TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Conservation District are preparing to partner to launch a new eight-week summer day camp at the Hickory Hills Recreation Area in 2026. If approved by city commissioners Monday March 16, the program will serve children ages 7 to 11 and operates Monday through Thursday.
The partnership aims to expand available child care in the region to support workforce participation, a goal identified in the city’s Strategic Action Plan. To support the daily camp operations, the city is also proposing an increase in cleaning services at the Hickory Hills Lodge from one day a week to five days a week.
The summer day camp would operate for 8 hours daily from Monday through Thursday. The program is designed for a maximum of 40 campers. This initiative expands on the Nature Day Camp currently offered by the conservation district at the Boardman River Nature Center.
Michelle Hunt, the Traverse City parks and recreation superintendent, recommended increasing maintenance at the lodge to support the new program. “Cleaning services will need to increase to five days per week to adequately support daily operations and maintain appropriate health and safety standards,” Hunt said. The city is seeking a contract amendment with Universal Cleaners for an amount not to exceed $15,000 to cover the revised weekday schedule.
Under the proposed partnership, the Grand Traverse Conservation District will manage day-to-day operations and hold the program license through the state of Michigan. Traverse City will maintain the site license for the Hickory Hills Recreation Area. City Manager Benjamin Marentette noted that the partnership is being presented to the City Commission due to strong community interest.
An administrative fee of $12,000 will be paid to the conservation district for its services. This fee will be incorporated into and covered by participant registration fees. Funding for the increased cleaning services will be provided through the Hickory Hills Fund.
The City Commission will consider the agreement and contract amendment during its meeting on March 16. Following the conclusion of the season, city and conservation district officials will evaluate outcomes, participation levels and financial performance to inform future years.