You did it! You helped us surpass our goal and raise $169,313! Thanks to your generosity we built an outdoor dining pavilion and a sub-senior dewdrop (bathroom). These projects enabled Wawenock to operate at full capacity for our traditional seven-weeks – thank you for being an integral part of our successful 2021 season!
Sub-senior Dewdrop
Dining Pavilion Construction
Additional Funds Raised Support the Construction of a Health Center Tent
Additional funds raised are being put toward other COVID related facility enhancements – most significant was the addition of a Health Center triage tent. This allowed our Health Center to be designated as a COVID isolation center, while Nurses could see campers and staff with other health issues in a well ventilated space. Thanks to many layers of precautions there were no cases of COVID at Wawenock in 2020 or 2021!
Summer 2020 Recap
Wawenock was proud to be one of only 22 residential Maine camps – out of 125 – that operated on site in 2020. Guided by the CDC, the State of Maine, and the American Camp Association, we faced a long list of new recommendations and regulations in order to operate.
In determining whether we could open in Summer 2020, we recalled wisdom from June Gray: “Make decisions with your head and lead from your heart.” Once the guidelines were issued, our ‘heads’ determined that we could comply. The only thing holding us back was fear. As such, we decided to open with our ‘hearts’ – hearts filled with love for our campers and staff and hope for what could happen when a caring community comes together with a shared goal.
Those who joined us at Wawenock in 2020 agreed that it was an incredible experience and a privilege we will never forget. Our 2020 season theme highlighted what we were feeling – Wawenock Spirit Never Dies. As the song says, “Them girls gonna rise again!” and we encountered that resilience in every member of our camp family as they embraced the changes necessary to make Camp happen.
Financial Update
Summer 2020 was successful in every way, except one: financially. The ongoing pandemic presented challenges unlike any that Camp has experienced before. It was our plan to open at capacity for the 2021 season and we shared our vision of how to accomplish this goal in light of our 2020 financial standing below.
Camp Wawenock’s financial model is based on three primary factors:
- Revenue from camper tuition;
- Operating budget to run camp (staff salaries, food, insurance, taxes, general maintenance, equipment upkeep, program and transportation costs, etc.); and
- Ongoing capital investments to buildings, vehicles, program areas and equipment.
Thanks to the incredible stewardship of Syd and Lillian, June and Pat, Wawenock has been on solid financial footing for 70+ years. In normal years, Camp Tuition covers operating costs and allows us to make capital improvements. In the last five years, Camp has replaced Middler Dewdrop, enhanced The Ussher Lodge, refurbished the riding ring and paddocks, and purchased all new sailboats, canoes, windsurf/SUP boards, archery equipment, Wawenock’s first tractor, and a truck – all without financing.
Due to the pandemic, Camp’s finances have been impacted in three major ways:
1) 2020 Gross revenue down 60% vs 2019: 65% of enrolled campers attended the abbreviated season, tuition was half the full-season rate, 100% refunds were given to all who requested;
2) Unbudgeted costs incurred to meet COVID-19 safety requirements: COVID-19 safety protocol required enhanced health center, food service and housekeeping staff, additional sanitizing and cleaning materials, personal protective equipment, etc.
3) Unplanned capital enhancements to current facilities: To meet distancing, capacity, and quarantine requirements necessary to open, we expanded outdoor dining facilities and added a bathroom to the Wonder Week cabin (our COVID isolation cabin for summer 2020), requiring a new septic field.
Camp typically reports a small gain or loss each year. In 2020 we took steps to reduce our own compensation and Camp’s expenses; but given the decrease in revenue, Camp still had a net operating loss of just over $340,000. This was by far the largest operating loss camp has ever incurred.
Fortunately, Camp received grants and loans through Federal and State programs and secured a line of credit to help us through. We feel fortunate and grateful for the assistance that we were able to secure along the way.
Planning for Summer 2021
We were determined to open Camp at capacity in 2021. Applying what we learned about best practices in communicable disease management, we knew we needed to enhance our facilities in the following ways:
1) A Sub-senior Dewdrop (bathroom) – estimated $100,000 – BUILT AND OPERATING!
Middler Dewdrop served approximately 70 campers and staff. To decrease population density and keep cohort groups distanced, we needed to build another bathroom facility. This improvement helped us comply with COVID-19 guidelines and was also a beneficial long-term improvement for Camp – giving each Unit its own Bathhouse!
Costs included: tree removal, excavation and addition of a new septic field, foundation/building construction, connection of new electrical and propane services, fixtures and finishes.
2) Expanded Outdoor Dining – estimated at $60,000 – BUILT AND OPERATING!
Social distancing, getting outdoors and air circulation are key factors in mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission. In 2020, we modified the Dining Hall deck to create outdoor seating space, so that the entire – reduced – Camp Family could eat at the same time. To accommodate a full camp in 2021, we needed to further increase our outdoor dining capacity. A new covered outdoor dining space provided additional dining, rainy day, and program space for Camp moving forward.
Costs included: tree work, foundation and excavation, erosion control measures, building of a covered structure, installation of electrical system and lighting fixtures, floor materials, tables, benches, speakers, microphones, and a food warmer.
3) Enhance on-site facilities and support for Staff – estimated at $5,000 – SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED!
To maintain our Camp safety bubble, Wawenock staff members committed to stay on Camp property for the whole season in 2020. In 2021 vaccinated staff were allowed to leave Camp with very restricted guidelines for their time off, including outings like hikes or beach picnics. Thanks to the generous gifts from the Wawenock Spirit Fund, and a volunteer alumna, we improved staff time off spaces and provided fun energy boosts like smoothies or frappuccinos at Rest Hour and trivia nights with snacks!
As the current caretakers of Wawenock, we acknowledged that Camp is not a charitable organization, and we wrestled with the notion of asking for support. However, after consulting with parents, alumnae and staff, the uniform response was that the Wawenock Family would want to know how they could help Camp navigate the financial impacts of COVID-19 and stay strong for the long term.
As such, we introduced The Wawenock Spirit Fund with a goal of raising $165,000. We are pleased to announce we surpassed our goal and raised $169,313 to complete these projects. Your gifts allowed Camp to open with the largest group of campers possible, while strengthening and enhancing Wawenock for the future!
What about the Scholarship Fund? In 2020, Camp was honored to receive an incredibly generous gift of $110,000 toward the 2021 Scholarship Fund, which nearly fulfilled the need for the 2021 season. We are grateful for the ability to support scholarship recipients, regardless of Camp’s other fiscal challenges. We will continue seeking support for the 2022 Scholarship Fund in 2021.
If you’d like to make a gift in support of the Camp Wawenock Scholarship Fund (tax-deductible), please click here for the link to our partners at the American Camp Association.
Donate to the Wawenock Spirit FundTo make a gift in support of The Wawenock Spirit Fund (non-deductible) you may click the above link or send a check payable to “Camp Wawenock” to 33 Wawenock Rd., Raymond ME 04071.