildings, new concrete walkways and the boat launch in multiple native-vegetation rain gardens to filter out sediment and possible contaminants prior to entering the pristine waters of Boulder Lake.

Restoration and fortification of Camp Manito-wish is an important piece of the camp’s legacy — providing a safe and sustainable space for youth to gather, grow, and adventure together, as they have done since 1919. MSA is honored to have been a part of it.