Bay Cliff - a place that makes a difference!

Since 1934, more than 11,000 children have attended Bay Cliff Health Camp.  These children have participated in therapies and camping activities that, in many instances, have been life-changing experiences. In addition, over 7,000 dedicated men and women have worked as staff with these campers, providing the therapeutic skill and emotional support that has made Bay Cliff literally a place “where dreams come true.”

Today, Bay Cliff continues its tradition of serving handicapped children, primarily from the Upper Peninsula—but it could do more.

The Board of Directors has developed a plan—a vision for the future of Bay Cliff—and an ambitious $8.955 million campaign. The plan calls for winterizing the camp’s facilities to allow for programs to be offered year-round, bringing the camp into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and updating and renovating all of the camp’s buildings used for therapy, camping activities, and living accommodations.

Those of you who are familiar with Bay Cliff know these improvements are badly needed. When the changes have been accomplished, Bay Cliff will be able to provide accommodations that are more comfortable for campers and staff and updated facilities that support the various therapy programs provided for children. Because the camp will be available year-round, Bay Cliff also will be able to expand its mission to serve the programmatic needs of other children not currently served. A recent survey of Upper Peninsula non-profit organizations confirmed that such an expanded mission would be welcomed—indeed, many respondents expressed a desire to partner with Bay Cliff in offering programs at the camp.

This exciting plan is not just a distant dream. Rather, it has already begun! Phase I of the plan, which involved renovating and winterizing the Big House, as well as two living units, has been completed. The results are SPECTACULAR! The renovation was carefully done to preserve the farmhouse nature of the Big House, and this approach will serve as a model for the next phases of the plan.

The three of us are very excited about this project. Yes, it is a lot of money, but think about what Bay Cliff means to you and to thousands of others who have been campers and staff. Bay Cliff has been synonymous with quality over its seventy-three year history: quality programs, quality staff, and quality management and leadership. We would like to add “quality facilities.”

Thank You for considering us in your gift of making
Bay Cliff an even better “special place” for kids.