Great Lakes Creatives is a collective of water-loving humans building community around the Great Lakes watershed. We’re fundraising for our annual Water Weekend Camp near Petoskey, MI (8/29 to 9/2); a landing spot for folks throughout the Great Lakes watershed to connect, protect, and celebrate our shared waters.

We estimate needing $5,500 to run this camp and support our No Line 5 Tunnel outreach efforts during the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day. We've raised $1,500 so far from other sources and we need $4,000 more to make our goal!

Goal Breakdown:
- $2,500 for camp: $1,500 for porta potties, recycling & trash; $1,000 for food (We're working to source donated food from farms/other sources to offset these food costs. Please email us if you're able to donate food.)
- $1,500 for Pipe Out Paddle Up, Water is Life, Bridge Walk tabling fees, printing & supplies
- $1,500 for accessibility needs and unforeseen costs

There are three ways to register for camp (no one turned away for lack of funds):

Donate $20.00 to cover your camp registration. Registration is free for kids under 10, and $10 for youth ages 11-18. Once you've donated, you'll receive the camp address, Camp FAQ, and Camp Agreements. These will be sent to the email you used for your donation. If you do not receive the message, please email greatlakescreatives@proton.me. *If you can't make camp but still want to contribute, please do!
Volunteer Exchange: You can work a 3 hour volunteer shift in exchange for free weekend camping. Email greatlakescreatives@proton.me to sign up. There are flexible & inclusive volunteer roles. *If you can pay the camp registration and volunteer, that is appreciated! This is a volunteer-led effort so we encourage everyone to pitch in anyway they're able to.
Pay with cash at the Camp Registration table when you arrive at camp. To receive the address, Camp FAQ, and Camp Agreements, email greatlakescreatives@proton.me.

Keeping the camp location offline makes camp size and planning more manageable. Thanks for understanding!

WATER WEEKEND 2025

FRI. 8/29: Noon - 4:30pm. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Open House: 426 Bay St, Petoskey, MI

FRI. 8/29: 6pm. Friday Night Feast, Potluck & Open Mic: 200 Wachtel Ave, Petoskey, MI (Pre WIL Fest)

SAT. 8/30: 9am. Pipe Out Paddle Up Flotilla: 200 N State St, St Ignace, MI waterprotectornetwork.org/popu

SAT. 8/30: Noon - 9pm. Water Is Life Fest: 200 Wachtel Ave, Petoskey, MI waterislifefestival.org

SUN. 8/31: 2pm - 4:30pm Bad River Screening + Q & A: 461 E Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI crookedtree.org

SUN. 8/31: 10am - 1pm, 5pm - 8pm. Movement Building Wkshps + Food. Email for location: greatlakescreatives@proton.me

MON. AM 9/1: 5:30am - 2pm. No Line 5 Tunnel Outreach: Mackinac Bridge Walk. Meet at Indian Pathways Park on Nicolet in Mackinaw City. We’ll be doing outreach on South Side just before Bridge entrance. greatlakescreatives@proton.me

For camping info, email greatlakescreatives@proton.me.

Please note, your donation to this campaign is not tax-deductible.

Support Water Weekend Camp & No Line 5 Tunnel Outreach