Great Lakes Creatives is a collective fundraising for our annual Water Weekend Camp near Petoskey, MI (9/04 - 9/7). This camp is an affordable landing spot for Water Weekend events, a connection hub, and a prep zone for our annual "No Line 5 Tunnel" Mackinac Bridge Walk outreach on Labor Day (9/07).

We estimate needing $5,000 to run this camp and support our No Line 5 Tunnel outreach efforts during the Mackinac Bridge Walk. We've raised $1000.00 so far from other sources, and we need $4,000 more to make our goal! *See funding goal breakdown below.

There are THREE WAYS to register for camp/donate (no one turned away for lack of funds):

Donate $20.00 (or more) 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 by 8/14 via email. If you do not receive it, email greatlakescreatives@proton.me.
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, we encourage everyone to pitch in!
Pay with cash at the Registration table when you arrive at camp. *Registering online is useful for meal planning purposes. That said, to receive the address, Camp FAQ, and Camp Agreements by 8/14 sans registering, email: greatlakescreatives@proton.me.

CAN'T MAKE IT? You can still donate to help cover camp rental and food costs!

WHERE IS THE CAMP ADDRESS? Keeping the camp location offline makes camp size and planning manageable. Check your inbox on or after 8/14 post registering here (via donating) to receive it. Thanks for understanding!

WATER WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday Sept 04th: Tip Of The Mitt Watershed Discovery Center

10 am to 6 pm. Extended hours - stop by and explore! 426 Bay St. Petoskey, MI. More Info: watershedcouncil.org

Friday Sept 04th: Friday Night Feast + Potluck + Open Mic

6 pm to 9 pm. Water Is Life Fest pre-event. Emergent Seas Performance. Potluck, Open Mic, Bonfire! 200 Wachtel Ave. Petoskey, MI. Festival Park Near Breakwall. More Info: https://www.waterislifefestival.org/app-landing-page

Sat. Sept 05th: The Pipe Out Paddle Up (POPU)

9 am to 12 pm. 200 Wachtel Ave. Petoskey, MI. Festival Park Near Breakwall. *In the same place as the Water Is Life Fest this year! Donate/Info Link: secure.actblue.com/donate/popu?

Sat. Sept 05th: The Water Is Life Fest

12 pm until sunset. Music, vendors, activities, door prizes, and free food for volunteers!. 200 Wachtel Ave. Petoskey, MI. Festival Park Near Breakwall. Link to register: https://www.waterislifefestival.org/

Sun. Sept 06th: Bridge Walk Prep + Workshops

2 pm - 6 pm Bridge Walk Prep + Wkshps. We'll provide folks with a Line 5 Canvassing handout, and practice having Line 5 related conversations at the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Bridge Walk Art Build sessions, and a plant walk are also planned. Meals provided. Email for location, or receive location after donating/registering via this Givebutter page: greatlakescreatives@proton.me

Mon. Sept 07: Mackinac Bridge Walk "No Line 5 Tunnel" Outreach

Join us at the Great Lakes Creatives vendor area! We'll have pop up tents with a white, interactive water address map, free water/cups for folks, and our blue water themed selfie station. We'll also have Line 5 canvassing guides to share for "What's Under The Bridge" conversations.

We are located before the Bridge entrance at our vendor areas on Nicolette between E Central and Jamet, across from The Days Inn Hotel: 206 N Nicolet St. Mackinaw City, MI. Another landmark is the Weinerlicious restaurant with the giant hot dog on top at the corner of E Central Ave and Nicolette. If you see the giant hot dog, keep walking towards the Straits and you’ll see us on the left in the park!Please email for details: greatlakescreatives@proton.me

Mon. Sept 07: Three Fires Confederacy Bridge Walk For Water

If you’re joining The Three Fires Confederacy Bridge Walk For Water on Labor Day, you can pick up your Tshirt from a Check-In Tent at both sides of the bridge. Native & non-native water protectors are welcome to join them to walk, pray, and protect the water. Please see details about the walk here: Bay Mills Facebook Invitation

6:00 am: Check In & T-Shirt Pick Up | NORTH SIDE: Bridge View Park SOUTH SIDE: Indian Pathways Park

NORTH SIDE: Bridge View Park, St. Ignace, MI. West side of Bridge. Look for a pop up tent, and Sault Ste Marie Tribe and MiCAN banners! You will likely be directed to a large grass parking lot once you arrive.

SOUTH SIDE: Indian Pathways Park, Mackinac City, MI. There will be a blue MiCAN pop up tent w/ a MiCAN banner - grab your shirt here! This is right next to the Great Lakes Creatives vendor area, described above.

6:30 am: Water Ceremony

7:30 am: Water Walk + Mackinac Bridge Walk

SPREAD THE WORD:

Assets Folder w/ Flyer | FB Event | Instagram Flyer

PROMO BLURB: Water Weekend (Fri. 9.04 - 9.07) Register or donate to the 2026 Water Weekend Camp — a landing spot for Water Weekend events, and the “No Line 5 Tunnel” Mackinac Bridge Walk outreach on Labor Day (9/07). Go here to register (or donate), and see details about all Water Weekend events! givebutter.com/WaterWeekend

Sponsored by: Great Lakes Creatives, The Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN), Crooked Tree Breadworks, more to come!

Givebutter Funding Breakdown • $2,300 for camp rental, porta potties, and recycling & trash; • $800.00 for food. Please email us if you're able to donate food/food costs • $1,400 for Pipe Out Paddle Up, Water is Life, Bridge Walk tabling/vendor fees, Bridge Walk supply travel expenses, and printing costs; • $500.00 for accessibility needs and unforeseen costs.

Water Weekend Camp & "No Line 5 Tunnel" Bridge Walk Outreach

Sept. 04th - Sept. 07th