Registration is open!

Winter Wander offers daily field trips and adventure-themed activities for campers in grades 3-5 on select days over their winter break. Small group sizes and engaging staff provide the perfect environment for campers to challenge themselves and build self-confidence.  

Tuition assistance is available to families for all programs.

Winter Wander Base Camp  |  Elver Park Neighborhood Center, 1201 McKenna Blvd, Madison WI 53719 

Program Hours

Winter Wander trips run from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. 

  • Daily drop-off is between 8-8:30 a.m. 
  • Daily Pick-up is between 4:30-5 p.m.

Trip Destinations  |  Campers will be transported via chartered school bus 

  • Wednesday, December 21  |  Retzer Nature Center and Planetarium
  • Thursday, December 22  |  Elver Park Hike and Tyrol Basin
  • Monday, January 2  |  Kalahari Indoor Waterpark
  • Tuesday, January 3  |  MacKenzie Center

Weather Related Changes and Cancellations
If weather conditions (extreme cold or snow) prevent regular planned activities from occurring, an alternate activity will be provided. Please see below for a list of possible alternate activities. If weather conditions have the potential to cause a dangerous situation for staff or families, Winter Wander will not operate. Wisconsin Youth Company will do its best to notify families as soon as possible in the case that a program is cancelled. An announcement will be made via email and on our website. Families will also be notified of the cancellation via text message. There is no credit or fee reduction for days missed. 

Possible Alternate Activities: 

  • Bowling 
  • Movie at a local theater 
  • Indoor mini-golf 
  • Sledding, snow shoeing or winter hike 

Single or multiple day registrations are available. Registration opens November 7.

4 Programs
Open Registration
Wait-List

Retzer Nature Center and Planetarium

Winter Wander kicks off with a visit to the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha. Campers will first learn all about how animals adapt to survive Wisconsin winters while hiking at the center. After lunch, the group participates in a presentation about the changing night sky in the Retzer Center’s planetarium! 

Elver Park Hike and Tyrol Basin

The second day of Winter Wander is all about appreciating the great activities we can do in winter. Campers walk across the street to Elver Park, where they explore the trails. Following the hike and lunch, the group travels to Tyrol Basin for an afternoon of snow-tubing! Be sure to dress warm! 

Kalahari Indoor Waterpark

We kick off the new year with a visit to the Kalahari indoor waterpark in Wisconsin Dells! The group spends the entire day at the waterpark with a break in the afternoon for a pizza party. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit and towel! Campers must be at least swim level yellow – intermediate for this adventure trip. 

 

Mackenzie Center

For the final day of Winter Wander, campers head north to the Mackenzie Center in Poynette. The group participates in a few different outdoor activities while at the center, so be sure to dress warm. Campers will  create shelters, do archery, and learn about fire building. 

Program Fees  |  Program fees vary slightly based on the trip location for that day.

  • Wednesday, December 21  |  $85
  • Thursday, December 22  |  $95
  • Monday, January 2  |  $105
  • Tuesday, January 3  |  $85

Deposit  |  $10 per day, per child, due at the time of registration

  • Deposit is non-transferrable and non-refundable
    Balance of program fees is due five business days prior to program date

Registration  |  Single or multiple day registrations are available. Registration closes Friday, December 16 at 5 p.m.

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