SHAWANO, WI — The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Camp Tekakwitha. An outdoor ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, the camp’s mission is to invite young people to a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ amidst the beauty of God’s natural creation on the shores of Loon Lake in Shawano County. Camp Tekakwitha serves more than 4,000 young people annually through summer camp and retreat experiences.
Camp Tekakwitha, formerly known as Catholic Girls Camp, kicked off its 100-year celebration with Grandparents Day on April 11, followed by a Father/Son Retreat Day on April 25 and a Family Camp Weekend on the last weekend in May.
The highlight of the summer portion of the year-long celebration was an open house on June 6 that drew hundreds of past, present, and future campers, parents, and former camp counselors. An overflow crowd attended the Mass presided over by Bishop David Ricken in the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel.
“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm our 100th anniversary has evoked among generations of faithful campers, families, staff, and supporters whose lives in Christ have been shaped by the Camp Tekakwitha experience,” said McKenna Runde, camp director. “We are so thankful to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon our work here over the past century, and to Bishop Ricken for his passionate and unwavering support of the camp for decades.”
Camp Tekakwitha still has a packed schedule of 100th anniversary-focused events remaining on the calendar this summer and fall, including:
- Family Camp Opportunity on July 25
- Alumni Staff Reunion on August 15
- Mother/Daughter Retreat Day on September 26
- Spirit of Kateri Dinner on November 6
For more information about Camp Tekakwitha and a complete listing of events throughout the year, please visit camptekakwitha.org/welcome/100-year-history.
About Camp Tekakwitha
Founded in 1926 by Catholic leader Rose Van Laanen on Shawano Lake and originally known as Catholic Girls Camp, the camp served as a summer program for girls. With support from the Green Bay Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, her vision created a place where children could grow in faith while experiencing the joy of camp life. In 1932, Catholic Girls Camp moved to its permanent home on Loon Lake, where it remains today.
Renamed Camp Tekakwitha in 1964, the camp honors Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, whose faith and courage continue to inspire its mission. Daily prayer, Mass, and sacramental life are always central to the mission, walking in lockstep alongside swimming, boating, campfires, and creating lifelong friendships. In 1981, Camp Tekakwitha became co-educational and later expanded into a year-round and vibrant diocesan ministry.
100th Anniversary Video
