Our 8th annual Wild Women Retreat at Camp K on Kenai Lake made MANY wonderful memories! Although we did not get the weather we were hoping for and had to wear our rain gear almost all weekend, attendees got the chance to do all the traditional camp activities like kayaking, archery, arts and crafts, and hiking along with some specialized classes with local instructors like beaded earring making and macramé! Our camp staff were also sure keep the energy lively with camp songs and call & response games, being sure to stoke the fires throughout the weekend.

The silent auction brought out peoples’ competitive sides and we had a wildly successful event raising over $35,000 for the maintenance of Camp K and Camperships to send more children and youth to camp!

Here is what a few of the ladies had to say about the weekend:

 

“I didn’t know what to expect! But I had such a blast! I loved the earring class.”
“What was most touching for me was learning about the different camps that are hosted at Camp K. It is why I will continue to donate for years to come.”
“I loved the camp vibes with all the camp songs for transitions.”
“I was worried it was going to be 100% rustic. I was pleasantly surprised!”

Reflections on the event from our Development Coordinator, Maddie Rachow:

“One thing that makes this retreat so special is the “camp magic”. This was my second year at the retreat and I wasn’t sure if I would get the same feelings of nostalgia and overall appreciation for the camp atmosphere as I had my first year…but it is safe to say that the camp magic is still there and is just so intertwined in everything that makes Camp K, Camp K! I continue to have a deeper understanding of why kids need to experience camp and why Camp K is such a special place. I am so incredibly thankful for our thoughtful donors, staff, and community members for helping us keep Camp K around for future generations. I can’t wait for next summer!”

This is an event that Camp Fire Alaska, and several women, look forward to year after year. It is a time for us to disconnect, breathe a little more deeply and slow down. More than 60% of our attendees this year were at the retreat for their very first time, the longest returning attendees have been all eight years since 2014, and the attendee who had traveled furthest for the event was all the way from Canada! It’s amazing to bring everyone together, new Camp Fire friends and long-time supporters, in beautiful Cooper Landing at our amazing Camp K on Kenai Lake.