April 2019
April 9 is Day of the Badger!
Tuesday, April 9 is the UW Foundation's first ever day of giving, Day of the Badger. Upham Woods is proud to be a part of this exciting opportunity to connect with the UW community.

Join us in helping future Badgers go to camp! Even more exciting - we have a matching gift available! This is a chance to DOUBLE your impact . Day of the Badger begins at 5 p.m. CT on Monday, April 8 and ends at midnight on Tuesday, April 9.


And remember to...
Give Back. Wear Red. Stay Connected
Research Accelerators
In March, Upham Woods staff led the Research Accelerators in Milwaukee. Our team met with 3 different learner groups: Maryland Avenue Montessori School, Urban Ecology Center Young Scientist Club, and La Escuela Fratney. 

At Maryland Avenue, we met with groups working on inquiry research projects as widely focused as ecosystem development to tree preferences by different animals. We helped refine their question and procedure and collected data. Students wrote a scientific stories outlining their experience and any questions they had. 

With the afterschool program - Young Scientist Club, we helped the young scientists learn more about their local garden. They are planning on planting vegetables soon and we helped them collect data about light, soil pH, and temperatures on their plots. We discussed the different factors plants need to be successful and compared our data to what they need to see if the garden plots would be a good place to grow their celery, green peppers, and tomatoes.

At La Escuela Fratney, we explored permeable and impermeable surfaces and how storm water impacts their playground. The students brainstormed what different types of surfaces exist around their playground. We then went outside and mapped sections of their playground exploring permeable surfaces like grass and impermeable surfaces like concrete and how a water droplet may flow in that area. Back inside, participants calculated how much water would hit their section of the playground over the course of a year and how much of that water is able to sink into the ground or becomes run off. At the end participants wrote stories about their experiences.
March Counselor Training
Youth Counselor Training is a great way to prepare young leaders to be role models for their peers. March 9-10 saw 26 youth from 8 counties gather at Upham Woods. They learned how to be supportive role models for younger campers, role-played common summer camp scenarios, and how to bring the energy to evening activities like circle dance and campfire to be better prepared for a successful summer camp season.

County 4-H and Open Enrollment Summer Camps at Upham Woods are made possible by these dedicated, fun and responsible teen leaders; and Counselor Training Weekend is there to help them be the best they can be.
Coming Soon: Family Camp & Summer Camp Open House
We are offering a Family Camp session on May 4-5 th , 2019 . Family Camp is a great chance for you to bring your family to camp. This means that everyone in your family, any age, can attend camp at Upham Woods and experience the quality summertime fun. Exploring Blackhawk Island, canoeing on the Wisconsin River, testing your archery skills, singing songs and roasting s’mores at a campfire, and spending some quality time together are some of the things that this weekend has to offer. Bring just your family unit or invite aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to share in the camp experience. Online registration is open and includes all meals while at camp!

Immediately following Family Camp on May 5 th , 2019 from 11am-1pm there will be a Summer Camp Open House. This Open House will be a small taste of what an open enrollment summer camp session at Upham Woods will be like for youth. We’ll provide a tour of the facilities, sing some songs, and play some games. Snacks will be provided. This event is open to the public and anyone attending our summer camps this summer!
We’re Still Seeking Summer Camp Naturalists
Do you have a passion for the outdoors and teaching others about it? This is the job for you! Spend your days hiking and canoeing while teaching children in a beautiful setting right on the Wisconsin River. This position is a great way to broaden your skills by teaching natural programs, outdoor recreation and low ropes initiatives.

As a Summer Naturalist at Upham Woods you will get a chance to facilitate programs in canoeing, archery, fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, and nature center activities including live reptiles and amphibians.

This seasonal summer position is also responsible for the supervision of campers and teen counselors providing leadership and maintaining a positive and engaging environment.

Contact Ellen King, Program Director, with any questions by email at ellen.king@ces.uwex.edu or call 608-254-6461 for more information. Check out our website for a more detailed description as well. 
Thank you to our March 2019 Visitors
Look ahead! Spring is coming! March is an exciting month at Upham Woods. We are enjoying the warmer temperatures, getting ready for our river-based activities, and starting to prep for summer!

Thank you to these groups that spent time at Upham Woods this past month:

  • St Ann School
  • Necedah Cardinal After School Program
  • March Counselor Training
  • 4-H Art Beat
  • Riverside University High School
Welcome Ellen King to Upham Woods!
Ellen King joined the team as the new Upham Woods Program Director in February. Ellen has worked in the youth development field for 10 years, including obtaining her Masters of Science in Natural Resources from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point with an emphasis in Youth Programming and Camp Management. She is passionate about teaching students of all ages in an outdoor and environmental setting. She is looking forward to the end of the school year and this upcoming summer! 
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
N194 County Rd N
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(608) 254-6461
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