May 31, 2026
Dear Lake Warren Preservation Association Members,
Many of you are aware of the 16-acre parcel located off Forest Road on the point across from the island which is currently for sale. This property is currently undeveloped, and the Association has received multiple inquiries from concerned members asking whether there are any plans or opportunities to conserve the land and maintain it in its current natural state.
The Board feels strongly that decisions regarding private property ownership and management belong to the property owners themselves. As an organization, we maintain a neutral position regarding how individuals choose to use their land. However, we have consistently supported conservation and preservation initiatives that help protect and enhance the health, water quality, and natural character of Lake Warren and its watershed.
Recently, leaders from Kroka Expeditions approached the Association seeking support for their efforts to purchase the property. David and I had the opportunity to meet with their Senior Director, Nathan Lyczak, and learn more about Kroka's mission and operations. Nathan welcomed us to their Marlow campus, where he shared information about their programs, educational philosophy, and long-term vision.
Although Kroka has been a neighbor to our community for many years, I admit that I previously had limited familiarity with their organization. Since 1996, Kroka has provided educational experiences for young people centered on connecting with nature, simple and sustainable living, and developing practical outdoor skills informed by indigenous traditions and history.
During our visit, we asked several questions that we felt many lake residents would also want addressed:
Would Kroka use this property to expand its summer camp operations?
Would the property become the primary location for camp water activities?
How would restroom facilities and human waste disposal be managed to prevent impacts on water quality, including potential increases in phosphorus levels in the lake?
Nathan answered these questions directly and openly. He showed us Kroka's current waste management practices and explained their established procedures, which is a carry-in and carry-out system wherever they travel. According to Nathan, Kroka has no plans to expand its camp operations to this property. He explained that their current Marlow campus is operating at a scale that can only be effectively managed in their current location where campers and counselors cohabitate for oversight, meal prep, and equipment availability. It would not be feasible for them to operate at two separate sites.
He shared with us an ongoing safety concern related to launching canoes from the public boat landing. As many members have experienced, when the camp arrives with multiple canoes, conflicts can occur with other lake users who are launching or retrieving boats. The proposed property would provide a more suitable shoreline location for canoe launching, creating a safer and less congested environment for campers, many of whom are learning to use canoes for the first time. He identified that roughly once a month the camp utilizes the island as an overnight camping excursion. This would remain unchanged and provide them easier and closer access to the island. They may also use the new property for camping.
Regarding concerns that ownership of the property would lead to increased use of Lake Warren, Nathan stated that it would not. Kroka's curriculum includes activities on a variety of waterways, including rivers and coastal environments that would not change nor could be achieved at Lake Warren. Nathan shared that one of the motivations behind pursuing the property is the desire to prevent future development that could alter the natural setting of the lake. He noted that the largely undeveloped character of Lake Warren is an important part of the environment that supports Kroka's educational mission.
This is only some of what we learned from our visit, and we want to provide members with an opportunity to hear directly from Kroka and ask questions. We have invited Nathan to attend the Association meeting this Saturday, June 6th, and will provide time for open discussion and questions regarding the property and Kroka's plans.
Nathan explained that Kroka is currently working with two donors and the Monadnock Conservancy to raise funds for the purchase. He has asked the Association for support in the form of verbal support and pledges. While financial contributions of any size would be helpful toward the acquisition, he emphasized that community support and approval from Lake Warren residents are equally important to this effort. It is important to Kroka and their donors to know that this purchase has the support of locals around the lake.
We encourage all interested members to attend the meeting, learn more about the proposal, and participate in the discussion. In the meantime, if you would like more information about this project, or would like to donate, please click here: https://kroka.org/lake-warren/.
Sincerely,
Jayna McWhorter, President