Thank you for choosing Wisconsin Youth Company Summer Day Camp!
Please note: Families are varied and the use of the word Parent(s) refers to the adult(s) who are responsible for the camper.
Please carefully review all tabs on this webpage prior to your first day of camp.
Location | The Waunakee Village Center | 333 S Madison St., Waunakee
Camp Cell Phone | 608-445-8097
Camp Hours | Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Drop-off takes place between 7:30-9 a.m.
- Pick-up takes place Monday-Thursday between 4-5:30 p.m. and Friday between 3-4:30 p.m.
- Please note, there is no camp Monday, July 3 or Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Camp ends at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 18
Meet the Staff
- Camp Director | Jack
- Assistant Camp Director | Julie
- Counselors | Mya, Michael, Alex & Sarah
- Support Staff | Sammy
All staff have education and/or experience related to working with children. They receive training prior to the start of the camp season and are certified in first aid and CPR.
Health & Wellness at Camp
Please monitor your camper for possible illness at home prior to arriving at camp each day. If your camper has a fever greater than 100°F or other illness, please keep your camper home for the day and contact our administrative office regarding their absence.
Wisconsin Youth Company follows CDC COVID-19 guidelines as well as standard communicable disease policies. If your camper tests positive for COVID-19, please let us know right away by emailing info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org.
Families will be notified of COVID-19 exposure and other communicable diseases through signage posted at program. Wisconsin Youth Company programs follow current CDC, Public Health and Department of Children and Families guidelines in regard to face coverings at program.
Upon arrival, directors will complete a visual wellness check before campers enter their group.
Dropping Off Your Camper
Where to Park | Parking is available behind the Village Center along E. 3rd Street. Enter through the rear porch area of the building.
Drop-off Procedure | After entering the rear of the Village Center, staff will be waiting to walk you through the sign-in process. If you would like your child(ren) to arrive independently by walking or biking, please contact the administrative office to authorize Independent Arrival.
Medications, Sunscreen, and Insect Repellent | If your camper has medications, sunscreen or insect repellent, please bring these on the first day of their attendance. All items should be labelled with first and last name. Wisconsin Youth Company does provide sunscreen and insect repellent. Campers are not required to bring their own.
What to Bring
Please only send your camper with following items. All items should be labeled with your camper’s first and last name:
- Sack lunch (nut-free) that does not need to be refrigerated or microwaved
- Gym shoes or sandals with a heel strap (no flip flops)
- Water bottle labeled with child’s first and last name
- Extra set of clothing, as needed
Please do not send your camper with any unnecessary items. Toys from home will not be permitted. Wisconsin Youth Company is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal property, including clothing.
Picking Up Your Camper
When to Pick-up | Campers should be picked up during the designated pick-up timeframe: Monday-Thursday 4-5:30 p.m. and Friday 3-4:30 p.m. If you need to pick up your camper early, please coordinate that directly with the camp director in advance.
Pick-up Procedure | After entering the rear of the Village Center, staff will be waiting to walk you through the sign-out process. Sign-out could also take place outdoors as weather allows. Camp staff will check your ID or confirm your identity before releasing your camper to you. Because of the amount of children and families we work with over the summer months, there is a chance that you may be asked more than once. Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated!
Tuesday Pick-Up Procedure | The Village Center hosts Concert in the Park on Tuesday evenings, meaning you cannot drive down to the lower entrance to pick up your child. Please park in the upper lot and walk down the road, or take the steps to the lower level to pick-up your child on each Tuesday.
Independent Departure | If you would like your camper to walk home independently or meet you at your vehicle, please contact the administrative office to authorize Independent Departure. Campers cannot meet you at your vehicle unless they have prior authorization.
Authorized Pick-up Person | Only authorized pick-up people can pick up your camper. If you would like to add an additional authorized pick-up person, please email info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org. All authorized pick-up people are encouraged to have a photo ID on them. With the safety of campers in mind, staff will check IDs if they have not met a pick-up person or do not recognize a pick-up person.
Absences
Please call the 24-hour attendance message line, 608-276-9898, if your camper will be absent. Please call before 8:30 a.m. if the message pertains to that day.
Camper Groups
Each camper will be assigned a group for the week. Each group will have a designated classroom space for use during the day. Groups will have no more than 18 campers.
- We will aim to keep your camper in the same group each week. Since some campers are only enrolled for a few weeks, some campers may change groups throughout the summer.
- Materials and toys will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the summer.
- Camper groups will be divided by age. If you have two or more camper that you would like to request remain in the same group, please contact our administrative office.
- Each camper will have a designated space to store their belongings. Campers should only bring essential items for the day.
Snack & Lunch
It’s important campers start each day with a good breakfast prior to camp, and bring a nutritious and satisfying lunch.
Sack lunches must not require refrigeration or microwaving; milk is provided. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided. Some campers have life-threatening allergies (like a peanut or tree nut allergy). For this reason, WYC requests that campers bring a nut-free lunch. All snacks served at camp are nut-free.
- Campers will eat snack and lunch with their group either in the main camp area or outdoors.
- All campers must wash hands with soap and water before and after eating.
Field Trips
Details regarding field trips can be found on the This Week at Camp tab. Camp Pleasant Valley will typically take field trips on Thursday each week; however, this is subject to change. Campers should come to camp prepared for the day’s field trip with appropriate footwear, their camp t-shirt, and water bottle.
Swimming Trips
Details regarding swim trips can be found on the This Week at Camp tab. To review your camper’s swim level please connect with your camp director or email info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org. Campers will be grouped by swim level with no more than 8 campers per group. Camp Pleasant Valley will typically swim on Tuesday each week; however, this is subject to change. Camp Pleasant Valley will only visit local pools with lifeguards on duty and an option for zero-depth entry. Some weeks, camp will visit a splash pad instead of pool. Campers should come to camp prepared with a swimsuit, towel, and camp t-shirt.
Please review Wisconsin Youth Company’s swim guidelines to ensure accuracy. If your camper has been previously enrolled in a WYC camp program, their swim level may not match their current swimming skill. To help ensure a successful week of camp for your child and WYC staff, please update this information by emailing info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org prior to the start of the camp week.
Keeping Camp Clean
We understand the need to keep camp clean is more important now than ever before. Because of this, we are implementing the following practices:
- Campers and staff will be required to wash hands often and thoroughly.
- Staff will clean and disinfect program materials on a regular basis.
- Facility staff will clean high-traffic areas within the building including bathrooms
- All disinfecting will happen in a room that is not accessible to campers. Disinfecting of group spaces will only happen when campers are not present.
- For cleaning, staff will use a detergent/soap and water solution.
- For disinfecting, staff will use EPA-approved products.
Spending Time Outdoors
Counselors will be encouraged to take their campers outdoors as much as possible. Campers will have water, sunscreen, and shade available to them while outdoors. Please send your camper dressed for the outdoors, every day.
Program Activities & Guest Presenters
Our summer team has been working hard to ensure that campers have a fun and enriching experience this summer. Campers will participate in weekly theme-based activities and off-site field trips . Weekly themes can be found on your camp’s website. Some additional activities could be led by guest presenters depending on the week. Details regarding guest presenters can be found on the This Week at Camp tab.
Parent Contact Information
It is important that Parents can easily be reached throughout the camp day. Please verify your contact information in your parent portal and contact the administrative office if changes need to be made.
In the event that camp staff contact you requesting that your camper be picked up for illness or other reasons, we ask that you do so immediately. If you are unable to pick up your camper immediately, please arrange for emergency pick-up individuals. These individuals must be listed as authorized pick-up persons on your account.
Changing Account Information
Written notification is required to make any changes to your account information (i.e. phone numbers, pick-up persons, emergency contacts, etc.). An email from the email address on-file is sufficient. Your account password is required to make changes.
Additional Program Information
Additional program related information can be found in the program handbook.
No Camp Days
There is no camp Monday, July 3 or Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Contact Wisconsin Youth Company
Summer Program Director, Nate Peterson
npeterson@wisconsinyouthcompany.org
Wisconsin Youth Company Administrative Office – Mailing Address
733 Struck St.- 45620
Madison, Wisconsin 53744
Phone: 608-276-9782 ext. 0
Fax: 262-547-0394
24-Hour Attendance Message Line: 608-276-9898
Email: info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org
Use the above address, fax, email and phone number for payments, registration and billing inquires, and other general information. You may also access your account online on the parent portal.
Q: Who can drop off and pick up campers?
A: Following Wisconsin Youth Company policy, campers may only be dropped off and picked up from camp by authorized pick-up person(s) listed on their registration.
Q: What happens if my child gets sick while at camp?
A: Each camp has a designated space available to use in the event that a camper gets sick. While in this space, they will remain supervised by staff. Staff will call for immediate pick-up. Please ensure that your camper is picked up as soon as possible.
Q: When will my camper receive their camp t-shirt and when do they need to wear it?
A: Campers will receive their t-shirt during their first week of camp. Campers should wear their t-shirts on all field and swim trip days.
Q: Can I pick up my child from a field or swim trip?
A: Pick-up from an off-site field or swim trip is an option when needed by families, although is not preferred. Please coordinate specific details with the camp director at your child’s camp location. Please note off-site pickup is not always an option. Field and swim trips are pre-determined and will not be altered to accommodate pick up or drop off for children.
Q: Do I need to provide sunscreen and insect repellent for my camper?
A: Wisconsin Youth Company provides sunscreen and insect repellent for all campers attending summer programs. WYC uses Rocky Mountain brand 30 SPF lotion sunscreen and Cutter DEET-free insect repellent. Families may provide their own sunscreen and/or insect repellent. Please contact our administrative office at info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org for Dane County families and waukesha@wisconsinyouthcompany.org for Waukesha families for additional details.
Q: How do I update my child’s swim level?
A: The easiest way to update your child’s swim level is to contact the administrative office at info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org for Dane County families and waukesha@wisconsinyouthcompany.org for Waukesha families. You can also fill out necessary paperwork at your child’s camp location, but due to the volume of changes and the workload of camp staff, it is preferred that you contact the administrative office. Please note changes are not immediate.
Q: What is the time frame I can drop off/pick up my child?
A: Children can be dropped off and picked up throughout the camp day. Generally, it is preferred that your child is dropped off between 7:30-9 a.m. and picked up between 4-5:30 p.m. (4-4:30 p.m. on Fridays). If you will be dropping off or picking up outside of those hours, please talk with the camp directors at your camp location.
Q: Is there transportation provided by WYC for campers from summer school locations?
A: WYC does not provide transportation to camp following summer school sessions. Site specific information regarding arriving to camp following summer school can be found on the Welcome tab for that camp location. All transportation must be arranged through your school district.
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | Hello Pleasant Valley families! It’s so great to be back for another summer here! We are going to have a wonderful time this summer playing, crafting, and hanging out with your camper Our crew is going to look a little different this summer, with only myself and Ms. Mya returning from last year, but we are very excited to introduce Ms. Julie, Mr. Michael, Ms. Sarah, and Mr. Alex! Please say hi to them whenever you get a chance! We look forward to getting to know you and your campers this week as we kick off camp for an excellent summer!
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- “Getting to know you” games
- Tie-Dye shirts
Swimming Trip | Sun Prairie Aquatic Center | Tuesday, June 20 | Depart camp at 12:30 p.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes
Field Trip | Governor Nelson State Park | Thursday, June 22 | Depart camp at 12:30 p.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | We had a wonderful first week of camp! We played lots of games, both outside and inside, went swimming, explored a state park, created necklaces and keychains, and overall had a blast getting to know your campers!
Please continue to send your campers to program in their orange WYC shirts on Swim and Field trip days!
This week we will be doing lots of science experiments, since our theme is Mad Scientists! Be prepared for them to tell you about all the different creations they’ve concocted, such as slime, oobleck, and all sorts of other crazy things! I know the counselors are all very excited for projects this week.
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- Slime
- Oobleck
- Will it Float Challenge
Swimming Trip | Sun Prairie Aquatic Center | Tuesday, June 27 | Depart camp at 12:30 p.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggle, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | UW Geology Museum | Thursday, June 29 | Depart camp at 1:15 p.m. & return at 3:30 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | Hello Camp Pleasant Valley Parents!
We had a great second week of camp! We played lots of games, made slime and Oobleck, completed bridge building challenges, swam at the pool, and discovered ancient rocks and dinosaur fossils at the UW Geology Museum!
Please continue to send your campers to program in their orange WYC shirts on Swim and Field trip days!
This week, there will not be program scheduled on Monday, July 3 or Tuesday, July 4 due to the holiday. The long weekend also means that there will not be a field trip; however, we will be going on a swim trip on Friday! When we return to camp on Wednesday, we will be doing a variety of water activities to celebrate our theme of Water Lovers. There will be water balloons, sponge games, and much more! Although the week will be shorter, we will fit in plenty of time for fun!
Thank you!
-Ms. Julia
Weekly Activities
- Water balloon toss
- Sponge races
- Drip, drip, drip
- Ocean in a bottle
Swimming Trip | Sun Prairie Aquatic Center | Friday, July 7| Depart camp at 12:30 p.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggle, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | We are cruising right along this summer! Four weeks already in the books! Time is flying by so quickly I can hardly believe it. We had a great Moovin’ and Groovin’ week with our groups making sunflower art, playing pin the tail on the cow, and enjoying our trip to the Sassy Cow Creamery.
Our theme this week is County Fair. We are going to have a ton of fun playing Minute To Win It carnival games, building roller coasters in a STEM challenge, and capping it all off with a trip to the Dane County Fair. I know this is one of the most anticipated field trips of the summer and I’m excited for it.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- Minute to Win It carnival games
- Roller coaster STEM challenge
- Park ranger
Swimming Trip | Middleton Pool | Tuesday, July 18 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggles, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | Dane County Fair | Thursday, July 20 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day.
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days.
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | Our campers enjoyed our field trip to the Dane County Fair, as well as bringing the fair to camp with Minute-to-win-it games, fair painting murals, and creating our own fair games!
Our theme this week is Clownin’ Around, and I’m sure our campers are excited to experience this firsthand Circus World! At camp we will also engage in clownery as well!
I hope you all have an excellent end of July!
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- Balloon animals
- Try not to laugh challenge
- Toilet paper roll clown
- Creating extra-large shoes
Swimming Trip | Goodman Pool | Tuesday, July 25 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggles, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | Circus World | Thursday, July 27 | Depart camp at 10:15 a.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
- Please send a paper bag/disposable lunch.
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day.
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days.
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | It’s hard to believe it’s already August. The end of summer is upon us, but that isn’t going to stop us from having all the fun we can have here at camp. Last week we beat the heat by making popsicles, made clown hats, and had a fantastic Friday Fun Fest!
This week our theme is Animal Adventures. As a former animal biology student, this is my most anticipated week of the summer. We will be playing park ranger, making animal-themed crafts, and capping it all off with a trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo!
I hope you all have a lovely week and continue to stay cool!
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- Paper plate zebras
- -Pin the tail on the donkey
- -Park ranger
- -Animal scavenger hunts
Swimming Trip | Sun Prairie Aquatic Center | Tuesday, August 1 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggles, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | Henry Vilas Zoo | Thursday, August 3 | Depart camp at 9:45 a.m. & return at 2:15 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day.
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days.
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | What a summer it has been so far! It’s coming to an end very fast but let’s end it right these last two weeks. Our Animal Adventures week went amazing; the campers loved going to the Henry Villas Zoo and seeing giraffes, polar bears, lions, as well as all the animal-themed activities we did at camp!
This week’s theme is Growing Minds so expect your campers to develop a bit of a green thumb. We will be painting flower pots and planting stuff in them, learning all about crops on the Goodman Youth Farm, and so much more!
Thank you and have a great week!
-Mr. Jack
Weekly Activities
- Flower pot painting
- Making smoothies
Swimming Trip | Goodman Pool | Tuesday, August 8 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggles, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | Goodman Youth Farm | Thursday, August 10 | Depart camp at 1 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Tennis shoes/sandals with strap, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day.
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days.
Welcome to Camp!
A note from the director | I’m struggling to comprehend that I’m already writing the last weekly update for the summer, but here we are! Our campers had a fantastic time this week, painting flower pots, exploring nature, and our trip to the Goodman Youth Farm!
For our last week, our theme is Best of the Best! In our limited time at program space (we do have 4 field trips next week!) we will be rehashing and remixing our favorite projects of the summer. If your campers have any ideas please let us know as soon as possible so we can try to fit everything in!
We also ask parents to please send your campers with a disposable lunch on Monday, August 14 as well as Thursday, August 17, as both of those days we will be on off-site field trips most of the day!
As a reminder, camp ends at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 18
Thank you all for the excellent summer and we hope you have an amazing rest of the year!
-Mr. Jack, Ms. Diamond, Mr. Michael, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Mya, and Mr. Alex
Weekly Activities
- Camper-chosen projects from previous weeks
Field Trip | Discovery World | Monday, August 14 | Depart camp at 9:30 a.m. & return at 4:30 p.m.
- What to Bring | Walking shoes, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
- Please send a bag/disposable lunch.
Swimming Trip | Sun Prairie Aquatic Center | Tuesday, August 15 | Depart camp at 12:30 & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Swimsuit, orange camp t-shirt, towel, swim shoes, goggles, small backpack
- No swim floaties or life jackets are allowed at the pool.
Field Trip | All Camp Extravaganza, Lakeview Park | Thursday, August 17 | Depart camp at 10 a.m. & return at 4 p.m.
- What to Bring | Walking shoes, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
- Please send a bag/disposable lunch.
Field Trip | Monona Dream Park, Winnequa Park | Friday, August 18 | Depart camp at 12 & return at 3:30 p.m.
- What to Bring | Walking shoes, orange camp t-shirt, water bottle, small backpack
Reminders
- Please send a nut-free lunch with your camper each day.
- If you child has medications at camp, they must be dropped off on their first day of attendance.
- Please send your child with their orange camp t-shirt on both swim and field trip days.
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