2023 Wander Wisconsin registration is open!

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 Madison, Waunakee, and Verona. 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. 

  • Madison Base Camp  |  Crestwood Elementary, 5930 Old Sauk Rd.
  • Waunakee Base Camp  |  Heritage Elementary, 501 South St.
  • Verona Base Camp  |  Badger Ridge Middle School, 300 Richard St.

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 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 Adobe Sign. Please respond promptly to these requests to ensure a successful program for all participants. 

Tuition assistance is available to families for all programs.

You may enroll your camper(s) in one or more weeks of Wander Wisconsin. Because space is limited, early registration is recommended. You may register or add weeks any time until the end of the business day on Friday (5 p.m.) six business days prior to the week being requested, provided space is available. 

7 Programs
Open Registration
Wait-List

Madison Base Camp

We’re kicking off summer with three days of adventure and fun. Campers will start off summer with lots of swimming and sun. With a trip to Noah’s Ark Waterpark, a high ropes adventure course, and mini golf at Pirate’s Cove, it’s sure to be a great kick-off to summer. 

Destinations include: 

  • Noah’s Art Waterpark 
  • Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf
  • Ropes course 

Do you have a camper who loves swimming, kayaking, and all-around adventures in the water? Wander Wisconsin is the perfect place to be. Water-loving campers will take day trips to Mirror Lake and Devil’s Lake State Park. We’ll also explore the best spots Madison has to offer, including Lake Wingra and Brittingham Bay, and end the week with a trip to Noah’s Ark Waterpark. There will be lots of time for paddling and swimming, and tons of fun. 

Destinations Include: 

  • Mirror Lake State Park 
  • Brittingham Boat Rentals  
  • Wingra Boat Rentals  
  • Noah’s Ark Waterpark 
  • Devil’s Lake State Park 

During this adventurous week, campers will participate in a variety of awesome activities of all kinds. Campers will be transported to a different realm with a trip to Wizard Quest, explore the strange but true at Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and jump around at Urban Air. We will end the week on a boating adventure with the Wisconsin Ducks. 

Destinations Include:  

  • Urban Air 
  • Wizard Quest  
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not  
  • Wisconsin Ducks 

Waunakee Base Camp

Nothing beats cooling off with a swim after a long morning of exploring. We will spend this week at a variety of state parks and natural areas where campers will have the opportunity to hike in the morning and enjoy a refreshing swim in the afternoon. Get off the beaten path and enjoy the great outdoors with this fun filled week. 

Destinations Include: 

  • Devil’s Lake State Park 
  • Governor Dodge State Park 
  • Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area/Splash Pad 
  • Parfrey’s Glenn State Natural Area/Peck’s Landing 
  • Picnic Point hiking trail/Goodman Pool 

Verona Base Camp

This week campers will get to enjoy many of the interesting and wonderful aspects of our environment. We will start our week off learning more about the great outdoors with a trip to the MacKenzie Center. Throughout the week, we’ll also discover more about the amazing world of plants at Olbrich Garden, explore Crystal Lake Cave, learn about local waters at the Mississippi River Museum, embrace our inner scientists at Discovery World Milwaukee, and splash around with a Wisconsin Ducks adventure. 

Destinations Include:  

  • MacKenzie Center 
  • Olbrich Garden 
  • Crystal Lake Cave 
  • Mississippi River Museum 
  • Discovery World Milwaukee 
  • Wisconsin Ducks 

This week at camp, we will celebrate the best Wisconsin has to offer. Campers will start off with a day of fun at the Wisconsin State Fair, followed by train-riding adventures at the Mid-Continental Railway Museum, and environmental excitement at the Retzer Nature Center. We’ll also embrace our inner paleontologist at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, and end the week with lots of sun and swimming at Noah’s Ark Waterpark.  

 Destinations include:

  • Wisconsin State Fair 
  • Mid-Continental Railway Museum  
  • Dinosaur Discovery Museum 
  • Retzer Nature Center 
  • Noah’s Ark Waterpark
Summer’s End
Aug 14-18
$450

We’re saying so long to summer with an adventure-packed week with Wander Wisconsin. We’ll be joined by our middle school friends from Middle School U as we visit wildlife at the Milwaukee Zoo, see strange and new sights at House on the Rock, explore underground marvels at Cave of the Mounds, and learn all about our fantastic world at the Milwaukee Public Museum. For our final day, campers will send off summer with a fun-filled day at Noah’s Ark Waterpark. 

Destinations Include: 

  • Milwaukee Zoo 
  • House on the Rock 
  • Cave of the Mounds 
  • Milwaukee Public Museum 
  • Noah’s Ark Waterpark

Wander Wisconsin Fees  |  $400 per camper, per week ($275 per 4-day week)|  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

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