Belonging is often spoken about as a feeling, but it’s really shaped by moments. Some are big. Some are small. But they always stay with you.
When we asked members of the WAHA community what belonging means to them, there wasn’t one definition that cut across everyone’s answers. What they shared showed that belonging at WAHA is personal. And it stays with you – while you’re at camp and long after you leave.
A nickname that stuck
Josh Benzacar started at WAHA as a BB. And now his daughter is joining the BB unit for her first WAHA summer in 2026.
During his time at camp, there were so many moments when he got to step up and stand out. When he was 13, he hit a homerun in the W Tournament. He was chosen as LTP colour war captain. He won Athlete of the Year.
But it was a seemingly smaller moment that had the biggest impact on his sense of belonging to the WAHA community. It was Senior summer. He got off the bus and joined the welcoming circle for hugs and high fives – except they didn’t call him Josh. They called him by his camp nickname, Benz.
That’s who he was at camp. To everyone. Cabin mates, counsellors, directors, activity specialists and even the camp doctors. And that’s who he still is to everyone that knew his best self at camp.
“Without WAHA, I don’t know what my life would look like, who I would be or what my personality would be like. I still tell my parents I’m grateful they sent me to Wahanowin. I made amazing friends and lifelong connections.”
A full circle journey
In 2025, Ariela Levin was Assistant CIT Coordinator. And for her, it was a full circle camp journey.
She was working alongside her CIT Coordinator from when she was a CIT. She was also supporting and mentoring former campers as they were training to be counsellors.
For Ariela, real belonging is being recognized for what she does, who she is and who she’s grown into at camp. That experience of being seen and valued – trusted with responsibility, having campers and CITs look up to her and working alongside her own mentors – gives her a deep connection to the WAHA community.
At WAHA, Ariela feels grounded, understood, at peace and part of something bigger than herself.
“Camp doesn’t end when the buses leave. It stays with me in the person I’ve become because of it. WAHA is my home and my happy place. It’s a part of me. I’ll carry that with me wherever life takes me.”
Little moments that stick with you
Leo Berlin came to WAHA as an Alumni camper. He fondly recalls his first Friday night service. Listening to his peers reminisce about their favourite camp moments made him realize he was now part of something really special.
For him, belonging showed up in the little moments – the entire camp singing Friday night service songs together, walking to breakfast with his cabin mates, genuine golf cart conversations with Elijah and Tia.
“Belonging at camp isn’t the same for everybody. It’s the little moments you rarely recognize that stick with you and make you feel at home.”
For soon-to-be Grad campers Yaara and Maayan Lyons, belonging happens the moment they step off the bus and breathe in the “WAHA air.” Being welcomed by warm hugs, familiar faces, big smiles and lots of laughter is one of the most thrilling moments of the summer.
“When you walk through your cabin door, you feel like you’re home and part of a camp family that’s been waiting for you.”
Many ways to belong
That’s the true beauty of WAHA. Your experience shapes your sense of belonging. It might be how it feels to be part of your cabin family. Or taking part in traditions that define camp. It could be how you’ve grown into the person you hoped to become, or the confidence that comes from trying something new and being brave enough to stand out.
Belonging at WAHA is built through moments. Big ones that let you shine. And small ones where you simply know.
All those personal moments, taken together, form something shared – a community where people are known, valued and connected, year after year, in ways that last.