Summer 2025 Recap As the last embers from the wishing tree faded this August, we closed the chapter on one of the most memorable summers in Tanuga’s 73-year history. Summer 2025 brought together campers, staff, alumni, and families in a way that reminded us all why the Tanuga Magic has lasted for generations.
From the sound of chants in the Mess Hall, to the all-day programs, to the friendships formed on trips and in cabins, this summer was filled with moments we’ll carry for a lifetime. For some, it was their first Tanuga experience. For others, it was a chance to return home and reconnect with a place that has always been a second family.
We’re thrilled to share our 2025 Recap Video, capturing highlights from across the season. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch below and relive the best moments of camp.
Hockey at Tanuga One of the true highlights of Summer 2025 was the successful launch of our Tanuga Hockey program. During the last two weeks of the season, hockey campers enjoyed two hours of ice time each day while still taking part in all the traditions and adventures that make Tanuga so special.
The response was incredible—hockey campers not only got their fix of the game they love, but also fell in love with the full Tanuga experience. We’re hopeful that this unique blend of hockey and camp life will continue to grow and introduce even more families to the Magic of Tanuga. A special thank you to our Camp Tanuga campers and staff who welcomed the hockey crew and spread the Tanuga spirit.
We’re thrilled to continue this momentum in 2026. Once again, hockey will be blended into the last two weeks of Tanuga (July 26–31 and August 2–7), giving campers the chance to sharpen their skills on the ice while still experiencing everything Tanuga has to offer. The first session (June 22–July 24) will remain an exclusive traditional Camp Tanuga program, ensuring the classic experience continues just as it always has.
Looking Ahead to 2026 As we prepare for next summer, we’re excited to share some of what’s ahead. Our team is hard at work during the offseason refreshing cabins, upgrading program areas, improving our online experience, and making thoughtful improvements across camp. Campers can look forward to a few updated facilities, enhanced programs, and some special surprises we’ll reveal in the months ahead.
Enrollment Goes Online We’re making enrollment easier than ever. Beginning with Summer 2026, enrollment will be completed online. If you joined us in 2025, you already have a Parent Dashboard account where you’ll be able to enroll, manage payments and financials, sign forms, view camper photos, and more. With everything in one place, we’ll no longer send paper registration packets in the mail.
Fees & Store Account Updates We’re making a few important updates for 2026 to simplify the camp experience:
Laundry is now included in the camp fee.
Camp Transportation is available a la carte (not pulled from store accounts).
Store accounts are now optional and will only be used for camp store items like hats, shirts, slushees, and other camp items.
Each camper will also receive a limited edition Camper-Designed T-Shirt (contest winner/details soon) included in their tuition.
Camp Doc We were thrilled to have Dr. Yvonne Rekeny (Sean's wife) serve as our camp doctor during Summer 2025. She cared for our campers with professionalism, warmth, and a mother's touch that made a huge impact on the health and spirit of camp. We’re excited to welcome her back for Summer 2026 and grateful for the energy and compassion she brings to Tanuga.
Sid Returns We are also proud to share that Sid Friedman will be back at camp again in 2026. As many of you know, Sid’s father, Bernie, founded Camp Tanuga in 1952, and Sid has dedicated his life to building, growing, and protecting the Tanuga Magic. His presence not only connects today’s campers to generations of alumni, but also strengthens our leadership team. Sean and Mike are excited to partner with Sid again as we continue building the next chapter of Tanuga’s story.
Alumni Engagement And speaking of the next chapter, we’re looking forward to deepening our alumni engagement in 2026. Tanuga has always been powered by its community, and we’re working on new ways for alumni to reconnect, share stories, and play a role in camp’s future. Keep an eye out for updates soon!
Tanuga Traditions Remain at the Core Even as we add new programs and make improvements across camp, the foundation of Tanuga remains the same. The traditions, routines, and spirit that have defined Tanuga for over 70 years will continue to guide everything we do.
Trips: Isle Royale (CIT's), Pictured Rocks (8's), potential canoe trip (7's), and younger cabins to Wilderness State Park.
All-Day Programs: Favorites like 4th of July, War Games, and Cabin Days will continue to bring the camp together in spirited fun.
Daily Routines: The heartbeat of camp remains unchanged: flag raising and lowering, mess hall chants, evening programs, letters home, banquet, outdoor suppers, feather fires, and camp songs all continue to make Tanuga what it is.
At its core, Tanuga is about connection, tradition, and community. These fundamentals will always remain, no matter how camp grows.
Family Camp – June 11–14, 2026 We’re also thrilled to announce that Family Camp is back, giving alumni and new families alike a chance to experience Tanuga with their youngest campers (ages 1–6). More details will be coming soon, but we couldn’t wait to let you know that another way to enjoy the Tanuga Magic is on the horizon.
Bears Den Lodge Rentals Our Bears Den Lodge is an 8-bedroom, 9-bathroom lodge right on the water at camp. In addition to summer camp, it’s now available to rent during the offseason and select summer weeks. The lodge is perfect for:
Family reunions/vacations
Retreats
Corporate events
Weddings/Special Events
Small Tanuga Reunions
You can find Bears Den Lodge at Camp Tanuga on VRBO, Airbnb, our website, or by reaching out directly at info@tanuga.com.
Thank You To all of our campers, staff, parents, and alumni, thank you. You are the heartbeat of Tanuga, and it’s because of you that the Magic continues year after year. We can’t wait to see you back at camp in 2026 for another summer of adventure, tradition, and Tanuga Spirit.
Ready for more? Enrollment for 2026 is open! Secure your spot today and join us for the next chapter in the Tanuga story.
We are proud to announce an exciting update - Camp Tanuga’s leadership team is in place for the upcoming season, ensuring that our cherished traditions not only continue but thrive for generations to come!
First and foremost, we want to be clear: Cody & Sid are not going anywhere! Having been together as Camp’s owners and directors for the past 33 years, we are totally committed to Tanuga, to the campers, to our staff members, to the Manistee lake community and to doing whatever we can to leave camp better than we found it for many years and generations to come. Camp Tanuga is truly our life’s work; we intend to see this through completely.
With this in mind, we have enthusiastically agreed to usher in two new younger owners/directors who bring with them fresh energy, ideas, and a deep passion for preserving and evolving the Tanuga legacy.
We are also excited to welcome back several members of our incredible 2024 administrative team. Their knowledge and dedication will play a key role in guiding and mentoring the future new directors, ensuring a seamless transition while building a bridge to an even brighter future.
We understand that change can bring uncertainty, especially for our returning families who may have questions about what lies ahead. Rest assured, our commitment is unwavering: Tanuga’s traditions, spirit, and sense of community will remain central to everything we do. This is not a departure from the Tanuga you know and love—it’s a renewal and a celebration of its potential to grow and flourish.
This announcement is the first of many as we roll out details about the new directors, the exciting additions to our program, and the timeline for these developments. We can’t wait to share more in the coming weeks, and we invite you to be part of this journey.
For our returning families, we encourage you to feel confident and excited about the enrollment of your campers for this historic season, and to new families, we welcome you to explore the magic of Camp Tanuga and discover why it has meant so much to so many for so long.
Mark your calendar and join us for an exciting livestream: “Tanuga Talks: Embracing the Future” hosted by Tanuga Legend Dan “The Man” Leach on Wednesday, February 26, at 8:00pm EST! Tune in by visiting our Tanuga Youtube, Facebook or Instagram.
Let’s come together to kick off the journey toward an unforgettable 2025 a season! Don’t miss it!
