The Wanake Kitchen serves healthy, kid-friendly food and provides opportunities for campers to exercise decision-making in their food choices. Wanake serves a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables — yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit with hot entrees at breakfast, salad with lunch, and fresh fruits and vegetables at supper and on cookouts. Many foods are cooked from scratch and desserts are baked homemade, reducing the use of high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors/dyes, and hydrogenated oils. With a pre-arranged plan Wanake can provide a balanced diet for those with food allergies and/or special diets: gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan, lactose intolerant, etc.
Everlasting — alumnus (Alex) on camp community crossing boundaries
"The camp community is so incredible at bringing people of different backgrounds together. The connections you build at camp are incredible. You form this community that doesn't stay within the property lines of Wanake but branches out into the world around you as well. Camp breaks isolation with stories as small groups become willing to talk about faith and life. Camp gives kids a place to explore their faith independent of their home turf, and because of the wide variety of campers and staff members, you learn a wide variety of different things and gain new perspectives of the world around you." — Wanake alumnus
What Wanake is — faith, adventure, and small-group community
Wanake Camp & Retreat Center, where adventure, exploration, and lifelong memories come together in the heart of God's Creation! Nestled in the scenic beauty of Ohio, Wanake offers a faith-developing, enriching, and exciting summer camp experience for children and teens. Our carefully crafted programs are designed to foster spiritual formation, personal growth, friendships, and community building. From traditional outdoor activities like campfire cooking, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and rock climbing to unique offerings including team-building challenges and arts and crafts, Wanake provides a diverse range of experiences to cater to every camper's interests.
Thin Places — camper (Sarah) encounters God at Wanake
"Wanake was a place where I encountered God and fellow people on my faith journey. I found that there were these thin sacred places around me where there was nature plus more than nature. At camp I heard God calling me and I found that if you pray intentionally, God shows up. Camp gave me mentors. I was given the space to ask questions during discussions around the campfire and in Bible study. Camp gave me a place and pace to build spiritual disciplines into my day. Camp is where God became real to me." — Sarah Ring, Wanake alumna
Anna Irwin story — staff development builds lasting confidence
Anna struggled with self-confidence during her first summer as a volunteer Leader in Training at Wanake. The entire leadership team surrounded her and prayed for her. During training, they taught the valuable skills needed to succeed and helped her practice them. By her final summers she was a unit leader — a counselor to the counselors — managing situations for children with deeper needs and walking alongside new counselors. In May she graduated from college and took a job as an art teacher. Working at camp gave her the self-confidence to say, "Yes, I can do that."
Confidence story — a shy camper (Tonia) finds her footing in community
"The group accepted and respected Tonia," her counselor reported. "They accepted her makeup, her reservations, and her caution. Despite her initial nerves and doubts, she did not hesitate to participate and try new things. By the end of the week, Tonia had formed connections not only with us, the counselors, but also with fellow campers. Tonia's time at camp is a testament to the power of encouragement and the impact of creating a supportive environment at camp. Watching her grow, even in such a short period, was a privilege."
Mission and vision — life-change, new friends, time with God, and fun
Wanake's mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The vision: offer places, programs, and role models away from daily routines and distractions for all who seek God to experience life-change, a new friend, time with God, and a lot of fun.
A typical Wanake day begins with Rise and Shine at 7:15 AM, followed by breakfast, Morning Watch (a brief faith reflection), and then the morning's main activity — whether Animal Time, Rock Climbing, Canoeing on Lake Arnold, or a Group Choice activity. After a cookout lunch and Bible Study, campers swim, shower, and have H-Hour free time before dinner in the Dining Hall. Evenings bring singing, Wide Games, a snack, Closing Circle, 1-on-1 Prayers with a counselor, and Lights Out at 9:15 PM.
Cabin housing — White Cabins (air conditioned) and Pines Cabins
Wanake has two cabin locations, the White Cabins and the Pines Cabins. Furnished with bunk beds each cabin will house a maximum of 14–16 people. Both cabin locations have electricity and changing rooms and are a short walk to bathhouses. Pines Cabins are strategically located and ventilated to keep them cooler in the summer months, while the White Cabins have air conditioning.
Health care — Health Director, visiting RN, and medication management
Health care is provided through the Health Director who lives on site and a Registered Nurse who visits daily. All staff members are trained in their healthcare responsibilities and follow the Camp Doctor's standing orders for minor illnesses and injuries, including first aid and over-the-counter medications. All medications are kept locked in the Health Center or a medical lock box and are monitored by staff. The Health Director monitors campers to make sure medications are taken as prescribed and that healthcare needs are met.
Special needs — medical, behavioral, dietary, social/emotional
Wanake's goal is to provide an excellent experience for every camper. Wanake can accommodate special medical, behavioral, dietary, and social/emotional needs for which the camper can provide some self-care and self-regulation with a pre-arranged plan. Wanake may be able to provide one-on-one buddies for campers with special needs. Please contact Wanake before registering to review your camper's needs at 330-756-2333 or info@campwanake.org.
