On Saturday, August 16, hundreds of campers, families, alumni, and friends returned to Wanakee for our annual Wilderness 5k and Homecoming BBQ—a beloved tradition marking the close of another fruitful summer season. Participants enjoyed a full day of activities that captured the spirit of camp: swimming and splashing at the waterfront (and getting to enjoy our brand-new docks installed earlier this summer!), exploring the trails, and sharing stories over a delicious homemade lunch.

The day began with our annual Wanakee Wilderness 5K run, a silent auction, and the much-anticipated luncheon, all of which together raised about $10,000 to support Wanakee’s operating budget for the coming year. We’re so grateful to everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and helped make this day such a meaningful celebration of our shared community, especially the 2025 Wanakee summer staff. Everyone’s support ensures that Wanakee continues to be a place of growth and laughter for generations of campers.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to welcome everyone back next summer for an especially meaningful milestone, Wanakee’s 65th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration on August 15, 2026! Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we mark Wanakee’s history, celebrate our community, and look forward to the next 65 years of ministry and memories on Upper New Hampton Road.

Dear Wanakee Community,

Out of an abundance of caution, the Wanakee Wilderness 5K team and the Board of Directors have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 WW5K. While we are saddened that we won’t be welcoming runners and supporters on August 15th, we believe this to be the appropriate decision for our extended Wanakee family.

The conditions around COVID-19 are changing so quickly, in our communities, our state and our country. While we have been doing our very best to keep up with the changing guidelines and remain flexible, it is clear to us that cancelling this race is the only decision we can make right now. Bringing the WW5K to Meredith would add unnecessary stress to already strained resources in our community including essential workers, as well as our own staff and volunteers.

At this time, our primary goal is public safety while maintaining our commitment to supporting those most in need. We are closing registration for this event, however fundraising will remain open.

If you are in the position to do so, we hope you will continue to support our sponsors and partners, who also face challenges during this uncertain time.

We recognize your eagerness to get to the Farmhouse starting line of the Wanakee Wilderness 5K. Whether you were just starting your training, helping our team find sponsors and donors, or planning a trip to our beautiful spiritual place in the hills, know that we are thinking of you and eagerly awaiting the moment we can welcome you back to Wanakee.

In the meantime, we are working on ways to keep our community connected in the virtual world. Keep your eyes on your inbox, and through social media over the next few weeks as we share our possible action plan for Homecoming and fundraising efforts including the WW5K silent auction.

Grace and Peace,

Nicole Richards

Chairperson, Wanakee Board of Directors

2019 Sponsors and Partners:

Anyelectron LLC, Beans & Greens Farm, Caledonian Carpentry, Cantin Chevrolet, Chadwick & Trefethen, Inc., Erickson Foundation Supportworks, Penny Maurer Graphic Design, Moultonboro United Methodist Church, Hannaford, Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant, Moulton Farm, US Foods, Wayfarer Coffee Roasters, our numerous individual Wanakee sponsors and supporters.