We spent September 2016 – April 2017 creating the “Camp Friedenswald Resilience and Sustainability Plan 2022.” We are excited to share our journey here. To see an overview of our triple-bottom-line plan, addressing environmental, social, and financial resilience and sustainability goals at Camp, check out this document.
Stay posted for news about Camp’s journey in this area. Let us know if you have ideas or thoughts about steps forward! Email [email protected] for more information or to give your feedback.
1. Environmental Resilience and Sustainability
Produce and Lease Solar Energy
Camp is now producing solar energy! Thanks to generous constituents, Camp installed 180 solar panels on the Dining Hall roof in September of 2019. Camp also leases 80 community solar panels from our local utility, Midwest Energy, which provide clean energy to our staff housing.
View our real-time solar production here.


Compost Food Waste and Napkins





Enhance Biodiversity
Work to enhance biodiversity, control invasive plant species, and help protect specific endangered species like the Mitchell’s satyr butterfly and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake through ecological restoration projects
Read blog posts about our prairie fen and about our habitat restoration efforts.




Switch to 100% LED Lighting


Increase Recycling
The following materials are now being recycled at camp: plastic, cardboard, paper, glass, metal, e-waste, batteries, Styrofoam, plastic films, and toothbrushes/toothpaste tubes/floss containers.




Support Electric Vehicles

More Actions
- Partner with Corey Lake Orchard and Rosea Farms to serve local produce.
- Raise pigs on site and feed them dining hall leftovers
- Reduce trash and unhealthy food consumption by NOT selling candy or drinks at Camp Store during summer camps
- Installed occupancy sensors for lighting in many areas
- Set thermostats to have maximum and minimum temperature settings in all buildings
- Reduce use of motorized transportation on Camp property by using bicycles.
- Installed dark sky lighting for outdoor lighting, which avoids light pollution at night.
- Purchased metal roofs, energy efficient appliances, 100% recycled content indoor and outdoor floor mats, replaceable carpet squares (instead of rolled carpet), and Indiana-made durable furniture for new and newly renovated buildings.
- Purchase 100% recycled napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues.
2. Social Resilience and Sustainability
A major component of our social goals at Camp is to increase education to both guests and staff on the topic of environmental sustainability. We get really excited about education here, as it can create a ripple effect for positive change in the homes and communities of all our guests.
Increase Sustainability Education
- In our 2018 summer program we included eco-skits during two meals –one focused on reducing food waste and one about our all-camp veggie meal (no meat!)
- In 2019 we added one more vegetarian meal to the menu and began weighing the edible food left at each table by cabin group. High school campers won for least amount of food waste all summer – with just 1.7 pounds for the entire week!


3. Financial Resilience and Sustainability
Every Camper Comes
We are committed to ensuring that every summer camper who wants to come to Camp Friedenswald can do so, regardless of financial ability. We offer camperships (scholarships) to anyone who has the need for it. If you feel you would benefit from this program, please call us at 269-476-9744 for more details.
Living Wages
We are committed to providing a living wage for staff at Camp, which includes consideration for minimum food, childcare, health insurance, housing, transportation, and other basic necessities (e.g. clothing, personal care items, etc.) costs. We are happy to say everyone employed at Camp is at or above a living wage as designated for a single person in Cass County, Michigan by MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.
Financial Growth
In order to provide camperships, living wages, and excellent experiences for all our guests, financial stability and even growth are necessary for Camp to be resilient and sustainable. See our end of the year report for more on the financial outlook at Camp.