Camp Whitcomb/Mason is a year-round facility located near Hartland, Wisconsin, approximately 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Lake Keesus. Founded in 1911 and owned and operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, it is the oldest Boys and Girls Clubs camp in America.Set on 306 acres (1.2 km²) of hills, fields, wetlands, and forests, Whitcomb/Mason provides campers with a variety of natural experiences. Their lodges, cabins and pavilions are available for rent to school, family, church, non-profit and corporate groups throughout the year. Accredited by the American Camp Association, the camp operates residential (overnight) and day camp programs throughout the summer.Mission statementThe mission of Camp Whitcomb/Mason is to provide an imaginative, outdoor educational/recreational experience where youth have the opportunity to develop a sense of competence, usefulness and belonging through their accomplishments, while developing skills, responsibility and respect for others in a safe and healthy non-urban environment. Students are encouraged to have fun while being courteous of the property, wildlife and volunteers.History1911: Received gift of 7.93acre on Lake Keesus from Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Thompson. Boys' Busy Life Club transfers summer camping activities from Beaver Lake to their very own tenting area on Lake Keesus.1912: Won Hon Ta built. Includes combination kitchen and dining hall, five wings for sleeping quarters for ten boys each, a single staff quarters for five, and staff library for planning program (also served as rainy day recreation hall).1912: February 8, Camp Whitcomb receives another donation of 18.07acre of land from Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Rogers—camp now totals 26acre.
