WildeCamp Summer Camps
The chance to live at the Wilds for a whole week - what nature-loving kid wouldn't?
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. Enjoyment of our natural world and growing a concern for stewardship are at the heart of WildeCamp programs.
WildeCamp Provides an Exclusive Opportunity to:
- Experience camp activities based on the three Rs: Reverence, Respect & Responsibility.
- Live in a rustic Mongolian-style yurt camp.
- Encounter rare and endangered wildlife from around the world.
- Learn from a professionally-trained staff in a high staff-to-camper ratio setting.
- Explore thousands of acres of forests, wetlands, and prairies both day and night.
WildeCamp Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 2012 WildeCamp schedule?
- How do you pronounce WildeCamp?
- What Does the Fee Include?
- What does a typical day at camp look like?
- What are the WildeCamp staff like?
- What is the staff to camper ratio?
- Can you accommodate special dietary requests?
- Do campers interact with the Wilds animals?
- What are the three Rs?
- Where do you swim and canoe at camp?
- Can I visit the camp before signing up?
- Do you offer camps for the whole family?
- How do I learn more and register?
2012 WildeCamp at the Wilds
OPEN HOUSE – All Ages
A great way to get a feel for our resident camp is to visit it in person. Special open house dates allow you to see the facilities and meet the conservation educators and counselors. Open House Tours begin at 1 p.m. and last approximately 2 hours. Pre-registration is required.
Session 1: May 6
Session 2: June 3
Cost: FREE
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.
Session 1: June 24 - 28
Session 2: July 29 - August 2
Cost: $335 per person; $305 Wilds members
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!
Session 1: July 15 - 21
Session 2: August 5 - 11
Cost: $475 per person; $430 Wilds members
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.
Session 1: June 10 - 16
Session 2: July 22 - 28
Cost: $510 per person; $440 Wilds members
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.
Session 1: June 17 - 23
Cost: $570 per person; $490 Wilds members
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.
Session 1: July 15 - 21
Session 2: August 5 - 11
Cost: $475 per person; $430 Wilds members
DIRTY WILD JOBS: A Conservation Career Camp for Teens - 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 veterinarians, animal management professionals, restoration ecologists and conservation educators provide many opportunities to learn about careers in conservation. All campers participate in group activities together,
in addition to attending smaller focus sessions of up to 12 campers
per area-specific program. Choose from two programs: Conservation Medicine or Animal Management.
Dirty Wild Jobs campers must be entering
10th grade or above.
To ensure a quality learning experience, each concentration group will
be limited to 12 campers. Dirty Wild Jobs campers will be chosen through
an application process. All Dirty Wild Jobs applicants must
fill out the Dirty Wild Jobs application (in addition to
the registration forms). The selection process will begin May 1. Any
applicant not accepted will be issued a full refund.
Cost: $819 per person; $755 Wilds members
"Will-da-camp" - Think of mashing wildebeest and camp together and you get WildeCamp!
Conservation Education Camp accommodations include Mongolian-style sleeping yurts, modern bathhouse & restaurant-catered meals, a horseback ride, supplies & select equipment for activities, and a WildeCamp t-shirt.
Everyday is a little different and each camp session has a unique focus. 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. Check out the sample itineraries for each camp by clicking the SAMPLE ITINERARY links.
Conservation Educators and Counselors are upper class college students and college graduates who studied fields related to conservation and education. The WildeCamp staff are positive role models that make the campers their top priority. After passing a criminal background check, all staff stationed at the Conservation Education Camp participate in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED for Adult, Child and Infant training. Select staff receive higher levels of emergency training including American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote Setting First Aid. The Wilds also recuits interns who are just starting their college studies in a related field. Interns must pass a criminal background check and are well supervised by the Wilds conservation education staff.
Most camps have a ratio of 1 staff per 8 campers with a maximum of 32 campers per session with the following exceptions. 8-9 year old Kritter Kids have a ratio of 1 staff per 6 campers. 15-19 year old Dirty Wild Jobs campers have a 1 staff per 9 camper ratio. Each sleeping yurt has 1 staff member assigned to it and may also have an intern assigned to it. All activities are well supervised.
Yes. You will have the chance to tell us about any food allergies of dietary restriction when you complete the registration paperwork. The Wilds chef will work with you to understand and accommodate any food allergies or restrictions.
All campers have the opportunity to participate in a safari, meet our education animals and take a horseback ride. Dirty Wild Jobs campers will have more time around the captive herds as part of their conservation career experience. None of the campers are allowed in any dangerous setting with the captive wildlife herds at the animal facilities.
Reverence, respect, and responsibility. 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 three Rs.
Turtle Lake is in walking distance of the camp. All aquatic activities require life jackets and a swimming ability check.
Yes. A great way to get a feel for our resident camp is to visit it in person. Special open house dates allow you to see the facilities and meet the conservation educators and counselors. Open House Tours begin at 1 p.m. and last approximately 2 hours. Pre-registration is required. If you cannot attend an Open House, special arrangements can be made by calling 740-638-5030 x2286 or emailing reservations@thewilds.org.
Yes. The Wilds offers Family Camp weekends throughout the summer.
Click on the 'Reserve Now' box below the camp session you are interested in to be directed to the Wilds online reservation system, give us a call at 740-638-5030 x2286 or email reservations@thewilds.org. These popular camps can fill up quickly, so consider making reservations early. Registration is open by January 2 each year.
For more information, please call 740-638-5030 ext 2286 or e-mail reservations@thewilds.org.