Wandawega Blog Archive
The definition of Old School:When you pass through our gates, you do the exact same things here as your great grandparents would have enjoyed a century ago.
Our campers top 10:1. Hook a fish 2. Paddle a Canoe 3. Row a boat 4. Pick up basketball5. Game of tennis 6. Shuffleboard challenge 7. Hike the trails 8. Take a sauna 9. Hit up the craft cabin 10. History tour (with podcast)
Some pretty inspiring women pass through our gates.Some show us new paths.If shes lucky, Charlie will remember this lady for a long time.Thanks for staying with us, Anna @DontStop – youre a fearless example for our 12 year old CharliegirlIF YOU DONT FOLLOW HER YET, START NOW.Dont stop is a call to forge our own path, and set our own pace. Its a message of encouragement. When faced with obstacles, we will solve this. When the burden is heavy, we got this. Dont Stop has been a longtime mantra and moniker for founder, Anna Serena. Her first Dont Stop incarnation was a music festival. A festival highlighting the drive and ambition of the region, which ultimately became an annual rallying point for the scene. Dont Stops spirit of inclusiveness led to more opportunities, and the name began to encompass a broader hustle ethos. Even when the hustle-world froze in 2020, Anna couldnt stop. She returned to her vintage motorcycle, and deeply embraced the riding community. Growing her stable of bikes, she found chances to ride them alongside anyone willing to have her. Its over the past several years, and several thousand miles on a bike, Anna’s perception of Dont Stop has morphed from a chase to a quest. This year her quest will take her to flat track races across the country, as one of 15 racers in Royal Enfields Build Train Race program. Annas tasked with stripping and rebuilding a new INT 650 into a streamlined race-ready flat tracker. Don’t Stop 800 is a combination of Anna’s mantra with her race number 800. This project was established to aid the cost of her build and race travel. But the broader hope is for Dont Stop to be a flag or rallying symbol. A symbol that sparks ambition and perseverance. That branches out in all directions. Countless flags, each on their own quest. Forging there own path, with reassurance that theres at some point theyll cross paths with a friendly face and be reminded Dont Stop.
This just popped up & brightened our day.(For us, these little stories showing up out of nowhere are like waking up to head into the office and realizing its a holiday)Thanks, @DwellWere always grateful to be included- not only because the others in this story are 10x newer, fancier, bigger with more staff than us But also because folks are now flooded with more options than ever before in history.(You cant throw a stick without hitting a new summercamp-turned-glamping-resort)We love to see people saving old historic camps.Introducing kids (of all ages) to the old school magic.We just hope to keep our heads down and be part of it.But no time to keep our heads down this morning.Its time to go dig out that overflowing drainage pipe after last nights storm.*This story is part of Happy Camper, about classic summer camp style in all its glory.Perhaps youre clinging to memories of your own bygone summer camp days; maybe you never went and have always fantasized about being part of the Meatballs cast. Either way, this season can be a tough one for us adults as we send our tweens off into the wilderness, or watch forlornly as busloads of singing, not-yet-mosquito-bitten kids roll toward lake country. You might not be able to snag a bunk at Camp Firewood, but there are plenty of other ways to make your summertime dreams come true. Start by booking a stay at one of these charming accommodations, which welcome wannabe campers of all ages. We can practically hear the morning bugle call now. DISCLAIMER FOR THE NEWBIES:glamping is not part of our accommodation description-Were still an 8th of a start on a 5-star
CAMP IS CLOSED. This has been a week of healing and new beginnings.Weve been processing a lot of lasts this past week. Trying now to make some news firsts. Weve donated camp to give kids a chance to experience as many firsts as possible.Because if you ask us, theres nothing more memorable than catching your first fish. Paddling a canoe for the first fime. First smore. First time shooting a bow and arrow.Some of these students have never been to a lake, let alone a summer camp- so its been a honor to provide space, place and time.This week, weve been hosting a group of amazing kids from underserved Chicago communities for a camp called @lakeaffectchicago It feels good to use this old place to help make as many firsts as we can.( Out of the corner of my eye I swear I saw one old gray dog following us around in the distance )Made possible in partnership with @pitchinchicago > founded by the incredible @tanjababich > captured by @jessica.eileen.drogosz
Its never enough time.By the time we found you in that kill shelter foster care you were already 3. We didnt dream that wed get 15 more years with you. They thought that you were nothing special.No pedigree.Untrained and ungroomed. Its why they said we were the first family who’d come to even meet you in 6 months.We knew these last years have been stolen ones -Arent dogs only supposed to leave us a 12, 13 if were lucky?We kept looking for 2nd & 3rd opinions- hoping for a different answer.We tried like hell to get in all of the ‘lasts’- Pupcup of (triple serving)- One more car ride – Last dip in the lakeBut nobody tells you about the lessons of regret(I cant not see your face barking at the kitchen door waiting for me to stop working and come out to throw you the stick)you ruined our stairs – your nails carved deep ruts from years of bounding up themNow those scars are the part of the house we love most.Every morning when we were loading up the car to head to school he trotted over to get in with us – never wanting to be left behind Knowing that we couldnt take him with us, Charlie grabbed his face by the scruff and said I love you. As months passed and we watched him walk slower to try to make it to the car door shed add another I love you. By last week she was up to a string of 8 – she couldnt leave without getting them all in. This Friday, we all got to hold him as he said goodbye. In his last minutes Charlie did not stop saying ‘I love you’ (as many as she could squeeze in) until he couldnt hear her anymore. Theres never gonna be enough time or enough I love yous for those who hold our hearts. Dog people know that they have souls. Frankies will be with us forever. OUR SCRUFFY BEST BOYLOYAL CAMPER GREETERFIERCEST PROTECTORSTEALER OF HOT DOGSWe dream of you chasing all the chipmunks now.We didnt deserve you.Thank you for teaching us to take and give all the love while we can. To never turn down the invitation to go throw the stick, and to hold close all those good scars. RIP, dear boy.FRANKIE July 7th, 2023 *if you are going through this yourself, and need help- look upLap Of Love
Its never enough time.By the time we found you in that kill shelter foster care you were already 3. We didnt dream that wed get 15 more years with you. They thought that you were nothing special.No pedigree.Untrained and ungroomed. Its why they said we were the first family who’d come to even meet you in 6 months.We knew these last years have been stolen ones -Arent dogs only supposed to leave us a 12, 13 if were lucky?We kept looking for 2nd & 3rd opinions- hoping for a different answer.We tried like hell to get in all of the ‘lasts’- Pupcup of (triple serving)- One more car ride – Last dip in the lakeBut nobody tells you about the lessons of regret(I cant not see your face barking at the kitchen door waiting for me to stop working and come out to throw you the stick)you ruined our stairs – your nails carved deep ruts from years of bounding up themNow those scars are the part of the house we love most.Every morning when we were loading up the car to head to school he trotted over to get in with us – never wanting to be left behind Knowing that we couldnt take him with us, Charlie grabbed his face by the scruff and said I love you. As months passed and we watched him walk slower to try to make it to the car door shed add another I love you. By last week she was up to a string of 8 – she couldnt leave without getting them all in. This past Friday, we all got to hold him as he said goodbye. In his last minutes Charlie did not stop saying ‘I love you’ (as many as she could squeeze in) until he couldnt hear her anymore. Theres never gonna be enough time or enough I love yous for those who hold our hearts. Dog people know that they have souls. Frankies will be with us forever. OUR SCRUFFY BEST BOYLOYAL CAMPER GREETERFIERCEST PROTECTORSTEALER OF HOT DOGSWe dream of you chasing all the chipmunks now.We didnt deserve you.Thank you for teaching us to take and give all the love while we can. To never turn down the invitation to go throw the stick, and to hold close all those good scars. RIP, dear boy.FRANKIE July 7th, 2023 *if you are going through this yourself, and need help- look upLap Of Love
The best boy.You are breaking our hearts.Last shot.Last night on the dock.Sunsetting. Trying to explain to Charlie what is happening to you now.David says you are 18 now. I stopped counting at 16.Just too hard to accept that youve already defied all odds to have been with us this long.Sweet boy- The only thing you ever did wrong was grow old.We dont deserve you.How do you know when to make the call? This is impossible