Find all the links and basic information you need for signing your young one up for a summer filled with outdoor exploration and adventure!
Nature Net Summer Camps
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Nature Discovery Camps Ages: 4-13
Treat your child to a summer they’ll never forget with ALNC’s summer camps where young adventure-seekers can explore the woods, and budding scientists can discover pond life! ALNC’s action-packed summer camps will provide your child with exciting, hands-on experiences to explore, learn, and enjoy the wonders of nature. More info here.
Bethel Horizons
Youth Programs Grades: 2-11
Each summer at camp, we help foster a better understanding of God, self, others, and nature. Our overnight camps run Sunday – Friday from mid-June to mid-August. Your child will experience a variety of outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, climbing and swimming but most importantly making true meaningful connections! More info here.
Henry Vilas Zoo
Summer Zoo School Ages: 4-13
Come and spend the summer at one or more of our week-long inquiry-focused Summer Zoo Camps! Campers enjoy special animal experiences and behind-the-scenes opportunities while facing scientific challenges that put the campers in the shoes of keepers, vets, or zoo administrators. More info here.
The Lussier Family Heritage Center
Junior Naturalist Summer Camp Ages 9-11 and 12-12
Looking for a fun-filled, adventurous summer outside? Join the Lussier Family Heritage Center’s Junior Naturalist Summer Camp in the heart of the Capital Springs Recreation area! Youth cohorts can practice being a naturalist and discover the world around them. Through biking, hiking, and canoeing, participants will get to develop a sense of community, build plant and wildlife ID skills, and much more! More info here!
Madison Children’s Museum
Camp Kindergarten: Kindergarten
Camp Kindergarten is designed to playfully foster social and behavioral skills useful for school readiness for children starting kindergarten in the fall. Each morning will start with free play time before the museum opens, and will also include a special craft or science activity, and additional exploration in the museum’s exhibits. More info here.
Madison Schools & Community Recreation
Camp Tall Oaks Grades: 1-5
Camp Tall Oaks is your go to camp for exploring the outdoors at the Madison School Forest! Camps combine outdoor leadership, environmental education and outdoor recreation activities designed to foster camper relationships with themselves, each other and nature. Each week’s theme highlights different activities and campers are encouraged to sign-up for themes that spark their curiosity! No previous experience in any activity is required. More info here.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Garden Naturalist Camp Ages: 7-12
Anyone can be a garden naturalist! In this brand new camp, young naturalists will explore the diverse animal and plant life at Olbrich and how it connects to their own lives through observation and reflection. Campers will plant and tend to seeds in the Children’s Kitchen Garden, create unique art, and record their discoveries and questions in journals to bring home. Join us for nature observations, art, and scientific journaling as we connect to the natural world. More info here.
Upham Woods
4H Camps Grades 4-8
Upham Woods will bring exploration, discovery, and fun to your summer. We are offering our own open enrollment and family camp, and partner with 4-H county programs for summer camp and we offer unique outdoor learning experiences through grants and our other partnerships. Upham Woods supports 4-H summer camp for dozens of counties. See if yours comes to Upham! More info here!
UW Arboretum
Earth Focus Day Camp Grades: K-8
Earth Focus Day Camp helps children ages 5-14 develop an understanding of how ecosystems work, nurtures a sense of wonder for nature, and guides children as they explore the habitats, plants, and animals of the Arboretum. In addition to this program, we are also offering another program, Learning Together, which provides preschool-age children and their caregivers the opportunity to share stories and get creative! More info here.
Welty Environmental Center
Big Hill Adventure Camp Ages: 7-12
Partnership summer programming for middle & high school ages with UW Madison & Hendricks CareerTek
Welty Environmental Center is back for the summer camp season! We will be investigating, exploring, building, experimenting, and crafting while learning about natural resources around the Stateline area. There are several offerings this summer ranging from Adult Field Trips to Family Camps to Youth and STEM Camps, so we have something for everyone! Check out our page for more details on our various options. More info here.
Statewide Resources
If you’re looking for adventuring and learning across the state, check out these links: