What to Expect Your First Summer at WeHaKee

Your daughter’s heading to WeHaKee for the first time, and it’s completely normal if she doesn't know quite what to expect. You might be feeling a bit of that uncertainty too! Here’s a look at what happens during that first summer, week by week, and what most first-timers end up saying on the drive home.

The First 48 Hours

Opening Day at WeHaKee is designed to take the edge off quickly. Your daughter will be met by her counselors the very moment she arrives. We have two counselors specifically assigned to her cabin of eight girls, and they’ve been thinking about Opening Day for weeks. They already know who’s coming, who’s feeling a little nervous, and who might need a little extra time to settle in.

The first activities are kept nice and low-pressure. There’s time for unpacking, cabin introductions, and a tour of the grounds. She’ll have her first meal in the dining hall where the whole WeHaKee community gets together for the first time. By the end of day one, most first-timers have already had at least one real conversation. A few have even found someone who feels like a potential new friend.

Day two is often the hardest emotionally. Homesadness tends to peak around that second full day, once the novelty has worn off and the reality of being away for two weeks settles in. Our counselors know this is coming and they keep a close eye out for it. Most girls work through it by day three, and anyone who needs extra support will definitely get it.

Week One: Finding Your Footing

The first week is all about figuring out the rhythm of camp life. Mornings are spent in a rotation with her age group, while afternoons offer free choice from nearly 40 different options. There’s Valley Time for letters and rest, followed by Evening Gathering with the whole camp.

By the end of week one, most first-timers have found two or three activities they’re excited to do again. They know the names of all the girls in their cabin and they've got the rhythm of the days down. The camp has started to feel less like a strange place and more like it truly belongs to them.

The Turn

Most first-timers describe a specific moment when camp stopped feeling new and started feeling like home. It’s different for everyone! For some, it’s a conversation before lights out that's exactly what they needed. For others, it’s hearing their name called at Evening Gathering for something great they did that day. It’s hard to predict exactly when it’ll happen, but it almost always does. Once it hits, the rest of camp feels completely different.

What First-Timers Usually Discover

They discover they’re more capable than they ever thought.  The girl who’d never been in a canoe is paddling herself across Hunter Lake by the end of the week. Even the girl who didn't think she was athletic might find out she’s excellent at archery.

They also discover that being away from home is survivable. They learn that missing your family doesn't mean you can’t be okay. You can feel a little homesad and still have a wonderful day. Being somewhere new, without your usual social circle, can be a little uncomfortable but it’s also really freeing.

The Last Day

Closing Day at WeHaKee has a very specific feeling. The girls are so proud of themselves in a way that’s hard to find anywhere else. They’ve really done something! They haven't just finished a project or passed a test; they’ve lived somewhere different and come out the other side stronger. Most first-timers are already thinking about next summer before they even leave the gate.

Parents often tell us the girl who comes home is the same kid they dropped off, just a more settled version of herself. She’s less worried about what other people think and more willing to say what she actually wants. That’s not a coincidence. That’s just what a first summer at WeHaKee tends to do.

What to Tell Her Before She Leaves

The most useful thing you can say is something simple. Tell her camp might feel a little strange at first, but that "strange" isn't bad, it’s just new. Remind her that the counselors are ready for her and want to make her feel welcome. Let her know you’re proud of her because going somewhere new without knowing anyone takes real courage, and she’s got plenty of it.

Try not to oversell it or promise she’ll love every single minute. That sets a standard that might feel a bit dishonest if that second day gets tough. Just tell her you believe she can handle it. She can! And if it turns out she needs some extra support, WeHaKee will call you and we’ll work through it together. She’s never out there alone. She just gets the chance to find out what she’s capable of before either of you knew the answer.

What Most First-Timers Say on the Drive Home

If you ask a first-timer what camp was like on the way home, the answer is usually a long list of specifics. She’ll talk about the horse she rode, the girl in the cabin who became her best friend, or the Closing Fire ceremony. That specificity is the best sign of all. She wasn't just somewhere for two weeks; she was somewhere that really mattered.