Wandawega Blog Archive

Her face when she hurled that hatchet To the crew of @merakiroomchicago – well done! yall did ALL the things (Especially love the accent E in our name- makes us feel fancy for a minute)- this is the video that they made for their visit rhat we had to reshare!

September 1, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

More BTS of @nateberkus and his crew camp takeover. Love how these folks design some of the most luxe places in the world – and can take it old school camp style on our 8th-of-a-star rating. Its people like this that are so laid back and lean into the wisco roughing it experience that we love.They are our people. They were the most adventurous group- not afraid to do all the hiking/ boating / beer pong games.If you want to come visit us, mandatory reading before accepting a reservation is our manifesto of low expectations Weve had it since the beginning – because we arent for everyone. But we welcome everyone Thank you to the adventuring crew :@laurenbuxbaumgordon@kr1star@kaengstrom@phoebeacraig@shadeville@mwrodacty180@g_exner@jen3821@winimapel@gracie_earl@alexisgalane@meg.tafoya@janeelleno@alexandrameisinger@natsnapes@hgiggle@jhools@erinnealy@chelseaaulfig@rianhannah@lindsaymazza@Sara.keez@keshia.so

August 30, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

18 years ago yesterday we decided it might be fun to get married at this old near-abandoned campground wed just bought.Since ours was the first wedding held here since it was built in 1925- it was anything BUT a legit venue for hosting the 250 friends & family who showed up that day.We barely had enough saved to pay the caterer. the place was falling down around us. it rained. and it was the best day ever.Weve spent every year since celebrating that day – by re-committing to preserving this joint for other guests, and those that tie the knot in the same spot we did. In what seems like a lifetime ago. I guess it was since weve been together for 25 years- Looking forward to the next 25- as we hit this milestone and are making our new plans for what we want to do next. Its got us feeling like those same kids again.We are taking leaps here and together To the best man Ive ever know, love you till forever (Last pic is the text we got yesterday to remind us of another milestone -bless my mother in law)

August 29, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The things that matter.Somebody commented on one of our posts the other day an observation :The things you are creating at camp are extensions of you – you put so much into it personally. And when you share it socially, you are sharing yourself.Its made us realize whats underneath all the work – the little updates on our projects here have been less about increasing revenue & more about increasing experience by telling stories – our story and the stories of others before us through the objects that were owned by others long gone.Stories of guests through their art in the artists cabin, their names carved in the bunk beds, the residual good energy those (who choose to) leave behind. That energy is how we measure growth & its the only currency that counts at the end of the day. More & more we are looking back and appreciating the fact that our real goal here is to be a conduit to express creativity – and to invite others in to do the same. There isnt a room here that doesnt include an heirloom of some kind, something we made or found.Its always been about the intense love (bordering on OCD) for sharing a passion of history and connecting with a simpler time.We want to fill every corner with the things that matter and lean in more on filling it with family, friends, and strangers who will become friends.Next season, we will be accepting fewer of the profit leader events and accepting more of the groups and people that give back and help us give back. Well be accepting fewer bookings to make more room to accommodate those causes we care most about.We are so grateful to have had 16 friends (and counting!) buy homes now around this little lake – our little creative bubble community is growing. And with every new friend that joins us, we are growing more protective of keeping these 25 acres peaceful, safe, & ever-inspiring. For us, our guests and our community.Its becoming more sacred with every passing year.@reallyicetomeetyou – thank you for sharing your views.

August 26, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

sound OnAbout last nightThis never gets oldThe bonfire & having the @studiogang crew here. Weve been hosting their creative retreat for 8 years and after a Covid break, love having them all back. (Architects gather from more countries than we can count to create art, bond, learn & get inspired)We got to be friends with Jeanne Gang and her partner Mark 15 years ago when they took on our home (a former 120 year old decrepit horse stable) we had a crazy notion that they would consider our project (& our shoestring budget)We lived in Davids childhood bedroom in his parents basement for two years while we built it. When we ran out of money, (which happened fast)) we just kept the concrete floors instead of cladding them, outfitted it in IKEA kitchen + baths.then filled it with thrift store, borrowed and gifted furniture. & friends. Weve raised a kid, a dog and a made a life in this house. I heard somewhere once that when you go through the process of building your own house that in the end its the house that builds you. So much truth in that.Lots of times David and I have to split our time for work- soOne of us ends up working from camp One of us at home in the city So last night I sent him this clip of the bonfire he was missing -and he texted me back a surprise shot (we finally got the facade lights turned back after being broken for near three years.We started our home project right around the same time that we bought camp scary on both fronts – and have been trying to keep the midnight oil burning on both.The past 3 years have been too busy making busywork at camp that weve neglected the house that built us. Having the team who built our home here with us at camp has been a good reminder that looking back can help you look forward.2023 is bringing change for us- and illuminating new paths now that we couldnt see before. Were Looking for more ways to prioritize purpose over profit, and excited for what the next season hold (it will mark our 20th season of resurrecting & building camp)And were not gonna let our light dim again. *Jeannes reaction at the end of clip, #priceless

August 24, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST ARTIST IN RESIDENCE CHRIS BROWN OF @refueledmagazine I will be headed to Camp Wandawega this fall for a residency to explore, create and produce a piece for the Artists Cabin (an 80 year old lake cottage) on the property. Photographer @stevenisneauphotography will capture the stay – with a hardbound book & film being released in 2023 of the residency/project.- Chris Many know Chris first through his Magazine Refueled, he is also a talented artist and designer – we cant wait to have him and share his story + work this fall.MORE ABOUT CHRIS: Myaesthetic could be described as wabi-sabi clean, simple and imperfect. Whether publishing an issue of Refueled, designing a collection for Refueled Heritage Co, creating a campaign with Refueled Creative or working on an art series beauty and dirt is always what I strive forChris Brown came of age in the “cultural decade” of the 1960’s. His influences from that period – the music, the style, the art and media, all play a large role in his publication Refueled, whether obvious to the reader or not.From the beginning, Brown saw issues of Refueled more as personal journals rather than a magazine. Contained in its pages today are the people and subjects that inspire Brown – meaningful enough that he feels almost a obligation to share them with the world.With Refueled, Brown is providing us not only a window into great culture, but a peek into one man’s personal quest to make media itself an art form.Brown has spoken about indie publishing through prestigious events such as TEDx and HOW Design Live. He appears in the Netflix exclusive documentary “Making of the American Man”, and contributed to the book “Men and Style; Essays, Interviews and Considerations” by David Coggins.

August 20, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Its baaaaack.A few years back, @sohohousechicago threw a dance party in our back acres. and hired @whackminx to build a human sized birds nest for @ilovenickmonaco to spin in. Years of Parties, a couple of weddings and several Wisconsin winters beat this thing down. Artist Andrea Jablonski came back up this past weekend to restore it back to its original condition. (Scroll for film of her rebuilding it)Its nearly 14 ft across and over 8ft tall- inspired by a birdsnest To see more of her rad work, check out andreajablonski.com First shot: @meganyanz (of Victoria & David) Last shot: @bobcoscarelli

August 16, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

these campers@ibonitt @oguguam@kirstencorleybennett @kingmarie@thestitchgawd @katelynkwitt @courtney.nuss@dariennepage @courtney.nuss@allicehall(Thank you, @themelholmes )

August 15, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Smokeshow.In the camp store :Our own custom Wandawega branded Log Cabin Incense Burner KitWe partnered up with the Historic Paines. Founded 1931. Made in Auburn, Maine.From the Paine family:First, balsam branches are brought tousby local woodsmen, where they are then ground and dried. It is next pressed into incense molds and finally dried Thats it. No chemicals are added to our incense, and is 100% natural and sustainableThe box set comes with:* log cabin burner* Balsam sticks (extras to burn outside of burner in provided stand)* Balsam logs (to use in the cabin)DETAILS Log Cabin Incense burner comes with 10 pieces of Red Cedar Incense & measures 3″ x 4″Red box specs: 50 Balsam Fir Incense Logs (3/8″ wide x 1 1/4″ long) Green box specs: 24 Balsam Fir Incense Logs (2″ sticks) with holder Comes boxed as shown, with extra Camp swagg Made in USA

August 12, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt