Can campers try Camping Skills or Outdoor Skills if they've never camped before?

That's exactly who those activities are built for. Girls learn to set up a tent, build a fire, and navigate the Chicagami Trail with staff guiding every step. First-timers usually leave wondering why they waited so long.

What if my daughter doesn't want to get in the water?

She never has to. Adventure activities include plenty that have nothing to do with the lake — archery, biking, camping skills, outdoor skills. A girl can have a full adventure week without getting her hair wet once.

Is archery supervised? What does safety look like on the range?

The archery range runs with a certified instructor on-site for every session. Campers learn proper form and range rules before they ever pick up a bow. No one draws until the range is clear and the instructor gives the signal.

Do campers need experience to try sailing or kayaking?

No experience needed for any of it. Staff teach from the beginning — proper paddling technique, how to read wind on the water, how to handle a bow. Girls who've never been in a kayak are in the majority, not the minority.

Can my daughter try multiple adventure activities or does she pick one?

Campers build a schedule that includes multiple activities, so there's no need to choose just one. A girl can spend time kayaking on Hunter Lake, try archery on the range, and go out on the sailing dock in the same session.

How are adventure activities structured throughout the day?

Campers choose their activities at the start of each session and build a schedule around them. Adventure programming runs throughout the day, so girls spend real, repeated time on the water and outdoors, not just a one-time sample. Repetition matters. A girl who tries kayaking on Hunter Lake on day one is noticeably more confident by the end of her session. The structure gives that progress somewhere to go.

What if my daughter is nervous about trying something new outdoors?

Everyone's at least a little nervous, honestly. A girl who has never stood on a paddleboard or held a kayak paddle is not unusual at WeHaKee. Staff introduce activities in a way that makes the first try feel manageable, not like a test. The camp setting helps too. When your daughter sees a cabinmate try something and laugh about it, the pressure drops. Most of the nerves disappear by day two.

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Soccer, tennis, volleyball, & more

Sports

Swim lessons, soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, waterski, and more. Girls play hard, learn real skills, and have the time of their lives.

All skill levels

10 activities

Badminton

Basketball

Cheer

Dance

Pickleball

Running Club

Soccer

Swimming

Sports without the pressure

Sports at Camp WeHaKee are open to everyone, regardless of experience or ability. Girls choose what they want to try, learn fundamentals, and play, in that order. The lineup covers soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, pickleball, yoga, running, swim, waterski, and cheer/dance.

There are no tryouts, no cuts, and no scoreboard pressure. Girls play because they want to. That context, away from school and away from parents on the sideline, changes how they experience sport entirely.

What she takes home

Skills come first, then games. That sequence makes the games more fun and gives girls a reason to keep playing when they get home.

Fundamentals and game play across a wide range of sports
Teamwork and communication in real competitive situations
Confidence through effort, not just winning
A positive relationship with being active

Stacie & Cory

Directors

"No tryouts, no cuts. A girl who has never touched a soccer ball ends up on the same field as someone who plays club. And both of them have a blast."

More photos

Take a deeper look into the wonderful activities that make Camp WeHakee unforgettable.

FAQs

Have questions?

Why is there an extra cost for water skiing?

Water skiing is part of your daughter's activity schedule just like any other program at WeHaKee — she picks it, it's in her day, and she gets real instruction and time on the water. The extra cost reflects what makes it possible: specialized equipment, boat maintenance, and dedicated instructional staff.

Are there tryouts or auditions for sports activities?

No tryouts. No cuts. Sports at WeHaKee are open to everyone regardless of experience or ability. Girls sign up based on what they want to try, not based on what they already know how to do.

Do campers focus on skills or is it mostly just games?

Both, in the right order. Girls practice fundamentals first, then apply them in games. That sequence matters because it makes the games more fun. A camper who can actually pass and move is going to enjoy soccer more than one who's just running around hoping the ball finds her.

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The goal isn't to produce athletes. It's to give girls a good reason to keep playing after they leave camp.

How are sports structured throughout the day?

Campers pick their activities at the start of each session, and sports are built into the daily schedule from there. Girls spend consistent time in their chosen sports each day rather than rotating through everything once.

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That consistency is what allows real improvement. By the end of two weeks, most campers can feel the difference in their own game.

What if my daughter has never played sports before?

She's in good company. Sports at WeHaKee start from the basics, and beginners are genuinely welcome, not just tolerated.

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Instruction is part of every activity, so girls who are brand new to soccer or volleyball are learning alongside everyone else, not playing catch-up on their own.

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The environment is supportive rather than competitive. No one is getting cut or benched for struggling.

How competitive are the sports at camp?

Low pressure. Sports at WeHaKee are about participation and improvement, not standings. Girls play games, keep score sometimes, and genuinely compete within activities, but no one is here to win a championship.

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There are no tryouts. No cuts. A girl who just wants to run around and learn the sport is exactly who this is for.