“Boy meets girl. Boy proposes. Proposes both marriage and that they purchase his abandoned childhood summer camp to be wed at. Girl accepts on both counts.” So Teresa tells the story.

Teresa and David, both advertising execs in Chicago, were introduced by a former boss, fell in love, and David proposed. Years before, David had taken her to see his former summer camp, (which had also had former lives as a brothel, a speakeasy, and a family vacation destination), and though it had fallen into disuse and disrepair, they asked the owner to please call if he ever wanted to sell. A few years later, he did, and with a lakefront location and 25 bedrooms, they decided it would be the perfect place to hold their wedding. 

The catch was that it had been neglected for years and needed tons of work. This is the part that really amazes me. Most people find it challenging to plan a wedding in six months. Much less plan a wedding and renovate the entire property where it's going to take place and where all your guests will be staying! 

Well, they pulled it off, with help from friends, and now Camp Wandawega operates as an event space and retreat where they host friends on weekends. How FUN! I think Teresa might be a new idol of mine. 

The camp includes a boarding house-style hotel, cabins, tents, and even a treehouse. Ahhh!! 

And of course, the treehouse has an awesome story too. When they bought the property, Teresa's dad christened it by hanging a rope swing from one of the trees. He later passed away, and the tree came down with a disease. Teresa couldn't bear to cut it down, and learned that despite the branches dying, the trunk was still strong. So, with the help of their crafty friends again, they designed and constructed this awesome treehouse.

Check out the gallery for lots more! Images and info via The Lettered Cottage and the Camp Wandawega site.