Rebuilding Wasewagan on the River
Donation protected
After 54 Incredible years of Owning and Directing two Amazing Camps... Camp Wasewagan & Lazy J Ranch Camp, with thousands of Fabulous Groups, Children and Memories for a Lifetime... We need to share with all of our Wasewagan Family, Friends, and Incredible Staff, this very Upsetting News.
With Great Sorrow, Crazzy Craig & Bonnie Johnson must let you All know that Camp Wasewagan is Closed until Further Notice.
Camp was truly Hit Hard with so much Destruction to the entire Angelus Oaks Area and Our Beautiful Site, due to Hurricane Hilary's Strong Winds, and Thunder Storms that produced Heavy Torrential Rains. We ALL experienced Devastation/Destruction Beyond Words!!
Our Road leading to Camp in both directions has been Swept Away by the Incredible Force of the River Blowing Up, from the Hurricane. The River was approximately 40 Ft. Across ....The River is now over Hundreds of Ft Across, due to the Hurricane all within a matter of a few Treacherous Days. This Powerful Force of Nature took with it...Everything in its Path. We Lost a great portion of Camp to this Mother Nature Disaster. Here are just a few things that were Engulfed by Hilary's voracious appetite. She demolished and dismantled, as an aggressive Force, which continued to move rapidly, to Create more Damage in other places on our Site and Mountain. Here are just some of what we know that was affected and Gone due to Hilary.
The Entire Road leading up to camp...Gone
Our Amazing Large Entrance Bridge to Camp... which can be seen on our website... Gone, and all that surrounded it. The other Bridges @ Camp and leading to Camp on the Road...
Four Village Cabins with all their beds, dressers, bookshelves and misc. contents
The Pool Side Cabin and all its contents
The Art Shack is gone with all of our Art Supplies
25+ Pic Nic Tables and Benches
Our Amazing Water Pump and System...Gone
Our Beautiful Fire Pit with nearby Bleachers...Gone
Our 40+ Bicycles and racks with Helmets...Gone
Our Two Entrance Gates to Site...Gone
6 Propane Large Tanks...Gone
Our 16 Passenger Van and Plow Truck demolished and wrapped around trees
Our Large Ford Truck...Gone
Trees and Debris Everywhere...
These are just some of what we know at this time.
The Road from the Mailboxes to our Camp is No Longer...it's Gone, and we must rebuild it to access the Camp and the entire site.
We desperately need your HELP and Support to be able to First...Access our Camp...To get in and out, the Road is the first thing we need to Rebuild.
Crazzy Craig had to see for himself exactly what the Hurricane left in its path. He drove to a certain point before camp, then got out of his vehicle at the Road Closing...and Traversed/Blazed a Trail through all of the Water, Mud, Trees, Rubble and Debris, that was left in Hilary's Path. Upon arrival at Camp, with Tears in his eyes, Crazzy was able to see firsthand, so much of the damage to our property. We still haven't fully been able to walk through the entire property as it's not accessible throughout, due to the Hurricane, and it being Unsafe.
For those of you who were scheduled to be with our Wasewagan Family from August-December 2023, again we are so very sorry that this has happened!! We appreciate your Grace, Understanding and Support as we rebuild. We need to ask for your forgiveness, due to this horrible ordeal & pray for us, to rebuild as quickly as possible. We must ask for your understanding, that many of your Events will need to be rescheduled or canceled for the time being, and hopefully...rescheduled as soon as possible.
Craig and I feel a tremendous sense of Loss.... for not only ourselves but for those of you who were so excited to come up to camp and enjoy your time with us. We are asking that you please be patient, understanding and support us during this very difficult time. This Hurricane was a Force of Nature and we will do everything in our power to make Camp Wasewagan Whole again. We hope to reopen Camp as soon as we can and have your groups rescheduled.
Our Special Thanks to Uncle Mike, Crazzy's Amazing Brother, who Lives and maintains Camp all year round.
He was asked to Evacuate, but decided to stay, powered through the Hurricane, as he managed to go uphill to our V.I.P. Cabin, on the hill.
There he stayed without power or food, awaiting Hilary to settle. Mike has been with us at Camp Wasewagan & Lazy J Ranch Camp for over 34 years. He's supported & guided our Program, along with us. Mike is True Family & Loved by all, especially Crazzy & BJ. Thank you Uncle Mike for your Incredible Knowlege, Continued Help & Total Support. We Love You...Always!
We Love and appreciate you ALL & again we look to the Future with Positive thoughts to Re-open.
Love to our Incredible Staff, Loyal Friends and family...
If Wasewagan has impacted you in any way and you are able to donate, we greatly appreciate any donation we receive. Your support means a lot to us, thank you for reading.
Keep Good Thoughts and Stay Blessed... Always, Crazzy Craig and Bonnie Joy Johnson
Organizer
Craig Johnson
Organizer
Pinezanita, CA