We are in the process of renewing Highland, one space at a time. Our focus this year is the 44-year-old Upper Highland bathhouse also known as Mount Everett, named after a beloved volunteer. Anyone who has camped with Highland in recent years knows that the bathhouse needed renewal, but we are doing much more!
The bathhouse was gutted, enlarged, resided and redesigned to house five private rooms: three bathrooms, one shower room, and one fully accessible family bathroom with its own shower! With the renovation also comes poured sidewalks and a generous roof above the dishwashing area.
This remodel comes on the heels of previous campground upgrades: new leveled camping and RV sites and completely new campground electric. When funds are successfully raised, we plan on expanding the Upper Highland pavilion, replacing the roof, and retooling the food prep area. We also dream of adding some comfortable camping cabins with AC to offer new camping experiences within the same campground.
We frequently hear how special and unique this campground is: the shade from the massive white oak trees, the private family friendly setting, the generous space between sites, and the lasting memories made. You may recall, from a past newsletter, about a young man who cherished his time with his church family at the campground. When he tragically died his parents shared his story with Highland and then donated five maple trees in his memory.
One recent story touched us: After 40 years of ministry, a church needed to close its doors. They reflected over the life of their ministry and recalled years of camping together as a church family in this campground. The times of worship, playing games, and storytelling around a fire knit their church community together and provided the space for so many formative memories, especially among their youth. As a result, they chose to make a major gift to Highland Retreat designated specifically for the Upper Highland Campground. God is good!
In addition to churches, the bathhouse also serves families, friend groups, and hikers passing through. Because the new bathhouse is well insulated, we plan on leaving at least one bathroom open all year-round to welcome our visiting friends.