Wandawega Blog Archive

Turns out that 160 5-8 year olds are a pretty fun crowd. (On the way home now from THE FOREVER TREE reading and we are getting pulled over for expired sticker now!) Charlie is asking if this is the part where we get arrested ? (Hope not) //She had fun at the Elise C. Johnson elementary school – who gave us a warm welcome! We loved the beautiful sculptural book cover they created for the reading. // she got to gift the kids little pieces of the actual forever tree as a talismans // thank you to @randomhousekids and partner in words & wisdom : @donnalukecp -Donna Charlton-Perrin (Lukas)

February 8, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Newest addition to camp: BEAR SKINS : Decking out the mens room (putting back what had been here for decades before the Catholic church bought this place in 1961)WHAT WE LEARNED: its really hard to find NOS (new old stock) condoms. (Read: they’ll disintegrate upon opening, we’re sure – so bring your quarters, and consider them souvenirs from an era when camp was a ‘Bawdy House of Ill Fame”- on the blog: “The prostitues of Hotel Wandawega 1942 (pictured here: the vintage camp collection and inspired design)

February 7, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

WHATS NEXT.A maker / retailer that we love (who makes awesome things) wants to make something awesome branded camp & sell it to the world. Not sure how this all started to happen, but excited to have found ourselves in a place where we get to make cool stuff for camp that we love with brands we love. (under NDA for now, but stay tuned) One thing we know for sure. do what you love. love what you do. and good things will come to you. good energy

February 1, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

WE ARE OPEN! The wandawegahillhouse.com site is finally live. (Once we start having yall over, well grow it with the moments you make inside these walls) Come in. Take a look around. WHAT IS THE HILLHOUSE? A place for friends, family, special guests, VIPS: you! Executives & explorers. Hunters with cameras & gatherers of adventures. Weve outfitted it to sleep 8 and are gonna flip the switch on Airbnb real soon (per state and county rental codes of course). : @bobcoscarelli

January 31, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Is this really finally happening after all these years?) Spreading the word on the power of community: THE FOREVER TREE: The story of one special tree and the community that brought it back to life The book tour is starting! First up with @DonnaCP2/8: @andersonsbookshop Naperville- 7pm 2/22: The Book Cellar, Chicago- 10 am feb : (date coming) @barnesandnoble Webster, Chi-11:30 (launch event)school & store visit times & dates coming The one that personally means the most is the one we can’t invite anyone to. (Charlie asked If I would please come read to her little classroom of 7 year olds). I hope that she’ll remember this little visit (and book) a dozen years from now when she’s off to college. I hope that it plants a little seed of confidence in her– that reading her the story about her (on the power of kindness, compassion, community & inclusiveness) teaches her that she can grow up to be anything she dreams of. And that when we’re packing her up for new dorm- we won’t need women’s marches, #metoo or hammers for glass ceilings anymore. And hoping that her future has a female president at the helm

January 31, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Hot off the press! The new MUKLUKS campaign at camp (Hepburn & Eisenhower were fans & we are too) Made in Princeton, Wisco in 1940 by Handcraft Co- then taken over by Reliable Knitting company in 1972- where they’re still made today. (The first makers even have a Muk Luks museum in Wisco that we are mildly obsessed with)

January 31, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

what we found in THE ATTIC. ( Purge: to Cleanse, clear, thrive, absolve )At the top of the staircase, at about shoulder height, is a little latch that opens up the wall. Its the last remaining space at camp that hasnt been touched for 90+years. mainly because its been treated as a hoarders den for that whole time.SO WE DECIDED TO GUT IT.In the process, we found some surprises:50 assorted antique chairs (from when they had indoor mass in the 60s).A century+ old full stations of the cross sculptures.Piles of decrepit bed frames, dressers, doors, windows.Some unlucky small animal from another era.One truckload went to friends. Two to charity. Another to the burn pile. A few days later five of us had converted the last untouched space to a 30ft-long prop room. To house only the things that : We need. Bring joy. Are historic reminders of what really matters.Underneath the mountain, we found an original 20’s barroom table inscribed on the underside: “- O.K.- Joe Andrews Wandaw-E-go Lake Resort, Elkhorn, Wis”. Apparently, it was good enough to pass Joe’s inspection 90 years ago, so we’re putting it back in service.We also found floor made of literal scraps of wood – Leftovers from when they built this place (at a time when nothing was wasted here) Weve decided to never cover them up. Its a needed reminder that our foundation may not be as sturdy as others. but we do the best we can with what weve got. Shore it up, keep building up to something better & save only what needs saving.

January 30, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

NOW HIRING: LOOKING FOR A WOMAN OR GUY TO JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM! Know someone who’s looking for adventure & a job in the great outdoors? An experienced self starter with relevant hospitality management background & references? Send ’em our way- we are recruiting for an ambitious career-minded professional. JOB LISTING with salary & benefits package on today’s profile line:

January 29, 2018 • Published by Tereasa Surratt