Fellow Crafters slide for before of the our craft cabin rehab It was one of our harder cabin rescues (it was so dilapidated) but were so glad we tackled it, cause Its been a source of inspiration for us & our guests (we always keep it filled with craft projects).This pandemic season weve been hoarding vintage craft books for it (loaners from friends, scores on Etsy, family gifts, thrift stores finds) we even had a follower send us one out of the blue In our on-going mission to preserve the lost arts of summercamp crafts, were back on the hunt for throw-back books to keep building up our research library.Anybody have sources from libraries retiring any? No book is too old, too ratty, too dog-eared, too loved. #welovecrafting*shots here of some of our afters, and crafts we offer guests

December 7, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

We love Wisconsin sunrises.Spending this one with our friend & chef crush @mindysegal (we’re dreaming & planning future ways to partner on new Camp things/ guest experiences with @mindysbakery As always, she rolled in with her @beardfoundation goods and loaded us and the neighbors up.A few of our favorites that she brought: Bagels (Plain/everything/ sesame & gluten free) and a range of her custom spreads (the giardiniera cream cheese is the best thing Ive ever had).If you’re in Chicago and need your own fix, hit up @foxtrotmarket , @goddessgrocer or her space on Damen avenue.(heads up, though: lines start early, and the baked goods sell fast).Mindy has been a long-time friend, and was the one who told us about the historic Homer Laughlin China Company, who we partnered with on the Wandawega Line of dishes (a few shown here from the campstore).Our camp newspaper “Tales & Trails” is included in each camper registration clip board, featuring everything from local activities and historic sites, to our camp programming & workshops… to the featured ‘Wandawega Gift Basket’ (favorite local culinaryspecialites from our friends at the @elegantfarmerpies We love our off season wintertime here.We close off all but a handful of rental options, so we have fewer guests – giving us more planning time for future offerings..Wishing everybody a happy Sunday filled with hot bagels & spiked cocoa.

December 6, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Camp staff celebrating this mornings news/our little camp souvenir shop in todays Wall Street Journal ! Excerpt:Game Preserve Camp Store at Camp Wandawega, Elkhorn, Wis.Dating back to the era of Prohibitionit was a hideout for nonconformistsand purchased by the Catholic Church in the 1960s, this lakeside camp has layer upon layer of history. Today, its a reinvented 25-acre resort owned by a Chicago couple; the husband attended summer camp there as a boy. Still rustic, with an antler-festooned lodge, its become an Instagram hit. For the vintage-game collector on your list, the camp store is a find. There is a collection of seven gamesincluding Rook from 1936that start at $25.wandawegacampstore.comWE NEVER, EVER FEEL LIKE WE BELONG IN THE COMPANY OF THESE FOLKS. (Were like the girl in the Carhardt & muddy boots rolling into the fancy cocktail lounge slinging bumper stickers, magnets & poker decks).But were so happy to be invited to the party with this crew:shop.acehotel.com@noelle_nashville @ritzparis@emporiosirenusebunkhousegroup.comaubergeresorts.comthedrifterhotel.comfirmdalehotels.com@thedewberrycharlestonStory in this weekends @WSJ shop section.We just opened up 3 months ago with 60 custom products. Mostly historic, throw-back vintage style souvenirs (With collab products with national brands & local friends that we love)We are excited to have another bunch of products launching over the coming months (that well have available online) or you can pay us a visit in the Rathskeller shop when youre staying with us. Orders in by dec 15 will arrive in time for Christmas Thank you to Christian L. Wright of @dearhotels and @clwunlimited for the inclusion & gratitude to @stancioff- and @ahutchgram (and allisonschaffer for all your site work help too)

December 5, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Scroll for our surprise Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. At the end of his life, my dad didnt have a cent to his name. 60yrs of breaking his back as a mechanic didnt pan out the way he dreamed & yet he always managed to give his 5 kids exactly what we needed.When we got camp, Dad gave us a gift: some rope, wood scraps & a few hours later, hed christened our tree by making his grandkids the same swing hed built for me as a kid.Years later the tree (and dad) died. But his swing remained. It inspired strangers to build a treehouse around it-inspired @crateandkids to make a mini of it-inspired @randomhouse to print a book About of the power of dads act of kindness to leave a legacy long after he left usA friend found & sent us this other treehouse built by one of our IG followers (who’s a shooter for @hipcamp) their post says Theyve entered to win #1 treehouse in the US. I thought about what dad would have said Well kid, thats one helluva compliment! UPDATE weve since talk to the (lovely) owners, who shared that their Inspiration was actually from their grandfathers farm shed (& lots of other treehouses) & They too, love recycled materials- & feel like kindred spirits.We never would’ve dreamed that ours (built from scraps & the generosity of volunteers) would come to life In so many waysTheir new version will surely outlive ours (which is just salvaged barn timber) There’s something comforting in knowing that after ours disintegrates,there will be another 1 still standingIt’d be a nicer world to be filled with more of dads Treehouses (1 more way his memory will outlive us) If that happens, we hope to visit them all- as a reminder that the legacy we leave behind for our kids has nothing to do w/moneyThanks Dad for leaving us w/inheritance in the form of shared inspiration.We try to channel your generosity of spirit every dayIn honor of dad we wont take $ to rent oursIf u want to rent u can support this couples dreams & business found it on Airbnb & they started #tullihasinthetrees We wish them success & their version to be filled w/folks making new memories#supportsmall

December 4, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Now all we need is a good snow… Were itching to plow the icerink on the lake, drag out the fleet of toboggans, unpack the 30 pairs of vintage iceskates.So while we wait for Jack Frost to show up, we have started spiking our morning coffee with baileys extra extra whipped cream. Disclaimer :@bhwoodworks did not have any before he scaled the front gate

December 3, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

The unlikely story behind our tiniest cabin at camp (first hit shelves a decade ago).Before the tiny house craze, Instagram, & every step of home remodels where documented on vlogs, @countrylivingmag asked me to write the journey of restoring the smallest of our cabins (and all the layers of history we peeled back in the process).It was the first project to set off a chain of many more cabin moves, restoration projects & books here at camp. Its called A Very Modest Cottage- inspired by The Thomas Jefferson quote :I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.The dedication (2nd shot here) was to my dad, who I miss every day. He was born & raised in the same farm town that his parents, my siblings & I were.Its the same place where this little log cabin sat for 85yrs before we loaded it up on a flatbed & hauled it 350 miles to camp.This books pages are filled with the DIY failures + lessons learned, before/afters & Wagoneer flea market hauls. But its the pages that are filled with stories of the owners before us that we connect with the most. They are the stories of the mom & pop in the depression who opened the tourist roadside Log Cabin Court in Beardstown, Illinois. The stories of the sportsmen in the 1940s turning it into their gambling den.The stories of the returning soldier turned small truck yard operator trying to start a business who needed an office.Those stories are the little thread that tie my hometown & camp together. Theres a humility in big dreams on a small scale and small town, midwestern work ethic. This little cabin reminds us of what matters & lasts.Flipping through its pages now, Im happy to see that the thread is still tight. Like camp, its intended purpose was to preserve history, not monetize trends. We hope that another decade from now somebody will find a copy on a library shelf & pull at that thread. Cause theres always more of a story behind things than we realize, if we take the time to look closer.

December 1, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Making some new friends here. (Nice to meet you)Two of our New Years resolutions:see old friends that weve been missingbe better at getting to know the new ones were making here. (Which at times feel like our only interaction in this socially distanced world we are in).We just found ourselves hitting a new follower milestone, so we wanted to say to those weve yet to meet. its been a few months since we shared a pic of the fam here & some people are surprised to learn that that there is a literal mom and pop behind Camp.So… hi! 10 things you didnt know if youre one of the new (almost 2k) folks that just joined since sept Tereasa & David here (Amateur DIY innkeepers, co-camp counselors, occasional latrine cleaners).- Were the ones answering your DMs, while burning the midnight oil working day jobs (then our second jobs here keeping the roofs standing)- We bought this camp (in a near abandoned state) from the Catholic Church & have been restoring it ever since. – Were parents to a 10 year old, Charlie (the boss around here). – This here is Frankie, our mutt rescue from a high kill shelter a dozen years ago, and our second kid (who always has food stuck in is beard).- We are suckers for history (camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places).- Were also suckers with thrift stores & barn sales which is how we furnished camp.(My boots are the same vintage & make as Eleanor Roosevelts & Davids shirt is an old BSA scoutmaster, my shirt is a 50s Pendleton – all together scored for under 100 bucks).- We dont just make and sell old souvenirs (we also rent cabins and rooms to groups big & little).- We believe in digging up forgotten history, shining a spotlight on it & preserving it. (Which is how all 3 of our camp books came about).A very modest cottage@hearst Found Free & Flea@clarksonpotter “The Forever Tree @randomhouse Hoping that 2021 will let us meet more friends in person (+ all the new ones here) – this small business is grateful for your support. Until then, wishing a warm & safe holiday season to you & all your family members (especially the furry ones).

November 30, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Bear spotting in the woods.(We have befriended them – they are the friendly/snuggly/warm sort).New friends @kaftko paid us a visit a couple weeks ago, vacationing + shooting the newest addition to their line of kaftans Called The Kozy BearThey gave one to Charlie that we share (lets be real, we fight over it).And We love their mantra:MADE FOR ALL

November 29, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

Grateful to be included in the new book alongside these women that I look up to. Each of us were asked to share our journey & lessons learned while growing brands & businesses.ALL Proceeds support @chifdn4women (Chicago Foundation of Women)I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, and make the world a better place. -Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl ScoutsJuliette was a revolutionary woman whose life was devoted to the betterment of girls and women, a pillar for female achievement and the power in women supporting women in our pursuit of equality. Inspired by the work of her, @Ettakit was founded & is launching the book:About: SECOND TO NONE From @ettakit_ : A print book of interviews with Chicagos leading female founders, is a celebration of Chicagos next generation of female trailblazers who are making waves, building community, and breaking glass ceilings. Featuring women from a diverse set of industries ranging from tech to finance to hospitality, their stories are a testament to the work being done in our great city by women who are fearless in the pursuit of their dreams and creating a future where women everywhere can confidently and wholeheartedly take their seat at the table. Inspired by the amazing women featured in the book, Ettakit is donating 100% of the profits from the book sales to the @chifdn4women whos efforts #supportwomen locally in our incredible city.This book is about women, for women, made by women.Visit @ettakit_ to get a copy, support the cause. … and Thank you, @rachelmisick for asking the hard questions & the team for the fun shoot & rad plaid pantsuit Gratitude for all the women listed in comments below- that have been involved in this book in some way so far- yall are an inspiration !#secondtononechicago

November 28, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt

after a 16yr search FINALLY FOUND!Photos of the namesake of our bar THE MADAME ANNA PECK1880s, Sweden- young Anna is orphaned.1905 as a teen, she emigrates to America and is adopted by a Chicago architect.She takes work as a maid in a well-to-do home and marries the chauffeur.Shes widowed at 32 when he dies in WWI.At 39, her father builds Wandawega Hotel.Anna runs gin & a brothel here.She marries a local, the neer do well son of a prominent family. (Gordon Peck was a vet, a drunkard & 13 years her junior who’s mother filed for an annulment, claiming he was too taken w/consumption for sound judgment)Anna & Gordon continue to operate Wandawegas brothel & speakeasy Orphan AnniesAt 56 Annas convicted for running a ‘bawdy house of ill fame’ & goes to prison for 7 years.Upon release, she moves right into town off the square, taking up residence where everyone knew her business & she knew more about everyone elses.At 80, Anna becomes a widow for the 2nd time.At 94, she dies alone, taking the town’s secrets to her grave.When her house was in demo, her things & life story were thrown into a dumpster.A local man happened by & salvaged portraits of the orphan immigrant & her 2nd wedding.(25yrs later he saw our post asking for leads & remembered he still had them in storage)Anna was abandoned from the beginning.Ostracized by a community.Rejected by the family she married into.Anybody who can live through that & still have the audacity to plant herself in the middle of town has no shortage of chutzpah.Which is why she is Camp’s namesake & her rathskellar bar is ORPHAN ANNIES. 80yrs ago, Annie & Gordon were arrested for concealing whiskey in a piano here, so we’ll now display their wedding portrait on the house pianoWe owe thanks to Dan who saved & donated the photos- he asked us to share this other piece of history:When Anna was a child, a 3800 sq ft home in Elkhorn was built (last pic)It’s still the crown jewel of town, just a block from where she lived & just went on the market (the rehab alone exceeds the low asking price for this masterpiece of history)SEE Shorewest.com 16 N Church st Elkhorn

November 27, 2020 • Published by Tereasa Surratt