The Wonderful World of WeHaKee Vol 2: February 2026
Camper Spotlight: Addie F. — “My Hopes for Summer #4”
Hi, my name is Addie F. and I am entering my fourth year at Camp WeHaKee. I am thrilled to be going back to camp again this summer!
It’s a place where I’ve met some of my lifelong friends while also trying new activities I probably wouldn’t have tried anywhere else. Every year, there is always something new and exciting that comes from camp!
Some of my favorite moments each year include meeting new people, finding joy for a new activity, and disconnecting from any stresses that might come outside of camp. WeHaKee is a place where I always feel that I can express my true and authentic self, while trying new things and meeting new people.
Every year I also find myself stepping out of my comfort zone. I have done things that I originally thought were too hard or too scary. For example, I finally got up on water skis last year after three years of trying! I always leave camp feeling stronger, braver, and more confident than ever before.
Along with all the fun activities and amazing people, there is always a connection between everyone at camp. Everyone is always learning new things about themselves and others. Doing so in such an inclusive and supportive environment is something that I will never take for granted.
I am so grateful that I am surrounded by love and support from all of my fellow campers, counselors, and WeHaKee community as a whole. Thank you, Camp WeHaKee for giving me a place where I always look forward to being and always get to express who I truly am!
Staff Spotlight: Ana — “The Place Where I Feel Free”
I had never considered myself a nostalgic person until last summer. Now, I find myself thinking about camp everyday, my heart tight with nostalgia waiting for the day I return.
The day I return to the place where my soul was free and the place I found by the greatest butterfly effect, because in December of 2024 I was scrolling through TikTok and saw a video that said “Está es tu señal para irte a trabajar a un campamento de verano en 2025.” “this is your sign to go and work in a summer camp in 2025.” And I took it.
I am born and raised in Colombia, a beautiful South American country, where music is played everywhere, everything we eat is as fresh as possible, and is the second most biodiverse country in the world. However, most people here wouldn’t be able to afford a summer camp (first, we don’t have summer, or in fact any season, but you get the point). We grew up with shows and movies like The Parent Trap and BUNK’D, and it was just that: fiction.
I’ve long heard about the girls who learn to be independent by going to summer camp, and well, counsellors do too. Coming to WeHaKee was my first time traveling so far alone. In Latin America, we are very attached to our families, many of us not moving out almost until we are in our late twenties. Because of this, I was internally battling between scared and excited when I found WeHaKee.
Finally, the day came and I arrived at camp. The moment I stepped out of the van, I was greeted by a huge group of girls smiling and cheering with Maggie right there giving me a big hug. Immediately, I knew this was somewhere that would always feel like home.
First, was Staff Training, which was our chance as counselors to feel like campers. I was in Cabin 6, and oh it was wonderful. I was scared at first as it was also the first time that I was in a complete English-speaking environment, and even though I studied and fell in love with the language while reading, it was intimidating. But everyone was extremely kind and helped me out if I ever needed to find the right words. As I am doing now.
In those two first weeks, I made lifelong friendships, that I absolutely adore and am eternally grateful for. Back at middle school, I was told I was weird and was outcasted. However, from the moment I arrived at camp, I knew I could be my true self. There was not a single moment where I hid behind the mask I had built. I did so many activities for the first time: camping, kayaking, Lifeguard Training, learned how to build a fire and make pudgy pies and s’mores!
Gosh, how I miss s’mores.
And then, the first group of girls arrived. I am not going to lie, I was absolutely terrified and I was shaking so hard! Regardless, if there is something I miss more than s’mores, it’s being a counselor. Every single girl I took care of or taught a class to, has an eternal spot in my soul. I never tried to be an authority figure, but instead the friend I wish I had when I was their age.
And the girls were not the only ones learning. I learned from them every single day. When they told me their stories, I saw myself in them, and it taught me to be kinder to myself. It was so healing. They gave me courage to be myself back at home — to be louder, to take up space.
One of my girls in session 2 told me “Ana, you are so incredibly smart, but you keep it so low. You should make your voice louder.” Another told me that I see the world with so much love it made them want to be more joyful and see the love around them too. These two things that seemed small to them, made the biggest impact on me.
Being a counsellor is just wonderful, and it truly changed me forever. I was one person before camp, and a completely different one after the summer. I accepted things of myself that I hadn’t before — the girls taught me that too, when I saw them be free, I wanted to as well. I admire them so so much. They are strong, intelligent and courageous.
The impact I saw on my campers is something I’m still processing. It’s incredible how kindness, love and patience can truly change strings in someone’s heart. As they changed me. There hasn’t been a single day where I haven’t thought of camp, when I see something that reminds me of my friends, of my girls, or of my home away from home.
I could endlessly write how camp changed every atom in my life. How I found love and peace in ways I had never even imagined possible before. And every single second I am chasing that feeling. I still look for it even months later. I carry in my skin every moment, every memory, even if it feels like a dream. But I know it’s not a dream, because I see the impact everywhere.
Because I still see my friends. Because I have the opportunity to go again this year, and plan to go as many years as possible. Because when you find a place, person, activity, etc, where you can be yourself no matter what, you don’t let it go. That is WeHaKee for me.
This is Where You Belong
We recently put together a short video featuring some of our campers talking about their experience at WeHaKee. Why they love camp. What it means to them. What they have found here.
You might’ve seen it on social a few weeks ago, but I can’t stop watching it! And as I listen to their words, one theme kept coming up again and again:
Belonging.
They talked about trying new things. About feeling supported. About being lifted up by the people around them. About camp feeling like home. About finally finding a place where they do not have to change who they are to fit in.
One camper said, “If you don’t feel like you belong at a different camp, this is where you’re gonna belong.” That really stayed with me.
At WeHaKee, we work very intentionally to create an environment where girls feel safe being themselves. Where they are encouraged to grow, take risks, and discover what they are capable of, surrounded by people who care about them. I hope you’ll see this in the reflections above from Addie and Ana as well.
I hope you will take a few minutes to watch it and hear directly from the girls who make this community what it is.
Tuition Grants Program
It’s important to us that all girls who dream of attending camp have the opportunity to do so, even if the family budget is tight. So far this year, we’ve promised a total of $29,817.50 in Tuition Grants to girls and families in need.
If you’re able, please consider donating to the scholarship fund. More info here.
Messages from one of our Tuition Grantee families this summer:
- From Mom: “My campers love Camp WeHaKee more than anything else. They grow so much in their confidence, independence and friendships every year that they go. Camp is truly shaping them into the wonderful humans that they are.”
- From Camper, age 12: “I love camp WeHaKee because it has so many different and wonderful opportunities to connect with different girls and women around the world. It provides so many new activities and fun things to learn and try. It is such a fun and loving community that I always want to be in.”
- From Camper, age 10: “I want to go to Camp WeHaKee because it’s a wonderful place. My favorite things about camp are Valley Time, water activities and lunch, because that’s when I’m most hungry. I love seeing my friends arrive each year. I get so excited to see them.”
Family Camp and Mother-Daughter Weekend
Family Camp: Open to Moms and Dads, Sisters and Brothers, Grandpas and Grandmas, Aunts and Uncles – the whole family is welcome to enjoy five days of fun and quality family time on the beautiful shores of Hunter Lake. Get away from the stresses of the world for a few days and strengthen your family ties. You’ll experience the great outdoors, enjoy family activities, and leave technology (and the world) behind. More info:
wehakeecampforgirls.com/family-camp/
Mother-Daughter Weekend: It’s time for an all girls weekend – no boys allowed. Enjoy spending quality time with the ladies of your family in the north woods of Wisconsin along the shores of Hunter Lake. Moms can bring their daughters. Grandmothers can bring their grand-daughters. Aunts can bring their nieces. All women and girls are welcome to WeHaKee Mother / Daughter Weekend. More info: wehakeecampforgirls.com/family-camp/
“It was great to bring my family to WeHaKee for family camp. It was great to be together, away from technology and just enjoy time together in the outdoors. We plan to be back next year.” -Family Camp Parent, Illinois
Meet the summer staff
Meet Sinead! 🌿
Sinead is joining us for her 4th year at WeHaKee and will be returning for her 2nd year as Program Director. When she’s not at camp, Sinead works as a personal travel consultant and has been in the travel industry for the past 4 years!
Sinead is from Cheshire, England but is constantly traveling to new places. In her free time, she loves dancing and doing pilates.
Sinead loves making summer the best time of the year for all the girls who come to camp to be themselves! We are so excited to see her again! 💖
Meet Cassie! 🌿
Cassie is joining us for her 11th summer at WeHaKee and will be returning as our Office Manager. Living in Ohio, Cassie works as a school psychologist, a role she has held for the past five years and one that allows her to do what she loves, working with kids!
When she is not at work, Cassie enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and listening to music. As a longtime member of the WeHaKee family, she is especially excited to return to a place that means so much to her!
