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Central Wisconsin Environmental Station Summer Camp

American Camp Association Accreditation

CWES is an ACA accredited camp! ACA is the only national accrediting body for camps of all types. ACA’s accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management, and are used as benchmarks by government entities. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s commitment to the well-being of campers and staff

Camps offered at Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) supports all campers’ physical, social, and mental well-being. CWES provides activities, opportunities and learning experiences for campers that meet the individual campers’ needs, capabilities, interests, and overall well-being. ​

While CWES ​​​​provides camps for all youth targeted audiences, there are varying levels of activities risks and challenges that our camps promote. To best facilitate camper’s needs, CWES supports and promotes the following:

To register a camper, log in to CampDocs and create a profile.

Day Camp

Jr. Naturalists Day Camp: Ages 5-10 

August 11-15, 2025 Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Cost: $375/camper  $350/each additional sibling

Get to know the camp experience through waterfront time at Sunset Lake, crafts and games while attending the Day Camp. Camp runs 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

Discover the wonders of Wild Wisconsin! Join us at CWES daily for a blend of engaging camp activities and immersive nature programs. Delight in waterfront swimming, delve into the fascinating lives of beavers, and explore your creativity in nature crafts. 

Adventure Trip

Hike an Bike: Ages 14-16

*Size limit: 12 campers

July 27-August 1, 2025

Cost: $550

Explore stunning views at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! Hike past wonderful waterfalls to Chapel Beach and see the massive dunes at Log Slide Overlook. Catch a ferry to Grand Island National Recreation Area where you’ll pedal along 20 miles of pristine Lake Superior shoreline. All this while camping near the finest beaches in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Residential Camps

Earth Explorers: Ages 7-9

June 15-June 18, 2025

Cost: $375

Experience the magic of residential camp life at CWES with a three night-stay. This camp is a great introduction for new campers. Earth Explorers will create cherished memories through nature exploration, games, songs and stories around the campfire, and fun at Sunset Lake.

Forestry Skills Camp: high school juniors and seniors (must have completed your junior or senior year of high school in 2025)

June 15-June 20, 2025

Cost: Free with limited, full scholarships

Thinking about a career in the forest industry? The Forestry Skills Camp is an immersive training experience in chainsaw safety/operation, portable sawmill use, lumber drying, tree harvester operation, tree identification and more! Campers will gain hands-on experience with skills necessary for careers in forestry and forest products, taught by professionals in the industry. This camp provides 1 forestry credit at UWSP.

To be considered for the Forestry Skills Camp, you must complete the application. Applications are due April 19th. Awardees will be notified by May 1, 2025.

Everything Under the Sun: Ages 9-11

July 6-July 11, 2025

Cost: $515

Just like the name suggests, campers are immersed in the full spectrum of camp experiences! Join us for an enriching week filled with swimming and boating on the lake, camp crafts, archery, and exciting evening programs that include night hikes and stargazing.

Outdoor Skills: Ages 10-12 

July 27-August 1, 2025

Cost: $515

Enhance your proficiency in backcountry abilities and wilderness knowledge. This week’s featured activities encompass outdoor cooking, fire-building techniques, and embarking on a day trip to our overnight property across Sunset Lake.

Sky’s the Limit: Ages 11-13

August 3-8, 2025

Cost: $515

Reach new heights and participate in specially designed activities to build upon traditional camp programming. Develop your canoeing skills through T-Rescue training on Sunset Lake, advance your climbing skills at tree climbing, and cap off your adventure with an unforgettable overnight at Raccoon Run, our exclusive wilderness site.

Scholarships

CWES offers limited partial scholarships for campers. To apply, please complete a Scholarship Application Form. We also encourage you to seek out scholarships from your own local community organizations. See the list below of organizations who have sponsored campers!

Important Documents

Day Camp Packing List

Overnight Camp Packing List

Adventure Trip Packing List

Parent Information Packet

Counselor In Training (CIT)

Are you 16-17 years old and interested in being a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) at CWES this summer?  CWES has the perfect opportunity for you.

As a CIT you would spend a week at camp shadowing a counselor.  You will get the chance to learn how you might become a future CWES employee.  See all of the behind-the-scenes activities that it takes to run a successful camp. We typically take 1-2 CITs a week for our program. The CITs arrive before our campers and work with our counselors to experience “counselor life” for one camp. There is no cost and no pay. The CITs receive experience, food and lodging for during their stay. This volunteer opportunity is open for each of the following residential camps:

  • Earth Explorers (ages 7-9) June 15-18
  • Everything Under the Sun (ages 9-11) July 6-11
  • Sky’s the Limit (ages 11-13) August 3-8

If you are interested, complete this a CIT Application.​

If you have questions, please contact Tom Quinn, CWES Director at tquinn@uwsp.edu.

Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

CWES Summer Camp Mission Statement:
CWES staff are committed to the leadership, support, and inspiration of youth to foster new
perspectives, passions, and an appreciation of the outdoors. CWES provides a safe and
healthy environment for positive growth experiences, quality education and a nurturing setting
for discovery and recreation.

Staff Goals:
When interacting with campers, staff will seek to:

Camper Outcomes:
We hope that these goals will enable campers to achieve the following, both within and beyond
camp:

Camp Sponsors

The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station thanks all of the individuals and organizations that sponsor campers to come to CWES for summer camp. If you are interested in being a sponsor this year, please complete the following form and return it to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station.

All summer campers will register on-line. Once we receive your sponsor form with the list of campers for the 2023 summer camp session, we will send out a letter or email to each camper with a unique code. The camper will use this code when registering online as their form of payment. Please send your form in as soon as possible and we will hold spots for the youth you would like to sponsor. If spots are not held, camps may fill.

Sponsor Pledge Form 2024

2024 Sponsors

2023 Sponsors

2022 Sponsors

2020 Sponsors

2019 Sponsors