Fun Birthday Celebration at Camp Wandawega with Nostalgic Film Photos
As a photographer, I get to document so many amazing celebrations from engagements to first birthdays. When Erin reached out to me about photographing her 40th birthday weekend at Camp Wandawega, I knew it would be unlike anything I’d gotten to do before. This highly-curated weekend had a scout theme, and I documented everything on nostalgic film photos.
Celebrating at Camp Wandawega
Camp Wandawega is an amazing space. It’s located on 25 acres of land along Lake Wandawega. The area feels so remote that it’s hard to believe that it’s only an hour southwest from downtown Milwaukee.
The aesthetic is very “retro camper” meets “woodland luxury.” Think forest green doors, orange pillows, and retro light fixtures. Because Camp Wandawega is, well, a camp, most events take place outdoors. You can use the Mess Hall as a hangout spot. A tent is always a good idea for outdoor celebrations.
You can make your celebration a whole weekend of events by inviting up to 50 of your guests to stay at the camp with you. There are beautifully decorated accommodations, including six cabins and three tents with major glamping energy. I’ve never seen stunning interiors like this at a camp site!
If you’re considering holding a celebration at Camp Wandawega, here’s some helpful information.
- Average Cost: $25,000
- Capacity: 150 guests
- Venue Type: Indoor/outdoor
One thing that this venue does well: Only one event can take place on the property at a time. You won’t have to share the space with other weddings or parties while you’re there.
This venue describes itself as “no frills.” Despite its beautiful appearance, they don’t provide much else in terms of catering or even internet. Embrace the ability to customize your experience and unplug with your favorite people!
To say Camp Wandawega has a colorful history would be an understatement. Since the 1920s, the camp has served as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, a brothel, a high-end resort, and a Catholic Church camp. In 2003, the current owners bought the property. They’ve renovated it with the unique history in mind as you can see in the photos.
An Impeccably Curated Weekend
Erin’s 40th birthday weekend at Camp Wandawega was as perfectly curated as the venue itself. She worked with an event planner to make sure everything came together to create a cohesive, fun-filled experience for her friends, who flew in from all over the country to celebrate.
Everyone leaned into the weekend’s scout theme. Could there be a better theme for a party at Camp Wandawega? Erin had a custom scout outfit complete with green knee-high socks, a beret, and a cape. Patches and embroidery covered the cape.
This weekend was such a blast partly because it was so interactive. Erin supplied sashes for all of her guests. She created activities for them to earn merit badges throughout the weekend. It was so fun seeing everyone accumulate badges. Everyone stayed entertained and had instant conversation starters with people they didn’t know yet.
Another way Erin helped friends connect was through the custom welcome banner. When people arrived at Camp Wandawega, I took Polaroid photos of them. We posted the photos labeled with people’s names on a board that people could reference throughout the weekend. This would be a really fun detail to include at a wedding or other event!
When everyone gathered at Camp Wandawega for Erin’s birthday weekend, the fall color was just starting. People still took advantage of the lake access to go boating. Canoes and kayaks come with the camp rental. A few brave people even jumped into the lake from the dock. It made for a memorable, if cold, experience.
Nostalgic Film Photography for Erin’s Birthday
For her beautifully styled, vintage-inspired birthday weekend, Erin wanted all film photography. I was so excited to take on this challenge. Film photography is my passion. It creates authentic images with tangible emotions. The aesthetic aligned perfectly with Erin’s birthday events, too.
On the second night at Camp Wandawega, Erin treated her friends to an 80s-themed birthday dinner. A DJ came in for an 80s dance party, too. Everyone went all out with their outfits! Looking at these film photos, you almost can’t tell if they were taken in 2024 or 1984.
Would you like me to photograph your event at Camp Wandawega? I’m a Milwaukee film photographer, and I specialize in lived-in photos that help you relive your favorite moments. Reach out to me here!
