Thank you for choosing Wisconsin Youth Company’s Wander Wisconsin Adventure Trips!
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 camper’s first day of camp.
Madison Base Camp | Crestwood Elementary | 5930 Old Sauk Rd., Madison
Verona Base Camp | Verona Area International School |400 N. Main St., Verona
Camp Cell Phone | 608-445-8046
Camp Hours | Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Drop-off takes place between 8-8:30 a.m.
- Pick-up takes place between 4:30-5 p.m.
- Please note, there is no camp July 4 or 5
Meet the Staff
- Adventure Trip Leaders | Taylor & Adam
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/CPR and lifeguarding.
Where to Park
- Madison Base Camp | Limited parking is available along Old Sauk Rd. in front of Crestwood Elementary. Parking is available in the school parking lots. Enter through the main school entrance.
- Verona Base Camp | Parking is available in the large lot located outside of the VAIS. Enter through Door #1. After entering, proceed straight down the hallway where Wander Wisconsin staff will greet you.
Drop-off Procedure | After entering the school building, staff will be waiting to walk you through the sign-in process, or direct you to the correct Wander Wisconsin meeting place. If you would like your camper 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 or slides)
- Water bottle labeled with child’s first and last name
- Extra set of clothing, as needed
- Campers may bring non-electronic items from home to engage with while being transported to trip locations. Things like books, journals, art supplies, etc. will be permitted from home. Please do not send unnecessary or expensive items with your camper for use during transport.
- Campers may bring a small amount of cash if attending a trip where there will be a gift shop or opportunity to buy a snack. WYC does provide two snacks each day.
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-Friday 4:30-5 p.m. If you need to pick up your camper early, please coordinate in advance with Wander Wisconsin staff. Campers travel to trip destinations daily, sometimes two hours away from base camp. Pick-up is allowed from off-site locations, but daily plans will not be modified to accommodate early pick-ups.
Pick-up Procedure | After entering the school building, camp staff will be waiting to walk you through the sign-out process. Occasionally, Wander Wisconsin trips will return behind schedule from the day’s activities. Your understanding and patience is appreciated in these circumstances.
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 or text the 24-hour attendance message line, 608-276-9898, if your camper will be absent. Please reach out before 8:30 a.m. if the message pertains to that day.
Camper Groups
Campers will travel with other participants in the group to off-site locations daily. Group size will be consistent for each week long program, and will be a maximum of 13 campers.
- Materials and equipment will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the summer.
- 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 daily at trip locations. Snack and lunch will be eaten outdoors when it is available.
- All campers must wash hands with soap and water before and after eating. In the event that soap and water are not readily available at the trip location, hand sanitizer or soap and water wipes will be used.
Daily Trip Locations
Wander staff will do their best to adhere to the trips advertised on the Wander Wisconsin webpage. Specific daily trip information will be updated the week prior and can be found on the This Week at Wander tab. Some trip locations may need to be modified closer to the actual program date, and some trip locations are weather dependent. You will be notified of any trip location or time change prior to campers leaving on that trip. Notification will be made via email, text message, or directly by Wander staff and will be reflected on the This Week at Wander tab.
Many Wander Wisconsin trips include a swimming or water component. Please send your camper prepared for these trips with appropriate clothing. To review your camper’s swim level, or to change it, please email info@wisconsinyouthcompany.org. Campers will receive a swim shirt on their first day in program, and should wear that shirt on swimming or water days.
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.
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 through 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 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.
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
Get ready to Wander! We are so excited that summer is beginning with Wander Wisconsin. Staff have been working hard off-season to plan tons of exciting adventure trips for summer! Campers should come ready to explore and push themselves to try new things!
We are excited to get summer started next week with our Summer Kick-Off theme. As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day. Can’t wait to see you Wednesday!
Adam and Taylor
Please remember to bring a non-perishable lunch daily, unless noted otherwise in the field trip information section.
Weekly Activities
Wednesday, June 12 | Bethel New Horizons Ropes Course
- Please ensure you have signed the waiver for this trip
- Close-toed shoes are required, and long shorts or pants are recommended
Thursday, June 13 | Devil’s Lake State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Campers may swim if the temperature is high enough; please send a swimsuit and towel
Friday, June 14 | Urban Air and McKee Farms Park
- Please ensure you have signed the waiver for this trip
- Campers may use the splash pad at McKee Farms Park if the temperature is high enough; please send a swimsuit and towel
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.
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
We are excited to dive into the past during Historic Wisconsin Week. We will spend time learning about Wisconsin’s natural history, anthropological history, and the history of those who came before us!
As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day.
Weekly Activities
Monday, June 17 | Cave of the Mounds and Blue Mound State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Tuesday, June 18 | Circus World Museum
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, June 19 | Milwaukee Public Museum
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Thursday, June 20 | Old World Wisconsin
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Friday, June 21 | Aztalan State Park and Historical Museum
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
This short week is all about the natural world around us. We are excited to bring the group to some different nature center programs and the UW Geology Museum to learn more about the great outdoors!
As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day.
Weekly Activities
Monday, July 1 | Aldo Leopold Nature Center and McKee Farms Park
- Walking shoes are recommended for the morning and a swimsuit/change of clothes will be needed for the afternoon at the splash pad
Tuesday, July 2 | Retzer Nature Center
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, July 3 | UW Geology Museum & Picnic Point
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
Time to hit the trail during Hiker’s Paradise Week! We will spend the week visiting tons of great hiking spots close to Madison and see what we can find out on the trail. Make sure your child packs plenty of water and a great pair of shoes.
Weekly Activities
Monday, July 8 | Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Tuesday, July 9 | Governor Dodge State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, July 10 | Blue Mounds State Park and McKee Farms Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Change of clothes for those interested in using the splash pad
Thursday, July 11 | Parfrey’s Glen and Riverside’s Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Change of clothes for those interested in using the splash pad
Friday, Jul7 12 | Mirror Lake State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
Hello Wanderers! This week we keep it close to home as we explore the best of Madison. Campers will spend the week visiting local favorites around town. Please be sure to read the trip descriptions daily, as some of our activities require specific apparel to participate. We look forward to seeing you on Monday!
Weekly Activities
Monday, July 22 | Wisconsin State Capitol tour and UW Physics Museum
- Walking shoes are recommended
Tuesday, July 23 | Log rolling and kayaking at Wingra Boats
- Swimsuit and a change of clothes are recommended
- Closed-toed shoes are required to participate in log rolling
Wednesday, July 24 | Camp Randall Stadium Tour ad Henry Vilas Zoo
- Walking shoes are recommended
Thursday, July 25 | Urban Air and Governor Nelson State Park
- Socks are required for Urban Air
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are recommended for swimming at the state park
Friday, Jul7 26 | Madison Children’s Museum and Lake Farm Park
- Walking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are recommended for the splash pad
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
Who’s ready for a summer adventure? We will spend the week having fun indoors and outdoors with trips to different state parks, nature centers, and finally a trip to Springs Waterpark to round out the week. Most days will involve a good deal of walking/hiking so bring good shoes. Can’t wait to see you on Monday!
As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day.
Weekly Activities
Monday, July 29 | Natural Bridge State Park and Riverside Park, Sauk City
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are recommended for the splash pad
Tuesday, July 30 | Devils Lake State Park
- Swimsuit and a change of clothes are recommended
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, July 31 | Marsh Haven Nature Center
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Thursday, August 1 | Urban Ecology Center
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Friday, August 2 | Springs Water Park
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are needed for participation in the waterpark
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
Wander is back again for another week of fun in the sun! We will travel to destinations close to home and a little farther away this week so please review the daily trip outline for specifics on each day. Excited for another fun week!
As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day.
Weekly Activities
Monday, August 12 | Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Goodman Pool
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are required for Goodman Pool
Tuesday, August 13 | MacKenzie Center
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, August 14 | Henry Vilas Zoo and Governor Nelson State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes recommended if water quality allows for swimming at Governor Nelson
Thursday, August 15 | Noah’s Ark Waterpark
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are required for Noah’s Ark
- Lunch is included for campers on this day
Friday, August 16 | Blue Mounds State Park and Lakeview Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Welcome to Wander Wisconsin!
All good things must come to an end, including this adventure-packed summer of Wander Wisconsin. We will spend the week visiting lots of awesome locations and reminiscing about the summer that was. Can’t wait to see you Monday!
As a reminder, please drop off children by 8:30 a.m. to ensure we can leave with enough time to reach our destination for the day. Additionally, please review specific trip requirements to see if there are any needs for that day.
Weekly Activities
Monday, August 19 | Wizard Quest
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Tuesday, August 20 | Discovery World
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
Wednesday, August 21 | Bigfoot Ropes Course
- Closed-toed shoes are required to participate in the ropes course
Thursday, August 22 | Devil’s Lake State Park
- Walking/hiking shoes are recommended
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are recommended for swimming
Friday, August 23 | Noah’s Ark Waterpark
- Swimsuit and change of clothes are required for Noah’s Ark
- Lunch is included for campers on this day