Summer Camps

Summer camp is a time honored tradition as well as a wonderful opportunity to make friends, have fun, and learn a little something along the way.

We at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center are excited to present our all-new 2013 Summer Camps. With 150 different sessions that include full-week, individual, and extended-day options, your child can revel in that much more adventure and discovery!

Age Groups:
Wonder Bugs (2-3 years)
Sprouts (4 years)
Tadpoles (5-6 years)
Explorers (7-9 years)
Adventurers I (10-12 years)
Adventurers II (13-16 years)

Camp Pricing:
Ages 2-3
Full summer package (12 sessions: T, W, R, or F): $100 Members; $110 Non-members
Individual sessions (T, W, R, or F): $10 each

Ages 4-9
Full week (M-F): $210 for Members and $262 for Non-members
Extended day (8-8:30am and 4-5:30pm): $64/day for Members; $80/day for Non-members

Individual sessions (M, T, W, R):
Half-day (9:00am-12:00pm, or 1:00pm-4:00pm): $72/day for Members; $96/day for Non-members
Lunch bunch (noon-1:00pm): $8/day
Extended day (8-8:30am and 4-5:30pm): $48/day for Members and $64/day for Non-members

Individual sessions (F):
Half-day (9:00am-12:00pm, or 1:00pm-4:00pm): $24 each
Lunch bunch (noon-1:00pm): $8/day
Extended day (8-8:30am and 4-5:30pm): 16/day

Ages 10-16
Full week only: For pricing see Ages 10-12, or Ages 13-16

Extended day (8-8:30am and 4-5:30pm): 16/day

Registration:
Member registration begins March 1.
Non-member registration begins March 15.

Download a Registration Form.

Save on camp enrollment and much more by becoming a Member today!

Spring Vacation Day Programs

The days are getting longer, the snow is melting, and all manner of migratory birds have re-appeared in Southern Wisconsin to help us welcome the arrival of spring once again. That's right; we said it. Spring!

The co-incidence of a long awaited spring break and the re-emergence of local wildlife becomes the perfect opportunity to get out-doors and discover the natural treasures that make the environment so special and worth protecting.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center has designed a week (March 25 - 29) of fun and educational Vacation Day Programs for children ages 5 to 12, which are sure to excite and delight! Participants can sign up for an individual session, or save with our weekly packages. Topics of exploration include wetlands, weather and climate, signs of spring, pioneers, stewardship, and outdoor games. Children can also enjoy story-book readings and out-door fun by joining the Lunch Bunch.

All Vacation Day Programs are appropriate for children ages 5 to 12 and are held at Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Monona Campus.

Full-day programs are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and the fee is $45 per child for members and $50 per child for non-members.

Half-day programs are from 9:00 am to noon, or from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the fee is $20 per child for members and $22 per child for non-members.

Lunch Bunch is offered on March 29 for an additional $6 per child for members and $7 per child for non-members.

Registration deadlines:

March 21 for March 25 sessions
March 22 for March 26 sessions
March 25 for March 27 sessions
March 26 for March 28 sessions
March 27 for March 29 sessions

Registration Form

Save on camp enrollment and much more by becoming a Member today!

Maple Syrup Fest

The end of winter brings the opportunity to practice the art of maple syrup brewing yet again. And who of us who has read Laura Ingalls Wilder can resist the urge to get out there and tap those trees?

Not I! No, certainly not I!

The  Maple Syrup Fest is the perfect opportunity to learn about the art and science of maple tree tapping by Native Americans, pioneers, and modern-day syrup and sugar producers. But learning about maple syrup is just the beginning! The fun doesn't end until you've tapped and tasted real maple tree sap; tested your "nature smarts" with maple syrup trivia; built your knowledge of trees with the "Build-A-Tree" game; toured the rustic Children's Shack; participated in cooking demos with early pioneer settlers; and enjoyed a good, old-fashioned ice-cream sundae topped with pure maple syrup!

Indulge in the delectable festivities at Aldo Leopold Nature Center as we partake of one of nature's sweetest and purest gifts! 

Sunday, March 24, 2013
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Aldo Leopold Nature Center (Monona Campus)
Members: $7/person and $25/family; Non-members: $8/person and $29/family 
*Preregistration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome!

Registration Form

Stumped by Steampunk?

Looking for ideas for the Full Steam Ahead costume competition? Ravenworks has a wide selection of retro-futuristic and Victorian gear, enough to satisfy the most genteel aristocrats and the greasiest gearhead! 

For those who like to get their hands dirty, check out these fun Do It Yourself Steampunk projects: 

Steampunk Goggles: The essential tool of navigation engineers, buggy drivers, zeppelin pilots, and many other steampunk occupations. 

Victorian Dress - For those who are good with a needle and thread, try a home-sewn Victorian dress! It might seem like a lot of work, but you won't just end up with a costume- but with an excellent piece of formal wear.

 Filigree Necklace - Steampunk accessories are what really help to distinguish it as alternate history from anachronism. Finally make good use of old pocket watches and doorless keys!

Do you have your ticket yet? Space is limited, so call 608-216-9371 or visit http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/events/aldoafterdark.html to register today!

Under the Starry Skies

Saturday, February 9, 2013
6:00-8:00pm

AT our Black Earth Education and Retreat Campus
Registration Deadline: Thursday, February 7, 2013
In the dark days of winter, there is much to be seen and heard! Join us for an evening under the starry skies at our remote Black Earth Campus. We’ll spend the evening hiking under the night sky to listen for owl calls during their peak winter courtship and viewing the Orion and Crab nebulae, Jupiter, and several prominent winter constellations through a telescope on the deck (weather permitting). In between sky viewing and night hiking, warm-up by the fire in the cabin as well as participate in some indoor activities relating to owls and the night sky. ALNC will have adult and child snowshoes available on a first come first serve basis for use during night hikes.

Pre-registration Required.
ALNC members: $6/person or $20/family; Non-members: $7/person or $25/family
Click Here to Register

ALNC Presents Full Steam Ahead

Gadgets, Gears, Immersion Trips to the Moon

& Steampunk Fun Feb. 15 at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Calling all dreamers of yesterday, explorers of today, dapper gents and dashing ladies--join us for a steampunk adventure in space! Behold the mystery of possibility and explore an elegant age of adventure that never was at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Full Steam Ahead event to raise funds for the educational programs at the center.

• Show off retro-futurism at its finest in the steampunk costume contest;
• Take a virtual excursion to see the moon and planets from outer space in the Science On a Sphere;
• Meet and greet roving entertainers of renown;

• Explore the darker side of steampunk with previews of the Madison Ballet’s premiere of Dracula;
• Enjoy craft ales from Ale Asylum, local wines and appetizers;

• Unleash your creativity as you build a tinkerbot;
• Dance and socialize to music by local experimental rock gypsy band Hewn;
• Capture your fun with photos and props from Ravenworks in the green screen studio and much more!

Steampunk attire encouraged and will also be sold at the door. Steampunk attire is available for purchase locally at Ravenworks. 

For ages 21 and over. All proceeds support educational programs at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Admission includes two drink tickets, entry into the costume contest and appetizers.

Photos and interviews with key players in costume before, during and after the event available upon request.

Location: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI 53716

Date/Time: Friday, February 15, 8-11 pm

Fee: $20/advance; $25/day of event. Members receive a 10% discount.

Information/Register: www.naturenet.com/alnc or 608-216-9371

Make a Gwiazdy

Looking for a fun winter craft with a wealth of tradition? Try making a Polish Gwiazdy (g-vee-azda)! While it may look like a conventional winter cut-out (gwiazdy even means star in Polish), gwiazdy have a history spanning two centuries and are 8-pointed rather than 6-pointed paper snowflakes. Various forms of paper cutouts called wycinanki (vĭ-chee non-key) originated in the 19th century in Poland.Two styles developed in the northern area of Warsaw: leluja (le-lu-ya), which are cut from paper folded lengthwise, and gwiazdy, cut from a round piece of paper. Each spring, the people of Warsaw white-washed the walls of their homes and decorated them with these colorful cut-outs. Celebrate winter the Warsaw way with these simple instructions.

1. Turn your rectangle into a square. Fold your paper all the way across to make a triangle with a bit hanging over. Cut off the bit that hangs over.

2. Fold your square in half (to make a rectangle)

3. Then fold it in half again to make a square. Now fold in half one last time (corner to corner this time) to make a triangle.

4. Draw a curved line and cut off the top of the triangle

5. Draw a symmetrical design. Don't draw any cuts all the way through or you'll end up with confetti instead of a star.

6. Cut along the lines you drew and unfold to admire your beautiful creation!