Sunday Snippet: … A Place of Fun and Play!

Founded in the tradition of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, WeHaKee Camp for Girls is a place of fun and play where a girl’s journey strengthens her relationship with God, self, others and nature.  In 2005, the WeHaKee Camp for Girls Board of Advisors gathered at Camp WeHaKee for a board retreat where they crafted the mission statement above.   It was a meaningful and at time intense discussion to assemble a statement that the members felt truly captured the essence of the WeHaKee experience.   Examining it further…

Founded in the tradition of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters   WeHaKee Camp for Girls is and always has been a ministry of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa.  It was founded by Sr. David O’Leary, OP, in 1923 to provide girls with opportunities to experience God’s great outdoors.   Through the summer of 2004, it had been directed by 4 Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters: Sr. David, Sr. Noel Boggs, Sr. Marie Karen Hawkinson and Sr. Arturo Cranston.   In the fall of 2004, the first lay directors, Maggie & Bob Braun came to the helm, but the camp remains a Dominican ministry to this day.

WeHaKee Camp for Girls is a place of fun and play   Embracing the immense value of fun and play in a child’s life, the WeHaKee program is very intentional in providing multiple opportunities for girls to play in structured play as well as free play.   And knowing that… when a child is having fun her learning capabilities are at their peak resulting in an exceptional meaningful growth experience.   WeHaKee’s focus on fun and play is essential in guiding each girl’s journey while at camp.

Where a girl’s journey strengthens her relationship with God, self, others and nature   Every girl arrives at WeHaKee in a unique place and it is important that we recognize and respect what each girl brings and needs during her WeHaKee experience.   Although WeHaKee is owned and operated by a Catholic order of Sisters, the organization and directors have always insisted that WeHaKee be open to all girls of all faiths & backgrounds.   This approach is instrumental in helping each girl learn to accept her own gifts and uniqueness while embracing the similarities and differences in the girls around her.   And finally, just as Sr. David created a place for girls to experience God’s great outdoors, the Camp WeHaKee experience takes place in the beautiful northwoods lakes region of northwest Wisconsin.

Thanks for joining us this week.   Come back next Sunday when we explore the vision behind the mission.  Have a good week everyone!