Camp WildSide - Family Camp

WildSide Family Camps are a great way for kids and their families to learn how to help animals without having to commit to full week of camp. Participants will get the opportunity to engage in educational and fun activities at the shelter for a half-day session on the topics of nature and wildlife. 

Family Camps are 3-4 hours and provide opportunities for participants to learn about Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center, gain animal knowledge, build relationships with other animal lovers, and most importantly - have fun! 

• Youth participants 8-17 years old can attend with or without an adult present.
• Youth participants 4-7 years old must be accompanied by an adult participant at all times.
• Adult participants must register for the event, too!

Sessions:

WildSide Family Camp sessions are pre-scheduled on Sundays each week 9 am - 1 pm. 

If you are hoping to have Family Camp on different day or time than what is offered, please contact wildlifeeducation@giveshelter.org and we may be able to accommodate the request if your group is 6 - 12 individuals. 

Activities & Themes:

A combination of indoor and outdoor activities will be planned around Camp WildSide educational themes, pending daily weather conditions. All sessions will combine a variety of lessons from three themes, including:

1. Animal Tracks and Traces - Identify what animals are living in an environment! Study our library of animal tracks and skeletons, dissect an owl pellet, and see what evidence animals leave behind.
2. Beginner Biology - See what wildlife rely on to survive and what makes survival so difficult. Activities include an up-close look at bones, fur, feathers, shells, and more!
3. Wildlife Rescue and Rehab - This theme teaches you how to appropriately and safely respond to an animal that is need of help, and it gives them insight into the field of wildlife rehabilitation as a profession. What does it take to help our patients recover?

Pricing:

• $40 per youth participant
• $20 per adult participant registering with a child
  • Fee increases to $25 per adult if they are attending but are not pre-registered
    

Allergy Information

DCHS utilizes peanut butter for animal enrichment throughout the shelter, and therefore is unable to provide a peanut-free facility. We are unable to make accommodations for children with severe peanut allergies. DCHS also utilizes various types of hay throughout the shelter, especially in areas where critters are housed. Hay may also come in contact with our education animals.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds may be granted up to 24 hours after payment has been submitted, less a $25.00 administration fee, if requested in writing to the Camp Coordinator at wildlifeeducation@giveshelter.org. After 24 hours from payment submission, fees are non-refundable but the event reservation may be transferred to another date in some situations. Dane County Humane Society reserves the right to cancel events due to various circumstances.

Education Opportunity Statement

At Dane County Humane Society, we know our education programs thrive from having diverse and inclusive participation. Diversity and inclusion are celebrated and embraced at Dane County Humane Society. We will not discriminate against or give preference to any person because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, arrest record, genetic information, veteran status or other class protected by applicable law. DCHS puts people first and we are happy to work with learners to remove barriers and put any reasonable accommodations into practice to the extent that it is safe to do so.

Please email wildlifeeducation@giveshelter.org if you have questions or need assistance.