The Destination
South Shore Resort & Retreats is a timeless lakeside destination nestled along Michigan’s western coast. Accommodations include recently renovated cozy cabins and a rustic lodge, and amenities such as a private beach plenty of outdoor activities make for a fun and memorable escape.
The Itinerary
We give kids ages 5-12 the space to simply be, with daily book clubs, bookish arts & crafts, outdoor games, and swimming or kayaking in the lake woven into each day. As evening settles in, everyone gathers for an evening event, like a Book to Movie Night under the stars.
Your Hosts
READ-Treat is a family affair, built on the belief that big ideas grow best when they're shared. At its heart is Lindsay Mueller, someone who has always loved to read, who lights up watching kids fall in love with stories, and who dreamed of building a place where readers could gather, slow down, and share their stories together. But it's the village around her that brings that dream to life. Her daughters, Paige and Lucie, have helped curate every layer of the experience, from crafting the weekend's menus to leading book club conversations and teaching the bookish arts and crafts that turn a retreat into a home.
Each Family Camp Includes:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by a professional chef who caters to the pickiest.
Family Welcome Bag
A curated welcome bag full of thoughtful bookish surprises.
Kids can get busy creating while parents take a break, get a massage, or go for a swim.
Daily book clubs where kids read together. Curated by kids to remove all feel of school!
New Friends, Guaranteed
Friends are made fast at South Shore Resort & Retreats, where play is prioritized.
Food, Glorious Food!
Our on-site chef prepares all meals and snacks for the entirety of the camp* - often themed to our book picks! Past highlights have included make-your-own pizza night and ice cream sundaes. Check out our sample menu below to get an idea of what we'll be munching on at the lake.
Arrival Day
Snack: PB&J bars, veggie sticks
Dinner: Burgers and salads
Day 3
Breakfast: French Toast bake, egg cups, fruit
Lunch: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Snack: Fruit pizzas
Dinner: Tacos, chips and dips
Day 2
Breakfast: Waffle bar, scrambled eggs, fruit
Lunch: Assorted sandwiches
Snack: PB&J bars, veggie sticks
Dinner: Make your own pizza
Final Morning
Breakfast: Yogurt, assorted cereal, fruit
Snack: Cold cuts, veggie sticks, grab & go snacks
*Chef Colleen works with all food allergies to ensure that you can eat with peace of mind.
A Campus for Reading
Here, the whole campus becomes your reading nook. Curl up in the lodge with the lake stretching out before you, stake out a spot on the beach, or spread a blanket in the grass beneath one of the many trees. Swing gently on a porch swing, tuck into a hammock, or simply follow the light as it moves throughout the day — wherever you land, there's a place waiting for you and your book. This isn't a single reading room; it's an invitation to let the whole of South Shore R&R hold your story for a while.
Each day opens with a book club gathering that sets the tone for everything ahead. The theme we uncover together carries through the whole day — showing up in the arts & crafts we make with our hands, the food that lands on the table, and the story we gather around each evening. It's less a schedule and more a thread, quietly connecting morning pages to nighttime firelight.
Artists' Corner
In addition to our reading time and outdoor adventures, we set aside space each day for arts & crafts. It is a chance to keep the hands moving and creativity quietly brewing. Some days it's simple and meditative, like painting bookmarks or pressing flowers between pages; other days it's a little more hands-on, like our most recent favorite: Paige's soap-making workshop, where everyone left with something they made themselves (and a room that smelled incredible). Whatever the project, there's no pressure to be "good" at it — just an invitation to slow down, get a little messy, and make something with your hands.
*Have an idea for a fun craft your young reader has wanted to try their hand at? Feel free to shout it out in your registration message! We're always open to suggestions.
Meet Your Hosts!
Lindsay Mueller is an ICF-certified coach and consultant. Lindsay blends grounded insight with practical structure to help people grow, initiatives run smoothly, and big ideas take root. Family Camp for Book Lovers is her favorite big idea yet.
Lucie just finished 6th grade and is an audiobook fan. She loves to sing, dance, spend time with her friends, and read realistic fiction. To Lucie, community is a place where everyone is welcome, and she’s excited to share that with you!
Paige just finished 4th grade and loves to read fantasy novels - her favorites are the Whatever After series. She loves to add humor to her storytelling, and is super excited for everyone to experience the beach and their beautifully decorated rooms!
