Our History
Located on the shores of Bass Lake in Traverse City, MI. Formerly Camp Sakakawea was run by the Girl Scouts since the mid-1950s. In the summer of 1955, the Girl Scouts (then Aspen Trails Council) held their first pioneer camp at what was to become known as Camp Sakakawea.
The first major construction on the property was the Oleson Lodge completed in 1960. It was built in memory of the late Frances E. Oleson. Over the past 50 years, Camp Sakakawea has undergone major construction and renovation projects turning it into a year-round facility. To protect the property in its natural state, a conservation easement was donated to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy in 2004.
In early 2018 the Girl Scouts moved their operations to camp Greilick, also located in Traverse City. Around this time, we began partnering with Rotary Camps and Services, a part of Rotary Charities of Traverse City, to begin preparing for our first season here, which we titled ‘Camp Lookout at Saki’.
Now, we have given it the name ‘Camp Carvela’ and it has become an extension of our current programming through our sister programs at both Camp Lookout and Crystalaire Adventures, offering more summer sessions for campers who are looking to be unplugged and create their own camp experience.
Operating Camp Carvela also opens the possibility of offering year-round programming. This will give campers the chance to connect with us and their camp friends throughout the year, but also allows us to work with school groups, families, and other youth-based groups.
