Campfires, Marshmallows, and Elsie

Meet Camp Wanakita’s 2024 T-shirt Design Contest Winner.

Is there anything better than sitting around the campfire with friends, singing songs, roasting marshmallows, and looking up at the stars? Campfires are one of the best things about camp and our 2024 t-shirt design contest winner agrees! 

Elsie is a second-generation YMCA Wanakita camper. Her mom, Cathy, started going to Wanakita when she was seven, and wanted Elsie to have the same amazing camp experience. 

“It was such a big thing for me, and I knew as soon as I had a kid that they were going to go. And I desperately wanted Elsie to love it, I really wanted her to love camp.” 

Elsie says the first time she went to camp was also the first time ever being away from home by herself. 

“When I got to camp, I was really nervous but as it went on, I really liked it! But I also felt like I didn’t have enough time to get used to it the first year.”

This is a feeling Cathy and other Wanakita campers are very familiar with. “When she was done, she wanted it to be longer.”  

“It’s such a special experience! It’s like this special club, if you know you know, and I understand,” says Cathy. “I remember feeling like everything is so much more special, the food tastes better, the friendships are deeper, and it just changes people. It really does.”  

This special club spans generations and connects you with people in ways you never imagined. “Wanakita has such a history. And everywhere you go you know someone from camp, and it will be like that forever.” 

Elsie has now contributed to the rich history of Wanakita with her amazing t-shirt design, based around that fan favourite, the campfire. 

“I decided on a campfire because that’s one of my favourite parts about camp. I did the marshmallows because in my first year we raided the W.E.P. cabin and did a cookout at the core, so I wanted to work that in!” 

“Campfire food always tastes the best,” says Cathy. 

Another favourite memory that both Cathy and Elsie share is Kangaroo Court, Elsie’s favourite court ruling? “A guy got in trouble for putting eggs and jam on a croissant then he had to eat two whole plates of vegetables for dinner!”   

Cathy, on the other hand, has a slightly different experience. “I remember being sent to Kangaroo Court because I wasn’t wearing shoes at one point, and I had to walk the swamp! I just remember thinking it was so funny! It's cool to see that tradition carry on.” 

Cathy looks back at all her camp memories fondly and is happy that Elsie can have the same kinds of experiences. From sitting around the campfire with friends, singing songs, roasting marshmallows, and looking up at the stars, to making friendships that last a lifetime and span generations. “Anyone who attended Camp Wanakita is a part of the family, and it will be like that forever.”