• Archery
• Boating
• Camp
• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking

• Accessible by Public Transportation: No
  
  
• Transportation Provided by the Program: No

We aspire to provide a premiere outdoor recreational/educational facility providing opportunities for people of special needs to enhance self-worth, attain independence, acquire social skills and realize their full potential as human beings. We are dedicated to working with the greater community and include them as a partner in addressing the needs of society. We intend to provide an atmosphere that is wholesome, and encourages awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.

Camps Include:

• Visually Impaired Youth Camp
  Bear Lake Camp offers a camp program for youth with visiual impairments. The program focuses on having fun while developing self concepts, relationship learning, independence with life skills and acquiring outdoor skills. The program is financially supported by Lions, Lioness and Leo clubs throughout Michigan. There is no charge to the families of the campers.

  Special Sessions Include:

  • Camp for First Timers
    This camp is for the child that has never been away from home. It is an introduction to camping. The camp is 4 days in length. Focus will be to give basic introduction to camp activities, independence and mobility around camp and living with a cabin group. If you think your child would enjoy a camp experience, but not sure about leaving him for 2 weeks, then this is the one.

  • Camp for Lifers
    Our camp for lifers is our traditional camp program. This camp is two weeks long. Campers will have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in the area of nature, kayaks, canoes, swimming, arts& crafts, team building and challenge activities. The two weeks allows for focus on campers independence and mobility around camp and group living.

• Hearing Impaired Youth Camp
  Bear Lake provides a one week camp experience for youth who are hearing impaired. The program is developed and coordinated by teachers of the hearing impaired. It is geared to meet the unique needs of children who use listening and spoken language as their primary modes of communication. Our goal is to provide a camp rich with experiences that promote communication. While having fun, we will build vocabulary, focus on auditory skills and use good language to communicate with others.

  Program activities will include: horseback riding, swimming, boating, hiking, crafts, nature, archery, teambuilding, overnight tent camping, games and drama. Older campers have the option to participate in leadership development activities. The leadership development program runs through two summers with elevated experience and responsibilities in the 2nd year. Participants in the leadership development program must have been a camper for the regular Hearing Impaired Youth Camp.

• Camp Dakota (sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter)
  Camp Dakota is a special camp where children with juvenile arthritis can come to have fun, make new friends and learn more about their disease. The Arthritis Foundation and Bear Lake camp staff organize activities that will help campers build self-esteem, confidence, independence and lasting friendships.