2018 Summer Camps
*The event has already taken place on this date: Fri, 08/17/2018
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
Our week-long environmental summer day camps are for kids as young as 3 to high school seniors.
At summer camp, Riveredge Kids experience the best of life outside: river walking, fort building, and bug finding, not to mention swimming, tubing, and tree climbing (with harnesses!).
In a series of nine camps that build upon skills and knowledge, Riveredge summer camps connect kids to the natural world in ways that are both meaningful and fun.
This is hands-on environmental exploration: campers ask questions about the natural world, uncover evidence at their fingertips, and draw conclusions based on personal experience.
Offered in small groups of around 10 campers, Riveredge summer camps are led by highly qualified and passionate educators—many of whom were Riveredge Kids themselves.
And what do they remember most? The opportunities for unstructured play and discovery.
Adventures await for all interests and ages- from our Trailblazers camp exploring the secrets of nature to our Guardians camp tracking down animals and their habitats.
Discounts are available for multiple children and multiple weeks, but sessions often fill very quick, so claim your child’s spot now and let the adventures begin!
Discoverers
Eyes on Nature
Age Group: Preschool (3-4 years old) with an adult
Session 1: June 25-28, 9:15-11:15 am, M-Th
Session 2: July 16-19, 9:15-11:15 am, M-Th
Session 3: July 16-19, 1:15-3:15 pm, M-Th
Fees: Member $110 Non-member $130
Experience the wonders of summertime and learn about the amazing world of insects, flowers, birds and pond life with a Riveredge Educator. Parents join in the fun with their camper as we explore diverse habitats and create projects that go along with our theme. Spend time with your child in nature and all eyes will be opened!
Pathfinders
Search for Nature’s Wonders
Age Group: Completed Kindergarten (5-6 years old)
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-12 pm, M-F
Session 2: June 18-22, 1-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $160 Non-member $180
Spend fun-filled days traversing the trails and uncovering many hidden wonders in the nooks and crannies of Riveredge. Become immersed in the natural world as you crawl the forest floor, climb the hillsides and splash in the wetlands. All this hands-on exploration will be blended with a myriad of games, crafts, stories and snacks to keep you going.
Pathfinders
Mission Exploration
Age group: Completed a full day school program (5-6 years old)
Session 1: July 9-12, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th FULL, waitlist available
Session 2: July 23-26, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th FULL, waitlist available
Fees: Member $220 Non-member $250
Explore all that Riveredge has to offer as you uncover and investigate the wonders of the animal kingdom. Each day, study a different type of animal including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Learn and explore the wild places they inhabit. The fun-filled exploration will be mixed with games, crafts, stories, and snacks to keep you going.
Trailblazers
Secrets of Nature
Age Group: Completed Grades 1 or 2
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm, M-F
Session 2: June 25-June 29, 9am-4 pm, M-F FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: July 30-Aug 3, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $250 Non-Member $280
Nature is bursting with secrets and mysteries! Journey throughout Riveredge searching for secrets and solving mysteries of the forest, field, pond, and river. Join us for a week full of fun, hands-on learning adventures that will get you into the heart of the natural world. At the core of Trailblazer Camp is Trailblazer Island—our very own special world where we explore, build forts, climb, dig and catch frogs!
Trailblazers
Nature’s Enchantment
Age Group: Completed Grades 1 or 2
Session 1: July 16-20, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Session 2: July 23-27, 9am-4 pm, M-F FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: August 6-10, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Session 4: August 13-17, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $250 Non-member $280
Let nature cast a spell on you as you discover a magical world most people miss! Legends, myths and our own imaginations will be our guides each morning as we explore forest, prairie, wetland and river habitats at Riveredge. Our afternoon home will be the ever-changing and always magical, Trailblazer Island!
Explorers
Eco-Mysteries
Age Group: Completed Grades 3 or 4
Session 1: June 25-June 29, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 2: June 25-June 29, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 3: July 9-13, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 4: July 23-27, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday) FULL, waitlist available
Session 5: July 30- Aug 3, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Fees: Member $290 Non-Member $310
Calling all mystery and adventure seekers! Become a nature detective and spend a fun-filled week unraveling the riddles animals and plants weave throughout the landscape. Venture to Pike Lake State Park to hike the tower and spend an afternoon on the water. Adventure through forests, prairies, ponds and creeks…and way, way up in trees! Under the guidance of a certified instructor, climb into a secret treetop world using ropes and special equipment. Don’t forget our overnight adventure complete with a night hike and campfire-roasted s’mores Nature’s mysteries await you!
Discovering Watery Worlds
Age Group: Completed Grades 3 or 4
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 2: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 3: July 16-20, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight) FULL, waitlist available
Session 4: August 6-10, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 5: August 13-17, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Fees: Member $280 Non-Member $300
Hey campers, come explore the Milwaukee River, Riveredge Creek, ponds, and wetlands. Unravel riddles and follow clues to discover the secrets of the many aquatic wonders that we have at Riveredge. Our mission will be to discover the living things that call these unique watery worlds their homes, and how these special places affect all living things, including us. Join us for a week of wonder and play including creeking in Riveredge Creek, floating on tubes, and kayaking at Mauthe Lake. Please note: Watery Worlds sessions do not include an overnight camp out.
Discoverers
Eyes on Nature
Age Group: Preschool (3-4 years old) with an adult
Session 1: June 25-28, 9:15-11:15 am, M-Th
Session 2: July 16-19, 9:15-11:15 am, M-Th
Session 3: July 16-19, 1:15-3:15 pm, M-Th
Fees: Member $110 Non-member $130
Experience the wonders of summertime and learn about the amazing world of insects, flowers, birds and pond life with a Riveredge Educator. Parents join in the fun with their camper as we explore diverse habitats and create projects that go along with our theme. Spend time with your child in nature and all eyes will be opened!
Search for Nature’s Wonders
Age Group: Completed Kindergarten (5-6 years old)
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-12 pm, M-F
Session 2: June 18-22, 1-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $160 Non-member $180
Spend fun-filled days traversing the trails and uncovering many hidden wonders in the nooks and crannies of Riveredge. Become immersed in the natural world as you crawl the forest floor, climb the hillsides and splash in the wetlands. All this hands-on exploration will be blended with a myriad of games, crafts, stories and snacks to keep you going.
Mission Exploration
Age group: Completed a full day school program (5-6 years old)
Session 1: July 9-12, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th FULL, waitlist available
Session 2: July 23-26, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th FULL, waitlist available
Fees: Member $220 Non-member $250
Explore all that Riveredge has to offer as you uncover and investigate the wonders of the animal kingdom. Each day, study a different type of animal including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Learn and explore the wild places they inhabit. The fun-filled exploration will be mixed with games, crafts, stories, and snacks to keep you going.
Secrets of Nature
Age Group: Completed Grades 1 or 2
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm, M-F
Session 2: June 25-June 29, 9am-4 pm, M-F FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: July 30-Aug 3, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $250 Non-Member $280
Nature is bursting with secrets and mysteries! Journey throughout Riveredge searching for secrets and solving mysteries of the forest, field, pond, and river. Join us for a week full of fun, hands-on learning adventures that will get you into the heart of the natural world. At the core of Trailblazer Camp is Trailblazer Island—our very own special world where we explore, build forts, climb, dig and catch frogs!
Nature’s Enchantment
Age Group: Completed Grades 1 or 2
Session 1: July 16-20, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Session 2: July 23-27, 9am-4 pm, M-F FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: August 6-10, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Session 4: August 13-17, 9am-4 pm, M-F
Fees: Member $250 Non-member $280
Let nature cast a spell on you as you discover a magical world most people miss! Legends, myths and our own imaginations will be our guides each morning as we explore forest, prairie, wetland and river habitats at Riveredge. Our afternoon home will be the ever-changing and always magical, Trailblazer Island!
Explorers
Eco-Mysteries
Age Group: Completed Grades 3 or 4
Session 1: June 25-June 29, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 2: June 25-June 29, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 3: July 9-13, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Session 4: July 23-27, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday) FULL, waitlist available
Session 5: July 30- Aug 3, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Fees: Member $290 Non-Member $310
Calling all mystery and adventure seekers! Become a nature detective and spend a fun-filled week unraveling the riddles animals and plants weave throughout the landscape. Venture to Pike Lake State Park to hike the tower and spend an afternoon on the water. Adventure through forests, prairies, ponds and creeks…and way, way up in trees! Under the guidance of a certified instructor, climb into a secret treetop world using ropes and special equipment. Don’t forget our overnight adventure complete with a night hike and campfire-roasted s’mores Nature’s mysteries await you!
Discovering Watery Worlds
Age Group: Completed Grades 3 or 4
Session 1: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 2: June 18-22, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 3: July 16-20, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight) FULL, waitlist available
Session 4: August 6-10, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Session 5: August 13-17, 9 am-4 pm M-F (no overnight)
Fees: Member $280 Non-Member $300
Hey campers, come explore the Milwaukee River, Riveredge Creek, ponds, and wetlands. Unravel riddles and follow clues to discover the secrets of the many aquatic wonders that we have at Riveredge. Our mission will be to discover the living things that call these unique watery worlds their homes, and how these special places affect all living things, including us. Join us for a week of wonder and play including creeking in Riveredge Creek, floating on tubes, and kayaking at Mauthe Lake. Please note: Watery Worlds sessions do not include an overnight camp out.
Animal Tracking
Age Group: Completed Grades 5 or 6
Session 1: July 16-20, 9 am-4 pm, M-F (no overnight) FULL, waitlist available
Session 2: Aug 6-10, 9 am-4 pm, M-F (no overnight) FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: Aug 13-17, 9 am-4 pm, M-F (no overnight)
Fees: Member $280 Non-member $300
From aquatic insects to Wisconsin Mammals, we’ll spend the week stalking animals of various habitats! Extra stealth and attentiveness will be needed as we follow animal signs leading us throughout the sanctuary. We’ll visit hidden lookouts, set trail cams and lure animals to our hiding spots. We’ll venture to Mauthe Lake for a paddling experience field trip and float the Milwaukee River in search of crayfish and adventure! Please note: Animal Tracking sessions do not include an overnight camp out.
Earth Skills
Age Group: Completed Grades 5 or 6
New Session: July 9-13, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9 am dismissal Friday)
Session 1: July 9-13, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9 am dismissal Friday) FULL, waitlist available
Session 2: July 23-27, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9 am dismissal Friday) FULL, waitlist available
Session 3: July 30-Aug 3, 9 am-4 pm, M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9 am dismissal Friday) FULL, waitlist available
Fees: Member $290 Non-member $310
Foods, Fibers, and Finding your way! Harvest and prepare wild edible edibles, improve your cartography (map making) abilities and find a hidden treasure. Utilize primitive pigments in artistic creations, float on tubes, and practice your Leave No Trace skills at the sanctuary. Venture to Pike Lake State Park to hike the tower and spend an afternoon on the water. Connect with the forest as you climb into the treetops using ropes and special equipment under the supervision of trained tree climbing facilitators.
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots
Age Group: 6-8 year olds
July 30- Aug 3, 9am-4pm, M-F
Fees: Member $270 Non-member $300
The Riveredge Children’s Garden is a magical place full of mysteries to explore, plants and animals to meet and delicious sights, smells and tastes. Be ready for adventure as we journey through forests, prairies, ponds and rivers to discover how they are similar to our garden. This fun-filled week includes swimming, fishing, digging, catching frogs, feeding chickens at the Woodland Harvest permaculture site and much more.
Green Thumbs and Dirty Knees
Age Group: 8-10 year olds
August 6-10, 9am-4pm, M-F
Fees: Member $280 Non-member $300
Come and explore the bounty of the Riveredge Children’s Garden as we unravel the secrets of plants, the glory of pollinators and the joy of simply digging in the soil. Discover how the garden is like other ecosystems as we journey through forests, prairies, ponds and rivers in search of adventure and fun. Our week will also include river tubing, swimming, fishing, a harvest quest and other surprises along the way. We’ll top our week off with a field trip to a local organic farm.
Life on the Farm
Age Group: 10-12 year olds
August 13-17, 9am-4pm, M-F
Fees: Member $280 Non-member $300
Have you got what it takes to experience life on the farm? Riveredge’s Woodland Harvest permaculture site is a great place for new or experienced farm kids to deepen their relationship with food. Campers will explore how natural systems support both humans and wildlife by visiting a variety of habitats. Throughout the week, we will get our hands dirty as we gain a new appreciation of where our food comes from by harvesting, planting, and preparing vegetables for the whole family to enjoy. Our week will culminate with a field trip to Port Fish Aquaponics.
Outdoor Adventures
Age Group: Completed grades 7-9
June 18- June 22, 9am-4pm M-Th (Overnight Thursday – 9am dismissal Friday)
Fee: Members $290 Non-members $310
During this leadership focused week, we’ll look inwards and outwards as we learn the skills necessary to be a successful camp counselor, and challenge ourselves in a variety of exciting outdoor pursuits. During the week we’ll hike, build seaworthy rafts, and paddle Sheboygan Marsh. We will try out our leadership skills with younger campers and build a lasting legacy with land stewardship. When the sun sets, we’ll explore the trails in search of wildlife and glimmering stars on our overnight campout. Come prepared to make new friends and experience new challenges- Riveredge style, of course!
Mirror Lake Outpost Adventures
Age Group: Completed grades 7-9
July 9-13, 9am-4pm M-F(overnight Thursday at Mirror Lake)
Fee: Members $350 Non-members $380
During this leadership focused week, we’ll look inwards and outwards as we learn the skills necessary to be a successful camp counselor, and challenge ourselves in a variety of exciting outdoor pursuits. We will try out our leadership skills with younger campers and build a lasting legacy with land stewardship. On Thursday we will make our way to Mirror Lake State Park to hike, paddle, and explore one of Wisconsin’s most glacially impacted areas. We will return from this high adventure trip Friday afternoon.
Tubing the Milwaukee River
Ages 7 and up with an adult
Session 1: Friday, June 22, 1-3:30pm
Session 2: Monday, July 2, 1-3:30pm
Fee (per person): Member $10 Non-member $15
After a quick tour of the Sturgeon Streamside Rearing Facility, we’ll hop on inner tubes and float down the Milwaukee River. Along the way, we’ll discover the diversity of living things that make their home in the river. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that can get wet. Bring a lifejacket and inner tube if you have them. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should be able to hike approximately 1 mile.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.