The past month has been busy as we have been working on some New Years resolutions to better connect with our community in 2026! From a NEW website to upcoming community events, there are plenty of ways to connect with us this year! For example: did you see that we were featured in the January 1st episode of Wisconsin Life on PBS? What a way to start the year! If you missed it, click the link below to view. 

In January, we helped over 500 people experience Upham Woods! From a winter day camp for Columbia and Sauk County 4-H, to Sauk County 4-H Super Saturday, to outreach in the Baraboo 4K & 5K classrooms, many youth created new connections with the outdoors. We also worked with adults as we hosted the UW-Madison Adventure Learning Programs and the Division of Extension Discovery Farms group for winter retreats!

As we look ahead we are excited that summer camp registration will open on February 10th! We are also busy planning many other events, from Master Naturalist to Early Childhood Nature Club, with registration already open. Make sure to check out all of our upcoming events!

If you want to join us in our mission of creating positive outdoor experience, consider joining our team! We are still hiring two roles for this upcoming season: Seasonal Cook (May-August) and a Seasonal Outdoor Educator (Late March/Early April-August).

Join Felix the Fox and our outdoor educators for a series of four adventures at Upham Woods! Preschoolers and their grown-ups will discover shapes, colors, letters, and numbers in nature. A parent or guardian must accompany all participants each week for both indoor and outdoor fun.

Who: Ages 3-4 (on the first day of the series), accompanied by a parent or guardian

When: Wednesdays: February 25, March 4, March 12, and March 18 from 10 to 11 AM 

Cost: $40.00 per child for the 4-week series. An email confirming registration will provide a payment link—no extra charge for accompanying adult(s). One adult may accompany up to two registered children ages 3-4. A separate registration form is required for each child.

Registration closes Thursday, February 12, 2026. 

April 13, 2026, 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM

Level 1 provides confidence and safety, learning the chainsaws reactive forces, focusing on open-face notching, including pre-planning the fell, bore cutting, as well as understanding the hinge strength. Must be 16 or older. If ages 16-17 you must bring a parent or guardian observer to attend the class with you.

Deadline to Register: Monday, March 30, 2026

Price: $170.00

April 14, 2026: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Level 1 is a pre-requisite to attending this training. Level 2 provides a focus on applying basic maintenance techniques to achieve maximum chainsaw performance such as filing techniques and carburetor adjustments. More felling techniques and assessments are practiced and limbing and bucking techniques are introduced.

Deadline to Register: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Price: $170.00

Rural Partnerships Institute (RPI) has made funding available for rural school districts across the state to participate in a microclimate monitoring program at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center. Funding allows Upham Woods staff to host field trips at a reduced cost (for some this may be no cost).

Students in grades 3-12 will be able to investigate microclimate data, including air and soil temperature, canopy cover, and wind speed, in forest communities of Upham Woods. Students will also make predictions about climate change implications and propose solutions for actions to help mitigate impacts on the forest ecosystems. They'll also collect climate monitoring data on site using protocols to create longitudinal data sets that track changes over time. The activities support youth interpretation of cause and effect relationships, evidence and reasoning to support a scientific claim, how to plan, justify and carry out investigations, and developing and revising models to explain or predict scientific phenomena. 

Click "Learn More!" to view available Spring 2026 dates, submit a visit inquiry, and book your trip.

Bring your youth group to Upham Woods

Did you know we serve groups ranging from 10 to 150? You can come for a half-day or stay a few nights!

Interested in coming to Upham Woods?

Please view our Group Planning page for more information regarding the calendar.

Contact us at uphamwoods@extension.wisc.edu or book an inquiry meeting to discuss booking questions. 

If you’re ready to make a reservation, please submit a Reservation Request! 

If you care deeply for the work and mission of Upham Woods and want to help provide a sustaining source of support for the next generation, consider creating a legacy gift by including the University of Wisconsin Foundation and specifying a restricted gift to Upham Woods in your estate plans. You may prefer to include in your will or trust a sum of money, a percentage of your estate, a specific asset, a work of art, or a piece of real estate that you wish to give. Our most sincere gratitude for your lasting support! 

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.