WARNING: 1920s plumbing. Flushing anything other than TP will result in an immediate and epic overflow situation. Dont say we didnt warn you. . says the sign in every bathroom at camp. .Trying to make more corners prettier around here. (every little bit helps.) We have 15 hand washing sinks, and every one could use a facelift.One silver lining to this social distancing thing is that we finally have time to tidy things up, pay attention to all those forgotten nooks. . . . @nathanmichael . @mrsmeyerscleanday ….. ..#mrsmeyerscleanday #mrsmeyers
March 19, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
Given our collective circumstances, weve decided to try stepping back a hundred years – embracing daily life and the routines that were here when camp was first built.Weve spent the past 15+ years stocking camp with the things to take us back to a simpler time. And were just realizing that this forced situation has gifted us the opportunity to live life a little more like its 1925 again.The way Charlies great great grandparents lived could teach us something about simplicity, resourcefulness and self reliance.OUR TOP 10 to-do list: (once our meeting calls wrap)… .Crack open a book whose pages havent been seen since the 1800s.. Cook something all day long in the stewpot.. Make a small batch cocktail.. Organize the root cellar pantry.Repair old sports equipment & fishing equipment.. Light a fire in the hearth..Nap. (What is that?). . Take a long bath in a tub somebody took their baths in 100 years ago. . .Forage & finally make that door wreath.No better place to practice social distancing than from a cabin in the woods. Thankfully, weve got enough here to provide folks what we all need most, separation and privacy. Our only communal space is 24 acres of wooded trails.So lets all take a step back to appreciate what we have in each other.Keep each other safe, eat alllll the Vitamin C gummiesandwash your hands like your life depends on it.Because somebodys may.Moments and memories captured by @Emilieanneszabo@Callieleichty@Ryanleichty@dearhyssop
March 18, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
Friends.This is all that matters.Take care of your loved ones.If anyone is looking for us, Were holed up at camp. Turns out that running a resort means that youre already fully stocked for anything from a Zombie apocalypseto Coronavirus.A years worth of cleaning supplies? check.200 rolls of TP? check.Enough booze for a wedding? Done.Something about taking conference calls from the middle of 25 acres of woods makes you think. Maybe we dont actually need to do so many in-office meetings?These quiet camp moments captured by:@Emilieanneszabo@Callieleichty@Ryanleichty@dearhyssop
March 17, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
Stocking up on our guest amenities. (200 rolls of toilet paper hand wrapped yesterday).And also introducing a bunch of new little house toiletry products (this is the first).Inspired by a fun little discovery of acompany that went out of business in the 1960s.The “GAY PRODUCTS COMPANY, Atlanta, GA.”.l They packaged everything from combs to toothbrushes, fuses, pencils, and key chains in these cardboard displays for 5 & Dimes and drug stores..So now we’re nerding out making custom camp versions of all the products campers would normally have picked up in their commissary, starting with the lowly toothbrush. Free to guests who forgot their dop kits (and Available in a rainbow colors…of course)More at #WandawegaCustoms
March 16, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
We finally got an office typewriter. This guy works perfectly and we cant wait to type our first newsletter on him. .(Now were going into full Nerd mode, deep diving to source a vendor to make us custom watermark paper in that perfect woven linen for camp letterpress stationary sets) Camp office photo by @bobcoscarelli
March 15, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
I’m damn lucky every day to be surrounded by some of the most inspiring ladies in the city. We’re grateful to have so many female friends who are starting their own businesses, launching their dreams, working for themselves or in the job they chose and love. Thankfully, we’re living in a day where it’s not just accepted, but encouraged. ..So for International Womens Day…I was honored to be asked to help @SOHOhouseChicago curate a special panel discussion of women, called : Dear Younger Self. Looking forward to sharing the stage with some inspiring ladies I admire (& are long-time friends of camp) .@tanjababich – The @ABC7Chicago news anchor & who we partner with for @LakeEffectChicago Camp for Chicago kids.@karenHerold- Ladyboss founder of @studioKCreative (and favorite traveling companion/ creative inspiration wing woman).@otherliztaylor – @OgilvyChicago alum, now boss lady at Publicis @leoburnett (who taught our daughter how to make her first Smore).And our future friend @gperrydavis, Director of Development at @MCAchicago .ABOUT THE PANEL:Successful businesswomen discuss their career experiences, including issues such as pay inequality, workplace sexism and being the breadwinner, and share what advice theyd give to their younger selves. Speakers include Tereasa Surratt, an author, creative director and the founder of Camp Wandawega; Gwen Davis, senior director of development at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Liz Taylor, chief creative officer at Leo Burnett; and Karen Herold, founder of creative house Studio K *Slide for the deets on how to reserve a spot for Wed, Mar 18, 6:30 (as a @Sohohouse member – or as a guest of a member) (1st photo TB at the first event we hosted at Soho, right before we had to carry this canoe up 3 flights of stairs ) .#internationalwomensday2020 #internationalwomensday
March 4, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
Fav part of this photo (other than having it over with) was Frankies expression. (This is the face of a dog that is not amused). for @milwaukeemag travel story
March 3, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
Honored to have a talented photography and styling crew spend the last few days at camp seeking light and little moments. Looking forward to sharing their perspective. (In the meantime a little sneak peek…)….@Emilieanneszabo @Callieleichty @Ryanleichty @dearhyssop
March 2, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
REWARD for return!!Our camp mascots went missing two Fridays ago from our office. And to be honest, were pretty sad about it. (They were a little reminder of wisco that I used to keep at work).Little partners in crime who would perch on the window at the office (second photo is where they where last seen) and occasionally on coworkers and friends shoulders) .Im not sure who would want to swipe two little dead furry mascots, but I can tell you that they are sorely missed. So if you are the one who may have mistakenly snatched Chip and Dale, leave them on my desk and nobody will know any better. Or… if you can lead us to them, well reward you – (many reward options to choose from camp stash)
February 29, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
EXTRA! EXTRA!Hot off the press (*gulp*… finally)Wandawega Tales & TrailsOur little camp newspaper, issue No.1.This little labor of love has been In the works since last November. (It takes an embarrassing long time to make little things like this when youre as small as us & cant afford to hire it out or in-house marketing team)FEATURES:> The Camp Culinary Program rollout > The new Camp Excursions programming > the just launched Camp Counselor series > Local road trip attractions spotlights> The grounds attractions roadmap > Center fold poster Camp barflies, 1950We learned that to print actual newspapers the old fashioned way, you have to commit to thousands. so were gonna be these away till were all raisins. They also make great kindling, rabbit house bedding, and TP if youre camping and desperate. (We just hope they get used for some functional purpose)There are people who do things for others out of generosity and goodwill. For us, these are those people:Walworth County Historical Society staff for helping us sort through every Elkhorn Independent newspaper to find ads for business that are still in business- still offering wares to the locals 60+ years later.+ Jon Oye for the illustration . + Brad/Ash for correcting our endless typos We look for excuses to support small local business like us- so when we found a second generation family owned newspaper (in a tiny farming community downstate by hometown) so we where excited to give them our (albeit small) piece of business. The last shot here is Astoria, Illinois where KK Stevens newspaper printers is located. The Owners name is Tom Stevens and he helped us get this thing on press, even though he couldnt been worth his time in dollars- even with us paying full rate- its heartening to know that there are still shops out there who will still take on little jobs for other little businesses.
February 26, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt
