are you an alum of Camp tekakwitha?

We continue to build up our alumni connection with all those who have joined us at Camp Tekakwitha (or Catholic Girls Camp) since our founding year of 1926. If you are part of our wonderful community of alumni, we would love to reconnect and share in all of the memories from the past through the present.


Here are a few opportunities to reconnect: 
  1. Join our Camp Tekakwitha alumni group on Facebook.
  2. Send us some snail mail or an email with your favorite stories, photos, or other memorabilia from your time at Camp. 
  3. Take 5 minutes to complete our short alumni form through our UltraCamp database system. Log in or create a simple account and the form will be accessible to you. 
  4. Check our family events for a variety of opportunities to join us back at Camp! Or, reach out to schedule a tour at any time!


Thank you, alumni! You are so important in the legacy of Camp Tekakwitha!


"Take a Little Teka-with-ya, Leave a Little Bit of Yourself Behind"

Our History

For 100 years, Camp Tekakwitha has served young people through its camper-focused ministry. We're glad to share some of our history here with you, and we invite you to share your memories of camp with us by emailing us at camptekakwitha@gbdioc.org. Thank you!

  • 1926

    Camp Tekakwitha was founded as Catholic Girls Camp in 1926 by the Green Bay Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, headed through the zealous efforts of Mrs. Rose Van Laanen. 


    Our opening day was June 26, 1926.

  • 1932

    For the next few years, word of mouth encouraged more girls to attend. In 1932, Catholic Girls Camp moved to our current property on Loon Lake after originally starting on Shawano Lake. Just like today, Camp operated week-long sessions where girls could come for one or multiple weeks.


    CGC became acclimated to the grounds and added several cabins and a chapel which held weekly Mass. The chapel still stands (as the Theatre in the Woods) with the altar remaining as a piece of history. 

  • 1932-1945

    A bath house was added to camp along with an infirmary, pump house, trading post, and dining hall (accommodating up to 200 campers). A paved driveway and tennis court were later added. The camp was also painted white which led to it's very attractive appearance at the time.

  • 1950's

    Additions were made to the 10 cabins to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment!

  • 1960

    A large recreation hall was completed with a fireplace, stage, and bathroom. This building was used extensively for all sorts of activities including dancing, Christmas in July, talent shows, and rainy day activities. The rec hall was named Bishop Bona Hall and was also used in emergency as a shelter from severe weather.

  • 1964

    A contest was held by the Diocese of Green Bay to rename Catholic Girls Camp. Many names were submitted, but the committee decided upon Camp Tekakwitha. (Blessed) Kateri Tekakwitha was a North American Indian who was later canonized a Saint in 2012.


    We call upon Saint Kateri's intercession incessantly at Camp Tekakwitha as we share her love for Jesus and ecology. 

    Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

  • 1981

    Camp Tekakwitha opened to boys and became co-ed. 


    All campers were offered a well-rounded program which included swimming, boating, water skiing, sailing, arts and crafts, archery, sports, horseback riding, primitive camping, campfire programs, religious programs, hiking, and nature studies.

  • 1990

    The GBDCCW efforts with the camp discontinued when it became too financially taxing. The Diocese of Green Bay took over the responsibility of staffing and operating Camp Tekakwitha.

  • 1998

    Camp Tekakwitha had nine cabins, a main lodge, Bishop Bona recreation hall, an infirmary, sandbox (bathrooms), arts and crafts cabin, chapel, trading post, garage, tennis courts with basketball hoops, director's quarters, waterfront area, and a large area of lakefront property with trails through the woods. The grounds were well-kept and very sandy.

  • 2002

    In the early 2000s, our main lodge was deteriorating and plans were made to demolish it. Before this could take place, a fire started and burned the lodge to the ground.


    Shortly following, a large building campaign allowed Camp to become a year-round operation with the addition of many new buildings. Camp added a new lodge, director's quarters, and health center. As a bonus, the bunkhouses were built for year-round programming and summer lead staff. A generous gift was made to build a new chapel which was to be named St. Francis of Assisi Chapel.

  • 2016

    Camp Tekakwitha introduced a new mission and vision statement, deepening its focus on missionary discipleship. 


    In 2019, Camp welcomed a record-breaking number of 1,000 campers for the summer season on Loon Lake! This number only continued to grow during the following summers.

  • 2020

    A new building was built on the back of cabins 8 & 9 to serve as improved bathroom and FEMA-approved storm shelter space! It is fondly named the "Thunderdome."


    This addition is a great resource during our summer season and also duals as a large conference space during our retreat season.

  • 2026

    Camp Tekakwitha will celebrate its 100th anniversary!


    From our early years of 300 girls through recent summers with over 1,200 campers, Camp has proudly provided 100 years of quality Catholic camp opportunity for young people of the Diocese of

    Green Bay! Please join us in celebrating our 100th year at Camp!