To: The Bishop of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask for your attention and intervention regarding the future of Camp Michigamme.
The recommendation to close and sell Camp Michigamme has generated significant concern among churches, campers, volunteers, alumni, donors, and others who have supported this ministry for generations. When the matter was presented to the Northern Skies District, approximately 60% of those voting did not affirm the recommendation to sell and close the camp.
Since that vote, members of the Camp Michigamme community have worked in good faith to identify alternatives. A substantial Plan of Organization was developed and submitted to District leadership. The community is prepared to establish a new 501(c)(3) organization and launch a large-scale fundraising campaign for the purchase of the property, should these steps be necessary to preserve the camp’s ministry. Should the District choose to forego a sale and continue its involvement with the camp, the community is also prepared to develop alternatives addressing the District’s stated concerns regarding time commitment and financial obligation.
Despite these efforts, Northern Skies District leadership has not engaged in meaningful
collaboration or made a reasonable effort to pursue these alternatives. The Camp Michigamme community has now been informed by District leadership that the property must be listed for sale with a realtor. This approach adds potentially substantial real estate commissions, which would require even greater fundraising without increasing the District’s net proceeds; creates the risk that the property will be sold to a buyer who will end its use as a church camp; and limits the flexibility needed for fundraising.
The sale of Camp Michigamme would be an irreversible decision. Such a decision warrants careful review, particularly in light of the substantial opposition within the District and the willingness of members of the Camp Michigamme community to develop and implement alternatives.
We therefore respectfully ask that you intervene before Camp Michigamme is listed or
sold. We ask that the sale process be paused and that you bring District leadership and
representatives of the Camp Michigamme community together to pursue a path that allows the ministry to continue. This should include consideration of a direct sale to a new or existing nonprofit, alternative ownership and governance structures, and other solutions that address the District’s stated concerns while preserving Camp Michigamme for future generations.
Camp Michigamme represents generations of ministry, service, relationships, and investment by United Methodists and others throughout the Upper Peninsula and beyond. Its future deserves a process equal to the significance and permanence of the decision being made.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
August 15, 2026
23 Comments
I grew up and grew my faith on those grounds. You can truly feel God’s power, love, and presence the moment you step on to that property. He’s in the trees, He’s in the sand. He’s in the water. He’s there.
I grew up here. Met my husband here, was married here. Now I can't even bring my children here. The chapel was named after my relatives. Its my family history. Don't let this place go.
The holy ground at Camp Michigamme led generations to Christ for over a century. We can't let this ministry go! There are so many people out there who need this place.
Camp Michigamme is where I surrendered my life to Christ and received hope and healing from SH.
Went to Camp as a camper, worked at Camp, solidified my relationship with Jesus at Camp, met some incredibly amazing people at Camp...including my wife, got married at Camp, counseled and deaned at Camp, volunteered at Camp... and I just want others to also have those opportunities!
My grandmother, Gertrude (Curtis) Gruber, was one of the first campers to attend Camp Michigamme in 1922.
Some of my best childhood memories were made here. May gods will be done.
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To: The Bishop of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask for your attention and intervention regarding the future of Camp Michigamme.
The recommendation to close and sell Camp Michigamme has generated significant concern among churches, campers, volunteers, alumni, donors, and others who have supported this ministry for generations. When the matter was presented to the Northern Skies District, approximately 60% of those voting did not affirm the recommendation to sell and close the camp.
Since that vote, members of the Camp Michigamme community have worked in good faith to identify alternatives. A substantial Plan of Organization was developed and submitted to District leadership. The community is prepared to establish a new 501(c)(3) organization and launch a large-scale fundraising campaign for the purchase of the property, should these steps be necessary to preserve the camp’s ministry. Should the District choose to forego a sale and continue its involvement with the camp, the community is also prepared to develop alternatives addressing the District’s stated concerns regarding time commitment and financial obligation.
Despite these efforts, Northern Skies District leadership has not engaged in meaningful
collaboration or made a reasonable effort to pursue these alternatives. The Camp Michigamme community has now been informed by District leadership that the property must be listed for sale with a realtor. This approach adds potentially substantial real estate commissions, which would require even greater fundraising without increasing the District’s net proceeds; creates the risk that the property will be sold to a buyer who will end its use as a church camp; and limits the flexibility needed for fundraising.
The sale of Camp Michigamme would be an irreversible decision. Such a decision warrants careful review, particularly in light of the substantial opposition within the District and the willingness of members of the Camp Michigamme community to develop and implement alternatives.
We therefore respectfully ask that you intervene before Camp Michigamme is listed or
sold. We ask that the sale process be paused and that you bring District leadership and
representatives of the Camp Michigamme community together to pursue a path that allows the ministry to continue. This should include consideration of a direct sale to a new or existing nonprofit, alternative ownership and governance structures, and other solutions that address the District’s stated concerns while preserving Camp Michigamme for future generations.
Camp Michigamme represents generations of ministry, service, relationships, and investment by United Methodists and others throughout the Upper Peninsula and beyond. Its future deserves a process equal to the significance and permanence of the decision being made.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
August 15, 2026
23 Comments
Camp Michigamme was the starting point for me in my relationship with the Lord. I know Jesus because of Camp Michigamme and hundreds of teens over my 17 years of youth ministry know Jesus because of the seed that was planted and then cultivated at Camp Michigamme. If it can be saved for the Kingdom then we should do all we can to save it.
I grew up and grew my faith on those grounds. You can truly feel God’s power, love, and presence the moment you step on to that property. He’s in the trees, He’s in the sand. He’s in the water. He’s there.
I grew up here. Met my husband here, was married here. Now I can't even bring my children here. The chapel was named after my relatives. Its my family history. Don't let this place go.
The holy ground at Camp Michigamme led generations to Christ for over a century. We can't let this ministry go! There are so many people out there who need this place.
Camp Michigamme is where I surrendered my life to Christ and received hope and healing from SH.
Went to Camp as a camper, worked at Camp, solidified my relationship with Jesus at Camp, met some incredibly amazing people at Camp...including my wife, got married at Camp, counseled and deaned at Camp, volunteered at Camp... and I just want others to also have those opportunities!
My grandmother, Gertrude (Curtis) Gruber, was one of the first campers to attend Camp Michigamme in 1922.
Some of my best childhood memories were made here. May gods will be done.
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Camp Michigamme was the starting point for me in my relationship with the Lord. I know Jesus because of Camp Michigamme and hundreds of teens over my 17 years of youth ministry know Jesus because of the seed that was planted and then cultivated at Camp Michigamme. If it can be saved for the Kingdom then we should do all we can to save it.