Our Vision in Action
Programming
The Friends of Camp Krietenstein believe that the outdoors is one of life's greatest classrooms. Inspired by the educational philosophy of Robert Baden-Powell, we support programs that encourage learning through experience, develop practical outdoor skills, cultivate leadership and self-reliance, promote service to others, and foster a lifelong respect for the natural world.
Our mission is to make these opportunities available to people of all ages by supporting educational, recreational, and conservation-focused initiatives that strengthen individuals, families, and communities while preserving the unique outdoor heritage of Camp Krietenstein.
Our programming and support efforts focus on several areas:
- Outdoor Living Skills – Encouraging educational experiences that teach camping, hiking, outdoor cooking, wilderness skills, conservation, safety, and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
- Outdoor Recreation – Promoting opportunities that encourage healthy outdoor activity, adventure, teamwork, personal growth, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
- Community Partnerships – Working alongside schools, youth organizations, conservation groups, civic organizations, and other nonprofit organizations whose missions complement our commitment to outdoor education and recreation.
- Program Assistance – When appropriate, providing limited financial assistance or helping connect nonprofit organizations with resources that expand access to meaningful outdoor education and recreational experiences.
As the Friends of Camp Krietenstein continue to grow, we will seek new opportunities to preserve the camp's legacy while ensuring that future generations can discover the lifelong benefits of learning, serving, and growing in the outdoors.
Our Vision for the Future
Camp Krietenstein has served as an outdoor classroom for more than a century. In 2025, when its future became uncertain, the camp was purchased by a private owner whose commitment was simple yet profound: preserve Camp Krietenstein, protect its legacy, and ensure that its story would continue.
From the beginning, that vision extended beyond private ownership. The current owner and the Friends of Camp Krietenstein have worked in close partnership with a shared long-term objective: to establish the camp as a permanently protected nonprofit resource dedicated to outdoor education, recreation, conservation, and community service.
The Friends of Camp Krietenstein are leading that effort through strategic planning, program development, community engagement, and a capital campaign designed to provide the financial resources necessary to acquire the property and assume responsibility for its long-term stewardship and management.
This is not simply a transfer of ownership. It is the continuation of a vision that began more than one hundred years ago: preserving a place where people of all ages can discover the value of the outdoors, develop practical skills, build character through experience, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Together, the current owner, the Friends of Camp Krietenstein, and the broader community are investing in something larger than a campground. They are ensuring that Camp Krietenstein remains a place where future generations can learn, grow, and experience the enduring benefits of life in the outdoors.
Capital Campaign
The Friends of Camp Krietenstein Capital Campaign is built upon a simple belief: places that shape lives are worth preserving.
Our campaign has two complementary objectives. The first is to provide the financial resources necessary to support the organization's ongoing mission through quality programming, educational initiatives, conservation efforts, and responsible operation of Camp Krietenstein. These investments allow us to serve our community today.
The second is to secure the camp's future. Working in partnership with the camp's current owner-steward, the Friends of Camp Krietenstein are building a dedicated Property Stewardship Fund that will, over time, provide the resources needed to acquire the camp property and establish permanent nonprofit ownership. This planned transition reflects the shared vision of both the current owner and the Friends: ensuring that Camp Krietenstein remains a place where future generations can learn, grow, and experience the outdoors.
Every contribution advances that vision. Whether supporting today's programs or investing in tomorrow's stewardship, each gift helps preserve more than land and buildings. It helps safeguard a living legacy, one that has enriched lives for more than a century and, with the community's support, will continue to do so for generations to come.
Together, we are not simply raising funds. We are securing the future of Camp Krietenstein.