Why go Elsewhere?

WAUPACA – Tucked between McClean and Gooseneck Lakes is Camp Elsewhere. It’s a mix of a northwoods resort, a wedding and event venue and it feels like going back to summer camp.
That is because it once was a summer camp. It sat idle for a few years until it was purchased by Kristen Hoopman, an entrepreneur from Oshkosh. Hoopman and her family have a vacation home in Waupaca and she owns and operates other getaway properties. Camp Elsewhere opened in July 2023.
Camp Elsewhere has become one of the top wedding venues in the state and is almost always booked up every weekend.
“Midweek is the time to come and relax and enjoy the Camp Elsewhere experience,” said Jessie Tadder, a director at the camp. With the wedding guests gone, the weekdays are chill and laidback.
Upon pulling up the driveway, the first thing a visitor sees is a large Airstream trailer and behind that is a circle of vintage Shasta trailers that can be rented out for overnight stays. The Airstream acts as a hangout lounge but the Shasta trailers are ready for overnight camping. They sleep three with a fold-out bed.

Not far from there are canvas-walled tents set up on platforms. Each tent has queen-sized bed and tent extends out over the platform creating a covered porch area. Inside are end tables, lamps, a fan, a heater and lounge chairs.
All of the tents have mosquito netting although the mosquitoes and deer flies are not bad considering being located between two lakes. The camp trailer area and the row of canvas tents each have their own bathroom and shower sheds. Throughout all of the buildings the interior design and rustic decorations evoke another era of summertime fun in the backwoods. There are deer antlers on the walls, old wildlife prints, steel-belted Coleman coolers, Zenith radios and vintage sporting gear.
The camp buildings that were originally there were remodeled. There are six refurbished cabins that can accommodate eight people and have a full bathroom and a half bathroom. They restored the chapel for weddings and it can hold 150 people. The Rec Hall has a small gift shop nook and set up as a camp lounge area for rainy days. There are board games and a place to have a movie night. The main hall is the largest building on the property. There is a lobby, a bar, kitchen area and a large high-ceiling room for big dinners or parties. In the basement area of the main hall are suites for bridesmaids and groomsmen to get ready and a master room for the wedding couple.
The camp does not serve food or drinks so there is some planning involved for a mid-week stay. There are grills and fire pits for cooking out and the cabins have a toasters and microwaves.
There is a new bridge next to a pedestrian walkway bridge that spans a small creek. Across the bridge a hiking trail leads through the woods and opens up to a huge field surrounded by pine trees. The new bridge is large enough for golf carts and they are used to shuttle visitors for large events when parking is further away from the camp.
Activities include fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding. There are two miles of hiking trails and some horseshoe pits. There are campfire pits, hammocks and Adirondack chairs scattered around the grounds.
“We’ll be open from May through November. The overnight accommodations are open to the public midweek so you can rent a cabin, tent or camper. Hang out and enjoy the lakes,” said Tadder.
Call ahead at 715-204-7528 or inquire about availability through the website at elsewherewaupaca.com.