Registration begins on March 5th for members! Non-member registration begins on March 19th.

NEW THIS YEAR! Full Week Packages
To register for a full week package, choose the "package option" on the registration form.  This option includes AM camp, lunch bunch & PM camp from Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. (See Extended day options below)

Partial week options available:
M-R (4 full days or 4 mornings or 4 afternoons only);
F (1 full day or 1 morning or 1 afternoon only). 
To register for partial week options, select the individual camps on the registration form that your child will attend. 

Camp times for all camps (ages 4 and up) Monday-Friday:
9:00am-12:00pm AM Camp
12:00-1:00pm Lunch Bunch
1:00-4:00pm PM Camp
*extended day options are available from 8:30am-4:30pm
 
 

OR DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORMS FOR:
* Full-week summer camps, Wonder Bugs & overnights
* Partial-week summer camps

Camp Listings:

2-3 Year Old Camps
4-6 Year Old Camps
7-10 Year Old Camps
Overnight Camps Ages 8+
11-12 Year Old Camps

Summer Wonder Bugs Programs Ages 2-3   
All children ages 3 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult or parent pal. These camps are designed to provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to interact with children in a natural setting. Wonder Bugs Preschool Camps are offered on alternating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30am-10:45am and include a snack.

0. THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER
June 1 (T) 9:30-10:45am
Is your spidey-sense ready for action? Come get caught in a web of fascinating facts about spiders while playing, exploring and making spidery crafts.

00. COCOON IN JUNE
June 9 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Cocoons are the topic of choice today. We’ll learn about caterpillars and butterflies while we play. Games and crafts, stories and songs. We’ll search outside too; won’t you come along?

1. WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
June 15 (T) 9:30-10:45am
We might get a little wet as we discover all the fun things we can do with water! We’ll also go on an adventure to see how animals and plants use water, too.

2. FUN IN THE SUN
June 23 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Search for summer from the wetlands to the prairie to the forest. Sing songs and play games all with a sunshine twist.

3. ONE FISH, TWO FISH
June 29 (T) 9:30-10:45am
Something fishy is going on! We’ll dive deep into the lives of fish while we explore the pond and marsh.

4. WHERE'S ALDO?
July 7 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Aldo Leopold is waiting for you to come find him! Play hide-and-seek and other games to discover what fascinated Aldo Leopold about nature.

5. TUNE IN TO NATURE
July 13 (T) 9:30-10:45am
Sounds abound in nature so get ready to hear the “symphony” with your ears. Plus, warm up your singing voice and practice your musical talents for a terrific tune-full experience.

6. INSPECTING INSECTS
July 21 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Grab your magnifying glass; put on your inspector cap- you’re going to see insects before your nap!
Catch them with a net; put them in a jar. Find out why they’re cool near and far.

7. TOTALLY TURTLES & TORTOISES
July 27 (T) 9:30-10:45am
Turtles aren’t slow- they are fast-inating! We’ll learn all about these creatures through stories and songs. Discover what it means to be a turtle in a (nut) shell.

8. FURRY FRIENDS
August 4 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear or pretty much any animal with furry hair. Come learn about our furry friends while we explore, play games and sing songs. It’s fur real!

9. RATTLE, RATTLE LITTLE SEED
August 10 (T) 9:30-10:45am
What are seeds? How do they get around? Where can you find seeds? Find out the answers to these questions and more! Come discover some seeds of knowledge through exploration and crafts.

10. WHAT'S THE BUZZ ABOUT?
August 18 (W) 9:30-10:45am
Bees! We’ll buzz around the prairie and learn about bees. We’ll dance to find the flowers and taste some honey.

11. FROGS & POLLIWOGS
August 24 (T) 9:30-10:45am
Frogs are hopping. Frogs are fun. Frogs are pollywogs when they are young. This and more are hopping your way. Come and learn about frogs today!

Ages 4-6
1A. HATCHLINGS & SPROUTS
June 14-17   M-R    9am-12pm
Explore from beginning to end the hatching and sprouting of eggs and seeds. We’ll visit the woods, fields and wet places to find and observe living plant newborns. We’ll teach you to become a nest helper for parent birds and learn how they care for their very hungry babies. Discover what it’s like to be a small animal in a big world!

1B. HAPPY CAMPERS
June 14-17    M-R    1-4pm
Learn all about being a happy camper! Go on a hike to explore nature as we learn to set up camp each day. We’ll play some fun camp games, make a no-cook snack, practice setting up a tent and being comfortable in the out of doors while trekking past the pond and through the prairie. We’ll even take a solar shower so bring your suit!

1E. LITTLE LUNKERS
June 18    F    9am-12pm
This camp is “reel”-y fun! Fishing is an easy and fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Learn all about fish families, practice casting, learn to stock a tackle box, and head out for “catch and release” fishing in the pond.

1F. SILLY SALAMANDERS
June 18    F     1-4pm
Grab your galoshes and join us for a salamander hunt! Discover which of these amazing amphibians live on land and which live in water, and what they need to survive.

2A. FEATHERS & FUR (Bilingual)
June 21-24    M-R    9am-12pm
Meet those wonderfully feathered and furry creatures that call the woods, pond and prairie home! We’ll visit each habitat to learn about all the animals of nature! English and Spanish speakers welcome.

2B. SPLISH SPLASH
June 21-24    M-R    1-4pm
Investigate the world of water! Explore the nature center's water bodies to learn what lives in them and around them. We’ll also learn about the water cycle, wetlands and play water games. Be prepared to get wet!

2E. DINOSAURS ALIVE!
June 25    F     9am-12pm
Find dinosaur “footprints” at ALNC! We’ll learn about some fantastic species and meet the living ancestors of these extinct species today.

2F. HOP TO IT!
June 25    F     1-4pm
Come and explore what it’s really like to be a frog. We’ll visit where they live and learn about what they eat and who their neighbors are!

3A. CAMOUFLAGE CRAZE
June 28-July 1    M-R    9am-12pm
Have you ever played hide and seek with animals? This game is fun for us, but for animals it’s a matter of survival! Learn all about the crazy costumes insects and animals of all kinds wear to disguise themselves! Join us for a camouflage adventure!

3B. EXPLORE LIKE DORA (Bilingual)
June 28-July 1    M-R    1-4pm
Can you help Dora prevent Swiper from swiping? Go on a quest in this bilingual camp to gather important objects needed to explore the prairie, pond and forest! English and Spanish speakers welcome.

3E. TADPOLE TROOPERS
July 2    F     9am-12pm
Discover life in, on and around the pond and marsh! While looking for tadpoles, frogs, turtles and bugs, you might (if you're lucky) observe muskrats and herons, too!

3F. FORT FIESTA
July 2    F     1-4pm
Animals (including humans) live in many different kinds of homes. We will learn about, explore or build mini igloos, survival shelters, reed huts, groundhog burrows, beaver dams, anthills and other kinds of animal homes.

4A. DIGGIN' IN THE DIRT
July 5-8    M-R    9am-12pm
It's time to get DIRTY! Join us to dig deep and explore what animals are creeping around underground and investigate what is in soil that helps plants and trees grow. Prepare to get messy while we make mud pies and soil soup along with many other fun art creations to bring home.

4B. NATURE DETECTIVES
July 5-8    M-R    1-4pm
Can you help find the clues to the mysteries of the forest? Secret sounds, sights and smells can tell you a lot about what happens in nature. Each day use your detective skills to search for new clues to find the answer to one of nature’s mysteries.

4E. WILD WILD SUNFLOWER CHILD
July 9    F     9am-12pm
Feel the sun, smell the flowers and head outside to play and observe life around you. Enjoy the summer day in wonder of the many simple pleasures nature provides. Make leaf and flower crowns, play hide and seek in the prairie, and plant a seed to bring home and care for.

4F. SPLISH SPLASH
July 9    F     1-4pm
Water is our planet’s most precious natural resource and not just because it’s great fun to play in! Learn all about the water cycle with games, songs and a water carnival. Be prepared to get wet!

5A. LET'S ROCK 'N ROLL
July 12-15    M-R    9am-12pm
Rocks and minerals are all around us! We’ll become amateur geologists and learn how rocks are created and about some of the prehistoric creatures that roamed the earth. You’ll also get creative and make your own crystal and a special bag for your rock collection.

5B. THE POND AND BEYOND
July 12-15    M-R    1-4pm
Peek into our pond and discover many different creatures as we explore their watery, mucky world. Learn about the turtles, bugs, frogs and fish that call our pond home.

5E. FEATHERED FRIENDS (Bilingual)
July 16    F     9am-12pm
Meet our wonderfully feathered friends that call the wood, pond and prairie home! We’ll use binoculars to get a closer look, create a project to help birds in your own backyard, do a crane dance and more!

5F. ‘ANT-ICS'
July 16    F     1-4pm
Kneel down and take a close look at the busy ant hills throughout our prairie! Count their body parts and find the thorax. Build a big ant to take home and put one together to eat.


6A. THINGS WITH WINGS
July 19-22    M-R    9am-12pm
From butterflies to birds, flying animals come in all sizes, shapes and colors. We will hike to the pond, prairie, marsh and woodlands to observe many wonderful things with wings!

6B. LET'S PRETEND!
July 19-22    M-R    1-4pm
Use your imagination to travel through time and space to discover different creatures and cultures. Each day we’ll transform ourselves into everything from pioneers to prairie animals using costumes, props and the great outdoors with the power of imaginative thinking and dress up.

6E. WORM SQUIRM
July 23    F     9am-12pm
Join us in the squiggly world of these fascinating creatures. Explore the “worm tunnel”, learn to worm grunt, and get creative while making “worm tracks” and eating a squiggly snack.

6F. ART IN THE OUTDOORS
July 23    F     1-4pm
Join us to create beautiful art using nature as our inspiration. Have a rainbow of fun! We’ll adventure outdoors each day to gather clay, twigs, flowers and rocks to create beautiful art from nature.

7A. BOUNCING BUGS
July 26-29    M-R    9am-12pm
Ant in an anthill, busy as a bee, butterflies in the meadow –so many bugs to see! We’ll journey through the prairie, pond and forest in search of these wonderful bugs. Using insect nets, bug jars and magnifying lenses, we’ll get an up close look at many of these six-legged wonders.

7B. LITTLE SHACK IN THE LITTLE WOODS
July 26-29    M-R    1-4pm
We’ll share with you the world Laura Ingalls and her family may have experienced as they made a life in the woods. Experience life as if you lived in the 1800’s - garden, help make dairy goods, cook with honey and learn about the bees, trees and animals that roamed the woods of pioneer Wisconsin!

7E. TOTALLY TURTLES
July 30    F     9am-12pm
Turtles aren’t slow, they’re fast-inating! We’ll learn all about these creatures and their kin and head out on search for turtles at the pond.

7F. LITTLE GARDENERS
July 30    F    1-4pm
Get out your garden gloves and your watering cans—it is time to start planting! Discover the life of a seed and how plants grow by starting your very own mini garden to take home. There will be plenty of digging in the dirt so make sure to wear your gardening clothes!

8A. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!
August 2-5    M-R    9am-12pm
Let the wild rumpus begin! Put on your costume and crown and climb aboard to “set sail” to the land where the wild things are! Hike to our island, build a fort, and encounter “wild things” of all shapes and sizes in this adventurous camp.

8B. MAGIC IN NATURE
August 2-5    M-R    1-4pm
Come visit a world that Harry Potter would love! Take a hike outdoors with our naturalists and learn some of the secrets behind nature’s tricks. Watch as Mother Nature makes her creatures appear and disappear through clever camouflage and beautiful colors.

8E. FURRY FRIENDS (Bilingual)
August 6    F     9am-12pm
Chatter like a squirrel, trot like a fox, hop like a hare and run like a deer in pursuit of all things furry, fuzzy and fantastic! Visit the pond, prairie and forest to learn all about these creatures! English and Spanish speakers welcome.

8F. SNAILS, SLUGS, & REALLY COOL BUGS
August 6    F     1-4pm
Explore the wonderful world right under our feet! See what slimes, slithers and scoots through the soil and discover how important the underground world is to all of us above ground.

9A. CRAFTY WITH NATURE
August 9-12    M-R    9am-12pm
Red, yellow, orange, green, blue, white and brown—nature’s colors are all around! We’ll create beautiful crafts using things we find in nature on our daily adventures. Please bring white t-shirt.

9B. GREEN THUMBS
August 9-12    M-R    1-4pm
Grab a hand shovel and dig in! This camp is all about growing! We’ll work on planting and weeding, make a homemade chia pet, a mini green houses, try celery experiments to learn how plants drink water, eat a snack straight from the garden, run through the sprinkler, dig in the dirt, and learn about worms.

9E. GET "IN TOUCH" WITH NATURE
August 13    F     9am-12pm
Discover the feel of everything around you by using all your senses! We’ll use blindfolds to “meet a tree”, make a special recipe to create goo and slime and let our fingers experience magic mud!

9F. GO LIKE DIEGO! (Bilingual)
August 13      F     1-4pm
Can you help Diego explore the habitats of ALNC? Join Click and the Rescuepack to help the wildlife in the woods, pond and prairie! English and Spanish speakers welcome.

10A. COME TO YOUR SENSES!
August 16-19    M-R    9am-12pm
Put your five senses to the test and see how you compare to other animals in nature. You can practice seeing like an eagle, feeling like a snake, tasting like a rabbit, smelling like a mole, and hearing like a bat. We’ll also enjoy making a variety of sensory art to take home.

10B. CREEP, CRAWL, WIGGLE, & SQUIRM
August 16-19    M-R    1-4pm
Can you wiggle like a worm? Can you squiggle? Can you squirm? From worms and roly poly bugs to snakes and spiders, we’ll meet and learn about all the friendly wigglers and crawlers of ALNC!

10E. DRAGONFLY TALES
August 20    F     9am-12pm
Come meet the dragons of ALNC! They don’t breathe fire, but these special dragons do fly! Take an outdoor adventure and listen to tales about dragonflies and their flying friends. Your adventures will take you on fun excursions so you can create your own tales about these magical creatures.

10F. MY BIG BACKYARD
August 20    F     1-4pm
An adventure begins when you walk out the door! Spend time looking for animal signs, searching for insects, watching for birds and peeking at plants. Using tools for budding naturalists we'll explore natural areas of ALNC, following our curiosity and adventurous spirit!

11A. TALLGRASS TALES
August 23-26    M-R    9am-12pm
Let the tall grass tickle your nose as you look at the wonders of this place. Hear many tales of the tallgrass prairie, search for groundhogs, bluebirds, snakes and flowers. We’ll even write and illustrate our own “tallgrass tale” to remember our camp adventures.

11B. ADVENTURES WITH FRANKLIN THE TURTLE
August 23-26    M-R    1-4pm
Be ready to get your feet wet and hands dirty as we explore the land in search of Franklin and all of his friends - other turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. Come learn how and why these crazy critters can change their appearances.

11E. SLIPPERY SLITHERY CREATURES
August 27    F     9am-12pm
Though they don’t have hair, they still shouldn’t scare! You’ll see why when you join our naturalists for a day of exploring and fun. We’ll slither up to that long-tongued snake and hop up to that bug-munching frog to say “Hi!”

11F. NATURE'S SURPRISE!
August 27    F     1-4pm
Discover all that nature has to offer one last time this summer! We’ll visit all the best spots and trample the trails before school begins. Hide in the prairie, ponder the pond and have fun in the forest! You never know what surprises will be waiting for you around each turn of the trail.

Ages 7-10
1C. WEIRD SCIENCE!
June 14-17    M-R    9am-12pm
New and different wacky science experiments await your discovery, so grab your lab coat! We’ll have a different theme for weird and wild experiments each day! From the infamous egg drop to the Diet Coke volcano, we’ll put our chemistry and physical science skills to the test.

1D. MUCKIN' IN THE MARSH I
June 14-17    M-R     1-4pm
Put on your muckin’ shoes and follow us through the marsh in search of cattails and heron wails. Our marsh is filled with Great Blue Herons, muskrats, frogs, toads, ducks, geese and even fox—we’ll discover them all! Please wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and bring a change of clothes.

1G. WOODLAND TRADITIONS
June 18    F     9am-12pm
Life wasn’t always so easy! Discover the Native American way of life and find out how they survived long before cars and television came along. Forget the video games because you’ll have a blast playing some fun outdoor games and discovering the effigy mounds right outside your door.

1H. HOOK LINE & SINKER
June 18    F     1-4pm
This camp is “reel”-y cool! Fishing is an easy and fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Learn all about fish families, practice casting, learn to stock a tackle box, and head out for “catch and release” fishing in the pond.

2C. CRYPTOZOOLOGY
June 21-24    M-R     9am-12pm
Cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals that may or may not exist. Investigate the mysteries behind some famous members of the cryptid family: Bigfoot, Yeti, the Chupacabra, thunderbirds and more! We’ll make plaster casts of animal tracks, learn how animals are classified and attempt to trap some animals!

2D. HAPPY CAMPERS
June 21-24    M-R     1-4pm
Learn how to create a base camp, set up a tent, start a fire and cook in the outdoors! We’ll hang bear bags, assemble and use mess kits, go on a hike and learn basic knot tying. We’ll learn how to plan a camping trip according to “Leave No Trace” principles. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy a solar shower!

2G. FROGS UNDER LOGS
June 25    F     9am-12pm
Come and explore what it’s really like to be a frog. We’ll visit where they live, learn about what they eat and who their neighbors are!

2H. FOSSIL FEVER
June 25    F     1-4pm
Discover the world of ancient plants and animals through the study of paleontology. Excavate a fossil, go on a fossil hunt, and make your own fossils to take home. It’ll be fossil-riffic!

3C. OUTDOOR COOKING
June 28-July 1    M-R     9am-12pm
What do you know about the wild edible plants in the forest and prairie? Can you create a scrumptious meal using raw ingredients and aluminum foil? From Dutch oven cooking to no cook snacks, learn how to make many tasty treats for the trail.

3D. SCIENTIFIC ADVENTURES
June 28-July 1    M-R     1-4pm
Explore various fields of science including ornithology, geology, biology and limnology. We will learn how to use tools and equipment used by real scientists, such as water quality testing equipment, soil probes and binoculars.

3G. BUILD IT!
July 2    F     9am-12pm
Animals (including humans) live in many different kinds of homes. We will learn about, explore and build mini igloos, survival shelters, reed huts, groundhog burrows, beaver dams, anthills and other kinds of animal homes.

3H. “ICKYOLOGY”
July 2    F     1-4pm
“Ickyology” – the study of icky things! We’ll dissect things like owl pellets and search for scat. Watch the process of decomposition as microorganisms, insects and worms break down plants and animals to return the nutrients they contain to the earth. It will be fascinating icky fun!

4C. CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
July 5-8     M-R    9am-12pm
You create the camp! Choose your character and decide between multiple challenges and adventures. Based upon your decisions you’ll muck through the marsh, plunder through the prairie, and have fun in the forest on many daily adventures.

4D. INVESTIGATING INSECTS
July 5-8    M-R     1-4pm
Insects are the most abundant, fascinating, and diverse life form on Earth. Explore the 8 most common orders of insects from butterflies and moths to beetles and true bugs.

4G. WATER CARNIVAL I
July 9    F     9am-12pm
Stay cool while having fun at ALNC’s Water Carnival! Teams will compete in a variety of wet and wild games and contests. Be prepared to get wet and have fun!

4H. THE EYES HAVE IT!
July 9    F     1-4pm
How do our eyes work? See a model eye up close and dissect a cow eye to learn how animals see the world. Use our specialized glasses to discover how eye placement influences hunting for predators and hiding for prey. We’ll even explore some optical illusions! Find out if “seeing is believing” in this eye-opening camp!

5C. MUCKIN' IN THE MARSH II
July 12-15    M-R     9am-12pm
Wash off your muckin’ shoes as we return to the marsh for more adventures. We’ll learn how to identify animals by their calls, use binoculars and the adventurous can even eat a cattail! Please wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and bring a change of clothes.

5D. PIONEER WAGON TRAIN
July 12-15    M-R    1-4pm
This adventurous camp will test if you could be a pioneer traveling across the prairie and living off of the land! Load up your wagons and follow the wagon master! Share some Dutch oven grub from the chuckwagon, head out with your wagon on an across the land adventure, but beware of bandits and other dangers. Wagons Ho!

5G. SKULL & CROSSBONES
July 16    F     9am-12pm
Arghhhh! Can you find the pirate’s gold hidden in the woods, wetland and prairie? Use a treasure map to find where “X” marks the spot - retrieve three medallions and return them to the treasure chest! Can you lift the pirate’s curse?

5H. BIRD BONANZA
July 16    F     1-4pm
Are you curious about birds?! We will investigate the sizes, colors, and sounds of birds in this camp. We will build birdfeeders to take home and learn how to observe the birds who use them. Binoculars, beginning bird identification books, and all other equipment will be explained and provided.

6C. WILD WISC-OVERY
July 19-22    M-R     9am-12pm
There won’t be any cows at this camp, but it will be a badger bash! Discover why Wisconsin is the badger state, learn all about the special plants, animals and trees that call Wisconsin their home and are symbols for our state. We’ll explore a different aspect each day and make a Wisconsin field guide to carry with you on all your local adventures!

6D. ARCHAEOLOGY ADVENTURES
July 19-22    M-R     1-4pm
Follow the clues to discover ancient artifacts – but don’t get caught by the booby traps! Join us to decode the mysteries behind ‘Raiders of the Lost Park,’ the ‘Temple of Bloom’ and ‘The Last Camp.’

6G. GEOCACHING I
July 23    F     9am-12pm
Join us for an outdoor adventure game, which uses a GPS to find "caches" that are hidden throughout the ALNC grounds. Learn how to use a GPS, search for hidden treasures, and observe the natural world while you wander.

6H. LEAPIN' LIZARDS
July 23    F     1-4pm
Lizards are under-appreciated and often unnoticed in Wisconsin. Meet some of our lizard neighbors and learn their secrets for survival in Wisconsin’s diverse habitats!

7C. LIVING LIKE LAURA INGALLS
July 26-29    M-R     9am-12pm
As Laura Ingalls lived and played on the banks of Plum Creek, she learned things that few children today know how to do. As a young child, she used Wisconsin’s woods, waters and prairies as her playground. Learn how you can have fun in these same places the way Laura did! You’ll also have fun with some of the chores Laura used to dislike - making drinks and food from the plants people today call “weeds.”

7D. ULTIMATE SURVIVOR
July 26-29    M-R     1-4pm
Do you have what it takes to survive in the woods? We'll learn how to make debris hut shelters, start fires, identify wild edible foods and most importantly, not get lost in the first place by learning to use a map and compass. We'll also learn to cook up an interesting survival snack for the adventurous to try!

7G. PIONEER GENERAL STORE
July 30    F     9am-12pm
From buttons to burlap, the ALNC General Store is stocked with everything a pioneer needs! In this exciting camp, we’ll complete our daily work quickly and earn play pioneer money to purchase and barter for our daily essentials in the general store!

7H. THE SAVAGE GARDEN
July 30    F     1-4pm
Learn all about the plants that bite back! Carnivorous plants, such as Venus fly traps, pitcher plants and bladderwort all capture and eat animals and digest their prey the same way you digest food. These strange and beautiful plants grow all over the world, even in Wisconsin! Learn all about the sneaky tricks these plants use to trap their food.

8C. FOREST FANTASY
August 2-5    M-R    9am-12pm
Sing with the trees and dance with the dragonflies as we explore the myths and legends of the forest. Let your imagination soar as we build fairy houses, trick the ALNC troll, search for dragon nests, play magical games, and create mystical crafts.

8D. BAT & OWL PROWL
August 2-5    M-R     1-4pm
Discover all about the creatures of the night and what makes them unique! From bats and owls to tarantulas and fireflies, we’ll discover all about these critters that come out when the sun goes down.

8G. AQUATIC ADVENTURES
August 6    F     9am-12pm
Come join us for the H2Olympics! We’ll learn about all the properties of water by conducting some very wet experiments and learn how to find out if a river or lake is healthy based on what lives in it and by chemical testing. We’ll be heading through the pond and marsh, so come prepared to get wet.

8H. GEOCACHING II
August 6    F     1-4pm
Join us again for another outdoor adventure game, which uses a GPS to find "caches" that are hidden throughout the ALNC grounds. Learn how to use a GPS, search for hidden treasures, and observe the natural world while you wander.

9C. MY SIDE OF THE DRUMLIN
August 9-12    M-R     9am-12pm
Learn some of the skills Sam Gribley uses to survive in Jean Craighead George’s well known book! Practice fire building using flint and steel, shelter building, setting snares and identifying local edible plants. Experience life on your side of the drumlin!

9D. ART IN THE OUTDOORS
August 9-12    M-R    1-4pm
Join us as we gather natural materials such as clay, rocks, twigs, and plants on our daily adventures and create artwork with our discoveries. Using nature as our inspiration, we’ll also try other forms of art, such as sculptures, watercolors, writing, journaling and illustrating.

9G. WOODLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
August 13    F     9am-12pm
Are you ready for nature’s obstacle course? Compete in Native American spear-throwing, potato sack races, water carrying and other physical challenges to see if you are a Woodland Champion!

9H. THE FUNGUS AMONG US
August 13    F     1-4pm
They grow on trees, leaves and other things, or in the grass as fairy rings! Learn all about this group of organisms and how to have fun with fungi.  In each place we explore, we’re sure to find some fungus among us!

10C. SLIME AND SCALES
August 16-19    M-R     9am-12pm
Discover the antics of some amazing amphibians and learn to love our friends without feet! Search the pond and marsh for frogs under logs or hiding along the shore. We’ll learn to identify common Wisconsin frogs by their calls, conduct our very own “frog chorus”, and delve into the world of snakes and other reptiles.

10D. AMAZING RACE
August 16-19    M-R     1-4pm
Can your team be the first to meet each challenge? Each day we’ll have different physical and mental challenges for your team to overcome. The obstacles will take you through woods, forests and wetlands! Come prepared to get dirty and have fun!

10G. WATER CARNIVAL II
August 20    F     9am-12pm
Water is our planet’s most precious natural resource and not just because it’s great fun to play in! Learn all about the water cycle with games and a water carnival. Be prepared to get wet and have fun!

10H. ATTACK OF THE BLOODSUCKERS
August 20    F     1-4pm
Leeches, mosquitoes, ticks and other parasites…there’s just something creepy about an animal that sucks your blood! Learn why bloodsuckers are important to the ecosystem, what makes them “tick” and how to stop them from sucking YOUR blood!

11C. LIVE LIKE LEOPOLD CAMP
August 23-26     M-R    9am-12pm
Live like Leopold did in the 1900’s! Hear Leopold tales in the Children’s Shack and follow animal tracks. We’ll cook in a Dutch oven, build a fire, bird watch, sketch and more! We’ll also learn about other famous pioneer role models as we catch fish with homemade fishing poles, test our skills with a cross cut saw, play traditional games, make soap and churn butter.

11D. BIRD'S THE WORD
August 23-26    M-R     1-4pm
Are you curious about birds?! We will investigate the sizes, colors, and sounds of birds in this camp. We will build birdfeeders to take home, learn how to put them up, and how to observe the birds who use them. Binoculars, beginning bird identification books, and all other equipment will be explained and provided.

11G. ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
August 27    F     9am-12pm
Experience “school” as you never have before! We’ll take a trip back in time to a one-room schoolhouse and learn what was actually taught in the 1800’s. Do the chores of pioneer students, including fetching water and wood, using quill pens and personal chalk boards.

11H. GOODNESS SNAKES ALIVE
August 27    F     1-4pm
Snakes slither and slide but they’re really not slimy. Learn to love our friends without feet by discovering where they live, what they eat and how they move without legs. You’ll also delve into the world of other reptiles and learn what makes them unique.


Ages 11-12
3L. JUNIOR NATURALISTS I
June 28-July 2    (M-F)    9am-4pm
Using hands-on activities and field experiences we’ll learn about a variety of topics a future naturalist would need to know.  Each week, campers will choose their areas of adventure from aquatic ecology and water quality to plant and animal identification. We’ll also conduct basic chemistry and physics experiments and explore other natural and cultural history topics. Come prepared to get wet and muddy and have a blast! At the end of the week, we’ll put together all our adventures and find a fun way to teach what we’ve learned to parents and younger campers at ALNC.

6L. JUNIOR NATURALISTS II
July 19-23    (M-F)    9am-4pm
Using hands-on activities and field experiences we’ll learn about a variety of topics a future naturalist would need to know.  Each week, campers will choose their areas of adventure from aquatic ecology and water quality to plant and animal identification. We’ll also conduct basic chemistry and physics experiments and explore other natural and cultural history topics. Come prepared to get wet and muddy and have a blast! At the end of the week, we’ll put together all our adventures and find a fun way to teach what we’ve learned to parents and younger campers at ALNC.

9L. JUNIOR NATURALISTS III
August 9-13    (M-F)    9am-4pm
Using hands-on activities and field experiences we’ll learn about a variety of topics a future naturalist would need to know.  Each week, campers will choose their areas of adventure from aquatic ecology and water quality to plant and animal identification. We’ll also conduct basic chemistry and physics experiments and explore other natural and cultural history topics. Come prepared to get wet and muddy and have a blast! At the end of the week, we’ll put together all our adventures and find a fun way to teach what we’ve learned to parents and younger campers at ALNC.

Overnights Ages 8+
5M. GOING BATTY! (Monona)
July 16-17       Fri/Sat       7pm-9:30am     $55
Join us for this exploration of the nighttime world - from bats to badgers, owls to oposssums, Wisconsin is full of fascinating nocturnal wildlife. We’ll go on a night hike in search of eye shine, play games to hone our senses, test out how researchers use acoustic monitoring to track bat populations and enjoy a tasty treat around the campfire. Afterwards you can weave your dreams in the Leopold Loft and wake to a light breakfast.

7M. DRIFTLESS WEEKEND OVERNIGHT (Black Earth)
July 30-August 1       Fri/Sun     7pm -10:30am    $150
Drift off in the Driftless region! Get ready for adventure and fun in this weekend overnight! From snacks and stories at the campfire to orienteering, GPS, team building challenges and survival during the day, you’ll have a blast over two nights at ALNC’s Black Earth Campus.

9M. SHOOTING STAR SLEEPOVER (Monona)
August 13-14     Fri/Sat     7pm-9:30am (Fri/Sat)  
Spend a night under the stars on one of the most “starriffic” nights of the year! The Perseid Meteor Shower, the biggest of the year, will sprinkle the sky. Naturalists will explain why this magical event happens, take you on a nighttime walk, and lead songs around a campfire. After a nighttime snack you can weave your dreams in the Leopold loft and wake to a light breakfast.