For over 70 years, Big Wood Lake has been home to faith-based, nonprofit youth camps. These camps provide educational programming and spiritual development to kids, their counselors, and staff from Burnett County and the surrounding region. The impact of these camps on the lake is modest: campers come primarily in the summertime for on-site programming, swimming, canoeing, campfires, and group pontoon rides.

“Wood Lake Camp and RV, LLC” is seeking to convert 234 acres of the former Wood Lake Bible Camp (also known as the Baptist Camp) into a commercial recreational campground. While the overall development plan remains unclear, preliminary drawings include 90+ RV lots, 25+ tent / RV lots, and 27+ short-term rental trailers. This represents a dramatic, sudden, and potentially irreversible shift:

• This commercial development of Wood Lake is not consistent with Burnett County’s 2010 comprehensive plan for land use.
• The year-round population on the lake could more than double (there are 163 residences currently).
• The impact on the lake, adjacent wetlands, and surrounding roads has not been studied.
• The cost of providing emergency services to the area (police, fire, and other first responders) will increase.
• The campground noise on the south end of the lake would disturb residents and wildlife.

We the undersigned request a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study for the redevelopment of parcels formerly owned by Wood Lake Bible Camp (234 acres). Without a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study, we oppose any conditional use permits or changes in zoning that would convert the former camp into a commercial recreational campground.

Once you've signed the petition please, join the Concerned Citizens of Big Wood Lake Facebook group for ongoing updates and other ways to stay involved.