4.9 Stars: What Hundreds of Parents Say About Camp WeHaKee

4.9 stars. 123 Google reviews. Not one review under 4 stars.

We hear that a lot from parents who are researching camps and find our Google listing. The number surprises people. It shouldn't surprise us, we've been doing this for over 100 years, but honestly, it still does. Every summer is its own thing. Every girl is her own thing. Getting it right is not automatic, and we know that.

So we thought we'd do something we don't do enough: let the people who've actually sent their daughters to WeHaKee do the talking.

What Parents Say, in Their Own Words

Sarah Paul sent her daughters for three years, including one full month-long session. She wrote: "It is an inclusive, uplifting, magical childhood experience for them. They would do practically anything to go to camp. I hope my granddaughters and great granddaughters can attend someday too."

That's three generations. That's not a satisfied customer, that's a family that found something they want to hold onto.

Jennifer Wells described her daughter's first summer: "Definitely the highlight of her summer break. She made new friends, tried new activities, and returned asking to go for 4 weeks next year. From a parent perspective I was very comfortable having her attend, thanks to the entire staff answering questions before we sent her."

Ellen Fowler, whose daughter attended three years in a row: "She gains so much confidence and makes friends from all over the world. We love the all-girls experience, it allows our daughter to flourish in a comfortable and safe environment. This is her third year celebrating her birthday at camp and the staff made it so special. Major bonus: she loves the food."

Adriana Almaguer first came to WeHaKee from Mexico at age seven. She attended as a camper for five years, then came back as a counselor for six more summers. Her take: "The best thing my parents could do for me."

Angie Addison put it simply: "The activities are diverse and enjoyable, they have excellent counselors, a wide variety of food, and a beautiful property. Highly recommend."

Why our community stays so strong

One of the things we hear most often from families is a simple question: "Why do you have such a high rating?" It’s a great question, and the honest answer is that we take the experience and safety of our campers very seriously.

It starts with our staff ratios. We choose to run a 2:1 camper-to-staff ratio across the entire camp. We also make sure two counselors live in every cabin of eight girls. That's higher than industry standard and way above the minimum requirements; it’s a very deliberate choice we make every year. We know it’s a bigger investment, but you really can’t build deep, meaningful relationships at a 10:1 ratio. Having more adults around means every girl is truly seen.

Then there’s our staff selection. Our counselors come from all over the United States and countries around the world. We work hard to build a team that reflects the diversity of the girls we serve. Every person goes through background checks, references, and multiple rounds of interviews. We know our counselors are the main reason girls want to come back summer after summer.

We’re also proud of our ACA accreditation. Camp WeHaKee has been accredited by the American Camp Association for decades. The ACA evaluates nearly 300 standards covering health, safety, programming, and facilities. It’s definitely not a rubber stamp. It takes a lot of work to maintain those standards, and we’re committed to doing it every single year.

Finally, there’s the physical place. Hunter Lake, The Valley, and Lauerwood Lodge aren't just names on a map. These are the places girls describe years later when they’re trying to explain why camp felt so different from anywhere else. After all these years, the land holds onto those memories too.

What the girls bring home

When the session ends, parents notice a real shift. Julia Kearney described it perfectly when she said her daughter came back happy, confident, and more mature. Another parent, Maria Son, mentioned that her kids come home exhausted, more mature, and completely "detoxed" from electronics.

We hear versions of these stories every August. We see girls who were nervous on opening day giving us big hugs on closing day. We see girls who have never water-skied get up on their first try with a mix of shock and pride. We see girls who didn't know anyone when they arrived crying because they have to say goodbye to their cabin mates.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because our team chooses this work on purpose. It also happens because the very structure of camp (like no phones, communal living, and hands-on activities) creates the perfect conditions for growth.

A note on our reviews

We don’t usually ask parents to leave reviews the way a hotel or a business might. We might mention it at the end of the summer, and most parents share their thoughts simply because they want to. That’s what a 4.9 rating looks like from the inside. It isn't a marketing campaign; it’s just families who had something worth saying.

Cathy, whose daughter attended for three summers in a row, wrote that her daughter was actually sad to come home because the environment was so warm and supportive. Kristina Chapuran summed it up well by saying it’s an amazing camp with tons of activities and a beautiful setting that she recommends 100%.

We'll take it.

Considering WeHaKee for 2026

Sessions run June through July, two-week, four-week, and six-week options. We also offer Family Camp in August on Hunter Lake and a Mother-Daughter Weekend the following weekend.

The easiest next step is getting in touch. Call us at 608-787-8304 or email info@wehakeecampforgirls.com. We answer every question before you decide, that's part of the job, and it's something Jennifer Wells specifically mentioned as the reason she felt comfortable sending her daughter. We want you to feel that way too.