We love hosting creatives of all Ilk, but have a soft spot for the old school traditional artists- (Something about watercolor is so timeless.)Case in point: This is the work of a frequent camper, (and fam of some of our team here) whos been coming here for all the wisco seasons for a couple of years now. Hes got a talent for finding the light & the corners / angles we have never noticed before check him out : @gunstensean looking at all of his beautiful nature studies has got us thinking – wondering if our campers would be into a local program offering for this type of thing?Were always looking for new ways to tap into the local artisans, makers, craftsman & artist community here- to share with our campers.Ideas always welcome

July 6, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

@prezpipe finding the light in the cracks around here.Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everythingThat’s how the light gets in.-Leonard Cohen Athem.Weve adopted these lyrics as our own anthem around here. Because we accepted a long time ago that our offering is never going to be perfect. What you cant see in these pictures:-The metro van only starts everything third time we try. The scoutmaster boat usually has at least a couple inches of water in it (and is in a constant state of chipping). No matter how hard we try, there always seems to be at least one rogue goose who takes a dump on the dock just as a guest heads down to use it.Nothing here is new. (And certainly not close to the best by anyones standards) Its why we have folks read our Manifesto of Low Expectations before booking.We find that the people who still make the pilgrimage here are the light seekers. The optimists who can forgive this place (and us) of all of the shortcoming & cracks. These guests are the ones who bring their light in.Almost a hundred years later-that this place still exists-is a testament to those have kept it illuminated.Forget your perfect offering.Thanks, @prezpipe for stopping by to bring (and find) some bright spots.

July 4, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Welcome to THE STAFF LOUNGE.Gear lockers, maps, & bulletin boards, hat racks, places to store lunch, boots, all weather gear.Welcome to the new staff lounge. Weve been converting an underused room in the old lodge to a place for the small but mighty team to take some much-needed breaks. Were almost finished stocking it (a few of our pre-vis planning notes here). Anybody know how to convert a vintage TV set to play movies on a loop? (Like Wet Hot American Summer, Parent Trap, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.)

July 3, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Happy day INSIDER.com just shared a little feature called :The best photos of LGBTQ couples getting marriedThis was the moment just after that these two promised each other their forever and evers. Under the little wooden altar that the Latvian volunteers built here almost 50 years ago.@e_roar & @_castlecakes check them out and the other rad weddings & couples :https://tinyurl.com/2p8nje4hExcerpt:You can almost feel this couple’s thrill leaving their wedding ceremony.They raise their hands in triumph.(We raise our hands for you two, too)Photos by @tuanbco (First pic was the feature, 2nd @e_roar / @_castlecakes share, the rest are some of of favs from that day)

July 2, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We still get surprised sometimes (Like this past week when @prezpipe shared some of his photography of his oh-so-lovely gal to celebrate their anniversary.Sometimes, somebody will come here and see a side of a room/space/vantage point that weve never seen before. Those that can see the same old things in a different way open the aperture of (well, so many things) for the rest of us. Heres to finding the new perspectives.And those that help us seek them out.PS:This first shot did this for us – seeing this angle just gave us a whole new idea for a new spot built around views & division of outside-in space. Sometimes it just takes a single shot to make you think- spark an idea in you – then do something about it. Thank you Steven for the timeless & timely moments youve captured here.

July 1, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Our little lakeview cabin Sunporch made a guest appearance on this weeks @countrylivingmag share What they dont write about :We found this white cabinet in the alley behind my moms house – glass, handles and shelves in tact – its since been given a new home as our supply cabinet in the basement)

June 30, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We recently hosted a pretty special creative team here that opened our eyes to possibilities, and have us planning & dreaming 5 & 10 years out. The crew at @sitedesigngroup created a pretty cool plan for Camp grounds and dug in (literally with clearing/planting/pruning/weeding/cutting)Their motto is We create spaces that change people.We love that so much because we feel it. Theyve created some of our favorite projects from the @FieldMuseum U of I, Ace hotel and (just announced) theyve just been chosen to landscape the huge new @Shedd_aquarium expansion. Were proud to have them at our humble little campground. Its inspiring to see a company like this building such a rad culture (like this company creative retreat they did here).few BTS pics here that they shared.

June 28, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Can you spot the new addition in this picture?FRESH from the Dairy States favorite historic Ice Cream brand.We are so freakin excited to introduce yall our new custom product:.SCHOEPS Camp Wandawega KAMPER KUPSComes in half pints, two old school flavors: Malted Milk Icecream Vanilla Custard. A MATCH MADE IN WISCO SUMMER HEAVEN:@schoepsicecream was founded just about the same time as Camp Wandawega opened it’s doors. Our first newspaper advertisement in 1925 touted that (then-called) “Wandawega Inn” offered: ‘Boats, smokes ICE CREAM & tasty sandwiches” The Icecream was most likely a local brand, possibly even Schoep’s. So we jumped at the chance to collaborate on a custom two-variety offering.A BRAND WITH A BACKSTORY:We’re obsessed with Schoeps (which was featured on @epicurious for best old school flavors). And we also love a brand with history of local family owned businesses. nearly a century ago, E.J. Schoephoester started making ice cream in the back of his Madison, Wisconsin grocery store with a single hand cranked freezer. Today, Schoeps Ice Cream is still family owned and proudly made in Madison. GRAB A SPOON….and a half pint carrier, and a stack of napkins and spoons- ’cause they’re all custom made to accompany the KAMPER KUPS. when you’re at camp, stop by the Canteen IceCream Freezer & grab one (or 20- our first run was 2000 half pints) more ways that we’re trying to help campers take a step back in time here….also- a big hug of gratitude to our old friend Ches (of @RightwaySigns) for bringing his magic brush & touch to every new project & product we add around this joint.

June 27, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Were announcingsomething fun tomorrow morning!!A collaboration for a special product that we’ve been dreaming about for years.HINTS- (can you guess?) – you can eat it (and we’ve never met a person who doesnt love it)- it is made by a (still) family owned company that has been in business since 1928- this companyhas grown toa nationalfavorite over the past century- it’s made in Wisconsin- it has its own mantra / song / poem- it is something that appeared in the very first newspaper advertisement for the Wandawega Hotel when it opened in 1925Can’t wait to reveal it tomorrow morning ;)Photos by @darkhorsegram

June 26, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Weve been busy on the newest addition to the camp fleet! Video of before >> Our new groundskeepers mobile headquarters progress is in full swing.sharing a little behind the scenes.Somebody asked us what the hell it is, this is the best we can do: Imagine a mobile 1940s National Park Ranger Station (meets Wes Moonrise set) to haul, hold, & hide camps machines/gear that help keep this place running.Itll also serve a few other duties:hikers trails way finding stationcamp counselor hang out grounds bulletin board Before we could even begin this, my little brother Sam brought his friends – a specialist SWAT team of arborists to take down a few dead trees (they call old dead trees like this widow makers because they were hanging precariously over our hiking trails.They stormed in, got them to them ground, and had them turned to mulch in less time than it takes most folks to get their morning macchiato.It was a lesson in humility to watch them work. Much respect to this crew- Sam Surratt, Frank, Mike Dirksen, & Travis Massie – with help from Brad, Joe, Chase, Ellie, & team.

June 25, 2022 • Published by Tereasa Surratt