Nature Discovery and Adventure Summer Camps Open House

Get a sneak preview of what's in store this summer at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ALNC) Summer Camp Open House! On Thursday, April 26, from 4-6pm, you can meet ALNC staff, see photos from last year’s camps, and learn about our exciting themes like Steward Little, Pioneer Wagon Train and Apostle Island Sea Kayaking!

ALNC summer camp programs offer exciting and educational opportunities for all ages- toddlers, children, tweens and teens! These camps will provide your child with hands-on experience in exploring the best of the outdoors and discovering the wonders of the natural world.

ALNC Summer Camp Highlights include:

•           Half-day and full-day options!

•           Fun and diverse themes for all interests and skill levels!

•           NEW Middle School camps that include orienteering, fishing, backpacking, kayaking, and more!

•           Preschool camps that provide a fun, bonding experience for you and your toddler!

•           Elementary School camps include fun topics like Pioneer Wagon Train, Archaeology Adventures, Steward Little and more!

•           Special bilingual sessions and overnight camps!

•           All gear and transportation from the Monona Campus provided!

•           All camps taught by experienced naturalists and guides!

Summer camp registration for all age levels is now open for ALNC Members and Non-Members. ALNC Members receive a 10% discount on summer camps, plus a year of free admission to ALNC's new interactive exhibits. Click here to become a member!

NEW Outdoor Adventure Camps Available for Middle Schoolers!

Looking for an exciting and educational experience for your middle schooler this summer? Answer the call of the wild with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's new Outdoor Adventure Camps for ages 11-16!

These new camps offer your tween or teen a chance to experience the natural outdoors while learning survival skills such as orienteering, fishing, backpacking, kayaking, nature photography, and much more!

Summer camp registration for all age levels is now open for ALNC Members and Non-Members. ALNC Members receive a 10% discount on summer camps, plus a year of free admission to ALNC's new interactive exhibits, which we will be unveiling at our Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, April 21! Click here to become a member!

Here are a few more great features of ALNC's new Outdoor Adventure Camps:

• Fun and diverse themes for all interests and skill levels!
• Exciting opportunities such as kayaking through the breathtaking Apostle Islands, Wisconsin's very own national lakeshore! 
• Camps run Monday-Friday 9 am - 4 pm (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) with extended hours available!
• Special overnight camps available!
• All camps taught by experienced naturalists and guides!
• All gear and transportation from the Monona Campus provided!

Camps are filling fast, so click here to find out more about ALNC's summer camps and register before it's too late!

Land, Ho! Wonder Bugs!

Dear Wonderbugs,

Ah-hoy matey!

We set sail on a fantastic ocean adventure this week! Even though we do not have oceans in or near Wisconsin, we explored the creatures and beach life and learned a lot. Hi ho, did you know? A sea sponge lives in the ocean. They also make great sponge paintings once they are dead and on land.

What makes the ocean stay salty? A super inquisitive wonder bug asked me on Wednesday. Great question!  Check out this site for some answers.


This site answers why the oceans are salty to begin with.

This site has a simple experiment to go with it. Give it a try at home!

This site asks great questions!

Create a salty work of art! First paint a picture with water colors and then while it is still wet, sprinkle your paper with salt and watch what happens. Compare the results using sea salt and table salt.

No materials required for this activity! Pretend you are at sea like my daughter and I do. We climb aboard her play structure, and she steers us out into the deep waters. We look for whales and dolphins and sharks- we always find them! Sometimes we dangle our feet in the water (but not around the sharks). Sometimes we go for a swim, too.  We feel the salty sea air on our faces and feel the waves rock the boat.  We shout, “land ho!” when we see an island in the distance. It started as a fluke one afternoon almost two years ago and has turned into a regular and much loved game we play together. She has so much fun that she tells her dad all about it afterward; it's like we were really out to sea.  I encourage you and your wonder bug to put on your imagination caps and take a boat ride!

Sea you later,

Miss Tara

Check out these exciting NEW Evening Family Campfire programs to share the Wonder Bugs experience with your whole family!

Evening Family Campfires (2 days each)Wednesday & Thursday June 20-21 6:30-8:30pm

Tuesday & Wednesday July 31 and August 1 6:30-8:30pm

Family camp  is NEW for summer fun with grandmas, grandpas, parents and all the kids. If you have found yourself jealous of your kids going off to camp each summer, this one is for you. Bring the whole family for 2 evenings of nature activities, singing, storytelling, and stargazing around the campfire on a summer weeknight. Can you think of a better way to spend a summer evening?

Overnight Family Camps (AT our Black Earth Campus)Friday, July 20-Saturday, July 21 6pm-10am
Saturday, August 18-Sunday, August 19 6pm-10am
Family camp is NEW for summer fun with grandmas, grandpas, parents and all the kids. If you have found yourself jealous of your kids going off to camp each summer, this one is for you. Bring the whole family for an overnight campout at our Black Earth Campus filled with nature activities, singing, storytelling, and stargazing around the campfire on a summer night. Can you think of a better way to spend a summer evening? Bring your own sleeping bags, pillow (required) and tent (if you have one). Please indicate when registering if you would like to use an ALNC tent (limited supply available) or if you will be bringing your own.