Registration opens October 25, 2021

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.  

Program plans have been established with COVID-19 safety measures in mind. Campers and staff will be required to wear masks while on the bus and indoors. Additional COVID-19 policies can be found in the program handbook. 

Tuition assistance is available. 

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.
  • Pick-up is between 4:30-5 p.m.

Trip Destinations  |  Campers will be transported via chartered school bus 

  • Monday, December 27  |  Mackenzie Center 
  • Tuesday, December 28  |  Cave of the Mounds and Tyrol Basin 
  • Wednesday, December 29  |  Milwaukee County Zoo 

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 their 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

Program Registration

Single day registration is not available for Winter Wander. Registration for the program covers all three days of programming. Registration will close Friday, December 17 at 5 p.m. A $25 deposit per child will be required at the time of registration. Balance of program fees is due five business days prior to program date.

1 Programs
Open Registration
Wait-List

Monday, December 27  |  Mackenzie Center 

  • To kick off our week, we will go to The MacKenzie Center in Poynette for nature education and excitement. Programs will be a mix of indoor and outdoor, depending on weather. Topics include outdoor skills, Wisconsin wildlife, and conservation all from a fun, hands on perspective. 

Tuesday, December 28  |  Cave of the Mounds and Tyrol Basin 

  • To take a break from the Wisconsin winter weather, we will head deep into the Cave of the Mounds, where it is always 50 degrees. Campers will explore a cave that is over one million years old and learn about all the speleothems that have formed there. Afterwards, we will head nearby for tubing at Tyrol Basin. Skiing and snowboarding will not be permitted on this trip.  

Wednesday, December 29  |  Milwaukee County Zoo 

  • To wrap up our winter adventure, we will head to The Milwaukee County Zoo. Campers will learn how other animals around the globe survive the cold temperatures of their own environments and how they adapt to Wisconsin’s winter months.  
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