WildeCamp Summer Camps

Wilds Summer Camp

The chance to live at the Wilds for a whole week – what nature-loving kid wouldn’t?

About WildeCamp

WildeCampers are able to enjoy the Wilds like few other visitors can. The backcountry of the Wilds is our backyard and wildlife are our neighbors. Your camper will be immersed in lakes, forests, wetlands, and habitats of all kinds. They will learn reverence, respect, and responsibility for every living thing from rhino to ring-neck snake. Enjoyment of our natural world and growing a concern for stewardship are at the heart of WildeCamp programs.

Oh, and how do you pronounce WildeCamp? It's "will-de-camp."

The Three R’s of WildeCamp

Your camper will come alive by being plunged into the Wilds at WildeCamp. Our staff and our campers are all expected to make reverence, respect, and responsibility the key to each session. Applying these principles to how we treat the earth and each other sets each participants heart toward an attitude of not just ‘getting along’ with each other, but also working to make relationships right. WildeCamp parents have frequently mentioned to us that they are impressed with the development of their child’s character due to the 3 R’s.

Activities at WildeCamp

All of the programs are designed to be hands on for kids to learn and enjoy wildlife and wild places. Many of the programs are optional and the campers can choose which they would like to participate in. Here is a list of some of the options:

  • Compass and Map
  • Canoeing
  • Astronomy
  • Swamp Stomping
  • Habitat Hunting
  • Wildlife Capture & Marking
  • Microscopia
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
  • Wildlife Foods
  • Counting Critters
  • Edible Wild
  • Rappelling
  • Night Hikes
  • Swimming
  • Hiking
  • Eco-exploring
  • Wildlife Games
  • Campfire Skits & Songs
  • Wildlife Watching
  • GPS and finding your way
  • Outback Camps
  • Fishing

We do work too at the Wilds. Not only do we help the animal management folks out with collecting browse for giraffes, but we get out and cut new trails, build nest structures for wildlife, set live traps, build blinds, and plant trees, prairie plants and wildflowers. Our campers learn to own the place and take pride in it when they get the chance to do something for it. They also can come back and show others what they have done!

These popular summer camps fill up quickly, so we recommend you make your reservations early. For WildeCamp registration forms, click here.

WildeCamp sessions begin at 5 p.m. the first day and end at 3 p.m. the final day. Oikos start at noon the first day. Supper is provided on the first night of camp. Camp fees include accommodations at the Wilds' unique yurt education camp, all meals, supplies, equipment for activities, and a WildeCamp T-shirt.


2008 WildeCamp Sessions

KRITTER KIDS - Ages 8-9
"There are few things in life that help really shape who you are and who you will become; I think WildeCamp will be one of those experiences for Jena." - WildeCamper parent
For young people who are eager for adventure, Kritter Kids campers are encouraged to be at home in the woods, wetlands, and grasslands and are given the attention from the staff that younger campers need (ratio 1:6) to develop lasting friendships with other campers and wonder about the world.

 

CREATURE CORPS - Ages 10-11
"Please keep up this wonderful experience for our wilderness and animal loving kids." - WildeCamper Parent
Here's a camp for those truly "wild" kids who like to catch things, learn by doing, and get their hands into nature! Your camper will enjoy being with staff who are specially trained in wildlife science and encourage learning in young people and inspire a life of caring for our world. Two long session Creature Corps will add in adventures like rappelling, canoeing new lakes, and wildlife game days!

  • June 22-28 (long session) - $440 ($396 for Wilds members)
  • Aug 3-9 (long session) - $440 ($396 for Wilds members)
  • July 13-18 (short session) - $370 ($333 for Wilds members)
  • July 27-Aug 1 (short session)- $370 ($333 for Wilds members)

    For WildeCamp registration forms, click here.

 

EARTH KEEPERS - Ages 12-15
"Thanks for the Greatest Summer in my Life!!!" - 2006 WildeCamper
Enjoy all the camp fun and add real world wildlife projects like capturing and marking wildlife, building trails, improving habitats, and exploring new parts of the Wilds. Earth Keepers will develop a sense of concern for wildlife and the wild places of the earth as they help tend some of the animals at the Wilds, build, plant, and consider careers in conservation work. This year's Earth Keepers session will be doing some offsite traveling to the wildest places in Ohio!

Note: In addition to the standard WildeCamp registration forms, Earth Keepers campers must fill out an off-site permission form.

 

WILDECAMP XTREME - Ages 13-16
"She came back with an even greater interest/appreciation for wildlife, ecology, etc." - WildeCamper Parent
Backpack the back country of the Wilds for 3 days as part of this Wildecamp experience. Xtreme is an intense weeklong camp for those who are eager to live in the wild as well as learn about it. Campers will enjoy parts of the 14-square mile property that others have never seen, and will get into the wildest activities of all. This year's Xtremers will also be doing some offsite traveling to the wildest places in Ohio!

Note: In addition to the standard WildeCamp registration forms, WildeCamp XTreme campers must fill out an off-site permission form.

 

OIKOS - Ages 16-19
(Same sessions as Creature Corps)
Oikos is for older campers who are interested in a chance to learn about being a professional naturalist or counselor. Oikos are returning WildeCampers that will assist our naturalists in teaching young people and represent the Wilds as positive role models for younger campers. These chosen few will spend time as a small group and have chances to see the Wilds and its animals as no one else does. Only four Oikos will be accepted for each session.

  • June 22-28 (long session) - $440 ($396 for Wilds members)
  • Aug 3-9 (long session) - $440 ($396 for Wilds members)
  • July 13-18 (short session) - $370 ($333 for Wilds members)
  • July 27-Aug 1 (short session)- $370 ($333 for Wilds members)

    For WildeCamp registration forms, click here.

 

NEW! WORKING WILD CAMP - Ages 14-19
This new hands-on practicum camp experience is for those wanting to learn more about being a wildlife veterinarian, naturalist, or animal management specialist. Lab and field classes with veterinary, animal management, and conservation education staff at the Wilds will provide many opportunities to learn about these wild careers. Campers will be involved in many activities together, but will attend separate programs with Wilds staff for training in their areas of concentration (veterinary medicine, animal management and husbandry, or nature interpretation).

Working Wild campers choosing a veterinary medicine focus must be entering 10th grade or above. Those choosing animal management or nature interpretation must be age 14 or older.

To ensure a quality learning experience, each concentration group will be limited to 12 campers. Working Wild campers will be chosen through an application process. All Work Wild Camp applicants must fill out a Working Wild Camp application (in addition to the standard WildeCamp application forms). The selection process will begin May 1. Any applicant not accepted will be issued a full refund.

Click here for a Working Wild Camp application to include with your WildeCamp registration. WildeCamp registration forms and the Working Wild Camp application must be submitted together.

 

FAMILY and ADULT CAMPS
The Wilds will offer special family and adult weekends throughout the spring, summer and fall. Please see our Family, Adult, and Group Camps page for details.

 

Naturalist/Counselor Staff

 Parents’ greatest concern is usually the staff and the health and safety factors at camp. We hire upper class college students and college graduates of wildlife, forestry, education, and natural resources fields that can demonstrate their maturity and their willingness to put the campers first. All staff in contact with campers undergo criminal background checks. We have a ratio of 1 staff per 8 campers (1:6 for younger groups), a maximum of 32 campers per session, and all activities are well supervised. Specially trained staff supervise any potentially dangerous activity (like rappelling), and all aquatic activities require life jackets and a swimming ability check. None of the campers are allowed in any dangerous setting with the captive wildlife herds at the animal facilities.

Emergencies are handled by our camp staff who are put through an intensive 2-week training course. The nearest hospital is Genesis in Zanesville, and although we do not have a full time nurse on site, we do have all personnel involved with children trained in First Aid, CPR, and canoe safety. Some of our staff are also trained as first responders and wilderness rescuers. Feel free to contact the Conservation Educator if you have any questions or concerns about your child coming to WildeCamp.

For more information or to register, call 740-638-5030 x2286, or email reservations@thewilds.org.