Harbor History

A brief history of Covenant Harbor:

1947 – Snug Harbor, the estate of the Sturgis, Borden, Smith, Macintosh and Dodge families, built in 1881, was purchased by the churches of the Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church for use as a Bible Camp.
1948 – First camps. The Lodge was built with volunteer labor.
1951-2 – Triplets were built. Most housing and meetings were in the “Big House,” a striking mansion on the waterfront.
1957 – The Big House burned in January. No camps that summer.
1959 – Hilltop House created from “The Twins” cabins, sleeping rooms added inside both ends of the large Dining Hall, turning it into the Lodge.
1965 – New construction: Director’s residence (now the office), upper and lower compounds (Kishwauketoe and Maple Commons), Maintenance Shop, winterizing buildings.
1986 – First ropes course constructed.
1989-90 – Geneva Bay Centre completed, introducing new programming options, including Elderhostel. Camp Kishwauketoe, for young children, was begun.
1994 – First Annual Golf for Kids event which raised funds for scholarships to bring urban children to camp.
1996 – Because of the work of the Foundation for Covenant Harbor and the generosity of Central Conference Churches and many people, Covenant Harbor’s debt was eliminated. Snake Road Adventure Center established.
1997 – Due to the generosity of several people, a major renovation of the Boathouse and front lawn area was done. Covenant Harbor celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a staff reunion and worship service in the new worship tent.
1998 – Day camp program begun in cooperation with Lake Geneva YMCA.
2002 – Engebretson Lodge completed.
2003-05 – Guest House and Hilltop remodeled, New maintenance building, Nicholls Maintenance Center, completed.
2006 Covenant Harbor now serves more than 28,000 guests and campers in youth children’s, family and adult ministries, Elderhostel, adventure and rental programs.

Harbor History

A brief history of Covenant Harbor:

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