To our incredible staff and volunteers,

As we look ahead to some warmer days, and as I reflect on the last 2 summers at Wanakee, I wanted to express how grateful I am to have worked alongside you. It takes creativity, consistency, and countless hours of hard (and often unglamorous!) work to make camp happen, it couldn’t happen without you. Thank you for being a part of Wanakee’s village. More specifically: 

Thank you for supporting a child through a difficult moment.

Thank you for sleeping on a camp mattress.

Thank you for being a calm presence in the chaos of camp.

Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and encouraging our campers to do the same.

Thank you for scrubbing dutch ovens.

Thank you for spraying bees nests.

Thank you for showing us how you bungalow.

Thank you for showing up as yourself.

Thank you for making Wanakee a better place.

During this period of transition, I am especially grateful to our community for continuing to show up for our campers and for one another. I am committed to working with the board and our community to ensure that the transition is smooth, and that Wanakee remains a vibrant camp community for years to come. Staff and volunteers like you are the reason I am confident that we will move through this period with the same resilience and heart that define Wanakee. Please know that if you have concerns or feedback, I am here to talk.

Wishing you well this winter. I’m looking forward to seeing you around the campfire in a few short months!

Grace and peace,

Leslie Drew

Assistant Director