Bust out your fishing pole + your friendship bracelet gear, ‘cause we’re going to camp.

Well, maybe not us, but we’re willing to bet you’ve got a kid in your life who’s in need of some summer activities. So, utilize the buddy system, because we’re diving into 12 local camps.

🎨 Create

Taliesin Preservation Summer Camps, 5607 County Rd. C, Spring Green | Spark creativity through immersive architecture experiences. Participants will build, sketch, and showcase their work through team-building and mindfulness in the creative process. | Ages 10-18.

Monroe Street Arts Center, 1732 W. Lawn Ave. | Weeklong camps that challenge the imagination at age-appropriate levels. Learn to cartoon, discover famous artists + make wearable art. Waitlist only. | Ages 3-14.

Young Writers Camp, Locations vary | Budding novelists and young journalists can sharpen their writing skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. Choose camps by age level or interest for a summer of wordsmithing. | Grades 3-12.

🌳 Outdoors

Hickory Hill Academy Summer on the Farm, 3276 S. High Point Rd. | A variety of programs ranging from part-time to full day will keep kids active + mentally sharp over the 12-week summer. From rock n’ roll to outdoor mindfulness, kids of all ages will keep busy. | Ages 1-12.

Devil’s Lake Adventure Day Camp, Baraboo, WI | Build skills + confidence in outdoor adventure pursuits. Campers will spend five days in southern Wisconsin nature on a canoe trip. | Grades 4-8.

Spartan Day Camp, 4814 Freedom Ring Dr. | Spend the summer in nature, experiencing the natural world through exploration and independence. Sign up for the whole summer or register week by week. Enrollment opens April 1. | Ages 5-12.

🐶 Animals

Camp Pawprint, DCHS, 5132 Voges Rd. | Children will learn how to care for and appreciate all living creatures with Dane County Humane Society’s day camps. Animals lovers will spend time learning caring techniques for pets or step onto the wild side with exotic animals | Ages 7-12

Hoofbeat Ridge, Pick-up locations vary | Kiddos will spend the week on the farm participating in horseback riding, arts and crafts, hiking, and learning about horse sciences. The positive and self-paced setting will give children the space to grow and explore. | Ages 8-13.

🔬 Science

Stellar Tech Girls, 6720 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave., Middleton | Future astronauts and space explorers can solve problems while learning about space travel. Plus, sign up for hands-on chemistry experiences featuring ice cream. | Ages 9-14.

Badger Bots, 7615 Discovery Dr., Middleton | STEM camps ranging from LEGO robots to 3D printing for young minds to stay sharp over the summer. Camps run all summer long + are grouped by age. | Ages 7-12.

👟 Athletics

Badger Sports Camps, UW-Madison | Take your game to the next level by training with the Badgers collegiate teams in basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer + more. Develop fundamental skills and get a good sweat with hands-on coaching. | Ages vary based on sport.

Rec Well Summer Camps, UW-Madison | A variety of all-day camps with the UW team ranging from science sessions to how-to keep it green in the 608. Kids will have time to learn, as well as move their bodies throughout the day. | Ages 5-12.