Featured WeHaKee Alumna: Alahna Keil
At WeHaKee Camp for Girls, we are so proud of the fact that our campers and staff come from all over the world to create a community together in Winter, WI. We are even prouder and always impressed by what those WeHaKee woman do in their own communities, and how their time at camp brings a little bit of WeHaKee wisdom out into the rest of the world!
A couple times a month, we would like to feature a WeHaKee Alumna so you can share in the pride and joy of your camp community!
Our Featured WeHaKee Woman is Alahna Keil! Alahna was one of the longest-attending campers of the Braun Era, and came back in a number of roles to serve and give back as a staff member. She enjoyed the supportive nature of the camp community, and highly valued the friendships she made at camp. Currently she is a graduate student in the University of Wisconsin Doctor of Audiology Consortium Program in Stevens Point, WI.
Read on to hear more of Alahna’s reflection on her time at camp!
Approximately, what years did you attend camp and in what capacities? (What is your “camp connection?”)
Camper – 2005-2012 (also did the leadership program from 2010-2011)
Staff: Counselor and Program Coordinator – 2013-2016
How has your WeHaKee experience impacted your life?
Whenever I think about WeHaKee a smile just comes to my face. WeHaKee was a place where I learned so much about myself, met so many great people, and learned many new skills. When I arrived at camp each summer, there was a smile on my face when I arrived and I don’t think the smile left my face very much during my time there. I grew a lot as a person over the course of my 12 summers at WeHaKee. Camp WeHaKee has had a tremendous impact on my life.
What are some of your favorite memories of WeHaKee?
I think some of my favorite memories of WeHaKee are the time that I got to spend with my cabin-mates in our cabins We were always laughing about something. During my time at camp, I formed some great friendships I always looked forward to seeing them each summer! To this day, some of my camp friends and I still laugh about some of our fun camp memories!
What were your favorite activities at WeHaKee?
Sailing – this was an activity that I learned how to do at camp. I loved it because I enjoy being out on the water and that it requires teamwork and communication skills amoung your partners in the boat.
Pottery – was another activity that I enjoyed doing at camp. It was again, another activity that I learned at camp!
What would you say to a camper thinking about going to WeHaKee for the first time?
You will have the time of your life! You will have so much fun!
Don’t be afraid to try new things!
Camp is such a welcoming environment! Everyone is welcome!
What you would want current WeHaKee campers to know?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Camp is a place where it’s totally okay for you to put paint on yourself (with soap) for a fun special event or dress-up in a crazy costume for an activity! Everyone at camp is supportive and encouraging. And those fun events/days are what you will remember the most.
We are lucky to have Alahna as a part of our community! Connect with Alahna and alumnae like her in our WeHaKee Alumnae Facebook group.
