A Day of Service, A Lasting Impact at Camp Wonderland
When six Echelon members arrived at Camp Wonderland on a chilly morning in November 2025, they found a property in need of attention after a busy season and months of natural overgrowth. Trails had become overgrown, vines wrapped around cabins, trees blocked sunlight, and dense brush obscured views of the lake. Parts of the property had become difficult to access and maintain.
With so much work to be done, deciding where to start was the hardest part. Working alongside camp staff, the volunteers spread out across the property, cutting back overgrowth around cabins, clearing brush from trails and gathering areas, removing fallen branches, and reopening sightlines to the lake. Armed with gloves, axes, and a willingness to work, the six volunteers spent the day tackling projects that would help prepare the camp for the months ahead.
A Project That Emerged From Childhood Memories
The project began months earlier when Chicago Echelon President Katie Sopic spoke with staff liaison Keri Shay about Camp Wonderland. Keri shared memories of summers spent at the camp, swimming in the lake, building friendships, and experiences that deepened her connection to The Salvation Army.
Wanting to learn more, Katie connected with camp staff. During those conversations, she learned that invasive growth had overtaken parts of the property and that significant cleanup was needed to help maintain the camp for future seasons.
As Katie listened, she realized Echelon could help. What began as a conversation about a beloved camp quickly turned into a service project, bringing volunteers to Camp Wonderland in November 2025.
Bigger Than a Single Team
Katie quickly realized the project was larger than the Chicago chapter could tackle alone. Looking for both extra hands and an opportunity to strengthen connections across Echelon, she reached out to Milwaukee Echelon President Jacob Westphal
and invited members from both chapters to serve together at Camp Wonderland.
The project became more than a volunteer day. Members from Chicago and Milwaukee worked side by side while building relationships that extended beyond their local chapters. Over lunch and during breaks, conversations ranged from past service projects to professional experiences and ideas for future collaboration.
For many participants, it was their first opportunity to connect with Echelon members from another city. What started as a workday quickly became the beginning of stronger relationships between chapters.
Uncovering Wonderland
Despite the cold weather and physically demanding work, the volunteers kept at it throughout the day. As they cleared brush and cut back overgrowth, areas of the camp that had been hidden began to reappear.
What initially seemed like an overwhelming task gradually gave way to visible progress. By bringing together members from two Echelon chapters, the group was able to tackle work that the camp's groundskeeper estimated would have taken two months to complete alone.
By the end of the day, significant portions of the property had been reclaimed from invasive growth. Trails were reopened, gathering spaces were cleared, and views of the lake that had long been obscured were visible again.
The Beginning of Something Bigger
Even with the progress made that day, Katie knew the work was far from finished. Invasive species require ongoing management, and maintaining the property would take continued effort. Rather than viewing that as a challenge, Chicago and Milwaukee Echelon saw an opportunity.
When spring arrived, the two chapters returned to Camp Wonderland. This time, participation doubled, and volunteers continued the work they had started the previous fall.
What began as a single service project has evolved into an ongoing partnership between chapters and Camp Wonderland. With plans already underway for future workdays, the project has become an example of what Echelon can accomplish when members come together around a shared goal, combining their time, skills, and resources to support The Salvation Army's mission in a meaningful way.
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