Wandawega Blog Archive

Good things are coming.Our market bag prototypes are in the works – we are on our third complete custom design now and just about have it dialed in for the full production run.Thanks to @joshuaminnich @hansenscreenprinting (and @saracovey )

April 24, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The little trailer that could ..PROJECT | the Canned Ham | 1956 trailer We found this 1956 Friendship on Craigslist for $800 It was built in Friendship, Wisconsin We remodeled the tiny kitchen to storage & cupboards Finally found dead stock woods themed vintage barkcloth to make the curtains & pillows The little dining room table folds down into a single bed.Its has two lights inside, power, a space heater, and 6 teensie windowsWe had her custom awning sewn in fancy stripe fabric, circa 50s patternWe keep it parked by the tennis court as a short straw crash pad for friends. @bobcoscarelli for a little feature story we did on how to vacation in a trailer

April 12, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Welcome to the Fieldhouse.Were in the process now opening her back up for the season.Weve been obsessed with scout nature centers- the sort found at old school summer camp & National Park Educational stands.the kind filled with nature learning projects, educational resources like nature books, binoculars, arrowheads, rocks, fossils & journals for kids of all ages. Weve wanted our own, and now that we do- we try to add to it every year. Love this time of year – When everything old is new again.And nature draws us all outside

April 11, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

weird backstory Camp tour You cant throw a stick here without hitting something with a strange history. So when youre at camp ask us-cause the best stories are never on the surface (and its never what you think).No. 1: The pickup had 1 owner before us – a sign painter. (Explaining the paint flecking on the dashboard). Ches from @rightwaysigns lettered the doors of our ragtag fleet. Hes the Single stroke master.No. 2: We found an antique postcard of the lodge (& discovered that it once had flower boxes, a step landing, Adirondacks, antler racks so we built it all to match the photo.No. 3: We pulled this paint color from a 50s issue of Better Homes and Gardens. The local painter (retired from a rock band) wed hired asked uswhy the hell we picked puke green – he tried talk us out of it more than once. No. 4: Our pingpong tables came from an Elkhorn church basement. We thought they where cool because they had folding legs. But they fall apart every year. And we then we rebuild them. Every year.No. 5: Underneath this dock are 2 long metal pontoons (that we salvaged from a boat). We clad it in the wood planks that came from the dock thats been here since Davids childhood.No. 6:The crazy plaid green on the upholstered boat bench seats are from a shuttered Mopar factory (we bought a bolt of 1970s deadstock vinyl from a woman who sells on Etsy)No. 7: We didnt know this pergola was here until we saw it on postcard & zoomed in. So we started digging around the spot in the photo and found the original footings and rebuilt it.No. 8: Our boat shed used to be an outhouse. we found it online described as an ice fishing shack. Raccoons like to hide in the seat hole sometimes(open the door slowly when you are going in)No. 9:A group of Latvian refugees built the railroad tie terraces in the 60s. When we were repairing them, we unearthed hoards of vintage beer cans and bottles.@sdamiani @aimeemazzenga

April 10, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

That time we found gold in a shoebox. . VOLUME UP .An 8 year old David is here (see if you can spot him in the sports jersey- 3 scenes). Many of these 70s wandawega kids are now grandparents. The best things dont change.

March 31, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Smokey bear needs a new ride:Our new camp ATV / golf cart / Cushman / Jeep Willy dreams. Our friend @nathanbobey shared what AI gives you when Smokey bear is part of the image description. (we promise we didnt put that in his paw- or make him an amputee)This tool is giving us all the vivid nightmares (also a few new ideas)

March 29, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Please help us welcome Kelly!Our new director of too many things to list:Camper relations, events, groups, experience, operations, outside programming & culinary partners & more. Weve been interviewing for our key position (that we opened up last August to candidates).We found someone who rose above the stack (that we clicked with the minute we met her)She comes to us from Anthropolie group (Terrain) Crate, Warby Parker, Rishi Tea & Botanicals. Kelly has spent her career managing stores & growing teams at creative places much bigger than we could hope to be.FUN FACTSFirst date with husband chef was at a Pixies concert in NYdog mamma x 2a city girl (Milwaukee) who has spent her career commuting, living in diff cities Studied in School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland. floral / photography/ baking / ceramicist/ photography/ stylingshes one of the most creative souls weve ever met Kellys already introduced us to so many creatives – Weve already learned so much from her decades of management experience – we already cant imagine camp without her. She comes to us with infectious enthusiasm (already loved by all that meet her) and is helping us grow all of our dreams for camp. Welcome, Kelly!@theruffians We both consider ourselves the lucky ones.all shots of Kellys creative projects & passions

March 27, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Its time! Season set up has started. Hauling the ranger station out of storage. Stocking her up for the season. Shes a DIY self serve smores station. (We converted 1940s teardrop trailer to keep stocked with complimentary smores fixins).Were also on the hunt to augment our collection of vintage campfire stories books- no shortage of Ghost stories around here.Shots here across the years of past years -All have the same thing on common / they all end with smores

March 26, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

THE RETURN OF THE FLEET Time to drag everything out of storage and do the what still starts? game:(There are usually at least a couple that dont turn over after their long winters nap)1973 International Travelall 1953 International Raymond Loewy Metro 1980 Ford 515 1971 International 110 4wd dually firetruck 1942 Ford tractor 2017 Ural Sportsmans edition sidecarNot shown:All the crap that we need desperately need to keep this place running but are currently not cooperating. (AKA: the 93 Dodge W350 4×4 dually, 06 Polaris Ranger, and one very slow & ugly golf cart.)Something made in this decade would be more practical. But that would be too easy.Thanks for sharing your pics, campers!@_lyndonfrench_ @yesjonwes @aimeemazzenga @jonnymendez__ @afterthequake @stevenvisneauphotography @defybags and friends

March 24, 2023 • Published by Tereasa Surratt