Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Wisconsin Historical Society Announces 2025 Kids Summer Camp Lineup
Kids can explore history through hands-on experiences, from learning to become a citizen scientist in Madison to stepping back in time to the 19th century at Old World Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society is pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year’s summer camps. Campers can choose between Old World Wisconsin’s historic setting or Madison’s urban landscape. Whether young learners want to time travel to the 1800s, explore Wisconsin’s myths and legends through tabletop games or become citizen scientists, these camps offer one- and five-day options that engage kids with the state’s history in fascinating ways. Plus, there’s a fun-filled morning camp for families who want to join their kids for an Old World Wisconsin summer camp experience.
This year’s Old World Wisconsin summer camps include: “Big Woods Adventure Summer Camp,” “Makers' Adventure Summer Camp,” “History Explorers Summer Camp” and “Family Adventure Summer Camp.” Madison’s History Maker Space will offer “Myths and Legends: The Journey Begins Summer Camp,” “Myths and Legends Summer Camp,” “Citizen Scientists Summer Camp” and “Innovation Creation Summer Camp.”
The camps will be offered from June to August and advance registration is required.
Old World Wisconsin Summer Camps:
Set in a scenic forested landscape, kids will step back in time to explore authentic homes and farmsteads from another era. They'll visit a cozy log cabin, an 1800s-era general store and experience life in a one-room schoolhouse. Guided by costumed interpreters, campers will engage in hands-on activities within a historic setting. They'll meet heritage breed farm animals, tend the garden and hear captivating stories from the past.
The camp is offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 18 and July 9, 23 and 30 for ages 6-9, and on June 20 and 25 for ages 9-12. The cost is $75 per camper. For registration and more details, visit oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.
Discover the art of crafting as it was done long ago. Expert tradespeople skilled in metalworking, leatherworking, wool and textiles will teach young campers the historic techniques of time-honored trades. Campers will step into a 19th-century makerspace, create their own take-home souvenirs and explore historic workshops and farms in picturesque Old World Wisconsin.
Designed for ages 9-12, the camp runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 19 and July 10, 24 and 31. The cost is $75 per camper. For registration and more details, visit oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.
This immersive four-day experience invites teens to step into the life of a 19th-century trades apprentice at Old World Wisconsin. Campers will participate in hands-on activities like blacksmithing, cooking, textiles and cobbling, all while wearing period clothing. They'll also enjoy behind-the-scenes access to areas of the site not typically open to the public, including the animal barn and historic clothing collections.
Ideal for ages 13 to 18, the camp runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 25- 28 and July 16-19. The cost is $250 per camper. For registration and more details, visit oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.
Summer camp isn’t just for kids anymore! Now, families can spend a morning stepping back in time to explore the 19th century at Old World Wisconsin, the state’s largest living history museum. Check out an authentic log cabin, visit a one-room schoolhouse and shop in a general store, while discovering historic crafts and games once enjoyed by early American families.
The cost is $35 per camper, and the camp runs from 10 a.m. to noon on June 22 and July 11 and 27. Admission to the site for the day is included. For registration and more details, visit oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.
Old World Wisconsin is located at W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, Wis. 53119. For further information, go to oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301.
History Maker Space Summer Camps:
Myths and Legends: The Journey Begins Summer Camp
Enter the enchanting world of Wisconsin folklore and history at this one-of-a-kind camp! Kids will dive into exciting tabletop games, create their own characters and monsters and build unique worlds inspired by the legendary "Beast of Bray Road." With plenty of chances for imaginative play and teamwork, campers will explore captivating stories, make new friends and bring their wildest ideas to life!
Ideal for kids ages 6 to 9, the five-day camp runs from June 23-27 and costs $250 per camper. For registration and more details, visit wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
Designed for kids 9 to 12, this camp offers a structured tabletop gaming experience where campers can dive into realms like Dungeons and Dragons and games that emulate Wisconsin's historic myths and legends. Campers will tackle the “Beast of Bray Road” legend, using problem-solving, creativity and determination to save the town and defeat the beast.
The five-day camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July 14-18 and costs $250 per camper. For registration and more details, visit wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
Citizen Scientists Summer Camp
Learn how to be a citizen scientist at this NEW camp that explores Madison’s diverse and beautiful landscape. Designed for learners in grades 1-3, this science-focused camp invites young stewards to appreciate and care for nature’s wonders. Campers will learn about Wisconsin’s biodiversity, from prairies and lakes to urban landscapes, and discover how the natural world and man-made structures coexist. Through hands-on experiments, they’ll gain insights on how to make the world a better place.
The five-day camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July 30-Aug. 3 and costs $250 per camper. For registration and more details, visit wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
Innovation Creation Summer Camp
Unleash your creativity at this exciting camp designed to inspire young minds to think outside the box! Campers will explore a variety of activities, experiment with different materials and design their own innovative projects. Inspired by the 'Wisconsin Idea' of problem-solving, this program encourages campers to build, create and think in new ways. Geared toward students in grades 4-6, but open to younger campers with a passion for creativity.
The five-day camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July 28-Aug. 1 and costs $250 per camper. For registration and more details, visit wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
The History Maker Space, located at 1 S. Pinckney Street in US Bank Plaza, serves as a temporary venue for the Wisconsin Historical Society’s ongoing programming on Capitol Square while the new Wisconsin History Center is being built. Programming includes pop-up exhibits, author talks, public presentations, family programming and history center updates during construction of the new museum. For further information go to wisconsinhistory.org/historycenter.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
About Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Rated as one of the top attractions to take kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The museum offers guests family-friendly, hands-on activities as they visit crossroads village and eight working farmsteads, explore heirloom gardens, experience beer brewing traditions, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin, within daytrip distance of Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to this site during regular operating hours.
