Travel Club I

“Wander the whole summer . . . the big days will go uncounted.”   – John Muir

Spend each day on a different Wander Wisconsin adventure and sleep in your own bed at night.  Monday, travel to Devil’s Lake State Park for swimming, hiking, fishing and cooking out.  Tuesday, ride the carnival-style rides and cool off on the waterslides at Riverview Park and Waterworld.  Wednesday it’s off to Milwaukee to explore the state of the art Discovery World Museum at Pier Wisconsin.  Thursday, visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and experience a hands-on boat-building workshop.  Tour the five large interactive river aquariums and the steamboat William M. Black.  Friday, finish off your week at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park for a day filled with coasters, go-carts, wave pools, and waterslides!  At Mt. Olympus you will divide into groups according to “adventure level”, so you will get to ride and slide on the attractions YOU are comfortable with.  Travel Club I is a great way to kick off a summer of fun!

why wander?

Wander Wisconsin has been leading unique adventures and camping experiences for youth since 1989.

 Yellowstone Lake State Park

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir

Kid Campouts are designed for campers ages 8-12 as an introduction to camping, environmental awareness and outdoor living.  Yellowstone Lake Kid Campout includes making new friends, day adventures to Governor Dodge State Park for swimming, fishing and hiking and the Sugar River for tubing.  Depart on Wednesday for Yellowstone Lake State Park for two nights of camping.  Enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, cooperative cooking, a naturalist-interpreted bat program, night games, campfire stories, s’mores and more!  Yellowstone Lake is the summer home to more than 4,000 brown bats, and brown bats eat mosquitoes.  So, join us for some bug-free fun in the sun and the only Kid Campout trip with river tubing.  On the way home stop at the Toy Train Barn in Argyle.

why wander?

Trip leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and are certified lifeguards.

 Black River State Forest

“Let nature be your teacher.”   – William Wordsworth

Kid Campouts are designed for campers ages 8-12 as an introduction to camping, environmental awareness and outdoor living.  Black River Kid Campout includes making new friends, day adventures to the International Crane Foundation and Devil’s Lake as well as a day at the Schlitz Audobon Center in Milwaukee. Depart on Wednesday for Black River State Forest for two nights of camping in a rustic cabin while also taking part in swimming, fishing, hiking, cooperative cooking, night games, campfire stories, s’mores and more!   This trip is a great alternative for campers who are ready to “wander”, but not quite ready to spend two nights in a tent.  Come experience “roughing it easy” in Black River State Forest’s unique group cabin.

why wander?

We travel in small groups of twelve or fewer campers on all overnight trips.  All overnight trips are led by two trip leaders.

 Summer Sampler - Wildcat Mountain State Park

“Not all those who wander are lost”. – J.R. Tolkien

Tent Treks offer our 10-13 year old campers an opportunity to experience more challenging outdoor living, develop greater environmental awareness and trek a little farther from home.  The Wildcat Mountain Tent Trek will explore the scenic Kickapoo River Valley, part of the southwest Wisconsin Driftless Area.  The name Kickapoo is Algonquin for “one who goes here, then there”. (Sounds like wandering!)  Discover the dramatic sandstone cliffs along the river by canoe and have the opportunity to further discover area nature and wildlife on hikes and on horseback.  Your home for the week will be Wildcat Mountain State Park where you will enjoy camping, fishing, swimming and hiking.  On the way home on Friday, stop and cool off at Chula Vista Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells.   Join us at Wildcat Mountain State Park and sample the best that a Wisconsin summer has to offer.

why wander?

We travel in the most beautiful, unique places in Wisconsin and are fully permitted to operate in all the areas we explore.

 Climb & Cave: Devil's Lake State Park & Maquoketa Caves State Park, IA

“In the American Southwest, I began a lifelong love affair with a pile of rock.”

– Edward Abbey

Tent Treks offer our 10-13 year old campers an opportunity to experience more challenging outdoor living, develop greater environmental awareness and trek a little farther from home. Begin your week at Devil’s Lake State Park where you will have the opportunity to rock climb one of the most ancient rock outcrops in North America, led by a professional rock climbing guide. On Tuesday depart Devil’s Lake and stop for a tour and SpeleoQUEST program at Cave of the Mounds on your way to Maquoketa Caves in Iowa. Spend the next few days spelunking the 16 different limestone caves, formations and rugged bluffs of this Iowa state park providing you a chance to “step back” thousands of years in geologic time.  When not caving or climbing, enjoy camping, swimming, fishing and exploring the parks.  Join us and find out why Wander Wisconsin rocks!

why wander?

We have carefully planned our trips with a progressive itinerary with specific goals for each activity, in each area we travel.

 Door County Fishing - Newport state park

“May your waters be swift and pure, may your presentation be perfect, and of course, let there be trout”. – Jim Slinsky

Tent Treks offer our 10-13 year old campers an opportunity to experience more challenging outdoor living, develop greater environmental awareness and trek a little farther from home.  Join us for the ultimate Wisconsin fishing trip in Door County!  Fish from a charer boat with experienced guides.  Try some canoe fishing at Potawatomi State Park.  Ride the ferry to Rock Island where you can hike and explore, tour the lighthouse, and fish off the island.  Your home for the week will be Newport State Park encompassing over 2,300 wilderness acres and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline offering a quiet alternative to other bustling Door County parks.  You will have the opportunity to hone your rustic camping skills and truly experience the natural environment.  End the week with a traditional and delicious Door County picnic-style fish boil.  Yum!  On the way home stop at Whitefish Dunes State Park to swim, fish and explore.  Kids, fishing and fun - the perfect summer combination!

why wander?

We carry extensive first aid kits on all our trips. We have designated evacuation routes and designated medical facilities in every area we operate.

Wisconsin River: Canoe CAMPING

“A river seems a magic thing.  A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself”.

– Laura Gilpin

Tent Treks offer our 10-13 year old campers an opportunity to experience more challenging outdoor living, develop greater environmental awareness and trek a little farther from home.  Start your week with a boat tour of the Upper Wisconsin River and camping at Buckhorn State Park.  Then, paddle your way past lush islands, endless sandbars, and the majestic bluffs of the Wisconsin River.  View eagles, cranes, beaver, deer, turtles, and more.  Follow the route of the explorers as they paddled their way through Wisconsin.  This trip is the perfect introduction to canoe camping.  You will paddle, swim and explore by day and camp along the river at one of the canoe campsites at night.  You do not need prior experience camping or canoeing or a particular level of fitness for this trip.  We'll see YOU on the river!

why wander?

All of our trips are equipped with a cell phone providing the possibility of 24-hour access to medical help in case of emergency.

 Teen Travel Club

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves”. – Andre Gide

Teen Adventures are all about making new friends, experiencing new sites and sounds and facing new challenges.  Spend each day on a different Wander Wisconsin adventure and sleep in your own bed at night.  Monday get to know your fellow campers and challenge yourself at the climbing tower at Camp Indian Trails in Janesville.  Tuesday, spend a lazy day tubing down the Sugar River.  Wednesday, head to Governor Dodge State Park for a day of swimming, hiking, canoeing and a cookout lunch.  Thursday, cook off at Noah's Ark, America's largest waterpark!  Friday, finish off the week at Six Flags Great America!  We'll divide into groups according to "adventure level", so you'll get to ride on the attractions YOU are comfortable with.  Teen Travel Club is a great alternative for teens who want to "wander", but don't want to camp or be done overnight.  Travel Club is a popular option and fills up fast, so register early!

why wander?

Our trips are unique, challenging and age appropriate.  We use multiple means of travel: canoeing, backpacking, biking, kayaking, rafting, to cross out entire state and beyond.

Teen River Runner

“You can never step into the same river; for new waters are always flowing on to you”.

– Heraclitus of Ephesus

Teen Adventures are all about making new friends, experiencing new sites and sounds and facing new challenges.  We'll see YOU on the water!  Experience all the whitewater action while rafting the famous ROARING RAPIDS of the Peshtigo  River; the longest continuous stretch of rapids in the Midwest.  Canoe the rivers and lakes of the Northern Highlands State Forest; including a night on Fox Island. Challenge yourself at Wildman Ranch's Alpine Tower, a remarkable high ropes course constructed on a series of vertical towers.  Summit the tower and experience the dramatic 100 foot swing by choice.  Adventure, friendships, lasting memories and the call of the river make this one of our most popular teen trips.

why wander?

We partner with other quality outfitters and guides for some trips in order to offer the very highest level of safety and instruction for our campers.

 Teen Backpack - Porcupine Mountains

“Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons.  It is to grow in the open air and eat and sleep with the earth”. – Walt Whitman

Teen Adventures are all about making new friends, experiencing new sites and sounds and facing new challenges.  Learn basic backpacking, map and compass skills, minimum impact camping and tasty backpack cookery in one of the United States' most spectacular wilderness areas.  Make your way to the scenic shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at Porcupine Mountains State Park.  This is truly a unique experience.  You and your group will backpack to find wild rivers, towering pines and the spectacular Lake of the Clouds.  At least one night will be spent in the wilderness area sites that are accessible only by backpacking in.  A list of recommended backpacking gear will accompany your registration confirmation.  Join us for this classic wilderness camping experience that is a favorite among returning campers.

why wander?

Our leaders are experienced guides and mentors.  They are committed to providing a safe, supportive, fun and meaningful experience for each camper.