Who We Are & What We Do

Since 1952, Great Lakes Recreation Leaders Lab (GLRLL) has provided opportunities for people to learn, lead, play and recreate.

Our Purpose

Great Lakes Recreation Leaders Lab (GLRLL) is organized exclusively for educational purposes. The organization encourages, fosters, and promotes constructive recreation. A recreation laboratory is held annually where participants are given a chance to study, practice, exchange ideas and generally share an experience in living recreation. GLRLL is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan. Members of the Board of Directors are volunteers who are elected by those in attendance at the annual lab.

“Great Lakes Rec Lab has been an important part of my personal and professional lives. Engaging with leaders in recreation has provided many learning opportunities and continued networking that I rely on in my career. Personally, the friendships and fun allow me to rejuvenate and head back home refreshed, relaxed and energized.” — Marianne

Philosophy and Objectives

Great Lakes Recreation Leaders Lab (GLRLL) offers an opportunity for persons older than 15 years of age to acquire and/or develop skills and confidence in the use of recreation as a vital process in human development. An important feature is the chance for each participant to engage in meaningful learning opportunities. GLRLL has the following objectives:

1. Leadership Development - developing techniques for leadership through the guidance of skilled facilitators

2. Professional Development - learning/developing skills through involvement and participation

3. Personal Growth - encourage awareness of personal capabilities

4. Recreation Skills - exploring creative self-expression through hands-on, interactive sessions

5. Sharing & Fellowship - sharing thoughts, ideas, skills, and techniques while enjoying wholesome fun with wonderful people

Our History

Great Lakes Recreation Leaders Lab is a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan. The many fine Rec Labs now being held throughout the United States of America received their inspiration and beginnings many years ago in Chicago, Illinois. Lynn Rohrbough saw the need for training church recreation leaders and got members of the Central Office of the Methodist Church to help set annual Education Recreation Institutes.

The first two were held in Chicago in 1926 and 1927. In 1929, it was moved from Chicago to Ogleby, near Wheeling, West Virginia, and the next year to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The name was changed to “Social Recreation Institutes” and from 1931 through 1934 they were held at Walden Woods near Hartland, Michigan. As the group became larger and people became eager to share their inspiration, training, and fellowship with people in their own localities it was decided to discontinue the national meetings at Walden Woods and give people an opportunity to start new labs in their own states.

The Michigan group met at Ashland Folk School near Grant, Michigan for three years under the leadership of the directors Chester and Margaret Graham. After the Folk School was closed in early 1938, the Michigan area did not have a Lab until Arden Peterson, Marion Hermance, Bernice LaFrenier, Gould Pinney, Ray Lamb and Jim Halm attended Black Hills Rec Lab in 1952 and came back with such enthusiasm that the Great Lakes Recreation Leaders Lab was started in Twin Lakes in 1952, and was held there until 1956. Lab was changed from fall session to spring, so there was no Lab in 1957.

Presently, GLRLL is held at Camp Cavell in Lexington, MI.  We host a diverse group of talented and fun people of all ages and backgrounds. We invite you to join us!