Camp Tekoa

Overview

Camp Tekoa is a well-respected year-round camp and retreat ministry that serves children, youth, and families across western North Carolina. Known for strong programming and a loyal community, Tekoa had reached a moment where the camp’s facilities needed to catch up with the growth of its mission. Leadership wanted a clear and responsible plan for how the property could continue supporting both summer camp and an expanding retreat and after school program.

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The site’s location in a residential neighborhood created additional complexity. Access was limited, certain areas were difficult to expand, and several older buildings were beloved but no longer meeting the needs of a growing ministry. Tekoa needed a thoughtful way to reimagine its space while staying true to its identity.

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Kaleidoscope partnered with the Tekoa team to develop a master site plan that connected mission, program needs, and long-term development into one coherent picture.

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The Challenge

Even with strong participation and a healthy ministry, Tekoa faced several important questions:

• Which facilities could be renovated and which needed to be re-envisioned.
• How to improve circulation and the guest experience within a neighborhood-bound property.
• How to balance affection for long-standing buildings with the practical needs of today’s programs.
• How to prepare for future growth in a way that was realistic, fundable, and mission aligned.
• How to communicate clearly with the board and community about long-term priorities.

Tekoa needed clarity on what was possible and a structured plan for how to move forward.

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Our Approach

Kaleidoscope guided Tekoa through a collaborative planning process grounded in site analysis, program understanding, and leadership engagement.

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Key components included:

• A full assessment of facilities, utilities, and environmental constraints.
• Program mapping to understand how summer camp, retreats, and after school programming used space throughout the year.
• Workshops with leadership and board members to set priorities and evaluate trade-offs.
• Development of design concepts that balanced creativity with budget and operational needs.
• Creation of a phased sequence that made long-term development manageable.

Kaleidoscope’s role was to help the team envision what was possible while maintaining a clear connection to daily realities on the ground.

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The Plan

The final master site plan provided a practical roadmap for the next 10 to 12 years of Tekoa’s growth.

Highlights included:

• Reimagining several core buildings to better serve both summer camp and year-round programming.
• Identifying the most strategic areas of the property for new development.
• Improving arrival and circulation to enhance guest comfort and safety.
• Establishing a phased plan that guided renovation, new construction, and deferred maintenance.

Each recommendation tied directly to Tekoa’s mission and long-term goals.

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Outcomes

Tekoa has used the master site plan to support both operations and long-term visioning.

• Leadership and the board now share a clear understanding of priorities.
• The plan has provided a strong foundation for donor conversations and community engagement.
• Staff have a more confident framework for decisions about programs, facilities, and growth.
• The phased plan has helped Tekoa move forward with improvements that align with mission and available resources.

The plan continues to guide conversations about how Tekoa can best serve its community for years to come.

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Reflection

This project helped Tekoa bridge its history with its future. The master site plan offers a grounded, mission-centered pathway that allows the camp to grow with purpose, care, and long-term sustainability. It remains a tool for vision, planning, and stewardship as Tekoa enters its next chapter.