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.

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 Conservation Education Camp, all meals, supplies, equipment for activities, and a WildeCamp T-shirt.

How do I Register?
Choose your camp (details below).
Payment and complete registration forms are required to secure your reservation. Please include your check with registration forms, or call 740-638-5030 x2286 if you prefer to pay by credit card.

 

2010 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 eager for adventure, Kritter Kids campers are encouraged to be at home in the woods, wetlands and grasslands. Wilds staff give them attention 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 learning by doing and getting their hands into nature! Staff specially trained in wildlife science encourage learning in young people and inspire a life of caring for our world. Campers enjoy adventures like rappelling, canoeing and wildlife game days!

  • June 27 - July 3 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members
  • July 25 - 31 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members
  • Aug. 8 - 14 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members

    CREATURE CORPS REGISTRATION FORMS

 

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 develop a sense of concern for wildlife and the wild places of Earth as they tend some animals at the Wilds, build, plant, and consider careers in conservation work. Earth Keepers will do 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 included with the registration forms.

  • June 13 - 19 - $490 per person; $420 Wilds members
  • July 4 - 10 - $490 per person; $420 Wilds members
  • Aug. 1 - 7 - $490 per person; $420 Wilds members

    EARTHKEEPERS REGISTRATION FORMS

 

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 eager to live in the wild as well as learn about it. Campers enjoy parts of the 14-square-mile property that others have never seen, and will get into the wildest activities of all, while treading lightly on the land.

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

 

OIKOS - Ages 16-19
(Same sessions as Creature Corps)
Oikos is for older campers interested in becoming a professional conservation educator and counselor. Oikos are returning WildeCampers that assist our staff, teach younger campers and represent the Wilds as positive role models. Only four Oikos Counselors-in-Training are accepted for each Creature Corp session.

  • June 27 - July 3 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members
  • July 25 - 31 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members
  • Aug. 8 - 14 - $455 per person; $410 Wilds members

    OIKOS REGISTRATION FORMS

 

WORKING WILD CAMP - Ages 15-19
Learn about being a wildlife veterinarian, animal management specialist or wildlife habitat manager during this innovative, hands-on practicum experience. Lab and field classes with veterinary, animal management, restoration ecology and conservation education staff at the Wilds provide many opportunities to learn about wild careers. All campers participate in group activities together, in addition to attending smaller focus sessions of up to 12 campers per area-specific program..

Working Wild campers must be entering 10th grade or above.

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 the Working Wild Camp application (in addition to the registration forms). The selection process will begin May 1. Any applicant not accepted will be issued a full refund.

 

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.