Camp Wildside
FAQs

Camp WildSide is designed for kids ages 12-14. Campers are often all together throughout the day with Camp Staff leading them, but for certain activities may be split into smaller groups. If your camper is attending with a sibling or a friend, please tell us in your registration. 

When registering, please ensure that your camper’s age will correspond to the above age limits. 

Registration for Camp WildSide Summer Camp opens on February 1st, 2025. Check our website here for updates, or sign up for our e-newsletters to get notified when we open up registration. 

Nuts

DCHS utilizes peanut butter for animal enrichment throughout the shelter, and is unable to provide a peanut-free facility. We may use peanut butter for camp activities. We are unable to make accommodations for children with severe peanut allergies. 

If your child has a minor peanut allergy (e.g. just can't ingest peanut butter, but is fine touching it), you are welcome to register them for Camp WildSide. However, please include all allergy information in their Camp Registration. 

Animals

If your camper is allergic to any kind of household pet or other animal, please let us know in their Camp Registration. If their allergy is severe, Camp WildSide might not be a good fit for them. Camp WildSide takes place in and around the Barn, which may house farm animals. There may also be interactions with animals accompanying guest speakers, or during other wildlife activities.  

Hay

Camp WildSide is outdoors in the DCHS Barn. As such, hay is present in and around the area. If your child has a hay allergy such that being in these areas would irritate their respiratory system, Camp WildSide may not be a good fit for them.

Other Allergies

Campers may also be exposed to latex and other allergens. We cannot control all of the allergens that might be present. Please include all allergy information in their Camp Registration and reach out to us if you have questions. 

Campers will be learning about wildlife and the environment, but much of this learning will not include direct contact with wild animals. This is part of our emphasis on “keep wildlife wild,” where campers will learn to not treat wildlife like pets. That said, depending on the time of year there may be opportunities where a guest speaker brings an education animal or campers may be participating in bird banding or checking nest boxes that have live birds. Many of these animal interactions will be observational, and not hands on. 

Campers also will not be able to pet adoptable dogs, cats, or critters that are staying at the shelter. This is for the safety of our animals and campers. We have struggled with campers following this rule in the past, so please make sure your camper knows about this rule before their camp week starts.

• Bring a packed lunch, at least one snack, and a closed top water bottle each day. We have dedicated snack time once in the morning for all campers and once in the afternoon for extended camp. DCHS will not provide snacks to campers.
• If your child has medication that is needed at camp, please complete our medication form when you arrive at camp.
• Please have your camper arrive dressed for the weather. Camp WildSide is a mostly outdoor camp. Campers should wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. 
• Please provide sunscreen and bug repellent for your camper. If they need assistance, please help them before dropping them off. 
• If campers bring cell phones or other items (e.g. Pokemon cards or footballs), they must be packed away with their other belongings during all activities. If these items become disruptive, DCHS staff will hold the items until the camper is picked up. 
• Please label and ensure all of your child's belongings are picked up at the end of the day. Anything left will be donate to our thrift stores one week after the end of camp. 

• We expect campers to show respect and kindness toward animals, staff, presenters, and other campers at all times. We expect campers to follow all health and safety instructions given to them by camp staff. Please discuss this with your child so that everyone will be ready to participate upon arrival. We will remind campers of the expectations and any repeated incidents may require further intervention according to our Policies.
• Camp WildSide staff is not trained to handle all emotional and behavioral conditions. If your child has a one-on-one teacher or aide at school, then you must provide an aide for them to succeed at camp. We do not have the staff to provide individual attention for each child all day. If your child is a danger to themselves, other campers, staff, or animals, you will be asked to pick your camper up. We have a zero-tolerance policy for violence, and any child who becomes violent at camp will be asked to leave and not return.
• If you are concerned about any behavioral needs or are able to provide more information on how your child can best thrive at camp, please provide this information during registration or reach out to us and provide more information about your child’s unique needs and preferences. You are the expert on your child's unique needs. 
• Campers will not be able to pet adoptable dogs, cats, or critters. This is for the safety and well-being of both campers and the animals at the shelter.

• Drop-off is between 8:30 and 9:00 am.
• There will not be structured programming until 9:00 am. We will have books, games, and coloring pages available, and campers are welcome to bring their own book to entertain themselves during this time. Campers are expected to follow the rules listed above during this time. 
   
• Guardians must come inside to sign their camper in and out. We will be in the Barn Office.
  • During check-in, please review the list of who has been approved to pick up the camper—we require a signed letter of consent to release your camper to anyone not on the authorized pick-up list at the end of the day.
  • If your camper takes any medication during the day (including over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen), please complete the medical form during check-in.
• Camp runs until 3:30 pm. If you purchased Extended Camp when registering, your camper can stay at DCHS until 5:00 pm.
  • Campers must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of camp. After 15 minutes, there will be a $1 charge per minute late. If you are running late to pick up your child, please call or text the camp phone number listed in your reservation confirmation email. Extended Camp is excluded from this grace period and will be charged $1 a minute with the first incident starting at 5 pm. 
• Anyone signing out a camper must present PHOTO IDENTIFICATION and be on that child's approved pick-up list.

On the first day of each camp week, campers will do introduction activities, learn about the wildlife rehabilitation program, and go on a tour of the Barn, outdoor spaces, and Wildlife Center reception/kitchen areas (campers will not be entering animal care areas). 

Most days, campers will play nature-themed games, complete service projects for the shelter, explore the property, learn about nature and wildlife during fun activities, complete art or craft projects, and listen to presentations by special guest visitors.

We will be outside each day for the majority of our activities. Snack time and lunch may be held either indoors or outdoors based on the preferences of the group. When the weather is bad, we stay inside and have indoor activities (e.g. watch animal-related videos). We have one dedicated morning snack time and one snack time during extended camp. DCHS does not provide snacks for campers. 

Weekend camps are a single day and each have a unique theme which you can find listed on the main page for Camp WildSide. Weekday camps have the same themes as weekend camps, with similar activities and guest speakers. If your camper attends multiple full weeks, or multiple weekend camps with the same listed theme, there will be some repeat activities. 

The majority of camp takes place outdoors, including days with mild rain. Heavy rain would necessitate moving the campers indoors for a partial or full day depending on how long the severe weather lasts. There will be indoor activities available for the days and times where weather does not allow campers to be outdoors. The indoor space for Camp WildSide is the DCHS Barn, which is not temperature-controlled. 

Weekend camps are a single day and each have a unique theme which you can find listed on the main page for Camp WildSide. Weekday camps have the same themes as weekend camps, with similar activities and guest speakers. If your camper attends multiple full weeks, or multiple weekend camps with the same listed theme, there will be some repeat activities. 

Yes! Please include this preference in your camper's registration. Many activities will be in one group, but for certain tasks we may split the campers. Similar to schools, we separate siblings into separate groups unless otherwise requested.  

Campers can be dropped off between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Programming promptly begins at 9:00 am. The normal camp day lasts until 3:30 pm. You can purchase extended camp for an additional fee to extend your camper's day until 5:00 pm. 

We offer Camp WildSide through the spring and summer seasons. Weekday camps are a full week and take place on consecutive weekdays Monday – Friday. Weekend daycamps take place on a single day, typically Sundays. We base our summer schedule around the surrounding area's school time off. 

Camp WildSide sees 10 campers each session. Campers are often all together throughout the day with camp staff leading them, but for certain activities may be split into smaller groups.

If you believe your child will be able to attend camp but they have certain behavioral or physical disabilities, please communicate with us closely and in writing before camp to let us know of your child's specific needs. 

If your child has a one-on-one teacher or aide at school, then you must provide an aide to assist our staff in enabling them to succeed at camp. We do not have the staff to provide individual attention for each child all day. Additionally, we are unable to assist with bathroom, medication distribution, or anything that involves personal contact with a child who is not self-sufficient. 

Camp WildSide has limited accessibility due to the nature of this being an outdoor camp. Campers will be on mowed grass, mulch, and occasionally gravel areas. The ground may be uneven, and may be additionally slippery or soft during rainy weather. 

Currently, no DCHS buildings have automatic door openers. The bathroom in the Barn has grab bars, a 35-inch-wide doorway, and a raised lip (1.25 inches) on the ground at the threshold. There are four accessible bathroom stalls in the DCHS main shelter (one gender-neutral, one men's, two women's). The parking lot of the Barn parking area has one dedicated accessible parking space. The DCHS main building has four dedicated accessible parking spaces.

If you would like to further discuss your child attending camp and their specific needs, please reach out to wildlifeeducation@giveshelter.org. Our staff are skilled in many areas, but you are the expert on both your child's physical and emotional needs. We are happy to work together to ensure your child enjoys camp!

A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. Complete our online application here to apply! Apply by 5 p.m. on March 26th to be eligible for the first round of awards. Applications will be accepted until all funds are distributed. 

Note: Completing this application does not guarantee a spot in camp. Tuition assistance funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For Full Week Camps - Refund or transfer requests must be sent to the Camp Coordinator at wildlifeeducation@giveshelter.org. DCHS will use the scale below to determine the refund or transfers available for each request. 1. UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER PAYMENT, full refunds may be granted, less a $25 administration fee. 2. BEFORE MARCH 1, 2025, a 50% refund may be granted or registration may be transferred to another week camp if available. 3. MORE THAN THREE WEEKS prior to the start of your registered camp, a registration may be transferred to another week of Camp WildSide if available. 4. THREE WEEKS OR FEWER, no transfers, credits, or refunds will be issued. 

For Weekend Day Camps - 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. In the event that DCHS cancels an event, registration may be transferred to another date.

• We are following Public Health of Madison & Dane County guidelines to prevent the spread of respiratory virus and COVID-related illnesses.
• Masks are encouraged, but not required, at Camp WildSide in most cases. We will have masks available and if we notice that your child is symptomatic, we will ask them to wear a mask during some or all activities.
• Please discuss with your child how to prevent the spread of disease, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, and social distancing.
• If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or was exposed to someone with COVID-19, please follow CDC guidelines for masking and staying home. They have a helpful tool that can be found here.
  • If you need to cancel a camp due to a respiratory virus or COVID-related illness, we will provide a partial or pro-rated credit to future Camp WildSide sessions by request only, within one week of the end of the event. Thank you for staying home if you are not feeling well!

Dane County Humane Society's EIN Tax ID is 39-0806335