Eco Rangers STEAM Safari
Thank you for an amazing Summer, 2025!
We had an amazing time exploring colors, cultures, and clays!
A huge thank you to many companies, associations, volunteers, and enthusiasts for providing enriching experiences:
Allyson Skoien, artist
Yahara Corals
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District
Morey Airplane Company
Firestation, Engine 9
Midwest Clay Project and Studio
Henry Vilas Zoo
Middleton Parks and Recreation
More details
Approximate schedule each day
8-9 am Drop off
9 am. Introduce topic & activity
10 am Snack
10:30 Collaborate on activity 1
12 Lunch
12:30. Recess
1:30 Reading
2 Activity 2
3 Snack and clean up
3:30 Recess
4-5 Pick-up
Weekly Themes
Week 1 - August 11-15:
Topic: Dyes, Colors, and creating with clay. This week we explore primary and secondary colors all around us. We’ve planned tons of exciting activities like decorating camp shirts, doing nature scavenger hunts, and using colors in tie dying, animal color adaptations, complementary color use in art, color wheels, and exploring our creative side!
Field Trip: Creature Connection at the zoo and a visit from Allyson Skoien, an artist.
Week 2 - August 18-22:
Topic: Microbes, cultures, and growing things. We explore the microbes found in pond water using various microscopy techniques. Not all microbes are bad, but we will explore how to keep ourselves and our environment healthy. Then, what does it take to culture our own microbes to make yogurt or to maintain healthy coral reefs.
Field Trip: Yahara Corals and the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (waste water treatment plant).
Week 3 - August 25-29:
Topic: All sorts of interesting things can be made. This is a catch all topic to explore airplanes, farm to table, clay, beads, legos, and more!
Field Trip: Morey Airplane Company, Midwest Pottery, and a celebration at the movie theater!
FAQs
What ages of kid is this camp for? Will all ages be together?
The camp is for elementary school ages, 5-11 years old. They are separated into two age groups, K-2 and 3-6, for age-appropriate learning.
What weeks does the camp run? Do I book week by week?
The camp runs August 11 - 31 and can be registered on a per week basis, but a discount is applied for full camp registration.
Is payment by week or upfront?
This is a choose your own adventure. You can pay in full or break it out into bi-weekly installments. Isn’t technology cool?
What is the daily and weekly schedule (when do they play? Are field trips always the same day?)
More details to come, but the STEAM topics are usually introduced early in the day, with various activities planned throughout the day. Many of these activities look a lot like play even while keeping to the theme of the week. Each day ends with free play from 3:30 until pick up.
What is the transportation to field trip locations?
Long distance field trip transportation is by public transit.
Most days, the campers will also walk to a nearby nature area or park. These can all be reached by sidewalks and crosswalks.
What is the student to teacher ratio?
To make sure campers are exploring topics safely and effectively, we plan to staff one teacher/counselor per 6 campers.
When does registration end? When will I find out if I got in? Is there a waitlist? Do you make efforts to get siblings enrolled together?
Registration technically remains open throughout the summer. If a spot opens up and there is no waitlist, anyone can still register at a prorated price. We will have a fixed number of spots open at the beginning of registration. If you’re one of the first to register, you will see that you got in immediately upon registration. When all open spots fill, a waitlist will be established. We will make sure all siblings get in together.
Do you offer a sibling discount?
Yes, there is a sibling discount that will be indicated at the time of registration.
What is the cancelation policy/deposit required at registration?
There is a $35 registration fee that is nonrefundable. Any cancelations before May 1 will be fully refunded (just not the registration fee).
What if my kid hates it and I need to pull him?
There is no chance! But if that happens, we can work out a refund policy for remaining days that is fair to everyone.
How long has this camp been around?
This will be our first year and we are excited to get things started! We have lots of cool activities planned for the kids!
Are you licensed?
We will make sure to comply with Wisconsin Section 48.65, Stats. This requires DCF 252 license for any camp supervising 4 or more children under the age of 7.