Wandawega Blog Archive
What just showed up in the mailbox .Adult camp stories in the latest issue of New Roads mag- (aka: what happens when @Chevrolet takes over camp). We where really hoping they would leave behind a 1973 C30 one-ton dually…no such luck.
.THE GIVE BACK EXPERIMENT. .This past Saturday @lowresstudio paid us a visit to film a segment for the launch of their new series, “stories of generous creatives; Examples of what it looks like to live life in a way that creates a more abundant world by fostering a collaborative, creative environment. So thankful to be included & for the inspiring team our family spent the morning with!CONFESSION: filming this made me realize that I have workaholic tendencies..Which among other things, means that it’s emotionally & mentally hard to detach. (Self-inflicted)First step: Admit it. Out loud.Next step: Fix it.WAKE UP CALL (#ashamed)When you find yourself in the parking lot of a funeral on a client briefing call.When you finally take your dream trip, & find yourself at the edge of the Grand Canyon with your daughter, yet txting in a mtng.When youre driving your dad home to hospice care while editing a Powerpoint.I will never get those moments back. & that damn ghost of regret is a relentless.So Ive taken a vow to take my vaca & use them for family & others. (For 19 yrs Ive been donating too much of them back to the job)So begins 1st step: Ceasing to give of my vaca time selling material goods. Instead, investing those days in others.VOW: Each vacation day spent making something to give away.CRITERIA: How will I spend this day to help achieve a dream? (A tangible diff in someone life?) REWARD: Instead of feeling guilt for taking vaca, feel guilt for NOT taking vaca – because I can commit them to something more important.SO, along w/ the family HERE ARE FEW OF OUR VACA PLANS:. -Introducing a very special group of inner city youth to the country. .-Mentoring students on the other side of the globe. .- Hosting an org to celebrate LGBTQ life, rights & love. .- Collaborating with an art therapist to support people in need. ..GOAL: Make opportunities to give away, while creating moments that our kid & hundreds of others kids young & old will be able to remember as their best day of ..Thanks to: last @nathanmichael, @tjsyndram, @richardsmithiii, @jessevisual, @matt.scheffer, @chrisrocco, @tylermerle, @zacksabin
. WE FOUND OUR NEW CAMP DIRECTOR! actually, two- they came as an unexpected “package deal.” Shes an event coordinator / administrator / creative + stylist.Hes a carpenter / outdoorsman / camp program coordinator / jack-of-all-trades.They both have “camp” in their blood.FUN FACTS:Ashley’s ink tell the story of her activism for womens rights. Brads arms speak to his creative loves.He gives talks at National Camp Conventions. She has a degree in Criminal Justice, which we hope she won’t need here : )He comes to us from nearly 5 years as Program Coordinator for one of Wisconsins oldest & biggest camps. Together they’ve worked at Camps from the Midwest, the Southwest to the West Coast, before making America’s Dairyland their forever home, along with their two little boys.Theyre rehabbing their vintage lake cottage nearby.It was a hard process – over 100 applicants from coast to coast (& several continents) We met so many talented folks – we only wish we could have hired more (maybe someday). We actually met this duo when they camp to Camp Wandawega last season, brought by the folks from Knob Creek Rye as the production & design team for one of our favorite events.They both appreciate the occasional whiskey, RBG and the outdoors. The camp lifestyle they chose years ago is a meaningful way for them to give back to the world by fostering creative lives, an appreciation for nature, and the sense of community that is enabled by summer camps.We are grateful to have found them- grab a s’mores with them when you pay us a visit.Welcome!@bhdwoodworks @ahutchgram .Shown here: some of their creative projects, spaces and hobbies .1st shot @cshimala
Speakers. Workshops. Design. Photography. Art. Food. @CampWed just announced that their annual sell-out event tix go live March 14.Hosted by @cherrybevents .@onefinedayproductions @loganberries@tess_smith_photography@mariacampbellphotography@starmercer@presswaffles@lexiafrankphoto
For girls of all ages on this INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY.a little advice from @Hillaryclinton (our hero) to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” .And to our 8 year old boss, a little advice from mom:Fall in love with as many things as possible Be nice to animals.Listen to Hillary (& grandma).Play allll the boys sports Hug the haters.Stop growing up so damn fast.Change your socks.#charliebebrave
YAY! Thank you so much @TRAVELandLEISURE magazine for including us in your short list for top 11 destinations in Wisco. No way were gonna win this thing, just surprised to somehow have made it as a finalist. (Throw back here to when they paid us a visit for the Summer Classics feature story)
OUR FAVORITE SUMMERCAMP.
We literally never wanted to leave this time capsule tucked up in the Northwoods. Camp Red Arrow is a boy’s summer camp in Woodruff, Wisco – they take campers as young as 7 years old for a minimum 7 weeks stay. It began as a logging camp in 1870, turned “Williams Resort” – until 1920 when it was converted into the All-boys camp that it still runs as today. This place is a literal living museum with Mess Hall, Rec Hall, Infirmary, and countless hand hewn log cabins (built by the Norwegian lumberjacks) – all still in original condition…
.Dear 2018,.YOU KICKED OUR ASSES.You brought a flood into the new house we just finished- with no flood insurance. You delivered a storm that ripped out too many of our beloved heritage trees. You brought us a long and emotionally painful unwarranted legal battle. You took out the beach & terraces built in 1970s with the storms.You left us with more crew turnover than we thought we could handle. You brought us more work at our day jobs than we could handle and still be good parents, let alone hosts. You tested our patience, sanity, and at times ability to trust- We thank you for the hard lessons and the motivation that it gifted us.Dear 2019,We welcome you with open arms. You are the year that will let us finally see our 15 year dream of expansion come to fruition. (you’ve already given us the green light for the use of the back 20+ acres – so we can start this spring on our long-view vision for Camp 2.0). You are the year that is finally giving us the chance to launch products with 3 dream partners for a sporting gear collab, The cabin apparel product collab and the cabin gear product collab. You are bringing us a new bigger crew and support we have needed to keep up with whats coming.we are grateful for both years.one that made us stronger.one that makes us hopeful.Wishing everyone a belated happy new year.may it be the year of abundance for everyone.in love. health. happiness, and prosperity however you define it.
