Your child has off of school – now what? Bring them for a day of exciting learning and adventure at one of our Vacation Day programs! Offered during winter break, spring break, and other days that many area school districts have off, these programs are a perfect way to keep your child engaged on their days off of school. AfterCare provides flexibility for busy families.
All vacation day programs are drop-off programs appropriate for children ages 5-10 years. Please bring a sack lunch for all full-day programs, AM and PM snacks are provided.
Tuition assistance and payment plans are available. Contact camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org to inquire about availability.
REGISTRATION FOR 2024/25 OPENS AT NOON ON AUGUST 1st
REGISTER HERE FOR 2023/2024 VACATION DAYS
Vacation Day programs are offered on most days off of school for Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), Monona Grove School District (MGSD), and Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool (ALNP).
Vacation Days in 2024/2025 include…
Fall Semester
- 9/23 (MGSD): A. Dip Dip Hooray!
- 10/3 (MMSD): B. Dip Dip Hooray!
- 10/4 (MMSD): C. Apple Science
- 10/21 (MGSD): D. Apple Science
- 11/1 (MGSD): E. Operation Migration
- 11/4 (MMSD, ALNP): F. Fun with Phenology
- 11/5 (MMSD, ALNP): G. Operation Migration
- 11/27 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): H. GOBBLE GOBBLE
- 12/2 (MMSD): I. Map Quest
- 12/26 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): J. Little Critters
- 12/27 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): K. Wisconsin Living Long Ago
- 12/30 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): L. Clues on Snowshoes
- 12/31 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): M. Frozen Forts
- 1/2 (MMSD, ALNP): N. Winter Survival
- 1/3 (MMSD, ALNP): O. Mad Scientists
Spring Semester
- 1/17 (MGSD): P. Owl Moon
- 1/27 (MMSD): Q. Owl Moon
- 2/21 (MMSD, MGSD): R. Arti-Facts!
- 2/24 (MGSD): S. Map Quest
- 3/24 (MMSD, ALNP): T. Have to Have a Habitat
- 3/25 (MMSD, ALNP): U. Naturally Fun
- 3/26 (MMSD, ALNP): V. The Birds are Back
- 3/27 (MMSD, ALNP): W. Spring Fling
- 3/28 (MMSD, MGSD, ALNP): X. Sweet Home Wisconsin
- 3/31 (MGSD): Y. The Birds are Back
- 4/1 (MGSD): Z. Naturally Fun
- 4/2 (MGSD): ZA. Spring Fling
- 4/3 (MGSD): ZB. Have to Have a Habitat
- 4/4 (MGSD): ZC. Eco Play Day
- 4/10 (ALNP): ZD. Water Water Everywhere
- 4/11 (MMSD, ALNP): ZE. Eco Play Day
- 4/21 (MMSD): ZF. Water Water Everywhere
- 5/2 (MGSD): ZG. Water Water Everywhere
Vacation Day Programming: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Cost: $70/day
AfterCare: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: $20/day
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Vacation Day students should bring:
- Backpack.
- Lunch.
- Refillable water bottle. Drinking fountains will not be used for sanitary reasons, but places to fill water bottles will be available.
- Comfortable shoes that can get wet.
- Full change of clothes, including layers for all weather and a raincoat as needed.
- Please label each item clearly with the camper’s name.
Campers should avoid bringing:
- Any small trinkets, toys, etc.
- Anything else easily lost or meant to be shared (pokemon cards, legos, etc).
Registration Policy
Pre-registration is required as there are a limited number of spots available. If you have a question about a program or pairing your child with another student, please send us an email. If you are registered and will not be attending, please call to inform us of your child’s absence. For questions, please contact camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org or to register by phone, call (608) 221-0404 x 1.
Cancellation Policy
Please notify ALNC of any cancellations at least 14 days prior to the start of a program.
If informed at least 30 days before, ALNC will issue a refund to the original payment method for the paid cost of the program minus a 15% administrative fee OR issue a credit to a loyalty account* for the paid cost of the program minus a 15% administrative fee OR move your registration to a different program of equal value. If informed less than 30 days, but at least 14 days before, ALNC will issue a credit to a loyalty account* for the paid cost of the program minus a 15% administrative fee OR move your registration to a different program of equal value.
Any non-attendance or cancellations within 14 days of the start of a program will result in a charge of the FULL class fee – there are no refunds for missed programs.
If ALNC cancels more than one class for any reason, you will be given the following options:
- A FULL REFUND for canceled classes to the original payment method
- A CREDIT for canceled classes to a loyalty account*, good for future programming at ALNC
- A TRANSFER for the cost of canceled classes into a tax-deductible donation to ALNC
If you do not respond with your preference within 14 days of the canceled program, ALNC will issue a credit for the paid cost of the program minus a 15% administrative fee to a loyalty account*.
*The balance in a loyalty account is considered forfeit or abandoned if there are no transactions involving the loyalty account for over 12 months.
Weather
Programs are held rain or shine and always include an outdoor component unless there is severe weather. Please come dressed appropriately.
Grouping
Older and younger students will be grouped by age when applicable to allow for age-appropriate topic exploration. If your child has a friend or sibling of a similar age they would like to be grouped with, please let us know in your registration. For questions or to register by phone, call (608) 221-0404 x 1 or email us at camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.
Medical Forms
Medical information is required for all ALNC drop-off programs. You will find these medical forms during the registration process and you can fill them out right away or sign back in at a later date to do this. Please fill out the information prior to your child’s first class at ALNC. Re-authorization and updated information is required annually (our calendar year starts over in June).