Wiawaka Center for Women

What Wiawaka Center for Women does

Wiawaka Center for Women is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization operating the oldest continuously running women's retreat in the United States, founded in 1903 by Katrina Trask and Mary Fuller in Lake George, New York. The organization occupies a 60-acre historic lakefront property at 3778 Route 9L and serves women aged 18 and older through a seasonal operating window of roughly June 26 through August 31. Core service offerings include overnight accommodations, dining, day and season passes, fitness and wellness classes (yoga, Zumba, water aerobics), art and writing workshops, a lecture series, themed event weeks (Georgia O'Keeffe Week, Katrina Trask Week), an Artists in Residence program, and multi-day retreats. Shoulder-season facility rentals for weddings, family reunions, and corporate retreats extend utilization from May-June and September-October.

Revenue is generated through four streams: program and retreat fees, season/day passes (recurring subscriptions priced at less than $4 per day with perks), donations and foundation grants, and private event rentals during the shoulder season. The organization supplements a small full-time staff (Executive Director, Caretaker, Program Coordinator, House Manager) with seasonal workers and a board of directors, and is supported by a roster of regional corporate sponsors including CDPHP, Albany Med Health System, Amtrust, Hannaford, and ArrowBank.

Wiawaka operates as a traditional hospitality and community organization with no proprietary technology platform, SaaS product, or digital services. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via phone reservations, email, and online registration through Constant Contact, with marketing primarily driven by word-of-mouth, returning guests, the seasonal newsletter, and earned media from sponsor partnerships. Geographic reach is concentrated in the Northeast United States, and the organization has historically claimed more than 1,000 visitors per operating season.

Name

Wiawaka Center for Women

Legal name

Wiawaka Holiday House, Inc.

Website

https://wiawaka.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wiawaka Center for Women is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the oldest continuously running women's retreat in the U.S. on a 60-acre Lake George property, serving women 18+ seasonally with overnight accommodations, wellness classes, workshops, themed event weeks, and multi-day retreats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Retreat and Hospitality Services

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAMAJAA

RV Parks & Motorhome Resorts

Travel & Hospitality/Vacation Rentals & Short-Term Stays/Campgrounds, Glamping & RV Parks

SECONDARYTHAGAOAD

Cabin & Cottage Campgrounds

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Camping & Glamping Facilities

Keywords

• Women's retreat center
• Wellness and arts programming
• Seasonal hospitality services
• Historic lakefront accommodations
• Nonprofit charitable retreat

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake George

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue from overnight accommodations, meals, workshops, events, and retreats. Core operational revenue stream that supplements donation-based funding.
2. Season Passes and Day Passes: Annual season passes and daily access passes provide recurring seasonal revenue with perks including discounts on overnight stays and merchandise.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants fund much of the programming and operations beyond what room and board covers.
4. Private Event Rentals: Facility rental during shoulder season (May-June, September-October) for private events, reunions, weddings, and small group meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wiawaka Center for Women is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that operates a seasonal (June-August) retreat center on a 60-acre historic lakefront property in Lake George, New York, selling overnight accommodations, meals, day and season passes, wellness and fitness classes, art and writing workshops, themed retreat packages, lecture series, and private event rentals to women aged 18 and older. Much of its programming and operations are funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants, while fee-based programming and facility rentals supplement operational revenue.

Product overview

Wiawaka Center for Women operates as a traditional hospitality retreat center offering a unified portfolio of services focused on women's enrichment and wellness. The core offering combines overnight accommodations and dining with an extensive seasonal programming calendar. Programs include fitness and wellness classes (yoga, Zumba, NIA dance), creative workshops (art, writing, crafts), educational lectures, themed event weeks (Georgia O'Keeffe Week, Katrina Trask Week), artist residencies, and multi-day retreats. Day use and season pass options provide access to the 60-acre lakeside property, while private event rentals and volunteer opportunities round out the service offering. The organization does not operate a technology platform, SaaS product, or digital services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Overnight Accommodations Lodging facilities for women visiting Wiawaka, with rooms available for overnight stays during the operational season (June 26 - August 31).
• Dining Meals served to guests during their stay, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and provided as part of retreat and event packages.
• Tour Wiawaka Guided tours of Wiawaka's historic grounds and buildings, including Victorian-era architecture and historic sites tied to the Trask legacy.
• Season Pass & Day Use Access passes allowing women to visit Wiawaka grounds for day use or throughout the season, including perks such as free parking, 10% discounts on overnight stays and merchandise, 4 free day passes, and 2 free lunches; less than $4/day equivalent.
• Lecture Series Tuesday and Thursday evening presentations during summer months featuring historic, interesting, and relevant topics; lecture-only at $20 or lecture with dinner at $40.
• Art Workshops Hands-on creative workshops including basket weaving ($100-$120 with lunch), botanical drawing ($45), watercolor workshop ($55), mini-weaving ($55 with materials, day pass, lunch), tea bag painting, clay suncatchers, and embroidery.
• Writing Classes Workshops focused on various writing forms including journaling, poetry, memoir writing, and expressive writing for healing; priced $20-$55 depending on format and inclusions.
• Fitness and Wellness Classes Physical wellness programming including yoga on the dock ($15/class), Zumba ($15/class or $25 with day pass), NIA dance, Qigong, belly dancing on the dock ($10/class), and water aerobics ($15/class).
• Retreats Multi-day themed retreats led by various facilitators covering mindfulness ($230 for 2-day immersive), creative writing ($125), quilting/applique ($700 for 4 nights), women's empowerment (Mother's Healing Retreat $375), and Jane Austen themes ($580); typically all-inclusive with lodging and meals.
• Katrina Trask Week Annual themed week celebrating Wiawaka's co-founder Katrina Trask with lectures, presentations, historic tours, and cultural events.
• Georgia O'Keeffe Week Week-long celebration of Georgia O'Keeffe's time as a young artist at Wiawaka, featuring workshops, lectures, and art demonstrations.
• Artists in Residence Annual artist residency program welcoming talented women artists to create work at Wiawaka, culminating in a public exhibit and sale.
• Special Events Annual events including Abigail Adams performance, Spring Craft Fair, Dock Party, July 4th BBQ, Ladies of the Lake Luncheon (premier annual fundraiser), and various other celebrations.
• Wellness Services Health and wellness programming including yoga, meditation, and mindfulness offerings.
• Scholarships Financial assistance programs to help women access Wiawaka's programming regardless of financial means.
• Private Events Facility rentals for weddings, family reunions, and private retreats during the shoulder season (May-June and September-October).
• Sponsorship Opportunities Corporate sponsorship packages (e.g., CDPHP wellness sponsor, Albany Med Health System Katrina Trask Premier sponsor, Amtrust, Hannaford, ArrowBank) underwriting programming and providing marketing visibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 1,000+ women annually through day visits, overnight stays, workshops, and retreats

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CDPHPflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026CDPHP (Capital District Physicians' Health Plan) serves as the 2026 summer wellness sponsor. Their generous support helps continue Wiawaka's mission of providing space for rest, renewal, and personal growth through wellness programming.
• Albany Med Health SystemcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Albany Med Health System is the Katrina Trask Premier summer sponsor for 2026. Supports the annual Katrina Trask Week celebration honoring the visionary founder.
• AmtrustcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Amtrust is a Mayflower sponsor for the dock party and an Opal level founders circle sponsor for the Ladies of the Lake Luncheon.
• Lake George Association (LGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for exclusive boat ride fundraiser using LGA's floating classroom. Participants learn about Lake George water sustainability and stewardship efforts while enjoying Wiawaka lunch and facility access.
• Lower Adirondack Regional Arts CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAdministers the New York State Council on the Arts Statewide Community Regrant Program, which provided funding for Georgia O'Keeffe Week programming.
• HannafordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLadies of the Lake Luncheon additional sponsor providing support for Wiawaka's premier annual fundraiser event.
• ArrowBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLadies of the Lake Luncheon additional sponsor supporting the annual fundraiser event.
• Adirondack WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides wine for the annual Dock Party and Season Kick Off event.
• Adirondack Pub and BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides beer for the annual Dock Party and Season Kick Off event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: Nonprofit holistic education retreat center in Rhinebeck, NY with overnight accommodations, workshops, and wellness programming on a large rural campus. Closely comparable mission, business model, and program mix to Wiawaka.
• Camp Lochearn for Girls: Adirondack girls' summer camp offering residential programming in a lakeside outdoor setting. Comparable in seasonal single-gender residential programming, mission-driven culture, and Adirondack location.
• 1440 Multiversity: California-based personal-growth retreat and learning campus offering workshops, wellness, and overnight stays. Comparable in combining retreat accommodations with diverse workshops and wellness programming for adult learners.
• Yaddo: Artist residency and retreat in Saratoga Springs, NY founded by Katrina Trask and Spencer Trask — the same founders as Wiawaka. Operates on a comparable historic Adirondack property with a mission-driven hospitality and arts-programming model.
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: A year-round wellness retreat center in the Berkshires, MA offering overnight accommodations, workshops, yoga, and personal-growth programming. Direct peer in retreat-style lodging combined with wellness and education classes.

Regional players

• Camp Towanda: Established coed residential summer camp in Honesdale, PA serving children and teens with multi-week programming. Comparable in residential seasonal hospitality and lake/woods recreational programming, though serving a younger demographic.
• Mohonk Mountain House: Historic Victorian-castle resort in New Paltz, NY (Hudson Valley) offering overnight accommodations, wellness programming, and dining on a large scenic property. Comparable as a historic Northeast retreat property, though not mission-restricted to women.

Others

• YWCA of the Greater Capital Region: Regional nonprofit organization advancing women's empowerment through programs, advocacy, and facilities. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) women's-mission organization in the same Northeast region with overlapping donor base.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that preserves and operates historic properties for public enjoyment, including programming, events, and lodging in some locations. Comparable as a nonprofit operator of a portfolio of historic experience-oriented properties.

Broad incumbents

• Canyon Ranch: Large-scale, multi-property destination wellness resort brand with comprehensive spa, fitness, and wellness programming. Overlaps Wiawaka's wellness offering but at a much larger commercial scale and price point.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wiawakacfw
• Facebookfacebook.com/wiawaka
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wiawaka-holiday-house-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wiawaka Center for Women