Wander Wisconsin offers daily field trips and adventure-themed activities for campers entering grades 3-5 during select weeks over the summer months. Small group sizes and engaging staff provide the perfect environment for campers to challenge themselves, feel included, and build self-confidence.  Wander Wisconsin participants must be at least 8 years old. 

Wander Wisconsin takes place several different weeks throughout the summer, with base camps in Verona and Madison. Program takes place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Drop-off is 8-8:30 a.m. and pick-up is 4:30-5 p.m. 

  • Verona Base Camp  |  Badger Ridge Middle School, 300 Richard St., Verona
  • Madison Base Camp  |  Shorewood Hills Elementary, 1105 Shorewood Blvd., Madison

Wander offers different weekly theme-based adventures with daily field trips and hands-on activities. Most camp activities are held off-site. Transportation is provided via 15 passenger vans driven by trained Wander Wisconsin Adventure Trip Leaders or through school bussing partners. 

Wander Wisconsin programs typically visit waterparks, pools and lakes as a part of their weekly activities. Campers must be designated as intermediate swimmers or above to enroll in Wander Wisconsin. Please refer to the program handbook for information regarding Wisconsin Youth Company swim guidelines.   

Wander Wisconsin programs occasionally visit locations that require signed liability waivers for campers to participate in activities. Applicable waivers will be emailed via DocuSign. Please respond promptly to these requests to ensure a successful program for all participants. 

Summer 2025- Registration is still available for select weeks of Wander Wisconsin.

In addition to the activities listed below, all weeks of Wander Wisconsin include trips to local splash pads, pools or parks. Please note that all field trips are subject to change. Any changes to field trips will be shared with registered families via email by the Friday prior to the start of each camp week.

8 Programs
Open Registration
Registration Closed

Verona Base Camp

This week, we set forth on a journey through the 30th state to explore the legends and lore of what came before Wisconsin. We begin the week at Old World Wisconsin to delve into the past. Next, we hike around Tower Hill and Governor Dodge State Parks. Campers will check out artifacts and learn interesting facts at the Hoard Historical Museum before touring around the Native American Burial Mounds unique to this area and visiting Aztalan State Park. Next, we learn about Wisconsin’s cryptid legends as we make our way up to Roche-A-Cri State Park to see amazing ancient petroglyphs and partake in a fun cryptid scavenger hunt. Finally, the group spends a day at the weird, wacky, and legendary House on the Rock.

Destinations include:

  • Old World Wisconsin
  • Tower Hill State Park
  • Governor Dodge State Park
  • Hoard Historical Museum
  • Aztalan State Park
  • Roche-A-Cri State Park
  • Dr. Evermor’s Sculpture Park
  • House on the Rock

Calling all book lovers! We have a week of lit adventure for your remarkable readers. We start the week with a Bubbler presentation from the downtown Madison Public Library before heading to McKee Farms Park for an afternoon playing Quidditch and cooling off at the splash pad. Next, campers go on a tour of Free Little Libraries around the city to exchange old books for new reads and visit public libraries in the Madison area. Then, campers play games and do crafts inspired by popular books while enjoying a state park, before ending the week with a fantastical journey at Wizard Quest. This week is a fun filled and unforgettable mix of activities sure to spark imagination and continue to build a love of reading for our growing minds!

*Please note: This schedule is subject to change. Parents will be notified as soon as possible if any changes occur.

Destinations include:

  • Downtown Madison Public Library/Bubbler
  • McKee Farms Splash Pad
  • Free Little Libraries around Verona/Madison
  • Verona Public Library
  • Middleton Public Library
  • Goodman Pool
  • Devils Lake State Park
  • Wizard Quest
  • Sauk City Riverfront Park

Animal enthusiasts love this week packed full of learning about creatures big and small. First, campers alpaca the van to head to Irish Ridge Alpaca Farm and Henry Vilas Zoo. Then, we flock to the International Crane Foundation and play at Riverfront Park and Splash Pad. Campers explore the natural world at Governor Dodge State Park then vie for cuddles at Havens Petting Farm. Campers get the opportunity to learn about animals native to this area during a visit to the Retzer Nature Center. Finally, we hoof it over to the Milwaukee County Zoo. We’re not lion, this week will be wild!

Destinations include:

  • Irish Ridge Alpaca Farm
  • Henry Vilas Zoo
  • International Crane Foundation
  • Sauk City Riverfront Park
  • Governor Dodge State Park
  • Havens Petting Farm
  • Retzer Center
  • Milwaukee County Zoo

Summer may be coming to an end, but the adventures don’t stop! Campers can join us for one last hurrah as we say encore to Wander. We’re combining our favorite summer trips with some brand-new destinations for an awesome summer’s end. We start the week finding our way through the fantastical labyrinth of Wizard Quest then continue the journey of imagination at Sauk City’s Riverfront Park. Campers will have a final chance to get out on the water at Marshall Boats and enjoy an afternoon of activities at Lakeview Park. We explore land and water at Wyalusing State Park then travel to Milwaukee the following day for a hands-on experience at Discovery World Museum. Finally, we send summer off with a splash at Noah’s Ark Waterpark.

Destinations include: 

  • Wizard Quest
  • Sauk City Riverfront Park
  • Brittingham Boats
  • Lakeview Park
  • Wyalusing State Park
  • Discovery World
  • Noah’s Ark Waterpark
  • Cave of the Mounds

Madison Base Camp

Does your camper love swimming, floating, and paddling? If so, this is the week for them! From canoeing and kayaking to water games and swimming, each day we focus on a different aquatic activity to make the most of summer. We start the week at Wingra Boats, logrolling at Lake Wingra and Middleton Pool. We check out a couple splash pads and have fun-filled days at our awesome state parks. Campers enjoy more time out on the water at Marshall Boats then jump in at Goodman Pool. We finish off this fun-soaked week with a splash at Noah’s Ark Waterpark. Get ready for a wave of excitement!

Destinations include:

  • Wingra Boats
  • Logrolling at Lake Wingra
  • Middleton Pool
  • Devils Lake State Park
  • Marshall Boats
  • Goodman Pool
  • Parfrey’s Glen
  • Pewit’s Nest
  • Sauk City Riverfront Park
  • Noah’s Ark

Wisconsin is a treasure trove of natural rock and geological formations waiting to be explored! This week, campers get to do just that! We start our rockin’ adventure with a trip to Cave of the Mounds to see fossils that are more than 400 million years old, amazing crystal formations, and colorful mineral deposits. After, we trek over to the highest point in southern Wisconsin at Blue Mounds State Park to get an aerial view. Campers enjoy a fun day of activities and exploration at Devils Lake State Park followed by a day of meandering through subterranean tunnels at Eagle Cave with a stop off at Glacial Valley Park on the way home. The group ventures to Roche-A-Cri State Park to explore the 300-foot outcropping with Native American petroglyphs before brewing up fun at Witches Gulch and Pewit’s Nest. Finally, the group explores landscapes closer to home at Picnic Point and ends the week with a refreshing trip to Goodman Pool. This is a solid week of awesome trails and outdoor escapades!

Destinations include:

  • Cave of the Mounds
  • Blue Mounds State Park
  • Devils Lake State Park
  • Eagle Cave
  • Glacial Valley Park
  • Roche-A-Cri State Park
  • Witches Gulch
  • Pewit’s Nest
  • Picnic Point
  • Boulder’s Climbing Gym

If your camper’s favorite part of camping is making a delicious s’mores at the end of a long day, this is the week for them! Each day, campers go for a hike, paddle, or swim before making a delicious summer treat. We start by exploring the Ice Age Trail then stop at a grocery store to buy supplies, and head to the park to make our own ice cream sundaes. Campers get time in the water at Devils Lake then work as a team to mix up another tasty treat. Then, we travel to the MacKenzie Center to learn about fire building and campfire cooking from outdoor pros. Next, campers get on the water at Marshall Boats before cooking up something tasty at Picnic Point. Finally, campers funnel their energy into cakes that are fried and water slides at Noah’s Ark. This week is a sweet combination of fun summer activities!

Destinations include:

  • Ice Age Trail – Verona segment
  • McKee Farms Park
  • Marshall Boats
  • Lakeview Park
  • Devils Lake State Park
  • Lake Kegonsa State Park
  • Noah’s Ark
  • Area grocery stores near trip locations

Does your camper love STEM activities, getting their hands dirty, and thinking outside the box? If so, they’ll have a blast with this week of outdoor STEM activities and adventures. To begin, campers learn about building fires and shelters at the MacKenzie Center. They take a trip to Governor Dodge State Park for a fun-filled day of sandcastle competitions and other challenges. Next, campers travel to the Lynden and Bobrowitz sculpture gardens outside of Milwaukee to see architectural art. The next day, they head to Blue Mound State Park to participate in various STEM challenges. Lastly, we enjoy the marvels of engineering at Noah’s Ark Waterpark. This is a week of hands-on fun that builds creative thinking through play.

Destinations include:

  • MacKenzie Center
  • Retzer Nature Center
  • Governor Dodge State Park
  • Lion’s Den Gorge
  • Cushing Memorial Park
  • Lynden Sculpture Garden
  • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden
  • Blue Mounds State Park
  • McKee Farms Park
  • Noah’s Ark Waterpark

2025 Wander Wisconsin Fees  | Fees can be found on the Programs tab |  Tuition assistance is available to families for all programs

Weekly Deposits  |  Deposits are applied toward weekly fees and are non-refundable and
non-transferable. $50 per camper, per week

Remaining Fees  |  Remaining weekly fee (less deposit) is due by the end of the business day Monday (5 p.m.) five business days prior to the start of program

Schedule Changes | Families may add or drop weeks any time until the end of the business day on Friday (5 p.m.) six business days prior to the requested week. Added weeks are dependent on space availability. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable when weeks are dropped.

2025 Payment Calendar

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