Celebrating 2016

When I transitioned from camper and volunteer to Executive Director in February, I could not have anticipated a more remarkable first season. We served 7% more campers in 2016 than in 2015. Our 35+ year-old oven broke halfway through the summer, and members of the greater Wanakee community stepped up and fully funded the purchase, delivery, and installation of a brand new double convection oven. Volunteers counseled and directed camps, covered songbooks, organized out-dated databases, removed 7.9 tons of trash from the property (in one day!), and offered thousands of hours of passion to this vital ministry. 2016 was full of blessings.

Most importantly, campers’ lives were changed. During Night Camp, a young man finally reached the top of one of our challenging high ropes elements, the Giant’s Ladder. Through some tears, and with the heartfelt encouragement of a counselor he has known for many summers, he achieved his longtime goal and his confidence grew.

During our first Celebration Worship, a meditation on the “fathers” in our lives brought up challenges facing two of our younger campers; challenges which moved them to tears. A summer staffer was able to comfort them with genuine depth of connection rooted in her own experience. In that moment, this community enveloped those campers in God’s love.

During Senior High, an evening “Faith Walk” took small groups of teens around camp in the early evening, their only light coming from the fading sun and rising stars (plus a strategic glowstick or two). Campers were invited to explore the hardships that they face, and to discuss and reflect in a safe and accepting environment. At the end of the week, one young man struggled to explain how much it meant to connect deeply with friends old and new while exploring his personal faith. “Awesome” and “moving” were a couple of descriptors accompanying his expression of deep fulfillment.

These examples underscore the profound impact Wanakee has on people of all ages, and I’d like to invite you to experience that impact in 2017 by engaging and supporting this uniquely loving community. Please tear off the form at the bottom of this letter and help us keep in touch with you.

I am eager to continue building a bright future for our Beautiful, Spiritual Place in the Hills, a future that will be much brighter with your presence and prayers.

We’ll see you in 2017, and thank you for making my first year as director a great one.

Grace and Peace,
James Tresner, Executive Director