Fall Facilities Update: New Spaces, New Memories

Here at YMCA Camp Takodah, we believe that our camp experience is rooted in strong friendships, lasting memories, and a sense of community that continues to grow every year. With that growth, our facilities have evolved to create spaces that enhance camp life and provide a comfortable environment for all. Here’s an update on some of the major improvements made around camp this year, with exciting new additions for campers and staff alike!

1. New Deck at the Takodah Performing Arts Center (TPAC)

The Takodah Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is a lively heart of South Camp, and this year, it got a wonderful new addition. The new deck at TPAC has quickly become a favorite hangout, drawing campers together to share stories, enjoy performances, and maybe even a few games of Magic. This addition truly embodies the spirit of connection, providing a welcoming spot to relax, meet new friends, and celebrate the energy of camp.

2. Enhanced Safety and Scenic Views at Memorial Lodge

The historic Memorial Lodge has always offered one of the most iconic views of Cass Pond. To ensure this treasured building remains safe and accessible for generations to come, we upgraded the railings and deck. The renovations keep that stunning view intact while offering peace of mind and comfort, knowing that it’s safer for all. Whether it’s starting your day with morning yoga or ending your session with a sentimental candlelight ceremony, Memorial Lodge remains a cherished cornerstone of Camp Takodah.

3. Reimagining Spaces for Increased Staffing Need

In response to our growing community, we repurposed the indoor portion of our maintenance building, converting it from a workshop into housing for our dedicated staff. This transformation has given new life to the space, creating a cozy living environment and ensuring that our staff can rest, recharge, and feel right at home. We named the new housing structure “Whitcomb Lodge”, after early builders and staff at camp who helped us with many projects including Elwell Chapel.

4. The Cub: New Staff Housing in the Heart of Camp

As today’s camp requires more trained professionals to operate our programs, we addressed a shortage of housing at Takodah for young professionals. The addition of “The Cub” allows us to hire and house staff beyond the years of shared housing. This brand new tiny house inspired option sits between Pine Wood and Unser and gives us the opportunity to have more professionals on camp such as medical, behavioral, food service or even members of our year-round team who would otherwise miss key events at camp. As an additional bonus, this new space allows more of our full-time team to stay onsite for more of the year, making them more readily available and helping create a strong community of support at Takodah.

5. Renovations to Pine Wood and Swallow’s Nest

Both Pine Wood and Swallow’s Nest received exciting updates this year, adding more beds to accommodate our growing camp team. These renovations provide the essential spaces needed to welcome new staff members and ensure they have a comfortable place to stay. Both of these cabins have become vibrant homes for our team, allowing them to focus on what they do best – making Takodah an unforgettable experience for every camper.

Expanding Staff Housing for Our Growing Camp Community

If there’s a theme in this year’s updates, it’s the dedication to expanding and improving housing for our incredible staff. As our camper population grows and camp regulations change, so does our need for additional spaces to house our kitchen, maintenance, office and additional support staff. Many of these new cabins will see further improvements in the coming years, with plans to add plumbing and insulation to enhance comfort.

At Camp Takodah, every improvement is made with a single goal in mind: creating a better experience for our campers, staff, and community. We can’t wait to see all the friendships, memories, and magic that these new spaces will foster for years to come. Thank you to everyone who has supported these improvements – from donors to volunteers, our dedicated Facilities Manager, Shawn Rowcliffe, and our entire Takodah family.