Camp Lola Whiskey: Pickle Fountains, Phone Casualties, and Post-Camp Tattoos
What happens when you take 30 adults, put them in the Wisconsin Dells with craft cocktails and summer camp activities, then throw in epic storms, a pickle fountain, and spontaneous tattoo decisions? You get Camp Lola Whiskey - the inaugural summer camp for grownups that turned into an unforgettable weekend of chaos, connection, and pure Wisconsin magic.
The camp crew—post-60mph winds, pre-dance party
The Campers
Camp brought together adventurers from across the Midwest and beyond. Troy from Milwaukee discovered the joy of adult camp after never experiencing the real thing as a kid. Rachel from Michigan answered the call just two days before departure (because when opportunity knocks, you say yes). And Megan from Texas proved that everything really is bigger in Texas - including the spontaneity of getting a Wisconsin old fashioned tattoo before catching a flight home.
The famous old fashioned tattoo Megan got on her way to the airport after the weekend ended.
Food That Elevated Camp Life
Let's be honest - nobody expected camp food to be this good. Chef Hannan from Tamoont Dining and Gathering transformed what could have been typical camp fare into a culinary experience that had campers comparing it to "a wedding in the woods."
Highlights included a pizza buffet that kept surprising everyone with new additions just when they thought they'd seen it all, a s'mores bar with brie and prosciutto (because we're adults now), and Saturday night's dinner that left everyone questioning why all camps don't have Moroccan-trained chefs.
These marshmallows were NOT your usual store-bought, jet-puffed situation.
The weekend kicked off with classic Wisconsin hospitality from Ray’s in Eau Claire - hot beef and hot ham sandwiches that felt like coming home, even for the out-of-state visitors. And yes, there was a pickle fountain. Because Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Hospitality at Ishnala Supper Club
For the non-Wisconsinites, visiting Ishnala Supper Club was like discovering a magical world where restaurants can sprawl across waterfront property and you can literally paddle board up for dinner. Megan's reaction said it all: "I immediately knew that if I lived up there, I would spend almost every night there just sitting by the water with an old fashioned."
Old fashioneds at Ishnala hit different.
The old fashioneds lived up to Wisconsin's reputation, setting the stage for what would become Megan's permanent souvenir - a tattoo she got at Twisted Dimensions in Wisconsin Dells before heading to the airport. Because nothing says "I survived Wisconsin summer camp" like ink commemorating the state's signature cocktail.
Games, Storms, and Community Spirit
Saturday's Camp Lola Whiskey World Games started with musical chairs that got surprisingly physical (Rachel has the bruises to prove it) and a paper bag challenge that revealed hidden flexibility talents. The day's real test came when Mother Nature decided to join the party with what can only be described as borderline tornado-level storms (60mph winds!).
But here's where the magic happened…
When the arts and crafts tent collapsed and certificates got soaked, the campers didn't retreat to their rooms. Instead, they grabbed blow dryers to save award certificates, moved furniture in the rain, and transformed what could have been a disaster into the weekend's most bonding moment. Troy earned the "Most Likely to Steal Erik's Job as Camp Intern" award for his constant willingness to pitch in.
The Cow Hunt Conspiracy
Perhaps nothing captured the competitive spirit of camp quite like the cow hunt game, “Spotting Cows.” Tiny plastic cows were hidden around camp for prizes, with permission to steal from fellow campers. What started as innocent fun turned into strategic warfare, with Brian carrying his collection in his pockets at all times - until Jess orchestrated the great cow explosion that redistributed wealth across the camp.
These little cows drew a large amount of attention all weekend long.
One golden cow even ended up in a toilet, creating the weekend's most awkward treasure hunt moment.
More Than Just Fun and Games
While the laughter and activities were constant, the real magic was in the connections. Troy, who describes himself as an engineer more comfortable with numbers than social situations, found that embracing your inner child makes friendship surprisingly natural. "You see some strangers doing something and you just join them, like building sandcastles in their personal space," he reflected.
The diversity of backgrounds - from Wisconsin natives to Texas transplants to Michigan residents - created a perfect mix where everyone had something new to discover and share.
Surviving the Elements (Literally)
Saturday's storm tested everyone's camp spirit. While trees came down and tents collapsed, the response was pure summer camp resilience. Campers huddled in cabins playing games, then emerged to rebuild and create an even better dinner setup under the emergency tent.
In a moment that could have defined the weekend as a failure, Laura found herself tearful over the soaked certificates and damaged decorations. But the community response - blow-drying awards, moving tables, setting up a new space - turned it into the weekend's most meaningful moment.
Even nature seemed to approve: a single tarot card survived the storm in perfect condition - The Lovers - waiting to be discovered during Sunday cleanup.
The tarot card Laura located during camp cleanup on Sunday.
The Brands That Made It Happen
Camp Lola Whiskey was elevated by incredible sponsors who provided everything from craft cocktails (Siren Shrub, 45th Parallel, Beren’s Old Fashioned Brandy) to practical travel gear (Lazy Coconut laundry sheets, Tidalove toothpaste tablets) to comfort items that became weekend lifesavers.
The Olympia Granola bars were so good they saved Megan through a difficult travel day, while the Saltt electrolyte packets kept everyone hydrated through all the Wisconsin adventures (and beverages).
Our sponsors showed UP for this event. Olympia Granola was a crowd fave!
What Made It Special
When asked to describe camp in one sentence, the responses captured the essence perfectly:
"All the fun of camping in the woods with luxury, without worrying about planning"
"Food, friends, and fun"
"Embrace the fun - that was the only purpose"
For those considering Camp Lola Whiskey 2026, the advice was unanimous: "Just say yes. Why not go? You won't regret it."
The Takeaway
Camp Lola Whiskey proved that sometimes the best adventures come from embracing chaos with good people. Whether it was Rachel's two-day commitment to adventure, Troy discovering the joy he missed as a kid, or Megan's spontaneous tattoo decision, the weekend reminded everyone that life's too short for boring weekends and weak old fashioneds.
The inaugural Camp Lola Whiskey may have been baptized by storms, but it emerged stronger, with friendships forged in the Wisconsin wilderness and stories that will be told for years to come.
Planning for Camp Lola Whiskey 2026 is already underway. Trust us - you don't want to miss what's being planned next.
Get to know ALL our epic camp sponsors:
Berens Old Fashioned Brandy - Because what's more Wisconsin than brandy Old Fashioneds at cocktail hour?
Delta Beer Lab - Crisp IPAs that disappeared from our coolers faster than we could restock them
Bebly - Wine dispensers that make everything elevated
Tiger Trail Lefse Chip Company - Scandinavian snacking perfection that had everyone asking "where can I buy these?"
Olympia Granola - Trail-worthy bars that are now permanently in our adventure packs
Siren Shrub Co. - Turned our drink game from good to "how did they DO that?"
Driftless Glen Distillery - Local spirits that taste like Wisconsin in a bottle
Wisco Clothing - Northwoods apparel so cute it started a fashion trend at camp
45th Parallel Distillery - New Richmond spirits that had campers planning road trips
HerPropertea - An elevated tea company that caters to all tastes.
Lux Coffee Co. - The only reason anyone was functional before 9am
Hello Batch - THC goodies that made prize winners very, very happy
Chip Magnet - Eau Claire salsa that proved local really is better
Third Space Brewing - THC seltzers that vanished like magic (literally, gone in hours)
Giltee - Camp merch so adorable everyone became a walking advertisement
Orange Tractor Retreat - Our home base that made "roughing it" feel like luxury
SALTT - Electrolytes that actually taste good (revolutionary concept)
Years NA Beer - Proof that alcohol-free doesn't mean flavor-free
Primally Pure - Bug spray that doesn't smell like chemical warfare
Chomp Gums - Travel-sized freshness that saved conversations
Eau Claire Cheese and Deli - Made our bloody mary bar legendary
Venture Wipes - The camping essential you didn't know you needed
Devious Cocktail - Cocktails as bold as their branding
Subsafe - Snackle boxes that made one prize winner thrilled
Baba's Hummus - Fresh dips that elevated every snack break
Drink Wisconsibly - Cocktail starters that scream Wisconsin pride
Klarbrunn - Bubbles that kept us hydrated and happy
Tidalove - Toothpaste tabs perfect for ditching the tube
Yeehaw Pickles - The stars of our pickle fountain show
Lazy Coconuts - Laundry strips that make packing genius-level easy
Viiq - Gummies that understand the pre-menopause struggle
Destination Madison - Your go-to experts when planning a trip to the Madison area.
Pine River Cheese Spread - Spreadable Wisconsin cheese perfection
Daily Crunch - Snack mix that disappeared suspiciously fast
Silver Spring - Because every sandwich needs a lil horseradish
Fox River Brewing Company - Blueberry beer that had everyone doing double-takes
