Overview
House in the Wood, a long-standing program of Northwestern Settlement in Chicago, has offered generations of youth the chance to experience camp, nature, and community. After a pause in operations, leadership recognized an opportunity to rethink what the camp could be and how it could best serve young people today.
The organization’s parent body was healthy and mission-driven, but it needed guidance specific to camp operations, including how to connect strong organizational values to a summer program built on best practices in youth development and outdoor education. Kaleidoscope partnered with Northwestern Settlement’s House in the Wood program to reimagine its mission and design a new summer camp model, creating a clear roadmap for sustainable growth and measurable impact.
The Challenge
After a pause in operations, leadership needed clarity on what the camp should become and how to build a program that reflects both strong values and modern best practices. The organization needed guidance specific to camp operations, including how to connect strong organizational values to a summer program grounded in youth development and outdoor education.
Our Approach
Kaleidoscope worked with leadership to reestablish a clear mission and vision for House in the Wood. Through collaborative visioning sessions, the team identified core outcomes for campers and defined what success should look like in programming, staffing, and participant experience.
From there, Kaleidoscope designed a full program model that reflected both the organization’s history and its future direction. The plan included daily program flow, staff structure, and operational priorities, along with an implementation roadmap that guided the relaunch from preparation to execution.
The process was highly collaborative and grounded in the organization’s deep commitment to equity and education. By combining strategic clarity with practical design, Kaleidoscope helped transform a paused program into a thriving camp program.
The Plan
The plan delivered a full program model and a clear implementation roadmap to guide the relaunch. It included daily program flow, staff structure, and operational priorities, along with shared clarity around mission, vision, camper outcomes, and what success should look like across the participant experience.
Outcomes
House in the Wood successfully relaunched its camp program after a multi-year hiatus and quickly exceeded participation goals. Enrollment continues to grow, and the camp is now operating in a strong financial position.
Leaders and staff report renewed confidence and alignment, with programming that truly reflects the organization’s mission to provide access, opportunity, and belonging for all youth. The plan continues to guide decision-making and inspire future growth.
Reflection
The partnership gave the organization both a new sense of direction and a tangible framework for action. House in the Wood has emerged stronger, with a mission and model that are thriving together.
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