Thank you for choosing Wisconsin Youth Company’s Middle School U (MSU) program!
Camp Open House:
- June 13, 12-1 p.m. at Badger Ridge Middle
- Meet staff, see the camp space, drop off meds
Please note: Families are varied and the use of the word Parent(s) refers to the adult(s) who are responsible for the student.
Please carefully review all tabs on this webpage prior to your student’s first day of MSU.
Middle School U Verona | Badger Ridge Middle | 300 Richard St., Verona
Middle School U Madison | Shorewood Hills Elementary | 1105 Shorewood Blvd., Madison
MSU Cell Phone | 608-577-2566
MSU Hours | Monday-Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Drop-off takes place between 8-9 a.m.
- Pick-up takes place between 4-5 p.m.
- Morning courses run from 9 a.m.-noon
- Afternoon courses run from 1-4 p.m.
- All-day courses run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Please note, MSU is closed July 4
Meet the Staff
- Director | Chris
- Lead Youth Leader | Celeste
- Instructors | Josh, Nicole, Erica
- Adventure Trip Leaders | Abby
- Youth Leader | Blue
- Summer Enrichment Manager | Rita
All staff have education and/or experience related to working with youth. They receive training prior to the start of the camp season and are certified in first aid and CPR.
Where to Park
- MSU Madison | Limited parking is available in front of Shorewood Hills Elementary. Additional parking is available along Shorewood Blvd. Please use Door 6 next to the small parking lot in the back.
- MSU Verona | Parking is available in the main school parking lot. Enter through Door #2 on the side of the building. When facing the main entrance, Door #2 is approximately 100 feet to the right.
Arrival Procedure | MSU students are authorized to arrive to program independently. After entering the school building, an MSU staff will direct your student to the main MSU program area, where your student can sign themselves in to program. Each course will have a designated space as well, and course instructors will take their groups to those areas when courses begin. You may join your student in the sign-in process, however it is not required.
Medications, Sunscreen, and Insect Repellent | If your student 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. Siblings must have their own individual sunscreen or insect repellent, if providing their own. Wisconsin Youth Company does provide sunscreen and insect repellent. Students are not required to bring their own.
What to Bring
Please only send your student with following items. All items should be labeled with your student’s first and last name:
- Sack lunch (nut-free) that does not need to be refrigerated or microwaved (if your student is enrolled in an all-day course)
- 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
Picking Up Your Student
When to Pick-up | Students should be picked up during the designated pick-up timeframe following their course. Students only attending MSU for morning courses may stay for the lunch period (noon-1 p.m.), but must be picked up or depart by 1 p.m. when afternoon courses begin. If you need to pick up your student during a course time, please coordinate that directly with the MSU director in advance.
Departure Procedure | MSU students are authorized to depart independently when their courses conclude for the day. Students should gather their belongings and sign themselves out of program prior to departure. Many parents ask their students wait to depart until they have arrived to pick them up, and staff can release students via a phone call or text message, if you prefer. If this is your preference, please communicate directly with your student. Parents are also welcome to enter program space to pick up their students. Students should still sign themselves out of program, even if Parents are coming into program to pick them up at the end of their day.
Absences
Please call or text the 24-hour attendance message line, 608-276-9898, if your student will be absent. Please reach out before 8:30 a.m. if the message pertains to that day.
Course Groups
Each student will be in their chosen course group for the week long course. Each group will have a designated classroom space for use during the day. Courses will have no more than 16 students.
- Groups will change with each session throughout the summer.
- Each course group will have their own set of materials that will be cleaned and sanitized when used frequently.
- Each student will have a designated space within the program to store their belongings. Students should only bring essential items for the day.
Snack & Lunch
It’s important students start each day with a good breakfast prior to MSU, 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 students have life-threatening allergies (like a peanut or tree nut allergy). For this reason, Wisconsin Youth Company requests that students bring a nut-free lunch. All snacks served at MSU are nut-free.
- Students will have a lunch period from noon-1 p.m. to eat lunch and relax between course times. Students will not be allowed to leave and return during this time. Students enrolled in a single morning or afternoon course can attend the lunch period.
- All students must wash hands with soap and water before and after eating.
Off-Site Courses & Activities
Some MSU courses will take place at off-site locations this summer, and others will contain an off-site component on one or more days. Please refer to the course description for details on off-site locations or talk with the MSU director for off-site course days.
- If your student is enrolled in an off-site course, please ensure they arrive to MSU 10 minutes prior to the course start time to help with a speedy departure to the course destination.
Spending Time Outdoors
Instructors will be encouraged to take their courses outdoors as much as possible. Students will have water, sunscreen, and shade available to them while outdoors. Please send your child dressed for the outdoors, every day.
Parent Contact Information
It is important that Parents can easily be reached throughout the 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 student be picked up for illness or other reasons, we ask that you do so immediately. If you are unable to pick up your student 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 to info@wisconsinyouthcompany.com is sufficient. Your account password is required to make changes.
Summer Payment Information
The summer payment calendar can be found in this document.
Snack Information
Snack information can be found in this document.
Additional Program Information
Additional program-related information can be found in the program handbook.
Contact Wisconsin Youth Company
Summer Enrichment Manager
rchelmo@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 (call or text): 608-276-9898
Email: info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org
Use the above address, fax, email, and phone number for payments, registration and billing inquiries, and other general information. You may also access your account online through the Parent Portal.
Q: Who can drop off and pick up students?
A: Middle School U students are authorized to arrive and depart independently.
Q: What happens if my student gets sick while at MSU?
A: Middle School U has a designated space available to use in the event that a student gets sick. While in this space, they will remain supervised by staff. Staff will call for immediate pick-up. Please ensure that your student is picked up as soon as possible.
Q: Can I pick up my student from an off-site location?
A: Pick-up from an off-site location is an option when needed by families, although is not preferred. Please coordinate specific details with the Middle School U director. Please note off-site pickup is not always an option. Trips are pre-determined and will not be altered to accommodate pick up or drop off for students.
Q: Do I need to provide sunscreen and insect repellent for my student?
A: Wisconsin Youth Company provides sunscreen and insect repellent for all students attending summer programs. Wisconsin Youth Company uses Coral Isles brand 30 SPF lotion sunscreen and Cutter DEET-free insect repellent. Families may provide their own sunscreen and/or insect repellent.
Q: How do I update my child’s swim level?
A: You can update this information through DocuSign or by emailing info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org prior to the start of the camp week.
Welcome to Middle School U!
Dear Middle School U families and students,
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to an exciting week of hands-on learning, creativity, and summer fun! At Middle School U, students get to explore unique interests, develop new skills, and make great memories with new friends. This week is packed with enriching courses and awesome activities. We can’t wait to get started!
We’re excited to introduce Chris, our new Middle School U director! Chris brings more than 20 years of experience working with kids of all ages and has traveled around the world leading educational and adventure-based programs. His passion for helping young people grow through exploration and creativity makes him a perfect fit for MSU. We’d love for you to stop in and say hello! Chris is eager to get to know all our wonderful families!
If you have any questions during the week, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help!
Let’s make it a summer to remember!
Warmly,
Middle School U team
Parent Reminders:
- MSU is located at Badger Ridge Middle School-
- Drop off at Door #1 (from North Main Street, take West Harriet to Westlawn Ave)
- If your child is absent, please email info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org or call our attendance line at 608-276-9898
- To reach MSU directly, call or text 608-577-2566
Daily Structure & Student Check-In:
Students will sign themselves in and out each day, helping to foster independence and responsibility. In addition to their scheduled courses, students will enjoy:
- Program opens at 8 a.m. with an hour of free time before classes in our relaxed Commons Area, where they can unwind, socialize, and participate in a variety of games, art activities, and creative outlets
- Morning courses are 9 a.m.-12 p.m. with a short snack break
- A midday lunch break in the same space — perfect for recharging and connecting with friends
- Afternoon courses are 1-4 p.m. with a short snack break
- Program ends at 5 p.m. Students can hang out in the commons from 4-5 p.m. if they choose.
General Reminders:
- A labeled water bottle to stay hydrated
- Appropriate clothing for hot weather and active outdoor play
- A nut-free lunch that does not require refrigeration.
- Closed-toe shoes — no flip-flops, please, for safety reasons
- Students are allowed to bring phones, but we encourage limiting screen time to about 20 minutes per day. We want everyone to be present, social, and fully engaged in all the awesome experiences we have planned!
This Week’s Courses:
- Intro to RPG (all day) will immerse students in storytelling adventures filled with strategy, collaboration, and imagination
- 3D Printing (a.m.) will bring imagination to life as students design and print their own mini creations.
- Rock Climbing (a.m.) will challenge students to reach new heights — literally! They’ll learn climbing techniques, safety basics, and new skills.
- Woodcarving & Woodburning (a.m.) will spark creativity and patience as students craft beautiful designs from wood using carving tools and woodburning pens. Students will be required to wear cut proof gloves while carving.
- Escape Rooms (p.m.) will test our students’ logic and teamwork as they race the clock to solve clues and unlock puzzles then add their own creative flare to design their own escape puzzles.
- Beginner Bakers (a.m. & p.m.) will whip up sweet treats and tasty snacks while learning the basics of kitchen safety and baking science. (Yes, there will be frosting!)
- Archery (p.m.) will focus on precision, form, and focus as students learn the fundamentals of shooting safely and skillfully.
Off-Site Transportation:
- Rock Climbing students will be transported daily to the east side Boulders location
- Escape Rooms students will be transported to Escapology in Verona on Monday
Daily Brain Teasers:
We love to kickstart each day with a brain teaser — a fun tradition that gets everyone thinking, talking, and laughing together. Students have the option of trying to solve the daily puzzle for a small prize. Here’s what we’ll be puzzling over this week:
Monday:
What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years? (The letter “M”)
Fun fact: A bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun!
Tuesday:
I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I? (A keyboard)
Fun fact: Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t!
Wednesday:
Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I? (A ton)
Fun fact: Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood!
Thursday:
I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I? (An echo)
Fun fact: A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance.”
Friday:
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they? (Footsteps)
Fun fact: Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are more than 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible!
Photo Gallery
All courses are enrollment dependent. Our team will contact you with alternate course options if a course below is canceled. All final decisions on program confirmations will be made by May 22 at the latest. Please contact the administrative office with any questions: info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org.
Confirmed
June 16-20
- A.M.- Rock Climbing
- A.M.- Beginner Bakers
- A.M.- 3D Printing
- A.M.-Woodcarving & Woodburning
- P.M. Escape Rooms
- P.M. Archery
- P.M.- Beginner Bakers
June 23-27
- All Day- Roll with It
- All Day- Cooking Basics
- A.M.- Fishing
- All Day- Amigurumi
- P.M.- Archery
- P.M.- Dungeon Master Training
June 30-July 3
- A.M.- Chess
- A.M.- Cookies & Crafts
- P.M.- Board & Card Games
- P.M. Fishing
- P.M. Books & Brownies
July 7-11
- All Day- Pottery & Ceramics
- All Day- LARPing
- All Day- Chef’s Budget Challenge
July 14-18
- All Day- DnD One Shot Adventures
- A.M.- Rock Climbing
- A.M.- Dyeing Arts & Ink Printing
- P.M.- Outdoor Games
- P.M.- Escape Rooms
- P.M.- Watercolor Painting
July 21-25
- A.M.- Sewing Basics
- All Day- DnD Full Campaign
- All day- Bus Stops Here
- P.M.- Sewing Your Own Way
July 28-August 1
- All Day- Water Wanderers
- A.M.- Fishing
- A.M.- Sculpture Arts
- P.M.- Costume Design
- P.M.- Stop Motion Video
August 4-8
- All Day- Bus Stops Here
- A.M.- Dodgeball & Gym Games
- A.M.- Sticker Making
- A.M.- Intro to Archeology
- P.M.- Dungeon Master Training
- P.M.- Soaps, Lotions & More
- P.M.- Improv Games
August 11-15
- All Day- Harnmaster
- A.M.- Rock Climbing
- A.M.- Jewelry Making
- P.M.- Escape Rooms
- P.M.- Paper Crafts
