SUMMER CAMP

Summer 23′ Registration

Thank you for your interest in Rec Well Summer Camp! The demand for our camp was extremely high this year. We want to make sure we are serving families who have been with us from the early parts of our program and our rebuilding our program after COVID. We look forward to continue to build our program and be able to offer even more registrations in the future for all families.

Pending the number of staff we hire we hope to be able to open spots for additional campers, so we encourage families to also join the waitlist if the session(s) if full. Joining the waitlist does not require a deposit payment. If a spot opens up, you will be sent a link to register for that session. Once the link is sent, your $50 deposit will be due at the time of registration.

To register, use the registration buttons below based on your Junior Active Badger’s age.

5 – 6 YEAR OLDS

7 – 9 YEAR OLDS

10 – 12 YEAR OLDS

13 – 14 YEAR OLDS

Our summer day camp features recreational activities and on and off-campus field trips with partners including Outdoor UW, Babcock Hall Dairy Store, science labs, and more for 10 one-week sessions. We strive to provide a supportive and enjoyable environment for children ages 5 – 14 where learning and fun go hand in hand. Each participant will receive one complimentary summer camp t-shirt. (Score!)

New in 2023: Rec Well Teen Camp!

Our Teen Camp aims to provide an enjoyable and beneficial camp experience that allows 13 – 14 year olds to have fun while also developing soft skills. Throughout the summer, this group will have opportunities to play classic camp games, attend field trips around UW-Madison’s campus, engage in team building activities, participate in leadership workshops, plan camp activities for the younger age groups, and more!

HOW TO REGISTER

Stay up-to-date by subscribing to our email list or joining our Facebook Group

Questions? Email youth@recwell.wisc.edu

Subscribe to our email list

OUTCOMES

A photo of children kayaking on lake Mendota
  • Campers will have the opportunity to play hard, get fit, and live well in a safe campus environment
  • Campers will connect with peers and staff to develop positive, age-appropriate relationships
  • Campers will learn new skills and be introduced to diverse ideas through intentional programming
  • Throughout the camp week, campers will be able to attend, actively participate, contribute, or lead in the activities provided

American Camp Association Accreditation Information

Logo for American Camp Association.

Rec Well Summer Camp became accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) in 2022. Summer Camp Accreditation in Wisconsin is done by the American Camp Association. Accreditation means that our summer camp voluntarily agreed to undergo a thorough peer review of over 300 standards; from safety procedures to staff training and qualifications. The American Camp Association works with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at summer camps reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and the ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to child safety.

Our son enjoyed camp and the counselors. He spoke highly of the activities and rated this one of the top summer camps he attended this year!

Summer Camp parent

SESSIONS

Hours: 9am – 4pm
Drop-off/Pick-up: 8:30 – 9am and 4 – 4:30pm
Extended drop-off (7:45 – 8:30am) and extended pick-up (4:30 – 5:30pm) can be added to your registration. Extended drop-off and pick-up are $15 each or $25 for both.
Deposit: $50
Session Rate*: $225

Questions? Email youth@recwell.wisc.edu

Summer Camp Sessions

Session Theme Dates (2023)
1 STEAM Week June 12 - 16
2 Camp Around the World June 19 - 23
3 Go Green & Explore the Outdoors June 26 - 30
4 Animal Week July 5 - 7**
5 Aquatic Adventures July 10 - 14
6 Superhero Week July 17 - 21
7 Carnival Week July 24 - 28
8 Lights, Camera, Action July 31 - August 4
9 Rock'n'Roll August 7 - 11
10 Camp Olympics August 14 - 18*

*Session 10 will be held at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
**Due to the July 4 holiday, Session 4 will have a different rate of $135.

Summer Camp Age Groups

Group Names Ages
Cubs 5-6
Bucky Bunch 7-9
Badgers 10-12
Varsity 13-14

Summer Camp Schedule

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8am Early Drop Off Early Drop Off Early Drop Off Early Drop Off Early Drop Off
8:30am Drop Off Supervised Free Play Drop Off Supervised Free Play Drop Off Supervised Free Play Drop Off Supervised Free Play Drop Off Supervised Free Play
9am Introduction to Camp Camp Day Overview Camp Day Overview Camp Day Overview Camp Day Overview
9:30am Outdoor Play Team Game Weekly Themed Activity Field Trip/Morning Snack Team Game
10am Morning Break/Snack Morning Break/Snack Morning Break/Snack Morning Break/Snack
10:30am Group Activity Outdoor Play Group Games Team Building Challenge
12pm Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
12:30pm Swim Field Trip/Morning Snack Swim Campers Choice Activity Weekly Themed Activity
1pm Weekly Themed Activity Group Activity Outdoor Play Outdoor Play
2pm Afternoon Break/Snack Afternoon Break/Snack Afternoon Break/Snack Afternoon Break/Snack
3:30pm Board Gamers/Quiet Games Board Gamers/Quiet Games Counselor's Choice Activity Weekly Themed Craft Camper's Choice Activity
4pm Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up
4:30pm Extended Pick Up Extended Pick Up Extended Pick Up Extended Pick Up Extended Pick Up

FAQ

Read Our Grown-Up Handbook

Questions not answered here? Email youth@recwell.wisc.edu

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Registration

All payment and registration must be completed via your online account two weeks prior to session start.

Camp does fill up fast. We recommend logging on at 9am on the day registration opens for you to have the best chance at registering your camper.

Authorized Pickup People: Anyone listed as an authorized pickup person will be permitted to pick up your child. Be sure to add a full list of authorized pickup people to your online account prior to your session start date.

Family Orientation: Campers are welcome and encouraged to join! Childcare will be provided during in-person Family Orientations by our camp counselors while Grown-Ups receive a presentation about Rec Well Summer Camp.

Waitlist: If registration is full for a session, you may add your child to the waitlist. If openings occur for this session we will contact on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment will be due within 24 hours of moving your child off the waitlist. If you would like to remove yourself from the waitlist please email youth@recwell.wisc.edu.

HOW TO REGISTER

Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel any session or modify activities due to under enrollment, facility problems, staff concerns, or circumstances beyond our control (i.e. rain, electrical outages or COVID-19 policies). Grown-ups will be notified immediately if a session is altered in any way.

Cancellations must be made two weeks prior to your camp session for a full refund minus the session deposit.

If a participant must cancel a session for any reason (including COVID-19), the session deposit will be forfeited. All cancellations must be made in email. Any requests to change sessions may be made by emailing youth@recwell.wisc.edu.

Clothing

Participants should come to camp dressed for a full day of activity. We recommend outdoor activity clothes and activity shoes. Campers should bring a bathing suit and towel daily as well as a bag to put these in after swimming. Open-toed shoes will NOT be permitted. Campers should bring aforementioned items in a well-marked backpack or athletic bag.

Communication

All emergencies can be communicated by email, directly to camp staff at youth@recwell.wisc.edu. Families will receive our camp cell phone number before their session.

Conduct

We reserve the right to dismiss a camper if their behavior jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of the camper or others.

Electronics & Other Valuables

Campers may bring cell phones as long as they are kept in their bags at all times and do not cause distractions during the day. We reserve the right to confiscate any electronic devices deemed a distraction to planned activities. We are not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items.

Food

Grown-ups should pack a small snack for the morning and afternoon along with a lunch each day for their child and a water bottle. We cannot provide refrigeration, so please pack all food in an insulated lunch box and mark everything you bring with your child’s name. Absolutely no sharing of food is permitted among campers.

Location

Rec Well Summer Camp is located at the Nicholas Recreation Center. Additional campus locations include Cole Recreation Area and Near West Fields. Our weekly field trips occur across campus. We either walk or ride the campus bus to these locations.

Safety

Camp staff are required to be American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certified for employment. Similarly, camp staff are also trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations. Regardless of severity, all accidents are recorded and filed.

In the event of a minor accident, staff will provide basic care and complete an accident report. At end-of-day pickup, an authorized caregiver will be informed of any recorded accidents. Copies are available upon request.

In the event of a medical emergency, emergency services and an authorized caregiver will be contacted. An authorized caregiver must arrive prior to emergency services if they wish to refuse ambulance transportation. If an authorized caregiver is not available, a camp staff member will accompany the child to the emergency room until an authorized caregiver assumes custodial care.

Care must be documented, regardless of mode of transportation. Failure to provide care is considered neglect, which staff must report to Child Protective Services.

Due to legal restrictions, staff will never transport campers in personal vehicles.

Staff

Our energetic and well-qualified staff are ready to spend an exciting summer with the campers. Rec Well Summer Camp is under the direction of Abby Van Note, who is a professional staff member at University Recreation & Wellbeing. Our camp counselors and supervisors are students at UW-Madison.

In addition to CPR, AED, and First Aid certification, all camp staff complete youth protections trainings. These include Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect and Sexual Misconduct and Cleary Crimes in Youth Activities: Reporting and Prevention.