2026 September Newsletter
Fall is Underway at Wanakee
The first signs of fall are arriving at Wanakee: leaves are beginning to change, the waterfront is growing quieter, and camp is shifting into its fall routine.
There is still plenty happening around camp! In this newsletter, you’ll find a favorite moment from Summer 2026, an update on fall facilities work, and details about upcoming opportunities to visit, volunteer, and reconnect at Wanakee this fall.
Upcoming Events
Apple Butter Family Fun Day
THIS Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us at Wanakee for a free, all-ages day of fall fun! We will gather around the fire to make apple butter, enjoy camp activities, spend time outdoors, and reconnect with friends old and new.
Thanks to a great group of volunteers, TEN bushels of apples are already peeled and ready to go. Come see how apple butter is made, enjoy a warm biscuit with the finished product, and take home a jar with a donation of any size.
Lunch will be available for $6 per person. Please RSVP so we can plan for the day.
Senior High Fall Retreat
October 9–11 | Spots are filling!
High school campers, it is not too early to start looking forward to a fall weekend at Wanakee. Senior High Fall Retreat is a chance to come back to camp, reconnect with friends, and enjoy time away from a busy school year.
Stay in Wanakee’s iconic Farmhouse and enjoy campfires, s’mores, stargazing, and plenty of space to relax and be together. It is a weekend for deepening friendships and making memories.
Three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday are included.
Cost: $135
Fall Work Day
Saturday, October 24 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Help us prepare Wanakee for winter! Fall Work Day is an opportunity to spend a day caring for camp, tackling needed projects, and helping make sure our buildings, grounds, and equipment are ready for the season ahead.
There is a place for every volunteer, regardless of experience or skill level. Projects may include clearing brush, light carpentry, putting away equipment, closing cabins, and other facilities improvements .
Invite your family, friends, youth group, church, or team to join you. Volunteers age 17 and under must attend with an adult. Coffee, light snacks, and lunch will be provided. We will work rain or shine, including on outdoor projects, so please dress for the weather and wear sturdy clothes you can work in.
Summer Highlight: Square Dancing is Back!
Square dancing made its return to Wanakee this summer—and it was a hit!
We held two all-camp square dances outside the Rec Hall, and they quickly became some of campers’ favorite evening activities. From learning the calls to spinning around the field with friends, campers and staff brought plenty of energy to both nights.
See a few of our favorite square-dance moments captured below.
Fall Projects at Camp
Fall is an important time for caring for camp and preparing our 227 acres for the months ahead.
Last Saturday, an incredible crew of volunteers helped take the docks out of the water, and they did it in record time! Every dock was safely out before lunch. We are so grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy to help care for the waterfront after another busy summer of swimming, boating, and lakeside memories.
Meanwhile, the Facilities Committee is hard at work planning both short- and long-term projects around camp. This includes preparing for our upcoming Fall Work Day on Saturday, October 24. There will be projects for a range of skills and experience levels, and volunteers of all ages are welcome to help make a difference.
Thank you to the volunteers, committee members, and supporters who help keep Wanakee safe in every season.
Stay Connected
Thank you for being part of the Wanakee community! Visit wanakee.org and follow us on social media for the latest news and updates.
Grace and peace,
Ryan and Leslie