weddings - Camp Deer Trails

Meet Camp Deer Trails’ new wedding coordinator

by campdeertrail_jmlv7i | Nov 13, 2025 | Camp News, Events, Weddings

We are thrilled to welcome Sadie Wheaton to our team as our new wedding coordinator!

Sadie, a recent Central Michigan University graduate with a degree in event and recreation management, is ready to put her wedding experience to work for future Camp Deer Trails couples. She and her new fiance are also one of our future wedding couples as they’re getting married at Camp Deer Trails in October 2026!

We sat down with Sadie to hear more about her background and passion for wedding planning, as well as what she loves most about Camp Deer Trails.

Q: Tell us about your new role

I will be in charge of everything weddings. This includes bookings, tours, being there the day of, coordinating the venue-related aspects and making sure everything runs smoothly. My goal will be to ensure the bride and the family don’t have to worry one bit.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your past experiences?

When I transferred to CMU, I got a part-time job with the city of Mount Pleasant, working in recreation and doing community events. I loved the event planning aspect of that job, so after that, I got a summer job at The Venue at 501 in Claire. I worked as their assistant venue director and coordinated weddings. After that, I started an internship at the Back Orchard Barn in Freeland. It was very fast-paced as they do three weddings every weekend, which was a great experience. Now, I am very excited to get started here at Camp Deer Trails!

Q: How would you describe your style of management when you’re working with couples?

My personal management style is usually pretty casual. I am there to be your wedding planning best friend. I’m there for the stress; I’m there for the happy things; I’m there when you have questions; I’m there for all of it.

Q: How do you handle unexpected situations or challenges that arise on the wedding day?

Honestly, my philosophy is to make everything I can handle on my own a secret so that everything from the couple’s perspective runs smoothly. No one wants the extra stress of random issues on their wedding day.

Q: Does being a bride-to-be yourself give you a different perspective that helps you serve your clients now?

Yes, absolutely. Let me just say, I completely understand budget. I completely understand why people stress about the guests, how many people they are going to have, what kind of alcohol they’re gonna serve, all of those things. I’ve seen too many people just take money from clients, and that is not what we’re here for. We’re here to give you everything we can with the budget you have and make it work for you. Weddings are expensive and seeing that firsthand has really helped me realize that budget is so important.

Q: Why would you suggest Camp Deer Trails as a couple’s venue?

You can book a whole weekend, which makes everything so much less stressful. You get to have the rehearsal without stress the day before and you can clean up on Sunday. You don’t have to stay after the wedding on Saturday night and be out by midnight, which you do have to do at many venues. When you book the whole weekend, you also get all the cabins, and it is really cool to have sleeping accommodations for that many people on-site. That is not common at all. The way Camp Deer Trails does it makes everyone want to have more fun.

Q: What are you looking forward to most?

I’m really looking forward to meeting the 2026 couples that I get to work with. I’m excited to make new relationships and help these couples have the best day of their lives.

Sadie engagement — Sadie and her fiancé, Zach, are getting married at Camp Deer Trails in October 2026.

Meet the Owners: The Cole Family

by Heather Smith | Apr 9, 2024 | Camp News

A few years ago, Justin and Courtney Cole set out in search of lakefront property for their family to use for hunting and leisure activities. They came across a former Girl Scout camp for sale and, without even seeing it in person, made an offer.

Their offer wasn’t accepted, but they didn’t stop there.

The Coles learned the property, Camp Deer Trails, might be sold to a business that would develop it into something new. They knew the camp had tremendous history they wanted to help preserve. They wrote a letter to the seller, promising that if they bought the property, they would keep it 100% intact, preserving the camp.

“Finally seeing the property, we couldn’t believe anyone would want to tear it apart and develop it,” Courtney said. “We saw what it could be and had visions of not only preserving it, but making it into something even better than it was before.”

The seller — and hundreds of former Girl Scouts who have memories from the camp — wanted it preserved. The Coles became the new owners of Camp Deer Trails in late 2020 and soon were renting the cabins to visitors.

A family affair

The Coles, who live just south of the camp in Clare, run the business with the help of their family. Courtney manages day-to-day logistics, upkeep and event planning, while Justin, a financial planner by day, manages the finances.

Justin’s father, Mark, has devoted his retirement to the camp. The former restaurant owner is the camp chef, making all of the food for wedding receptions, corporate gatherings and other group events. He also watches over the camp and uses his handyman skills to help with maintenance. Courtney’s mother, Cheryl, helps with lodge and cabin cleaning and wherever else she is needed.

The couple also has four boys ranging in age from 11 to 1— Jayden, Cannon, Jordan and Cruz — who also help out by mowing lawns, taking out the trash and driving tractors (well, at least the older ones do!).

Since acquiring the camp, the Coles have begun hosting weddings and other gatherings, made many improvements and added two new cabins — Lakefront Lodge and Sunset Shores.

“We love owning the campground and hosting people from all over the state and beyond,” Courtney said. “We have something for everyone and love to welcome new people into the Camp Deer Trails family.”