Summer is one of the best times to discover and explore the wonders of our natural world! This summer, The Nature Place is offering over 25 different themes and 40+ sessions of Summer Day Camp. Camps are open to children of any ability from ages 3 to 12. Each nature-themed, week-long day camp offers children hands-on experiences in nature, through hikes, crafts, games, and other meaningful activities.
Join us June 5 – August 18 for summer fun!
Scroll down for scholarship information!
Sessions
Discoverers
Ages 3 – 5
12 Campers per session
June 2023
Color my World
From stripes and spots to camouflage and warning colors, campers will compare and contrast colors and patterns on plants and animals and create their own amazing art!
Imagination Station
Campers will explore the fantastic natural world of dragonflies, leopard frogs, jewelweed and more through stories, hikes, observations and crafts.
Water Week
Explore what lives in the marsh water outside the camp door, measure how much water is in a watermelon, look for sprinkler rainbows and other amazing water explorations!
Sunshine & Shadows
Campers will explore the mystery and magic of sunshine and shadows through sun prints, sun beads, shadow outlines, shadow tag, prisms and more!
Scales & Tails
Animal lovers will compare what animals have in common and how they differ. Discover which ones have scales, tails, fur, feathers and shells!
Sense-ational!
Campers will actively explore amazing natural sights, smells, touches and sounds as they really get a feel for the natural world around them!
Plantastic
Explore amazing plants that use color, taste, touch, smell and even movement to attract animals, protect themselves, save water, spread their seeds and more!
Holes & Homes
Animal homes can be big and easy to see, or tiny and hidden. Explore area animals big and small by looking for holes and homes and trying to make your own!
July 2023
Run, Hop, Slither, Soar
Through games, hikes, crafts, nature observation and more, campers will actively learn and test different ways animals get around.
From bugs to slugs
Investigate the world beyond the cute and cuddly as you look for and learn about some of the creeping, crawling, scuttling, scurrying and slime-producing critters found in the area!
Imagination Station
Campers will explore the fantastic natural world of dragonflies, leopard frogs, jewelweed and more through stories, hikes, observations and crafts.
Color my World
From stripes and spots to camouflage and warning colors, campers will compare and contrast colors and patterns on plants and animals and create their own amazing art!
Sunshine & Shadows
Campers will explore the mystery and magic of sunshine and shadows through sun prints, sun beads, shadow outlines, shadow tag, prisms and more!
Water Week
Explore what lives in the marsh water outside the camp door, measure how much water is in a watermelon, look for sprinkler rainbows and other amazing water explorations!
Sense-ational!
Campers will actively explore amazing natural sights, smells, touches and sounds as they really get a feel for the natural world around them!
Scales & Tails
Animal lovers will compare what animals have in common and how they differ. Discover which ones have scales, tails, fur, feathers and shells!
August 2023
Plantastic
Explore amazing plants that use color, taste, touch, smell and even movement to attract animals, protect themselves, save water, spread their seeds and more!
Holes & Homes
Animal homes can be big and easy to see, or tiny and hidden. Explore area animals big and small by looking for holes and homes and trying to make your own!
From bugs to slugs
Investigate the world beyond the cute and cuddly as you look for and learn about some of the creeping, crawling, scuttling, scurrying and slime-producing critters found in the area!
Run, Hop, Slither, Soar
Through games, hikes, crafts, nature observation and more, campers will actively learn and test different ways animals get around.
Explorers
Ages 6 - 8
16 Campers per session
June 2023
Ghosts, Zombies, Aliens & Cryptids
Creepy creatures from books and movies also exist as the really WILD life of WI – past, present and unknown! Examine evidence, make models, and search for the truth!
Critter Celebrations
Celebrate holiday critter connections - Halloween bats, Easter bunnies, Thanksgiving turkeys, February Groundhogs – with crafts, games & activities that will have you becoming an animal expert!
Park Picassos
Create art of all kinds using nature for inspiration and some materials! From leaf pounding prints to berry dyes, stick sculptures to plant weavings, express your nature connection in creative ways.
Dig-In!
Campers will be looking for treasures (critters, rocks, vegetables and ???) underground – and perhaps even hiding their own! Be prepared for a week of good, dirty fun as shovels and scoops get put to good use!
Camp Camp
Hands-on fun as we pitch tents and test the best place to do so, practice hammocking skills, prepare camp treats, play camp games and more! No sleeping bags needed as we will be active all week long!
Going for the Record!
Have the MOST FUN as you see – can you jump as far as a frog? Fit the group in a whale’s belly? Discover which mammal has the most teeth? Find the biggest tree and smallest flower? And much, much more!
Birds, Bats, Bugs & Beyond
Many different animals float, flutter and fly. Compare the who’s and how’s and create and test your own flying models to see how humans have used nature as inspiration for inventions.
Mythbusting Gone WILD
Can toads give you warts? Does sugar attract more flies than vinegar? Does moss only grow on the north side of trees? Bring questions and curiosity to learn and test nature based myths!
July 2023
Collecting Kids
Collect and identify leaves, fossils, seeds, stones, sticks, nuts, bones, bugs and of course, memories with non-living collections for keeps, but all living animals only kept for up to 24 hours for observation.
Wild Wisconsin Week
Wisconsin is a wild place – full of plants, animals, rocks and more! The official state icons will be the starting place for our explorations through interactive hikes, games, crafts, and more!
Critter Celebrations
Celebrate holiday critter connections - Halloween bats, Easter bunnies, Thanksgiving turkeys, February Groundhogs – with crafts, games & activities that will have you becoming an animal expert!
Ghosts, Zombies, Aliens & Cryptids
Creepy creatures from books and movies also exist as the really WILD life of WI – past, present and unknown! Examine evidence, make models, and search for the truth!
Dig-In!
Campers will be looking for treasures (critters, rocks, vegetables and ???) underground – and perhaps even hiding their own! Be prepared for a week of good, dirty fun as shovels and scoops get put to good use!
Park Picassos
Create art of all kinds using nature for inspiration and some materials! From leaf pounding prints to berry dyes, stick sculptures to plant weavings, express your nature connection in creative ways.
Going for the Record!
Have the MOST FUN as you see – can you jump as far as a frog? Fit the group in a whale’s belly? Discover which mammal has the most teeth? Find the biggest tree and smallest flower? And much, much more!
Camp Camp
Hands-on fun as we pitch tents and test the best place to do so, practice hammocking skills, prepare camp treats, play camp games and more! No sleeping bags needed as we will be active all week long!
August 2023
Mythbusting Gone WILD
Can toads give you warts? Does sugar attract more flies than vinegar? Does moss only grow on the north side of trees? Bring questions and curiosity to learn and test nature based myths!
Birds, Bats, Bugs & Beyond
Many different animals float, flutter and fly. Compare the who’s and how’s and create and test your own flying models to see how humans have used nature as inspiration for inventions.
Wild Wisconsin Week
Wisconsin is a wild place – full of plants, animals, rocks and more! The official state icons will be the starting place for our explorations through interactive hikes, games, crafts, and more!
Collecting Kids
Collect and identify leaves, fossils, seeds, stones, sticks, nuts, bones, bugs and of course, memories with non-living collections for keeps, but all living animals only kept for up to 24 hours for observation.
Adventurers
Ages 9 - 12
16 Campers per session
June 2023
Marsh Minecraft
Imagine the marsh as your future home. What items did people use in the past? What can be used today? Come create your community as you really dig into the possibilities of the marsh!
Explore More!
Get your backpacks ready – your day might include a hike up to Grandad’s Bluff, a mosey down to the Mississippi or an in-the creek walk! These are possible off-site explorations with the final Friday to be spent at Pettibone Park!
Nature CSI
Who’s cutting down marsh trees? Whose feathers are in the field? How did a groundhog get in the garden? Campers will find, identify and use skulls, scat, signs, prints and more to figure out what’s up when we’re not around!
eARTh Week
Our world is beautiful and full of art-making potential! Camper art could include natural dyes, charcoal art, fruit tattooing, sculpting, leaf printing and other opportunities to express themselves using nature as an inspiration and source of materials.
July 2023
Let’s Do It!
Campers will improve the area for people and wildlife with both temporary and permanent hands-in, hands-on activities. Possibilities include making a giant sun clock, monitoring bird nesting boxes, removing invasive species, doing a butterfly survey and others.
Survival Skills
Can you read a map, use a compass, build a survival shelter, find potable water, signal a rescue team, make a simple fishing pole, get sparks from striking flint, tie a knot? Learn these skills and more as you create and use a personal survival kit!
(You may also view these camp sessions on our full calendar.)
Registration Notes
- Camp registration closes at 5pm the Wednesday before the camp begins.
- Please have your credit card on hand as you cannot save the registration information to complete at a later time.
- Wait list: In the event a camp fills, a wait list will be established to fill cancellations.
Cost
$125 for each half day session
9 am – 12 noon, 1 pm – 4 pm
$250 for each full day session
9 am – 4 pm
Sibling Discount
10% discount for each additional child registered during a concurrent camp session.
*Discount does not apply to extended care options.
Scholarships
Available for single camp sessions.
Extended Care
Extended care sessions are available for sessions in which you are registered.
7:30 am – 9 am daily | $20/week per camper
12 pm – 1 pm Lunch care | $15/week per camper
- Meal not provided.
- Not needed for Adventurers ages 9 – 12
4 – 5 pm daily | $15/week per camper
Camp doors will open promptly at 9 am and at 1 pm. Campers not enrolled in extended care must be supervised by a parent/guardian until they are escorted into the open camp room. If campers are dropped off early or picked up late, they will be charged the extended care fee.
Camp Information
Director:
Cindy Blobaum
Email Cindy
Cindy has over 30 years of experience developing and delivering nature education and camp programs around the country. She will be training and supervising the 8 adult AmeriCorps service members who will be the primary camp counselors.
There are always a minimum two trained adult leaders with each group.
Communication:
An email will be sent to the primary address listed on the registration form the Friday before camp begins at the latest (may be sent earlier). This will include important information about the upcoming session – special days, a general schedule (subject to change as weather and camper conditions dictate), camp counselors’ names, the camper conduct contract, etc.
What to bring:
- Campers should be dressed to be outdoors (no flip flops!) in clothes that can get dirty.
- Water bottles
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Snacks for each session are the responsibility of each camper
- Adventurers (ages 9 -12) and campers registered for lunch care must bring their own lunch each day
Daily activities:
- Crafts
- Games
- Hikes
- Stories
- Activities related to the weekly theme
The majority of each day will be spent outdoors
– except in the event of extreme weather conditions.
Camper Conduct Contract:
To make sure everyone is aware of behavior expectations, every camper must have a camper and guardian signed camper conduct contract on file at the beginning of their first session.
Illness:
Campers and staff are expected to arrive at camp in a state of good health. If they are experiencing any signs of illness or require medication to remain comfortable, they should remain at home. If a camper becomes unwell during a session, they will be immediately separated from the group and supervised as a parent is contacted for pickup.
Refund protocol:
Camp fees are due at the time of registration. Full refunds are issued only when a camp session is cancelled by The Nature Place (does not meet minimum enrollment of 5 campers). If you need to cancel a camp enrollment, you will receive at 50% refund if the request is made 3 weeks prior to the start of camp. Cancellations less than 3 weeks prior to camp receive no refund.
We are excited to introduce WisCorps’ new brand for its Environmental Education Program and Myrick Park Center: The Nature Place! The Nature Place is a division of WisCorps and this rebrand reflects its larger efforts to make programs more accessible and welcoming to the community. It’s the first of many positive upcoming changes for WisCorps and its two divisions – The Nature Place and the Wisconsin Conservation Corps. We are thrilled to share this journey with you! We hope you enjoy this new and improved experience at The Nature Place and we can’t wait to see you there!