Partners Continue to Help Camp

lschultz • May 22, 2020

As MUCC and especially our camp program continue to pivot, and adjust to the hand we have been dealt, we wanted to take a moment to thank some of our partners. These partners have stepped up to lend a hand in our time of need.  With the cancelation of our summer camp programming, the MUCC education budget took a $70,000 loss. This is a major hit as we rely on revenue generated from camp, not only to cover the costs of camp but also to help fund our year-round education programming. The outreach and education events we conduct in the spring, winter and fall, teaching kids and adults how to hunt and fish is primarily funded through revenue generated during the summer months.

With this funding gap in mind, the Abrams Foundation and the Riley Foundation through their connection with SCI-Novi have both committed to continuing their camp support during the 2020 season.  Typically, both of these partners contribute substantial amounts of funding towards programming and ensuring youth from around the state can have a positive camp experience.  The Abrams Foundation has supported the development of new programs and curriculum as well as equipment needed to run those programs. The Riley Foundation and SCI-Novi have sponsored the full cost of 80 campers to come to camp for more than a decade.

As the news of our program, cancelation reached both of the organizations they reached out and committed to helping camp shift program funds to operational fixed costs to help us weather the storm. These two organizations alone have contributed $44,000 that will go towards filling the budget hole that was created.

We also have received pledges from a few MUCC affiliate clubs who are shifting their sponsorship funds to help with operational costs and several families of campers have committed to chip in as well. We are continuing to narrow the gap.

As another way to raise funds, we are working hard to create a “Camp-to-Go” program that we will be offering to the public. The idea behind this is we are creating a resource of activities that you can do at home with your family. These activities will be similar to the activities that we do at camp. These activities will follow our outdoor recreation and environmental education curriculum and contain unique ways for your camper and family to enjoy the outdoors this summer.

We are currently developing these educational resources and hope to have these packets to interested families by late-June. These packets will be available for families to purchase. However, we know that each family is in a different financial situation, and because of that, we are not putting a standard price on our “Camp-to-Go” packets. Rather we are asking for donations to help cover the fixed costs of camp. We will have more information on the Camp-to-Go” program in early June. If you would like more information on Camp-to-Go, please reach out to Camp Director Max Bass.

Once again thank you to our partners for their continued support of our program.

If you have, any questions do not hesitate to ask, Max at mbass@mucc.org.

Recent Posts

New Partnership: Certified Wildlife Habitat with National Wildlife Federation

By Olivia Triltsch • October 23, 2025
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to bring the Certified Wildlife Habitat ™ program to communities across Michigan. This collaboration connects MUCC’s long-standing commitment to conservation with NWF’s national effort to create, restore, and certify habitats that provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Together, the organizations aim to inspire individuals, schools, and communities to take action in their own backyards to support native species. Through this initiative, MUCC will help expand awareness of the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, integrate it into its volunteer network, and provide resources to landowners interested in enhancing habitat on their property. One of the greatest benefits for volunteers comes from the knowledge gained in understanding wildlife habitat enhancement, allowing for the application to private land habitat enhancement. In addition to this, much of the work we do for habitat can apply to a variety of species, from rabbits to wood ducks, even birds of prey. The partnership will also promote community engagement opportunities through educational events, workshops, and collaborative restoration projects. In coordination with efforts like the certified wildlife habitat, MUCC hopes to expand conservation efforts across Michigan. Our award-winning, statewide volunteer habitat program, On the Ground (OTG), works to conserve, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat. In 2025 alone, OTG worked with 739 volunteers across 27 habitat projects, from invasive species removal to river clean-ups. Through the hard work contributing over 2,900 volunteer hours, habitat stewards were able to improve 423 acres of land for wildlife conservation in Michigan. Although OTG projects are not active year-round, we encourage Michigan residents to continue land stewardship on both public and private lands. To qualify for certification through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, a property must include: Three natural food sources One water source Two places for shelter Two places to raise young Two sustainable practices To determine if your habitat qualifies, visit the NWF website and take the habitat quiz or download the checklist. If your habitat needs native plants, check out Garden for Wildlife to find species native to your area. The $25 application fee includes a personalized paper certificate, a 1-year NWF membership, and the option to purchase lawn plaques and garden flags. Habitats located on school grounds do not have a fee to get certified, so check to see what you might need to qualify today. If you are interested in joining our On the Ground program for the 2026 season, stay connected through our Facebook , Instagram , and OTG webpage for upcoming events.

On the Ground Junior: Fall Event Recap

By Olivia Triltsch • October 16, 2025
In 2025, the On the Ground program conducted 8 junior projects with schools involving 316 students from across the state. From tree plantings to invasive species removal, these students worked to enhance 39.3 acres of public land after contributing over 200 volunteer hours. Visit our website to learn more information about our On the Ground program and On the Ground Junior . To wrap up the 2025 field season, the On the Ground program worked with two classrooms to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational access. Junior programs like these allow teachers to get their students out of the classroom and into hands-on learning about the importance of habitat work while meeting individuals in the field.

October NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.
More Posts