GIVING BACK
At Camp Wandawega, we believe this place should be more than a retreat — it should be a resource for community, creativity, and causes we care deeply about. Giving back is part of our DNA, and over the years we’ve been proud to share the camp in ways that help preserve culture, support the arts, and expand access to nature. Some of the ways we’ve tried to make an impact include:
Arts & Creative Retreats
• Artist-in-Residence Program — offering free space for artists to stay, create, and be inspired by camp.
(Apply here)
• Artist Retreat Takeover with The Jaunt — hosting global artists for an immersive creative experiences.
• Art Camp — a free, community-based retreat led by and for artists.
• Salondawega Artistic Adventure — an alternative arts retreat celebrating creativity in all forms.
• Illinois Arts Alliance — donating camp space to support gatherings and creative initiatives.
Youth & Families
• LakeEffect — hosting summer camp experiences for youth for under served communities .
• Make-A-Wish Foundation — partnering to host children and families as part of wish experiences.
• Donation of Stays to Charities as Auction Items — contributing stays at Camp Wandawega to support fundraising efforts for organizations including:
• DIFFA
Preservation & Faith
• WandawegaHistory.org — supporting preservation and restoration efforts to protect this National Register property for generations to come.
• Kettle Moraine Land Trust contributing to efforts that protect local landscapes.
• Catholic Charities — donating Camp Wandawega each Sunday, Memorial Day through Labor Day, in association with Palatine Fathers Congregation for use as a church.
Sponsorships & Memberships
Camp Wandawega is proud to sponsor and support through memberships in the following organizations:
• The National Wildlife Federation
• Wisconsin Historical Society
• The National Parks Foundation
• LGBTQ Sponsorships — sponsoring activities and groups that celebrate and support the LGBTQ community.
Board & Advisory Service
Dedicating time and resources to charitable organizations, including:
• Illinois Landmarks (past)
• Frank Lloyd Wright Trust
• National Children’s Museum, Washington, D.C.
• Lake Wandawega Improvement Association
• Advisory committees for various boards (examples : SAIC and other institutions)
Wandawega Historical Society, Inc.
Wandawega Historical Society, Inc. is a Wisconsin 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving and restoring the historic Camp Wandawega so it can be enjoyed for generations to come. The camp is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Virtuous Cycle of Generosity:
Our Mission and Philosophy of Creative Mutual Support
We believe in keeping things simple and rooted in community. That’s why many times we’ll waive our location fees and prop rentals (one of our core revenue sources) for photographers who don’t have the luxury of a production budget, allowing them to use camp as a backdrop for their own creative projects, client work, recreation. In return, we’re honored to share their photography / film of Camp to help promote their work while also telling camp’s story.
It creates a win–win:
the same elements that support our collaborators also fuel the virtuous cycle that allows us to tell its story more broadly.
That visibility enables us to keep finding new ways to give back to the causes and charities above.