Summer Experience
Eco Rangers STEAM Safari
Eco Rangers will spend three weeks learning about our world and building confidence in STEAM subjects through hands-on engagement.
For 5-11 year olds. At Lakeview Park in Middleton. August 11 - 29
Each week, campers will explore a new topic through age-appropriate, hands-on activities designed to foster independent investigation. Children are naturally curious about their world, and our role is to guide them in their scientific explorations. The key is finding the right balance between free play and structured learning.
Register here:
The summer curriculum is divided into two main themes:
Life Sciences
Horticulture
Fermentation
Bioculture
Microbes
Builder Sciences
Clay Works
Dyes and Colors
Gears and Motors
Each week’s topic will be introduced through short discussions, followed by hands-on activities where campers will build, tinker, dismantle, rebuild, and explore what they’ve learned. Additionally, we will venture out weekly to explore real-world examples, offering campers a broader perspective on how each topic connects to the world and environment.
Logistics
Eco Ranger STEAM Safari is an all day summer camp.
Drop off between 8-9, pick up between 4-5:00 at Lakeview Park.
Campers will learn to safely ride public transit as we go on field trips most days.
Snacks are provided, but campers will need to bring their own lunch.
Snacks are always available to fuel learning, but we will not be able to supply a full lunch so please bring a lunch with you.
Price of camp is $400/week.
Fees cover premium hands on activities, field trips, and admin.
More details
Approximate schedule each day
8-9 am Drop off
9 am. Introduce topic & activity
10 am Snack
10:30 Collaborate on activity 1
12 Lunch
12:30. Recess
1:30 Reading
2 Activity 2
3 Snack and clean up
3:30 Recess
4-5 Pick-up
Weekly Themes
Week 1 - August 11-15:
Topic: Dyes, Colors, and creating with clay. This week we explore primary and secondary colors all around us. We’ve planned tons of exciting activities like screen printing camp shirts, doing nature scavenger hunts, and using colors in clay for beads and pottery to explore iridescence, monochrome art, color wheels, and exploring our creative side!
Field Trip: The zoo and Pheasant Branch.
Week 2 - August 18-22:
Topic: Electricity, gears, and motors. We will explore what goes on behind a light going on. What does renewable and nonrenewable mean and the importance of a complex electrical grid and how gears and motors drive our world. We will apply what we learn by building a pitching machine!
Field Trip: Solar array and Museum.
Week 3 - August 25-29:
Topic: Fermentation and Bio Culture. This is one of my favorites, but there is much more to fermentation than adult beverages. We will explore compost to feed our garden plots, make our own fermented foods, and make baking mixes to bring home and share with the family!
Field Trip: Farmers Market and Bakery
FAQs
What ages of kid is this camp for? Will all ages be together?
The camp is for elementary school ages, 5-11 years old. They are separated into two age groups, K-2 and 3-6, for age-appropriate learning.
What weeks does the camp run? Do I book week by week?
The camp runs August 11 - 31 and can be registered on a per week basis, but a discount is applied for full camp registration.
Is payment by week or upfront?
This is a choose your own adventure. You can pay in full or break it out into bi-weekly installments. Isn’t technology cool?
What is the daily and weekly schedule (when do they play? Are field trips always the same day?)
More details to come, but the STEAM topics are usually introduced early in the day, with various activities planned throughout the day. Many of these activities look a lot like play even while keeping to the theme of the week. Each day ends with free play from 3:30 until pick up.
What is the transportation to field trip locations?
Long distance field trip transportation is by public transit.
Most days, the campers will also walk to a nearby nature area or park. These can all be reached by sidewalks and crosswalks.
What is the student to teacher ratio?
To make sure campers are exploring topics safely and effectively, we plan to staff one teacher/counselor per 6 campers.
When does registration end? When will I find out if I got in? Is there a waitlist? Do you make efforts to get siblings enrolled together?
Registration technically remains open throughout the summer. If a spot opens up and there is no waitlist, anyone can still register at a prorated price. We will have a fixed number of spots open at the beginning of registration. If you’re one of the first to register, you will see that you got in immediately upon registration. When all open spots fill, a waitlist will be established. We will make sure all siblings get in together.
Do you offer a sibling discount?
Yes, there is a sibling discount that will be indicated at the time of registration.
What is the cancelation policy/deposit required at registration?
There is a $35 registration fee that is nonrefundable. Any cancelations before May 1 will be fully refunded (just not the registration fee).
What if my kid hates it and I need to pull him?
There is no chance! But if that happens, we can work out a refund policy for remaining days that is fair to everyone.
How long has this camp been around?
This will be our first year and we are excited to get things started! We have lots of cool activities planned for the kids!
Are you licensed?
We will make sure to comply with Wisconsin Section 48.65, Stats. This requires DCF 252 license for any camp supervising 4 or more children under the age of 7.