Phantom Lake: 130 Years of Impacting Waukesha County Kids and Families

Phantom Lake: 130 Years of Impacting Waukesha County Kids and Families

Phantom Lake YMCA Camp, the oldest YMCA camp in North America, this year marks it's 130th anniversary in Waukesha County. Founded in 1896 on 10 acres along the shores of Phantom Lake in Mukwonago, the camp has survived two World Wars, two pandemics and more, shaping generations through programs that build confidence, leadership, belonging, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. During the early years, Phantom Lake YMCA Camp functioned as an all-boys camp for decades. It opened a dedicated girls camp in 1931 and eventually introduced co-ed sessions in 1976. A pivotal moment in it's modern history occurred in 1985, when alumni and community members purchased the property from Waukesha YMCA to establish Phantom Lake YMCA Camp as an independent camp. Today, the camp has expanded to 72 acres. Join us for 130 years of history through the prism of summer camp. Learn how Phantom Lake YMCA Camp has adapted to survive when many other summer camps are closing.

Jeff Spang, Phantom Lake YMCA Camp CEO

For 20 years, Jeff Spang has served kids, families, and the greater Waukesha community as Phantom Lake YMCA Camp CEO. The organization's financial stewardship and fiscal responsibility has provided more than 400 scholarships for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities to attend Phantom Lake YMCA Camp. Spang is deeply committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to experience the life-changing impact of a week at camp. These scholarships support special accommodations for kids with a variety of challenges, including kids whose parents are experiencing financial distress.