Camp Bovey

Camp Bovey is a small, rustic campground in northwestern Wisconsin that offers nature education in an exciting summer camp setting. We make learning about the environment fun while also helping campers feel confident about their outdoor skills and their ability to learn new things.

Since 1949, campers have been calling Camp Bovey their summer home. From fishing in our private lake, to camping across our 200-acre property, to singing songs around campfires, Camp Bovey has helped thousands of youth build lifelong connections with friends and lasting connections to our Hodagger community.

At Camp Bovey our highly trained staff are committed to making sure that all campers feel welcome, included, and connected. Our mission is to center youth, families and community while providing rich, joyful experiences that foster respect for self, community, and nature. Our core values are Caring, Sharing, Curiosity, and Connection.

location

Camp Bovey is located in Gordon, WI about 3-hours from the Twin Cities, or 1-hour southeast of Duluth. Our address is 11770 E. Townline Rd, Gordon WI 54838.

 
 

2024: Celebrating 75 Years!

Reconnect & Celebrate

After 75 years - and thousands of campers - we’re on a mission to reconnect with as many members of the Hodag community as possible! Whether you were a camper, a counselor, or a supportive member of the community, we would love to hear from you through our Community Survey!

We are planning two special events to commemorate this major milestone! Please mark your calendars so you can join us:

Settlement House Girl Book Signing

Thursday, April 18 | 6:30-8pm

ESNS Diane Loffler Community Room

Beats for Bovey

Saturday, June 15 | Times TBA

ESNS Parking Lot

Camp!

For the 2024 camping season, we will be offering three weeks of youth camping. Weeks 1 & 2 will focus on serving youth programs at East Side and Week 3 will be open to the general public.

Week 1: July 8-12

OST Week - reserved for out-of-school time programs

Week 2: July 15-19

ASPIRE Week - reserved for ASPIRE program participants

Week 3: July 22-26

Community Week: Seeds & STEM with Spark-Y

More information and registration details coming soon. We appreciate your patience as we finalize all the details with our partners.

Questions?

For inquiries about camp programming, please contact Director of Youth Programs, Inge Milius: IMilius@esns.org

For inquiries about 75th Anniversary events and private rentals, please contact Sr. Director of Youth & Families, Lindsay Walz: LWalz@esns.org

 

Camp Bovey Restoration: 2024 and beyond

Camp Bovey provides deeply engaging, high-quality experiences in nature and outdoor settings to help youth ignite curiosity, create connections, and grow confidence. This small, rustic camp in northwestern Wisconsin serves approximately 200 young people annually.

After 75 years of heavy use, Camp Bovey is showing its age and has numerous maintenance issues. Thankfully, in 2021, we were able to lead a successful capital campaign that helped us address a failing septic system and build a new bathhouse that includes gender-affirming and family-friendly accommodations. This project alone was a huge accomplishment and are so grateful for our community of Hodaggers who came together to help make it happen.

As we celebrate our 75th year, we look forward to making additional investments into Camp Bovey’s infastructure. We would appreciate your support to continue revitalizing this place that has held a special place for so many people. Examples of upcoming investments include:

  • New roof for Arts and Crafts cabin

  • New commercial kitchen appliances for the lodge and residential appliances for the Director’s Cabin

  • Improved decking and sitting area outside the lodge near the beach

  • Creation of an infastructure investment fund to support the on-going needs of our aging facilities