Parent Information Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question below to find out more about the WeHaKee experience.
- Where will my daughter stay at WeHaKee?
- What about bathroom and shower facilities at WeHaKee?
- What is the weather like at WeHaKee?
- What if there is severe weather at WeHaKee?
- What about bugs at WeHaKee?
- What if my daughter is not feeling well?
- Can I talk with my daughter on the phone?
- Can we send food or candy to camp?
- What about faith and spirituality at WeHaKee?
- What if my daughter comes to WeHaKee on her own/without a friend or buddy?
- How will my daughter be supervised at WeHaKee?
Where will my daughter stay at WeHaKee?
If we say so ourselves, we have some of the nicest and most comfortable cabins found at any camp. They have each been remodeled inside and out. They are well lit, well ventilated and even have a ceiling fan! The main area contains four bunk beds (with twin-size mattresses), room for up to eight girls along with the adjacent CP (counselor area) where your daughter’s two counselors will live.
What about bathroom and shower facilities at WeHaKee?
We have four completely modern shower houses within a few steps of each cabin. Showers are private and each shower stall has a private individual changing area. They are professionally cleaned daily.
What is the weather like at WeHaKee?
It is exceptionally pleasant and comfortable throughout our summer season. Highs generally are in the low 80’s (26 C) and evenings may cool into the low 60’s or upper 50’s (14-16 C). We may see a few days in the 90’s (30+ C) as well as a night or two in the 40’s (10 C). June through August is generally dry and sunny, but an occasional shower or storm may occur during your daughter’s stay at camp.
What if there is severe weather at WeHaKee?
When storms are forecast, multiple weather web sites are monitored by the directors day and night to allow us to have plenty of time to prepare and react. Weather radios are placed in several locations throughout camp.
The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department also includes us in their automated calling service alerting camp when severe weather may be approaching the county. WeHaKee is also equipped with several below-ground storm shelters which can easily and safely shelter all of our community when necessary.
What about bugs at WeHaKee Camp for Girls?
Yes, we are in the north woods of Wisconsin so mosquitoes, flies and other annoying insects can appear. However, camp’s location is kept well-groomed, reducing the areas for insects to thrive. In addition, we are located on a ridge allowing us to experience frequent breezes, keeping the bugs away! None-the-less, we do recommend that your daughter pack a repellant spray or lotion for occasional use in the evening.
What if my daughter is not feeling well?
She can receive plenty of TLC at our Band Aid! Often times a bit of extra rest is all that is needed. We have several private bedrooms in the Band Aid just for this purpose. If her illness (or injury) is more serious, we will contact you right away to discuss the best course of action.
For Your Information - The Band Aid (our health center) is staffed by volunteer nurses who often have 20 or more years of nursing experience. In addition, a doctor, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner is also available to provide assistance and consultation.
Can I talk with my daughter on the phone?
It is important to remember that camp is an ideal place for your daughter to increase her self-confidence and independence. Phone conversations can significantly impede this growth and development. Parents are always welcome to call or e-mail the camp directors at any time to check on their child’s well being. So, if you miss your daughter or just want to know how she is doing, feel free to get in touch with us. However, despite best intentions, direct phone contact with campers nearly always escalates or intensifies homesickness and is generally discouraged.
Can we send food or candy to camp?
DUE TO INCREASED FOOD BORNE ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES, WE CANNOT ALLOW FOOD ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT OR SENT TO CAMP. Candy and other snacks may seem like fun items to have at camp, but their presence creates challenges in maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all of our campers. With food sensitivities and serious allergies, many snacks can pose a significant hazard to many of our campers. These items can also be very attractive to insects and other pests – we really do not want uninvited ‘guests’ in the cabins.
We consistently hear from our campers that there is plenty of food at our meals including snack and dessert items. And each camper has access to snacks and beverages each afternoon at the Snack Window at the Trading Post (at no extra charge).
What about faith and spirituality at WeHaKee Camp for Girls?
Although the camp is owned and operated by the Dominicans of Sinsinawa - an order of Catholic Sisters - it has been WeHaKee's philosophy to welcome ALL girls to our camp community; a tradition dating back to 1923. Girls of all Christian faiths as well as those of Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and other faiths have enjoyed a welcoming and accepting environment at WeHaKee Camp for Girls.
Our approach to faith and spirituality is based on universal gospel values including community, compassion, justice, truth, and peace. With these values in mind, WeHaKee embraces a witness approach to expressing faith through the role modeling of our staff and campers. Specifically, as a camp community we provide the following faith based activities:
- Spoken and sung grace before meals
- Daily evening prayer. Led by a different cabin group each evening, it is an opportunity to reflect on the Blessings each have received through songs, skits, readings and prayer. It provides the camp community a wonderful way to bring each day to a close.
- Cabin reflections which take place in each cabin prior to 'lights out' where campers and their counselors can share and reflect on their beliefs and what is important to them.
- Weekly Mass. Although this is a Catholic service, it is intended as a sharing between Catholics and those of other beliefs. It is never intended to convert or judge, rather it is used as an opportunity to help each camper to see the similarities and differences in each of us.
What if my daughter comes to WeHaKee on her own/without a friend or buddy?
Most of the girls that attend WeHaKee Camp for Girls arrive on their own, without a ‘buddy’. Our staff are skilled in helping each girl experience a sense of belonging almost immediately – if they take the bus to camp, this begins the moment they step onboard the bus. As the cabin groups come together on the first day, the counselors spend quality time helping the girls get to know each other and discover what they have in common so that they begin to make confidence building connections. This continues as they participate in their activities and get to know even more girls from throughout camp.
With our low camper to staff ratio (4:1), each girl receives plenty of personal attention to help her adjust quickly to the camp community and begin to experience fun and success in everything she does.
How will my daughter be supervised at WeHaKee Camp for Girls?
Supervision and support is key to each girl having a safe, fun and successful experience at WeHaKee. Two counselors are assigned to each cabin group of up to eight girls. The counselors sleep in an adjoining room where they can easily hear and attend to the girls’ needs or concerns. A minimum of two staff are assigned to each activity in order to provide plenty of support, encouragement and supervision.
As girls move from one location to the next, our staff move with the girls so that are available to provide any assistance needed. Our camper to staff ratio of 4:1 allows us to provide plenty of attention and oversight to make sure the girls remain safe and supported in all they do at WeHaKee.
