Wandawega Blog Archive

The single best reason you should buy a summer camp?So you can give it away.The most emotionally rewarding part of running this place is that we get to donate it to support important causes & inspiring, generous artists. This past summer, we partnered with @THEJAUNT to host 4 artists to make art. 25% of all the proceeds of the sales are donated to local good causes: @socialworks_chi -kelly @lgbtdetroit -Bakpak@bravespacealliance -DavidDetroit Black Community Food Security Network- dbcfsn.org -Ellen The prints just went live on @thejaunt.net THE ARTISTS:@ellenrutt DETROITEllen creates her own language through mixed-media paintings, murals, installations and a variety of wearables. Through her work Ellen tells a symbolic narrative of connectivity and dissonance, through which she questions the ways we create meaning from non-sense. Her work often features an immersive, performative quality, encouraging participation.@kellyknaga CHICAGOinvestigates the natural and digital landscapes through the play of shape, image, color, line and pattern. Her work utilises historical and sometimes fictional references through anthropological studies, mapmaking and storytelling. She is Dir.of Design Education at IUN & other design organisations.@davheo CHICAGODavid an upcoming artist who utilises the symbology inherent to historical paintings and illustrations of mythology and folklore. Utilising history to create mix of grand mythical meta narratives to serene frames of domestic daily life. Depictions of horses, dogs and tigers are typologies of the people he encounters in night life.@bakpakdurden DETROITWith a primary focus on the human figure, Bakpak, uses a range of mediums to create their hyperrealistic and conceptual style. With an eye for detail and emotion their engaging subjects shine a spotlight on human feelings, moods and experiences. Bakpak also creates murals & continues work within community, queer, and mental health advocacyBe kind to each other this holiday, friends.

December 17, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Christmas Card writing.(Unfort, our mutt Frankie does not share my enthusiasm for antique Christmas stamps & wood veneer envelopes).For our camp holiday cards, we commissioned our friend (artist @marina.kozak ) to draw the Wandawega fleet loaded up with Christmas trees. And realized that we need a bigger card (the 2021 version will include the new members of the fam).+ Wanda (79 Ford workhorse that I just smashed the bumper on ) +ScoutMaster (the 1940s teensie guest rowboat we just resurrected)+ our 75 year old tractor my little brother just restored and gifted us (on HIS birthday)+ 1940s Teardrop trailer- (that still needs a name and a purpose in life – leaning towards a whiskey / smores/ firewood trailer)#ideaswelcomeand… um- yes. Slim chance these cards are gonna arrive by Christmas. So I guess we should just call these Welcome to 2021 cardsBetter late than never?#trying

December 16, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The tiniest cabin at camp has an even tinier twin, that only makes an appearance once a year at Christmas time. The limited edition Camp Line we created with The Land Of Nod (@crateandkids) has been the gift that keeps on giving, every year that we decorate the tree. (And we love to see the pics that guests post of how they decorate with theirs-this one shared by @mikeman715 )First pic by @davidtsay for @betterhomesandgardens

December 15, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Holiday giveaway time Every self respecting scout had one of these in their back pocket, a pocket knife in their front pocket and a rabbits foot keychain hanging off of their belt loop. So we have always wanted to make our own.The squirrels here have been working on prototypes for this guy since June. After obsessing over a bazillion different combinations of handles, wood stains, shapes, leather pouches, draws, sizes & strengths- they finally arrived! DEETS:+ hand made birch handle+ burned leather pouch or handle+ dark brown leather (heavy duty)+ camel leather pouch (standard)+ bag of ammo (aka: river rocks from our beach)TO WIN:follow+ tag a friend to follow. Well pick 3 comments below – tell us what youd do with it (no shooting woodland creatures )Just added to the store this morning, any order in today arrives by Christmas

December 14, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Is July too early to decorate the treehouse?Nope. Although snow would have been nice Its what happens when you have to shoot in the heat of the summer to prep for the holiday catalog.TB to when our dog Frankie got to live out his dream of being cover model dog with Nikki Taylor @nikilovesu He was not happy about the wardrobe mandate (his expression in this shot says it all) Wish we could have kept the five level bunk bed tower (although, to be honest- it did feel a little claustrophobic when you were laying in the bottom bunk )

December 13, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We got our first big snow last night- so were pulling out the snowman outfits out of the attic.Trying to decide which one should be his getup for the season?(Slide right) 1: JAUNTY WINTER CAMPERTartan cape + fur cap2: SCOUTMASTERRanger hat, merit badge sash3: LUMBERJACKSuspenders, hunters cap & scarfAlso- anybody know where we can get tiny chipmunk sized winter outfit? Nk. *this was the one @warbyparker asked us to make when (they sent us a box of snowman parts )

December 12, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Decking the halls.And the mantle, the tree and the deer and in this case,The old supper club in the lodge that weve since turned into a living room.Every year we unpack the ornament set from our land of nod (@crateandbarrel ) collection ….and all the tiny little canoes, paddles, cabins and stockings get to see another season. We wish Christmas lasted longer! This pic has been our favorite tree to date that we recreate every year

December 11, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Sunset dinners… cooking up a tomahawk steak campfire style with @mindysegal as we brainstorm future collab plans The expression on her puppys eyes in 4th shot says it all @mindysbakery @mindysedibles first photo by @juleskens

December 10, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The nature watching cabin slide for beforehand10 things1. It was built during the Great Depression as a kit 2. It came from the Sears & Roebuck barn catalog3. Its original open frame(mini Gothic arch) is still all intact 4. We found it 10 min from camp in a farmers backyard5. Most recently, it was home to a bunch of chickens6. Despite our WIDE LOAD sign, Its a tiny 14 long / 9 wide7. It took a pickup, bobcat & a prayer to drag it up our rocky hill8. We added the extended Nordic style hip roof (last minute rain shield idea) 9. The cedar shake shingles cost more than the cabin did 10. The table & bench set are vintage from a German beer garden This little guy sits atop a perch in the rustic camping cluster for guests to duck out of the rain, play some cards and open a bottle. Photos by @ettakit_ and friends of camp

December 8, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt