Page 34 - Trending Magazine 2018 Summer

Clockwise from above: A leap of faith into the chilly waters
of Clear Lake takes place during Camp Wannakumbac’s
activities, while a canoe class operates in the background.
(Submitted) Camp Wannakumbac members take part in
supper cookout. (Submitted) Camp Wannakumbac’s pavilion
building is pictured. Built in the 50s, the building is one of the
property’s older structures. (Tyler Clarke/Trending)

remain off-limits to those attending the camp, since
the camp’s intention is to have participants connect
with “actual human beings.”
It’s the off-season — the 10 months outside of the
summer camp season — that the new management
duo hopes to better fill out for the not-for-
profit organization.
They’ve already put the nurse’s cabin available
for rent on Airbnb.ca, and have plans to improve
upon another space to make it available during the
off season.
They’re also hosting the centre’s first-ever adult
summer camp during the September long weekend,
called “Adults Wanna Come Back.”
Similar to a condensed summer camp program, centre, which the young couple, both in their late
they’re incorporating live music and other activities 20s, are energized to do. Inspired by their love for
for adults to enjoy during their time in the area. nature, they’re both intent on breathing new life
“Our generation; it’s hard to meet people in person into the centre, and while some ideas might fall flat,
anymore, so it was an opportunity to help people others might take off.
our age, who aren’t in university anymore, not in Mitch said that it’s innovation that will keep the
high school where you’re constantly being put into camp running into the long term.
social situations,” Sarah-Anne said. “This gives you With overnight school groups becoming
a situation where you can meet people face to face increasingly difficult to book, ebbing away at their
instead of on an app or Facebook.” bottom line, it’s booking retreats, field trips and
Another effort, a Mother’s Day Wellness Weekend, efforts such as their Airbnb.ca effort that will allow
failed to gain traction, but rather than look at is as a them to keep efforts such as their summer camp
failure they’re striving to learn why it didn’t take off, program alive.
and how they might make a similar such effort in the Maintaining their traditions while moving forward
future a success. remains a challenge, he said, but is one fuelled by the
It’s all about adding new ideas to the 70-year-old Gustal couple’s passion and creativity. ❚

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