I attended Minne Wonka Lodge 1963-1968. They were great years. I sing some of the camp songs to my grand children. My maiden name was McDermut. I think I stayed in almost every cabin including Hill Top.

Heidi, I believe it was 1980. Best of luck.

Inga

Heidi,

I am almost sure her name was Elizabeth Fink. That was a tragic time. Hope this help.

Kalinka

Can anyone remember Elizabeth's last name and the year she died on the camping trip to Trout Lake. I know this is a touchy subject, but I have been told I need to remember this by my doctor. I still don't have a recollection of being told. It is a black hole in my life. Can someone please email me and let me know. eagleswingwi2003@yahoo.com
Thanks.

My father, Leon Selig, was at Camp Minne Wonka in 1920 and spoke highly of it during his lifetime. I wonder if there might me anybody around that would have been at the camp then? Unlikely...but worth the try. thanks, Andy Selig

WOW what memories. Don't see any pictures of when I was there. I'm trying to remember, my last year was the summer of 1973, I was a CIT then... I think I started going in 1968 or 1969... I will never forget the anticipation of seeing the names up on the announcement board for the trips. Does anyone remember the trips where we broke in to an old mansion built by this husband for his wife. She died before it was completed, there was a bowling alley in the house oh my gosh it was cool, but had lots of bat droppings.... I remember so many flitting memories... Minne Wonka hats off to thee to my camp friends loyal we'll ever be!!!

WHO WAS THAT GUY WITH KAT SCHNEIDER?????????

WOWWWWW !!!!!!!
What great memories!!!!
Miss you all!
When will we have another reunion, I want to see my old friends
Regards
Paulina

I see so many new posts on this site - it's wonderful! There is also a Minne Wonka Lodge page on facebook. Many of you are looking for people who are on there. These links have created wonderful connections between all former MWL girls (and campmasters). There have been 2 reunions since the camp closed in 1983. It would be great to have another with even more of us!

Memories,went to camp there during the late 70's what a great time!

I was the waterfront director at MWL for 3 summers during the early 50's when Mr. and Mrs. Lyons owned the camp. Those summers were the most memorable times of my life. I would love to hear from any of the girls that were there then.

Attended '68-'71. Still remember the songs, the canoeing, and friends. It was the safest place in my life then, and I would count the days until I could go for the whole 8 weeks each year. Mary from Birmingham, where are you?

Hello, I was a counselor during the summers of 1971 and 1972. I worked in the camp office and taught archery. I remember Benny and John and the Hannas. I remember the songs and ceremonies and the lakes. More importantly the friendships. Where are you Lisa Tucker? There was no place like Minne Wonka.

I was not a minne wonka lodge camper or councelor. However, I have a "shy" friend who was a minnie wonka lodge coucelor who is reluctant to deal with the "message board' himself because, I believe, that he is afraid to get the information that the camp may be closed. So, I can tell from his reaction that this place must hold a special place in the hearts of Minnie Wonka Lodge people through out the Nation. If someone could let me know the status of MWL I know I can break the new to him gently!! Many of you former MWLs probably understand what I am dealing with for the former late 50's early 60's former MWL Councilor!!!

Thank you,
Jerry R

I was at Minnewonka in 1959-1960. One of my best memories was the music counselor for one of those years, Linda Sue ? (can't remember her last name) who was a student at Northwestern School of Music and a fantastic pianist. I can still remember her playing the Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses, which are quite challenging indeed! What a wonderful place that was.

I would love to hear from anyone who was at the camp in the the mid to late 50s when the Lyons family owned it.
I can still remember many of the camp songs, and I still have my red sweater with the awards on it. My little granddaughter loves to hear me explain each badge.
Minne Wonka was a magical place.

I was a camper from '57 - 61. I still get a lump in my throat when I think of the final campfire - the line of girls walking down to the exquisite amphitheater - candles lit on the birch bark holders. It was the unspoken sense of the sacred that was so present amongst the pines, the birch, the music, the hearts of the girls that I remember so much. I do not think anything like that exists today. How blessed we were.

Hello-- I, too, was in Windsong, but it was in 1964. I met Mariyn, from St. Louis, at the University of Arizona in 1969. Barbara McNair, from Evanston was a cabin mate, as well as, Mary Record, Margaret McKeowin, Kit Davis,and Martha Dee. There are many more, but I only went there for one summer. I was 13. Karen Burrell went there, too. I do know that she is a lawyer in Austin, Texas. I live in Plano, Texas, suburb of Dallas. 1964 was a great summer for me. It is amazing how small our world is, since I have run into one of my cabin mates in college. Time has passed and I do not know if there is anyone out there that has found this website, but I am glad that I did. If Mary Record reads this, I will be in Decatur, Illinois for my parents burial, when ever it occurs. You can tell your mother that Juanita Fraser is still alive, but memory issues have gotten to her. I hope someone responds. If not, I am so sorry to hear that this camp is no more. I was blessed to have been able to attend.

I would love to hear from campers and counselors that shared the fantastic Minne Wonka Lodge ecosystem with me. I have a huge array of pictures from the canoe trips I led and also from camp life in general.

I was a Campmaster during the Lyons era 62-64. Dusty was a dear friend for 49 years. We opened and closed camp...and literally split a ton of firewood together. Dusty cared for my summer house on 4-Mile Lake for 35 years but that pales as compared to his inate kindness.... and his love of the Northwoods and [reverent pause]..... the special affection he had for campers. He remembered ALL your names. I spoke to Dusty two days before he died. My heart is still heavy.

I will post on the other boards. I would like to hear from old friends. Camp remains as one if the great formative elements of my Life.

Bruce.... Columbia MO.