Koshlong Current - Fall/Winter 2025
11-11-2025
The Koshlong Current is a bi-annual newsletter dedicated to keeping campers and alumni up-to-date on what's happening at YMCA Wanakita. Hear from campers and staff, learn about improvements around camp, and discover why Wanakita will always be the place to have the time of your life.
Andy’s Message
As we approach the end of our fall program season and the air grows crisp, we find ourselves reflecting on another incredible year at YMCA Wanakita!
Fall is a time of transition, and here at camp, it’s also a time of gratitude. We’re grateful to every camper who calls Wanakita home, for staff who make every moment unforgettable, and for our community that continues to help us shine.
This year, we’re especially excited to announce the building of the Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre. This new space will carry forward a legacy of learning, connection, and stewardship. Set to break ground in December, it’s where Student Counsellors will deepen their leadership skills, growing into thoughtful leaders both at camp and in their communities.
As we prepare for winter programming and look ahead to next summer, we remain inspired by the support and commitment of our Wanakita community. Thank you for being part of it!
Warm regards,
Andy Gruppe
VP, Overnight Camp and Outdoor Education
YMCA Wanakita
Finding Light at YMCA Wanakita: Juliana’s Story
When Monica and her daughters arrived in Canada as refugees from Colombia, the world they knew disappeared overnight. The rhythm of their days, once filled with family and familiarity, was replaced by uncertainty and silence.
Monica, a psychologist back home who worked with Indigenous children in the mountains, suddenly found herself in a new country where she didn’t understand a word of English. Her oldest daughter was 17, confident, and bilingual. But her youngest, Juliana, only eight years old at the time, struggled deeply with the change.
Everything changed the day her sister sent an email to YMCA Wanakita.
Leading the Way: A New Chapter Begins
A new era of youth leadership is taking shape along the shores of Koshlong Lake.
YMCA Wanakita is proud to announce plans to build the Wayne Perkins Leadership Centre, a $2.5 million investment in the future of youth leadership, connection, and reconciliation. With construction set to begin in December, we have a significant start, and we look forward to engaging with donors to be part of Perk's Place.
The Magic of Family Camp
The MacKenzie Family started coming to Family Camp in 2006 with their neighbours, The Castle Family, who were long time attendees. When they moved to British Columbia in 2022, they promised to come back to camp for one transition summer. The trip back to Koshlong Lake went so well that they ended up having three “last summers.”
As their children grow up and life becomes more complicated, the MacKenzies had to make a difficult decision. Summer 2025 was their last trip to Wanakita. They hope to return in the future with a new generation of family campers, but until then, Amanda wanted to share a few thoughts about how Wanakita has changed their lives.
Handy Helper's Corner: “Raise the Roof”
Wanakita’s roofs are getting a forest friendly facelift!
Nestled deep in the Haliburton Highlands, YMCA Camp Wanakita is more than just a camp—it's a small town.
With over 140 buildings spread across roughly 1000 acres, maintaining the infrastructure is no small feat. But thanks to a dedicated and capable maintenance team, the roofs over our heads are getting a major upgrade.
Hear how our maintenance team isn't just maintaining buildings, but preserving memories, ensuring safety, and building a legacy—one roof at a time.
Meet the winner of YMCA Wanakita's 2025 Staff Scholarship
The YMCA Wanakita Staff Scholarship is offered annually to provide one or more YMCA Wanakita summer leadership staff support to pursue post-secondary education.
Our 2025 winner is Michael Ayerst.
A Lifetime at Camp: Ann’s 45 Years of Friendship, Family, and Food at YMCA Wanakita
When Ann Francis first walked into the kitchen at YMCA Wanakita in July 1980, she didn’t know she’d still be there 45 years later. She certainly didn’t know that the camp tucked quietly into the Haliburton woods would become her second home, or that the people she met there would become family.
“I didn’t even know this place existed,” Ann laughs. “My cousin was working here and told me they were looking for help. I got interviewed by Wayne Perkins and Arlene, and I’ve been here ever since.”
2026 Camper T-shirt Design Contest!
Do you love camp? Are you creative? Design a YMCA Wanakita t-shirt and have your design featured on the 2026 camper t-shirt available at the Tuck Shop! The winner will also be featured in the Spring 2026 Koshlong Current!
Must be 17 or younger to participate.
Keep the Fire Burning Bright
Remember the feeling of singing under the stars, paddling across the lake at sunrise, or laughing with friends around the campfire? Those moments are what make Wanakita so special.
Now, you can help ensure they continue for generations to come. Campfire Keepers are alumni, campers, and friends of Wanakita who give a monthly gift to keep the campfire glowing all year long.
Your monthly support helps:
• Provide financial assistance so every camper can experience the magic of Wanakita.
• Maintain and improve the cabins, canoes, and gathering spaces that make camp feel like home.
Together, Campfire Keepers are preserving the spirit of camp—one month at a time.
Contact Ashley Laing to see how you can join this growing community of Wanakita champions.
ashley.laing@ymcahbb.ca
905-317-4945
