overnight camps 2026
devil’s lake state park & blue mound state park
We will be offering OVERNIGHT CAMPS on the following dates (a make-up date will be offered in the event of bad weather).
Tuesday, June 23 at Devil’s Lake State Park!
(3 SPOTS LEFT)
Highlights:
Geology Hike, tailored to our needs/ages
Visit Pewit’s Nest
Swimming with floaties on Devil’s Lake (life vest required) and explore the park
Tuesday, Aug 25 at Blue Mound State Park!
(3 SPOTS LEFT)
Highlights:
Cave of the Mounds
Swimming Pool within the park
Explore and hike around Blue Mounds State Park
Overview
Depart for State Park from our set home park (either Pheasant Branch or Fireman’s Park Beach depending on the week) in the morning on day of trip, right after everyone arrives around 9am. Families will have the option to meet us there if preferred.
Daytime schedule: do activities such as Cave Tour, Geology Hike, lake or public pool swim, explore, rock and fossil hunting, art, possible mini trip to Pewit’s Nest (10 min from Devil’s Lake) if we have spare time. Kids who are daytime only will be transported back to the home park by 3pm.
Evening schedule: set up tents, make dinner, evening activity/free choice time, nature-themed movie, stargazing/telescope use, fire and campfire dessert
Morning: Make breakfast, free time, get ready to head out in the morning, drive back to home park to rejoin the day camper group, end the day at the usual 3pm at Pheasant Branch or Fireman’s Park Beach.
Note: Families are welcome to pick up early
Provided:
Afternoon snack and dinner on day 1 (please bring lunch and morning snack for day 1)
Evening snack, eg. s’mores or another dessert during campfire time
Lunch and snacks the next day
Food will be dietary restriction friendly
of FAQ
Q: What happens if there is inclement weather?
A: We’ll carefully watch the weather, and reschedule if necessary (two nights are already booked just in case). If both the original day and rain date have bad weather, we’ll offer a make up date or offer a refund (overnight specific in the event of bad weather).
Q: Can parents/guardians join the overnight?
A: YES. But, you’d need to book your own campsite because each site has a max of 6 people. Reach out to see where we’re booked within the parks!
Q: Can I drive my child to and from the state park?
A: Absolutely, just let us know.
Q: My kid has never camped before, can they still go?
A: As long as the kid feels comfortable and they’ve done an overnight away from home before ideally.
Q: What is overnight supervision like?
A: One teacher will be in the tent with the kids for supervision. Older kids have the option to bring their own tent and camp alone if they prefer, but no kid-only tents with more than 1 kid without prior family permission.
Q: Is the food allergen friendly? Can my kid bring their own food?
A: Yes and yes. We will accommodate all allergies.
Q: What is the packing list?
A: Sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping mat, warm layers, PJs, toothbrush and toiletries, water bottle, lunch and morning snack for day 1, grippy, sturdy shoes that can get wet/muddy, sandals for swimming/showers, clothes that can get dirty, swimming suit, towel, hat, sunscreen, bug spray. *If there any items you need and don’t currently have, let me know and I can help source them.
Q: I’m interested but the cost is too high, any options for that?
A: Please reach out. I want kids to have access to go camping, explore state parks and learn about geology!
Q: Is transportation included?
A: Yes, we will transport the kids from the home park to the state park and back to the home park the next day (at the end of the day, 3pm or later for after care).
Q: How will this impact the week’s schedule?
A: Kids have the option of:
1. Attending the regular week PLUS the overnight.
Cost of the regular, daytime weekly camp is $360. Plus the overnight cost of $150 = $516 total. Regular camp registration will be on the Summer Camps page. Pick up and drop every day are still from the listed home park:
Pheasant Branch Conservancy for Devil’s Lake, week of June 22-26
Fireman’s Park Beach for Blue Mound trip, week of August 24-28
2. ONLY doing the overnight: $300 Arrive 9am day of camping trip to home park in Madison, pick up the next day in the afternoon (3pm or later) from our home park. This includes 2 days of camp.
3. ONLY doing regular camp. Pick up and drop off at home parks (we’ll coordinate to make it work)
Q: I have another question that’s not answered here.
A: Reach out to me through email or the contact form, call or text me.
