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Written at the forefront of everyone’s bucket list adventures surely sits, Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Minutes from the well known tourist hub of Lake Geneva lies a hidden gem. See, inside of Elkhorn, down a quiet wooded road, behind a classic wooden Camp sign, sits Camp Wandawega waiting for your exploration.
An Invitation to Play
Growing up summer camp was something to be looked forward to each year. A place where it felt like the kids ruled and the possibilities were endless. As we grow up and our responsibilities to ourselves and others expand, it can feel like the possibilities are all but endless. Camp Wandawega is an adults invite back into a world where you can play and explore and also drink a beer.
History of Wandawega
In the early days of Wandawega it saw it’s use from everything from brothel to prohibition era speak easy. “The place is outfitted for the distribution of liquor, prostitution and gambling. We’re talking multiple exits, trapdoors and hidden hatches to conceal stockpiles” Wandawega, Our Story. Only naturally, the camp would find the keys turned over to cleaner causes like a family getaway and ultimately the Church. The 70’s found it in the hands of Catholic Latvians who gathered together to maintain community far from home. Current co-owner David spent many summers with family here and that’s where the story of Wandawega as we know it today begins.
Welcome to Wandawega
Courtney and I arrived first of our friends so there was only one other car in the lot. This is not counting the milk truck from roughly the 50’s, the motorcycle and sidecar of the same era and what I assume is a 70’s era firetruck. The immersion into another time begins upon crossing the threshold of the Wandawega sign. It took me a minute to take it in. I’m a huge fan of Wes Anderson and specifically his movie, Moonrise Kingdom. For me, this felt like being transported into one of those quirky and aesthetic worlds. We got out and were greeted by Joe one of the property managers. Joe would pop in and out of our weekend always bringing a laugh with him. He made the experience even better. As our friends began arriving, we walked them around and showed off what we had found so far and watched as they found things we missed.
Permission to Play
I grew up playing outside with my friends. Backyards became distant war zones, a nearby pile of excavated dirt making way for parking, my Everest. Imagination was encouraged in our home and while we played sports with boundaries, we were always encouraged to imagine. After exploring camp, walking in and out of each building we could, we found ourselves on the basketball court. Shooting trick shots from the treehouse and playing a game of “Lightning” (a.k.a. “Knock Out.”) There had to be something wild about seeing a group of adults, panting as they chased basketballs around and fought to catch their breath between laughs. With each knock out, we retired to a nearby picnic table and a complimentary camp Old Milwaukee. No matter what summer camp you go to there seems to always be a basketball court with never ending activity. Here it isn’t middle school boys, it’s a Carpenter, a Lawyer, a Salesman or two, an Engineer and a Firefighter playing basketball as hard as any group of kids you’d find at those camps. The only difference is they probably don’t get nearly as winded.
Details, Details, Details
Do you remember those I-Spy books growing up? Welcome to the living embodiment of those pages. Within Wandawega are thousands of photos, pamphlets, signs and trinkets that call back to some nostalgic memory. Teresa Surratt, Co-Owner shares in an interview a favorite Leonard Cohen quote that she says colors the lens of the camp, “Ring the bells that still will ring, forget your perfect offering there is a crack everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Camp Wandawega seeks an aesthetic but it does not seek perfection. There are cracks, admits Teresa, but that’s ultimately where the light gets in. Wandawega is only made better through its’ humility, its’ imperfections. It is not a resort despite their social media following. Wandawega fully embraces where the light floods in with lightheartedness and a “Manifesto of Low Expectations.”
Gather your people
While there we shared the camp with a small family and a bachelorette party. We rarely crossed paths with either so if staying to yourself is what your aim is, you’re in luck, camp is big enough. However, summer camp is about making new friends so feel free to exit your comfort zone. Together our group closed each night with dinner around a campfire sharing stories and laughing together. We’re fortunate, we all share a city so when we said goodbye it was more than likely see you all in a few days. If we lived far apart it’d be the perfect reunion grounds for reconnecting with old friends. I don’t often leave a place thinking about returning, I prefer new things. However, Wandawega truly is one of those places I hope we return to each year, together. Where we friends and adults feel permission to be a kid again.
My List of Favorite Things about Wandawega, to only name a few…
- The Treehouse Library
- It’s a little kid’s dream treehouse
- The different styles of stays
- A-Frames, Rustic Tents, Bubble Tent, Bunkhouses
- Archery
- Give me a bow and arrow every day
- The Airstream Tavern
- Air Conditioning to escape heat
- Enclosed to escape rain
- Styled like a Wisconsinites dream basement