Wandawega Blog Archive

Whos coming?We just got a guest cancellation (whos quarantining & cant travel now) so we have a last min avail next weekend for the #wandawegahillhouse To get the 30% off, hit the contact host to inquire button when you book it. As always, we dont have a reservations desk, all bookings are DIY on a first-come-first-serve-basis. Love,Camp @bobcoscarelli for Lake & Country MagazineThe handsome gent in the first shot is the architect, friend and one of our favorite humans : @cargo_north

September 25, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We had the pleasure of hosting a group of all-grown-up boyscouts last weekend.These boys came prepared to have a good time. But as they saywhat happens at camp, stays at camp (except for the rainbow bonfire, studio 54 tennis court transformation, and field sports in wigs part).And they made their own tie-dye Ts (Charlie was OVER THE MOON to get one).If everyone could be so creative, joyful, kind & free-spirited as this group was, the whole world would be better for it.Peace & Love to all,Camp Photos:@Shawn2david@Cshore303@marshalltoolbox @astro_knott cape photo Cover photo by the lovely @tboethin

September 25, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

CHEFS & ARTISTS are our favorite people.(Its partly because we cant cook or make art ourselves, so we have mad love & respect for those who do)This past week, weve been hosting the @THEjaunt artist-in-residence camp for these talented humans:@ellenrutt @bakpakdurden @davheo @kellyknaga (These artists make prints, 25% of the profit from @thejaunt sales goes to various LGBTQ & food pantry charities in Chicago & Detroit)One of the other fav parts of this week, is the honor of having two artists (who are also chefs) join: @CodyTumblin /@cookingAesthetics_ & @dreamcaketestkitchen Take over the #WandawegaHillhouse kitchen turning it into the most culinary messhall a campground has ever seen. Dinner last night with @struggle_inc & @lori_seidemann was the cherry on top.Our hearts and stomachs are full, We are so grateful to have this place to share with people and causes that are important to us.*all photos shared by the artists & crew

September 24, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Whats your favorite thing to do in the fall (on a rainy day?).For us, its this. Puzzle + Baileys Coffee + Fireplace Weve been working on this for six months through collecting old puzzle inspiration to making a bazillion samples to get it made and its finally, finally here. (So we just stocked the camp store.)Its 300 pieces and features Frankie trying to jump in our old wagoneer (he always panics when we pull the truck to the gate, because thinks hes getting left behind)The feature Photo shot for the puzzle was shot for a magazine spread by the amazing @bobcoscarelli.(Official camp puzzle wrangler: @ahutchgram)

September 23, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Which movie should we play Halloween night in our the theater in the woods?Were making plans for this hallows-eve for every fun thing I remember from growing up in the country. This is whats on the list so far, let us know what were missing; movie in the woods theater * Hay rack rides Pumpkin carving Campfire by the tipi * Smores * jiffy pop on open fire * leaf pile jumping hot chocolate spiked cider ghost story night hike* pumpkin target archery color tour canoeing Thanks, @Departuresmag magazine for the nice little story about the programming our camp counselors are offering to guests who book this fall.(Link on todays bio line)EXCERPT:Camp Wandawega, a chic and effortlessly cozy Wisconsin lodge, can give the kids a sense of independence at all of their “counselor-led” Halloween activities. Families are invited to attend a Night at the Movies at Camp Wandawega, where the counselors will set up a movie night under the stars (and screen your choice of scary movie) while providing drinks, snacks, and popcorn for a movie night in the rustic outdoor chapel. Families can also get into the fall spirit with a fire building and smore workshop, where the counselors will show you how to safely build and maintain a one match fireand let you roast the perfect smore. There are also plenty of guided hikes to choose from; a half-mile hike to see the best foliage on the property, or a Scary Night Hike tour of the woods that, if youre up for it, might just conclude with ghost stories around the campfire.STORY:12 hotels offering halloween festivitys for the whole familyhttps://www.departures.com/travel/hotels/luxury-hotels-halloween-festivities(Remaining accommodations on first-come-first-serve. See wandawega.com/visit to book)* see our programming for which activities we host for you, and which are guests DIYThank you @bjornwallander for taking my portrait with @williammgolden at our favorite farm stand a mile from camp (for the TB to the feature story in @countrylivingmag )Past autumn pics at camp:3 @richardoriginal 4-7 @bjornwallander

September 22, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Meeting people for the first time.Were not too good at this, but were told that when you hit a milestone (in this case making 63,000 friends on here as of this morning ) that the neighborly thing to do is introduce yourselves-So here goes !HI Nice to meet you! Tereasa and David here (and our daughter Charlie).We run a little nearly century old summer camp in Wisconsin. (Other former owners have been a madame and the Catholic Church – stories for another day).We run this place as a labor of love. We bought it 16 years ago (because we couldnt stomach the thought of it getting torn down).We love breathing new life into old things. Be that buildings, objects, traditions or human spirit. A big chunk of the events we give to not-for-profits, charities that support schools, inner city kids and the arts. We have an outdoor church that seats 200 that we donate to the local community for Catholic mass in the grass Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Sadly, This is the first season since 1961 that we couldnt share it. Holding out hope for 2021).We work full time day jobs (then work here).We have a 14.5 year old mutt who goes by Frankie – who is our heart.We accept those who accept everyone. (Hate has no home here) We want folks to know that this feed is fed by the creative community that built us, so we use this virtual social space to share our daily inspiration – (and so much of that comes from our guests).We have something called the manifesto of low expectations that prepares people for their stay with us (because we arent a glamping resort – we get creative, low maintenance, DIY folks here that we love).A little story about who we are and who we want to be is on todays profile line link. So….welcome to our home. Its nice to meet you here on this feed, but we really hope to meet you someday in person. And when you do, youll most easily spot us as the ones dragging out trash bags, or hauling picnic tables around. But be warned, we may ask you to pick up an end with us #community Pics here are from @midwestlivingmag story a few years ago ( titled We Bought A Camp!). Charlie is now 9

September 20, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

A hero.Thank you forever for everything you did for us. May you Rest In Power and Peace, Notorius RBG.A few months the ago, for Charlies final school project, she was asked to pick and write about an inspiring woman who made an important difference. .This is what she made.I think were going to go find a frame today for the little digital portriat she made to accompany her story. The crown says it all. (Yes, Charlie- Ruth is the queen in our eyes, too)

September 19, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

here for the friendship.The teeniest trailer in the campground.We found our little canned ham, for $900 (from a hunter in the north woods who used it as a teensy hunting lodge on his sportsmans trips)Its a 1950s 11 foot Friendship Travel Trailer from Friendship, Wisconsin. .We parked her adjacent to an old deck, gutted the little kitchen and sink (converting it to open storage). And spent forever finding vintage hunting themed barkcloth to make custom curtains and bedding. Now we use it as a mobile office. (It might be time for a family road trip, any suggestions?).Shes got a diningroom area that can fold down to a twin bed, a closet, double bed, converted kitchenette (The 8th pic is Charlie when she was a nugget (we think tiny houses are for kids from 5-100). We are a little bit obsessed with this early 50s vision of utopian trailer parks. Surrounded by Perfectly manicured rose bushes where you lounge all day with your neighbors drinking Tom Collins listening to Sinatra on the transistor radio..1st pic, pup & Magazine spread Shots by @bobcoscarelli

September 18, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Grab the good bottle & lets meet here tonight. (Conversations with Frankie )Fall is almost upon us- and this bench on the old dock is the best spot for campers to watch the colors change around the lake. Welcome to campfire and smores season, friends !-Me & Frankie portrait : @juliastotz Lake shot: @katebe_

September 17, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt