Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center

Specialties

Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center occupies 64 acres of wooded & prairie land in the beautiful countryside of West Bend, WI. During the Spring, Summer & Fall seasons, we welcome groups of children, adults & seniors to our facility for nature based recreational activities. We serve all those with special needs, including at-​risk, behavioral, physically disadvantaged, mentally challenged and all those facing a particular life challenge. We also welcome caregivers and staff for retreats & workshops.

We are set up like a day camp, and groups can enjoy a variety of nature based activities

during their visit. Amenities include:

* Kayaks * Walking Labyrinth * Swimming * Canoes * Nature Trails

* Yard Games * Pedal Boats * Campfires * Fishing

Blue Lotus offers ADA accessible bathrooms, boardwalks, a fishing pier and a boat launch. We have lots of open space for arts & crafts, yoga, exploration and quiet time (or not-​so quiet time!). Blue Lotus also has an indoor pavilion space that expands our program offerings by enabling an extensive array of educational presentation and recreational opportunities geared more for an indoor setting. It includes a spacious common and dining area, full service kitchen, meeting facility and handicapped accessible private restrooms and shower facilities. Attached is a screen porch that allows visitors a shaded area for a variety of activities.

History

Established in 2002.

Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center officially came to life as a non-​profit organization in August of 2003. Long before this though, the property was an actual farm — consisting of a 1-​story house, a barn, a couple of trees, and acres upon acres of corn fields. Fred Bliffert’s father, Robert, purchased the property in the late 1950’s, with the intent to use it as a summer home. Robert was responsible for the initial work done on the property — adding a porch and lower section to the farm house, building an in-​ground pool in the back, and planting numerous bushes, and trees of all kinds, including apple, throughout the property. With time the area naturalized — the trees grew, prairies formed and the place became a special getaway for Robert, his family, and friends. He used and enjoyed his summer home for many years, until the mid 90’s when his health began to deteriorate.

When Robert Bliffert passed away in 1998, he left the 64 acre property to his children. Because the farm had

Meet the Business Owner

Susan B.

Business Owner

Treasurer/​Staff Advisor

Founder, Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center

Owner, Reflections in Health