Camp Katharine Parsons Restoration Project

At Camp Katharine Parsons, kids and teens from our North Minneapolis neighborhoods learned valuable life skills that prepared them for success as adults. At Phyllis Wheatley's historic youth camp, African American youth, often for the first time, had the opportunity to spend time outdoors, away from the city, immersed in the majesty of nature. At Camp Katharine Parsons, youth were able to gain a greater understanding of the healing powers of the outdoors and expand their worldviews, be inspired to dream big, and work toward their goals. 

At the camp, youth found the mentorship and guidance, stability, safety, and structure they needed to grow into strong citizens and leaders in the community. 

 

Opening in 1956, thanks to a generous donation of the property in Carver County to Phyllis Wheatley, staff and volunteers spent nearly 50 summers busing youth to the property about 30 miles from our Northside community. In the early 2000's, the camp's infrastructure began to fall into disrepair. PWCC closed the summer day camp out of concern for safety, the organization's financial insolvency, and pressing needs in need of attention and resources arising in the city. 

 

Now, Camp Katharine Parsons, which sits on a peninsula jutting into Oak Lake in Carver County, has lain almost completely dormant for more than 20 years, reverted by nature back to an oasis for birds and other wildlife —  a conservation site in the midst of the suburbs.

 

Despite the organization's precarious financial outlook and several opportunities to sell the property, Phyllis Wheatley retained ownership of Camp Katharine Parsons, with board members, staff, and former campers holding on to the hope of seeing its revival and return to serving its donor's intended purpose — to give underprivileged urban youth the chance to experience Minnesota summer camp.

​

Today, Phyllis Wheatley intends to see the camp fully restored and able to provide the important services it once offered to youth and families in our community. Fundraising has begun, and architects from Snow-Kreilich and 4rmula are drawing up the plans for the restoration as they wrap up pre-design for the property in hopes of breaking ground on the first phase in the spring of 2025! 

 

To learn more about Camp Katharine Parsons and how you can get involved, read on below. We will continue to update our neighbors and supporters as we learn more about the history of the camp, and of PWCC. To see updates, please check here back soon.