Located in the woodchips in front of the Wildwood Nature Center (west side of the Wildwood building) and indoors in the adjacent classroom, the Maple Room. Campers need to be checked in and out on a daily basis. Please make sure you have your photo I.D. ready, as we check identification until the staff is familiar with the pick-up person. Please make sure all pick up people are listed on your ePACT form.
Camp Drop-Off & Pick-Up Map
Lunch & Drink: Send a peanut/tree nut free snack and lunch in a reusable container, or you may order a hot lunch from our camp lunch program. Also send your camper with water to drink in a reusable refillable container.
Camp Lunch Program: Forms available online. Camp lunch program is not available on field trip days.
Clothing: It is important that your child wears appropriate shoes and clothing that reflects a busy, messy camp day.
Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen to your child before drop-off.
Swimming: Nature Camp swims at the Centennial Aquatic Center 2-3 afternoons per week, weather permitting. The weather is never certain, so send your camper with a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen on the swimming days listed on the weekly camp calendar. The Supervisor and Recreation Program Division Manager determine if campers go swimming in questionable weather. Lifeguards assess campers' swimming ability on the first trip to the pool. Please check the weekly calendar for swimming days.
Fishing Days: We fish/pond dip weekly unless there is a field trip. Campers are encouraged to bring their own pole (labeled with their name). If they do not have a fishing pole, Wildwood has poles and nets to borrow. Camp also provides bait, or the campers can bring their own. Wildwood also supplies bait, or campers can bring their own bait from home (please let your counselors know if you have bait in your backpack so it can be stored in the fridge).
Campfire Cooking Days (optional): Campers cook their own food over the campfire. To participate, campers bring a grill-able item from home (burger, brat, hotdog, s’mores, etc.) to be cooked at camp, along with a bun or other necessary items. Food needs to be labeled with the child's name, and ready to be stored in the fridge (in reusable container or plastic bag). Make sure your camper is aware that there is food in their backpack. If campers do not want to participate, please send them with a regular lunch. Campfire Cooking days vary or might not occur if there is a trip or special event. Please check the weekly camp schedule (emailed a few days before the start of the camp week) for your campfire cooking day.
FIELD TRIPS
Campers must wear their camp t-shirt on trips. Arrive at camp on time, as the buses depart on schedule. A Field Trip Permission Form must be filled out prior to the trip.
Certain trips require additional waivers. Certain trips require additional waivers. These field trip specific waivers will be emailed to you prior to the field trip.
- What to Bring: Campers must bring their own backpack (as opposed to sharing), sunscreen, and bug spray. Certain field trips might also require special equipment (like helmets). You will be notified of any special requirements prior to the field trip.
- What to Wear: Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and dress appropriately for the field trip activity.
- Lunch and Drink: Send a peanut/tree nut-free lunch in a reusable container and water in a refillable bottle. Camp Hot Lunch program is not available on field trips.
Field Trip and Event Schedule (subject to change)
- Wed, June 14: Earth Dome Event
- Tues, June 20: Canoeing Field Trip at Skokie Lagoons, Winnetka
- Tues, August 1: Rock climbing Field Trip to Climb Zone, Chicago
- Fri, August 11: Color War Event