For generations, young people have spent summers along the beautiful shores of Torch Lake, paddling, hiking and making lifelong friends at Camp Hayo-Went-Ha. The camp’s iconic boathouse, forested ridges and pristine shoreline are landmarks cherished by campers, visitors and residents alike.
At roughly 494 acres, the camp ranks in the top 6% of all properties scored for protection by GTRLC, representing the largest remaining undeveloped property on Torch Lake. Its ridgeline is a defining feature of the lake, comprised largely of closed-canopy, northern mesic forest that supports diverse wildlife and contributes to its scenic character. Along the shoreline, riparian wetlands and steep, forested slopes function as natural filters, slowing runoff, stabilizing soils and protecting water quality in the Elk River Chain of Lakes watershed, which ultimately flows into Grand Traverse Bay.
GTRLC and YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps have agreed to place a permanent, legally binding conservation easement on 354 acres of the property, including nearly 6,058 feet of Torch Lake frontage. The easement protects the land’s ecological and scenic values while allowing it to remain in private ownership and continue operating as a camp.
The organizations have also negotiated provisions for the rest of the property: a Right of First Offer gives GTRLC the first opportunity to purchase any portion offered for sale that’s less than five acres, and a Perpetual Option to Purchase gives GTRLC the right to purchase any portion greater than five acres. Together, these could extend protection to the entire camp property and shoreline, in the unlikely event it’s ever sold. Excluded from the easement is the main camp area with existing buildings, allowing the camp flexibility to grow as needed, far into the future.
This rare opportunity protects a property that has been a conservation priority for decades, while giving the camp resources to secure its future and continue offering outdoor experiences to generations of young people.