Damascus, a Catholic missionary movement serving more than 7,000 campers and 400 summer missionaries each year, invites qualified firms to submit qualifications and a proposal for full master planning services.

The engagement will establish how Damascus’s mission, culture and programs shape the design, use and growth of its properties, and will produce site master plans for three campuses:

• Ohio Main Campus, Centerburg, Ohio: further development of the established campus, plus a potential West Campus on undeveloped land west of Lake Joy for 280 to 560 additional campers per week.
• Damascus Great Lakes, Brighton, Michigan: growth from about 180 to 250-280 campers per week, including a new auditorium, cabins and retreat programs.
• Damascus Summit Lake, Emmitsburg, Maryland: growth from about 220 to 250-280 campers per week, with additional cabins and a phased introduction of retreats.

Deliverables include an organizational master plan, an illustrated cultural and design guide, three site master plans with alternatives and phasing, and a capital and operating workbook. Completion is targeted within six months of notice to proceed.

Teams with experience in camps, retreat centers, Catholic or faith-based campuses, and coordinated multi-site planning are encouraged to respond. The team should cover planning, architecture, landscape architecture, civil infrastructure, cost estimating and financial analysis.

Key dates: written questions due November 20, 2026; answers posted December 4, 2026; proposals due January 8, 2027, 5:00 P.M. ET; interviews February 1 to 12, 2027.

Full RFP: https://www.damascus.net/master-plan-rfp
Contact: AJ D’Angelo, Director of Operations, aj@damascus.net