Capital Campaign
Why a capital campaign?
Highland Retreat has offered Christian summer camp experiences for youth and been a place for church and family group retreats since the 1960's. Much of our infrastructure (electric, water, sewer, pool) was installed in the 1980's, and the last new facility for guest group use (Red Oak Lodge) has been in operation since 2000. As the Highland Board of Directors evaluated projects that need attention in the next few years, it became clear that we needed to a) address issues related to aging systems and structures, and b) take advantage of opportunities to serve guests in new ways.
This capital campaign gives us a way to focus our fundraising efforts and start checking projects off our list as the funds arrive. Our list of urgent projects comes to an estimated total of $630,000 -- though of course costs for materials and labor may well increase if we are delayed.
Our hope is to have sufficient gifts and pledges come in by April 2026 that we will know we can complete every project on our list in the next two years. All pledges are to be realized in full by the end of 2027.
How are we doing?
This progress bar shows all gifts and pledges to date.
What projects are included in the capital campaign?
Our list of projects includes several dozen specific items, which are grouped by category and summarized below. Please note that this list does not necessarily reflect the order in which the projects will be completed.
Projects addressing infrastructure needs: about $170,000
As systems age, leaks and breaks and other disruptions can pop up at any time -- and it's never a good time to be interrupted by that kind of problem! Infrastructure projects are all about keeping Highland functioning well by fixing aging systems and heading off potential problems before they become major events that could impact the guest and camper experience. Included here are:
- Urgent septic repairs near the Upper Campground
- Rerouting and replacing water lines in the Lower Campground
- New pumps, filters, and float valves for the swimming pool
- Adding an electrical transformer in the lower camp to address a voltage drop issue
- Upgrading our dump trailer
- Adding some necessary navigational signs around the property
Projects related to new properties across Rt249: about $300,000
Across the road from Highland's main office are the former Green Valley Clinic and the former residence of Linford and Becky Gehman. Highland purchased the Clinic from the Gehmans in late 2019 and renovated the interior during 2020; those renovation costs are fully paid off, and Green Valley House has been used as living space for various Highland staff, interns, and volunteers in the last few years.
Now, we plan to purchase the Gehman residence in early 2026, with the intent of using that building for staff and volunteer housing -- thus opening Green Valley House to be a wonderful facility to host mid-sized guest groups! We are very excited about the opportunity to add our first new guest facility in 25 years, especially since it will be an ideal size for groups that don’t fit well in our other guest spaces. Small extended families, Sunday School classes, or church leadership retreats will now have a space that is the right size for them, in their own private corner of Highland's grounds. Projects that impact this area include:
- Purchasing the Gehman residence
- Creating a new driveway (with an entrance directly opposite Upper Highland Drive) that will safely serve both buildings
- Landscaping and adding outdoor gathering spaces for Green Valley House guests
- Minor interior finishes and some additional furnishings
Projects that improve group camping experiences: about $130,000
Camping with a church or family group is always a special opportunity to deepen connections with each other in the great outdoors -- but not everyone has a tent or camper, and some want to sleep in an air conditioned space. Rather than excluding those folks from the camping experience, we'd like to make a welcoming space for them within the existing campgrounds. This group of projects includes:
- Installing four dry cabins (14'x20' with porch, electricity, and AC, but no water), two in the Upper Campground and two in the Lower Campground
- Furnishing the dry cabins (each would have a queen bed and a set of bunks inside, plus a picnic table and fire ring outside)
- Expanding the pavilion in the Upper Campground, doubling the size and improving the kitchen space to better serve groups in that area
Projects that improve cottage exteriors: about $30,000
Dogwood cottage is used by guests most of the year, and during the summer camp season it houses our camp nurses. Though the interior of Dogwood was recently renovated, we have yet to finish the exterior work. Included in this group are:
- Building a covered porch at Dogwood's front door (so campers waiting to see the nurse can be out of the weather)
- Replacing siding on Dogwood and Laurel (the Summer Program Director's residence next door to Dogwood)
What if we exceed our fundraising goal?
Never fear, there are always other capital improvements on our to-do list! The secondary project list below includes things that are important but not as urgent as those in the primary campaign. We would need an additional $500,000 or so to complete all of the projects below (listed in priority order):
- Improve the porch and back deck area at Green Valley House
- Upgrades to electric, HVAC, windows, etc. in the new staff residence (the Gehman home)
- Replace or renew several playgrounds
- Renovate bathroom(s) in the new staff residence (the Gehman home)
- Add a zip line off the Climbing Tower
- Repurpose the baby pool area
- Upgrading exterior lighting in lower camp outdoor areas
- Purchase a 4x4 utility vehicle, primarily for summer camp use
- Add a screened in porch to the back of Dogwood cottage