Save the NEW dates: Friday August 14 - Sunday August 16!
YES! We WILL be having one last organized (rental) reunion at camp in 2026! This will mark the 75th anniversary (diamond jubilee) of the opening of camp in 1951, and it will also mark the 30th anniversary of our historic first post-camp reunion in 1996. But this is absolutely the end of the line for Paul Warshauer and Mike Lurie planning these get togethers. So if you have not yet been to an organized reunion at camp, you won't want to miss it!
After this event, we will continue to gather - informally - in Waupaca every summer. Sometimes these gatherings include a visit to camp if possible.
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE LAST ORGANIZED REUNION WE WILL BE PLANNING.
Wouldn't it be great to be with 50 or 75 - or more - fellow campers and staff at camp and feel like a kid again?
We are hoping to have representatives from every year that camp operated, from 1951-1988!!
If you have never been to a Camp Waupaca reunion at camp before, you do not want to miss this opportunity!!
And if you HAVE been to camp at one of the reunions, come again to say hi! We will have a Blue & White War Super-Duper Relay (including War chants and the "boil water, boil" event!), maybe a 16" softball game led by Larry Gordon, story-telling, tours, nightly campfires, swimming - just a fun-filled weekend at camp! Let's start contacting our camp friends and generate some enthusiasm and interest in attending absolutely the last ever organized rental at Camp Waupaca! This event will take place Friday August 14 - Sunday August 16, 2026. (note the new dates!) Visit this page often for updates!!
Start planning now! Take the following steps soon . . .
1. Book your hotel room:
We have reserved a block of 10 rooms at each of the following hotels under group name "CAMP WAUPACA REUNION":
1. Comfort Inn & Suites at Par 4 Resort - (715) 350-2345.
2. Ramada Inn - (715) 256-8744.
Unclaimed rooms will be released on July 14, so make your reservations soon!
2. Update your contact information:
We will be communicating via email and postal mail. CLICK HERE to send us your current contact info!
FAQ's
I had a great conversation with Mitchell Whitefield (1974-1976) about the runion later this summer. He asked some GREAT questions, so we created this "Reunion 2026 FAQ" section. We will add to it as questions come pouring in. This is also available on our Faceboonk page as a pinned post.
Q. Where do we stay during the runion?
A. There are opitions here. At our first reunion at camp back in 1996, most people opted to stay in the cabins. It created a festive environment reminiscent of when camp was in session! 30 years later, most people choose to stay in local hotels. That info can be found on our 2026 reunion page. Feel free to pitch a tent somewhere in camp too, like the Saunders brothers and Steve Shyman and his wife.
Q. Is this only for campers, or will there be counselors there too?
A. EVERYONE is included in our reunions! We are lucky to have quite a few staff members attend each off-rental year, and I'm sure that they will be well represented this year for the BIG 75th anniversary celebration. We are counting on Dick Garb to serve as our relay official (see next question).
Q. What will we be doing while we're at camp?
A. Some program areas will be open, like tennis, archery, landsport areas, etc. The waterfront will be a "use-at-your-own-risk" situation, as there will be no lifeguards on duty. You can swim and boat/canoe. There will not be any powerboats for water-skiing.
On Saturday afternoon, we will recreate the Blue & White War Super-Duper Relay! The attendees will be divided into the 2 teams, and we will select Big and Little Chiefs for each team. There will be authentic Blue & White War cheers! The teams will assign the relay race roles to the participants, and each team will have some time to practice their events. At about 3:30, the teams will square off on the basketball court to start the relay! We are counting on Dick Garb to be our official once again this year! We will finish the relay with the traditional water boil event, and the Big Chief of the team that boils their water first will ring the bell signifying victory!
On both Friday and Saturday nights, we will hold campfires at the Horseshoe. This is where we share stories and feeling about our time at camp.
Q. What will we be eating while at the reunion?
A. The Camp Young Judaea kitchen staff will not be at camp while we are there, so we plan on bringing in food from local establishments, like Wheelhouse, Chef Chu's, Subway, and possibly Simpson's Restaurant. We are still working out these details.
Q. How much will it cost to attend?
A. Great question! Next question, please . . .
Seriously though, we don't have contract details from CYJ yet. And with the food option mentioned above, we're just not sure. We expect it to be very reasonable as in past reunions.