This is Chautauqua. Community events for the whole family hosted in Syracuse Indiana and Lake Wawasee.
We celebrate creativity through performances, exhibitions, and hands-on opportunities that inspire expression, imagination, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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We foster lifelong learning through lectures, conversations, and shared learning that encourage curiosity, reflection, and personal growth at every stage of life.
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At Chautauqua, faith plays an important role in shaping shared values, reflection, and connection within our social and cultural life.
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Recreation and healthy living are essential to life at Chautauqua, supporting connection, balance, and enjoyment through shared activity.
Learn MoreOur goal is to “raise the bar” continually by improving the quality of programs, authors, and presenters. Your support enables us to grow and carry out our mission of providing valuable programs related to education, arts, faith and recreation. Our vision is for Chautauqua-Wawasee to be cited as one reason a business and/or people choose to move and live in Syracuse, Kosciusko County, and Indiana. We promise to use all gifts wisely and responsibly toward this vision.
Mail Donations to:
Oakwood Foundation Inc.
Chautauqua-Wawasee
702 E. Lake View Rd
Syracuse, IN 46567
Old Fashioned Hymn Sing Returns on Palm Sunday at Syracuse Community Center A Larger Venue for a Growing Community Tradition Due to an overflowing crowd at our first-ever Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing in the quaint, historic Oakwood Chapel, Chautauqua-Wawasee is relocating this popular community event to a larger venue. The Old Fashioned Hymn Sing will now […]
What’s Flying Through Northern Indiana This Spring? A New Waterfowl Festival Invites the Public to Experience Migration Up Close A Front-Row Seat to Spring Migration This March, bird watchers, nature lovers, and curious minds alike are invited to experience spring migration up close. The Waterfowl Festival offers a full day dedicated to birds, wetlands, and […]
Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule Discover the Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule, a full year of inspiring events celebrating Arts, Education, Faith, and Recreation in the Syracuse and Lake Wawasee community. This year’s lineup blends beloved traditions with new programs designed to inform, entertain, and connect. Program Schedule Highlights for 2026 The ever-popular Purdue Varsity […]
Humble Gumption: Cam Shriver’s Insight on Myaamia Survival and History
Humble Gumption: Cam Shriver’s Insight on Myaamia Survival and History By: Dave Berry, Chautauqua Wawasee On a brisk September morning, about 40 people attended Cam Shriver’s presentation on the survival of the Myaamia people, hosted by Chautauqua Wawasee. Cam Shriver is a Senior Research Associate in the Myaamia Center at Miami University in Ohio. His […]
Kroemer, Lomax and Tse, join Chautauqua Wawasee’s Board of Directors.
Kroemer, Lomax and Tse join Chautauqua Wawasee’s Board of Directors. We are proud to announce, that in January 2024, Karen Kroemer, Erin Lomax, and Carmen Tse joined Chautauqua Wawasee’s Board of Directors. Karen Kroemer is retired from a career in educational, non-profit, media, and corporate positions. She has served on six non-profit boards of directors […]
Chautauqua’s Annual Fundraising Campaign A Success
Chautauqua’s Annual Fundraising Campaign A Success Chautauqua Wawasee’s once-a-year annual fundraising campaign concluded successfully on January 8. “Due to the generous contributions of Syracuse and Wawasee residents, we blew over the top of our 2024 goal”, a grateful Mark Knecht shared. “Grant funding and donations are the lifeblood of our ability to offer life-enriching programs, […]