Wandawega Blog Archive

took me 53 years to get here (Turns out I was waiting for the right folks to go with)If you havent explored Panama yet, heres what Id do again. This trip was part vaca, part getting lost on purpose – & squeezing in a little research for Camp (while pretending not to take notes) Backwoods horseback ride Hilltop birdwatching (binoculars + patience) Paddle board the canyon (upper body surprise) Ceramics workshop Historic Panama City walk Native craft stalls (dangerously good) Local makers market (pace yourself) Follow the stray dogs (they know things) Beach sunrise at 6am (worth it) Bike the coastline (stop a lot) Find all the abandoned palm-roof shacks drive washed out Riverbeds to hidden waterfalls finally learn some yoga moves @clairemarkyoga ) Meet artists on the historic square Eat well. Often.But the real reason is legit just to get to spend more time with old friends, make a few new ones, soul search, stretch in unexpected ways & come home with more gratitude than souvenirs.Forever grateful for the invitation, the perspective & reminder: the best finds are the people you share the adventure with..Also Thank-you : @sansararesort @jennykyoga

January 22, 2026 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

2016 a quick look back at what was unfolding around Camp* Got Charlie her 1st bike (50cc Suzuki) in hindsight may have skipped a few steps* Charlie got a bunny & we got a house full of poop* Collecting rocks for the Hill House (later it landed on a Top US Airbnb list by @GQ still feels suspicious)* Camp takeover at @MSIchicago 700 kids ( biggest slumber party we ever hosted)* Took Charlie to see the world I didnt see until post college (my childhood vaca was a trip to neighboring town fishfry)* 1 creative project from my dayjob got its 15 min in NYT* Met @ye B4 he went cray he said he doesnt smile in photos (so I wasnt supposed to either) Im not a great listener* @SophiaBush stayed up w/us under the stars until 2am * moved & renod an old shack (future craft cabin)* Discovered camp on the back of @NewYorkerMag via an unexpected text* We gave a keynote to 400 creatives at the Shinola HQ (same yr @Shinola took over camp w @Filson founder Tom)* Camp takeover by @sohohouse w/@CorinneBaileyRae performing on our rickety dock which somehow held* Still at the day job as partner VP in ad world opened a museum in NYC @c.syresmith stopped by* Spent 3 days w dear friends shooting our first @betterhomesandgardens feature* Threw Charlie a bday party (filled our house w zoo animals- incl a llama who unsurprisingly pooped everywhere)* @landsend took over camp & erected a 5 deck bunkbed – then plastered the camping across State St * @Threadless horse traded us their Airstream( started the renov that became the Cedar Tavern)* Old day job perk: client friends sent me to Cannes (to pick up industry awards for a creative project I led) love to that team* 4 days we built a glorified tent (our teeny A frame)* Take Your Kid to Work Day – the year @Dwell featured my thrifted office- I wanted Charlie to see it once then build her own view of the world & her own office outside a holding company2016 was a crossroads year – I decided to build the exit ramp from corp life & start shaping my own workwith a limitless runway (no boundaries/bureaucracy) & set an example of what possibility can look like for her

January 21, 2026 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

Thrilled to announce that @thejaunt is debuting Winter Camp 2026, bringing four incredible California-based artists to the Midwest for a winter residency at Camp. Taking place February 48 – organized in collaboration with @joymachine.art. Together, theyll present a group exhibition featuring work from all four artists later this year.Each artist will spend time immersed in the landscape, creating a new silkscreen print inspired by their experiences available to pre-order now to directly support their creative journey.This years artists include :Wyatt Hersey (@wyatthersey)Artist, illustrator, and wildlife biologist. Wyatts work is rooted in observation of flora and fauna, shaped by winter landscapes and the quiet rhythms of the natural world.Melissa Lakey (@melissa.lakey)Working from her studio in Joshua Tree, Melissa draws from the Mojave Desert and a lifelong fascination with the mythology of the American West storytelling through place, memory, and longing.Anna Valdez (@missannavaldez)Anna explores material culture and identity, using domestic objects plants, textiles, vessels, and keepsakes as tools for narrative and personal history.Esther Pearl Watson (@estherpearlwatson)Esthers work captures the optimistic absurdity of rural America highways, playgrounds, oil rigs, and flying saucers blending humor, nostalgia, and deeply personal symbolism.Learn more visit thejaunt.net

January 20, 2026 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

Honored to be featured by @wallpapermag. Sharing images and text from the story *link in bio*While this cottage isnt yet offered as a guest cabin, it is now available as a production location via CountryMouseLocations.comPhotos @nathanBobey (+ sink pic @bobcoscarelli )

January 16, 2026 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

Grateful to @countrylivingmag for the inclusion in Country Design 100 2026 – alongside so many folks Ive admired from afar. As a Midwestern, Wisconsin-born-and-built spot turning 100 years old this year, it means a lot to see an old camp get a small nod in a much bigger conversation. Thanks to everyone whos helped keep this place alive & kicking!(Story link in bio)Thanks @rachelhardagebarrett @maribethbjones @kopfj & @annaklogan for the inspirational list !

January 15, 2026 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

As we close out 2025 – our Centennial year – were reminded that places like this dont last without people. This year made that clearer than ever. OUR 100TH YEAR ALMOST KILLED USbut it was a hell of a lot of fun.What this year really needed was just showing up- doing the unglamorous work it takes to keep an old place standing, and learning (sometimes the hard way) what it means to be responsible for something thats lasted this long. Since we ran out of squares, we made a year-end page to put a bow on what we made / broke / ran – and ran from *WANDAWEGA.com/2025 (where Everything in CAPS has its full story linkedWe opened a STORE in Chicago and welcomed some SPECIAL GUESTS. We were finally granted our own LIQUOR LICENSE, launched a BOURBON, a collab RADLER, and CANNED COCKTAILS. We made a SODA LINE with our history spelled out on the bottle. We FOUND & RENOVATED another cottage. Published the 2026 volume of our CAMP JOURNAL. Launched a NEW ARM with a photo studio. Added guest amenities-from a REST STOP to a damn cute little PADDLEBOAT. We hit the road looking for inspiration with pitstops in SANTA FE, HUDSON VALLEY, NYC, TULUM, & NANTUCKET. Welcomed BRANDS, CELEBS, & STAR CHEFS. Threw a few CENTENNIAL PARTIES. Forgot our own WEDDING ANNIVERSARY (again). Hosted PRIDE. Interviewed A LEGEND. We welcomed a talented group of artists in residencea PAINTER, a MULTI MEDIA ARTIST, and a PHOTOGRAPHER. We put out a CALL FOR CREATIVES, and over 100 thoughtful, hard-working folks ANSWERED. We hosted shoots with generous partners-from GoPro to Coca Cola, AMERICAN EAGLE Outfitters, and more-and events with our friends at SOHO House & BLIND BARBER.We added amazing folks to our tiny crew – and spent long days and late nights doing the unglamorous work that keeps this place running. As we look toward 2026, a few bigger things are underway: a new line of home goods, a mobile bar, a mini-museum, an infirmary, and more.If you made it this far, thank you for being part of it -another year older, wiser-ish, and grateful as hell. Tonight we raise a glass to the next 100 YEARS of Saints & Sinners!

December 31, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

Thanks @betterhomesandgardens For sharing the love this week from one of our favorite holiday stories (we wish we had the energy to build This bar every time it snows) this was a fun weekend with our friends @mindysegal @mindysbakery @fleurinc @mcguireinteriors .POV you spent the day skating, snowshoeing, and driving Christmas trees around the farm-then, of course, sipping cocoa in the shed to warm up. The celebration is outdoors, the spirit of the season alive in the snowflakes, pine needles, and crackling firewood. All is well, all is bright In Camp Wandawega, Wl, the festive fun never stops. Were diving into the 2016 archives to share the story of this 25-acre property that may just be out of a Wes Anderson film- David Tsay for BHGs December Issue.@davidtsay

December 30, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram

GOOD MORNING & MERRY CHRISTMASOur last celebration of our 100th year at Camp, Sending anyone whos seeing this good luck & love..and for tonight: Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night… @erikengstromphoto (except last one, our little city tree)

December 25, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram