Frequently Asked Questions
Adventure Day Camp
Some questions come up often, and we’ve taken a crack below at the ones we hear most. Keep ‘em coming, there’s no stupid question. And we love questions we have never heard before!
Will I be able to keep up?
Yes. We don’t leave anyone behind! However, this camp is not oriented to help out-of-shape kids get into shape. We are athletic every day and expect all kids to be comfortable and excited about putting forth a strong effort.
Will it be too easy?
Probably not. If you do find your abilities are well above the group’s, there are always ways we can provide extra challenges.
What happens each day?
The truth is, we don’t know. We have a “standard week” base plan, which is what we will do if it’s 75 degrees and sunny every day:
Monday
AM - Mountain Biking
PM - Flatwater SUP
Tuesday
Rock Climbing
Wednesday
Moving Water SUP
Thursday / Friday
Overnight Canoe / Camping
But that sort of charmed weather rarely happens! If it rains Sunday, we can’t ride mountain bike trails Monday. If winds are 20 mph, we’ll get hammered on paddle boards in most areas. And if the kids LOVE mountain biking on Monday, we might try to go again on Wednesday. So every week is a new one; we keep things flexible.
Why does camp cost “so much”?
We realize Adventure Camp costs more than many other summer day camp options, but we are doing something very different here. We are going on real adventures each day, where students get to exercise judgment and make decisions involving real risks. We need strong instructors who excel at managing risk, building rapport, and making difficult decisions. Students have told us nothing else they do during the summer compares to Adventure Camp. How much is that worth?
Consider the value offered by the following:
Overnight trip on Thursday - Friday (aka Date Night for parents)
1:4 instructor to camper ratio (find another summer camp that offers this!)
Mature, certified, experienced instructors who love working with kids AND are great teachers (these cost more money)
Is financial assistance available?
If you want to attend camp but tuition is beyond your family’s budget, please inquire. We may have tuition assistance available for those in need.
What sort of equipment do your campers use?
We use high-quality equipment from brand-name manufacturers.
| Gear | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Inflatable paddleboards (SUP) | Variety of sizes, high-quality build, bend-but-don't-break | National River Supply (NRS) |
| SUP youth paddles (carbon fiber) | Light and appropriately sized | Werner |
| Personal flotation devices (PFDs) | Comfortable, sporty, functional | Astral and NRS |
| Youth mountain bikes | Front-fork shocks, 14 - 21 gears, good repair | Trek |
| Youth climbing shoes | No climbing in sneakers! Sizes down to Kids 8 - 10 | La Sportiva |
Can students leave early from the overnight trip?
It’s difficult, sometimes impossible. If we are camping on a sandbar island in the middle of the Wisconsin River, there’s not much we can do. When we camp on the Kickapoo, it’s more plausible for parents to pick up their kids, but cell service is horrible and we’re not going to arrange the entire group’s day around one student’s soccer game. If you need to pick your student up, it’s on you to coordinate a rendezvous with us. In the case of sickness, family emergency, etc. it’s a different story, but cell service and travel logistics can be difficult nonetheless.
Do students get homesick?
Not often in our experience, but it has happened. For kids who have never slept away from home and/or away from their families, the first time doing so can be surprisingly emotional. We are comfortable helping kids work through the emotions, but we hope kids and parents will discuss the idea before signing up.
How do students pee/poop in the woods?
Peeing is a little different for girls than boys. Pooping is the same for everyone! It’s really not too bad, we’ll show you the ropes.
What if the weather is bad?
Someone once said, “There is no bad weather, only bad equipment.” We try to follow this philosophy and bring equipment to deal with rain, wind and hot/cool air and water temperatures.
That said, sometimes weather DOES get really bad. Like tornadoes, 100-year rain storms, etc. Or even less dramatic things, like all-day showers. Sometimes we give up on recreating outside and do something indoors, like climbing at Boulders Gym, though we avoid it when possible.
What is the cancellation policy?
We do not refund deposits or tuition. If you must cancel for any reason, we will do our best to move you to a different week that works for your schedule.
When should I bring my bike helmet and mountain bike?
The day(s) we are mountain biking. Storage space in the trailer and van are limited, so we try to plan ahead and bring only the gear we will need each day. The instructors will send an email each evening detailing specific gear to bring for the following day. Please bring your helmet and bike (if you are using your own) in the morning and take them home with you in the evening.
When do I drop off the tent for the overnight?
As soon as you'd like! As we prepare for the overnight, securing enough tents is at the top of our list. You can drop off the tent morning or afternoon Monday - Wednesday, but by Thursday morning at the latest. We will return them on Friday afternoon at pick-up.