YMCA Gathering Pines Camp
The project of making a new 250 acre day camp for the YMCA took 5 years to happen. The design team started with the premise the client brought to us - they wanted to give their current camp land back to the Tribal community that it belongs to. We needed to find a new camp location to serve the south metro that can become bigger and better than any day camp we have done.
Studio BV began the process by learning all they could about what was great about the current campsite. The camp had been in that location for 20 plus years. It’s an experience that families count on each summer for their kids. So we dug in. Talking to staff, families and campers about what are the best things to carry forward and what their dreams of a new camp could be. These workshops occurred over a 6 month period. After extensive strategy activities with the YMCA, camp teams and community members Studio BV formulated the program brief for what a new camp could be.
The team planned and studied a few site opportunities. Then the opportunity to purchase a 250 acre private estate in Southern Lakeville with lakes, trails and opportunities for horses became the idealized location for the future camp. This size of a parcel (the old camp was less than 15 acres) would allow the YMCA so much growth and programming opportunities. The challenge was rezoning the site.
The site selected was a residential property. “Converting the land into a daycamp and commercial facility for events and the public was no small feat,” said Betsy Vohs, Studio BV Founder and CEO. “We worked for 2 years with the county to go through the approval process to get the camp to happen. The level of change to the site was dramatic. Our team added paved infrastructure, electrical, water, highway improvements, septic systems and stormwater management strategies to meet the county’s requirements for the project to happen.”
The design of the camp now features an office and event space that helps serve daycampers as well as can host meetings and events in the offseason and weekends. The signature amphitheater which is a key part of camp life overlooks the lates and woods and hiking trails. The amphitheater also is the place to host weddings and concerts for the community.
The team created a pool complex that has storage, locker rooms and concession stands and eating pavilion to be used by day campers and the public.
The horse facilities include two large structures that store horses, an indoor riding arena, tack area and office space and restrooms. The horse pastures and riding trails were designed to maximize the horse program in summer and off season for lessons.
Throughout the site are signs, and pavilions designed to support campers and create areas for shade and rest. The littlest campers, called Weebee’s, have their own area designed with small structures for play and programming. This Weebee Village is a place of imagination and fun for kids as young as 3. Other site structures include an art barn and caretakers home.
This project took 5 years from the first idea of dreaming of what a new camp could be to the completed build and use as a camp. Studio BV did pro-bono design services on the project and was committed to creating a new legacy camp that could serve the kids and community for generations to come.
# # #
View Original