November wrapped up with Madison Country Day School, Green Lake High School, and Madison East High School participating in our pilot environmental DNA (eDNA) program, supported by Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin - Madison Division of Extension, with funding from the Innovation Grant Program. That brings us to a total of 19 groups learning more about eDNA for aquatic invasive species monitoring! A few more groups will be participating in the spring to wrap up the pilot. 

In addition to our eDNA trips, we began our annual outreach with the Baraboo 4K & 5K classrooms, bringing our ambassador animals out for students to learn about adaptations! We also welcomed adult groups, including the Wisconsin Impact Network and the WI Department of Children and Families Adoption Section. 

A HUGE thank you to those who donated to support our work at Upham Woods during Giving Tuesday and our End of Year Appeal!

 Registration is currently open for the following winter programs: Winter Wildlife Camp and our Forest Friends Early Childhood Nature Club. See below for more details!

Current & Upcoming Event Registrations/Applications:

Youth will explore Wisconsin Winter Wildlife at Upham Woods! Drop your youth off for winter fun with the Upham Woods Outdoor Educators!

Who: Youth ages 7-11 

When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10 AM to 3 PM

Cost: $45.00 per youth (includes Lunch and afternoon snack)

Registration closes Sunday, February 1, 2026. 

Learn more about the camp.

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: 10 - 11 AM on the following Wednesdays: February 25, March 4, March 12, and March 18

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. 

Learn more about the club.

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.

This new Outdoor Education Specialist will join the state PYD team; providing overall leadership and direction for a thriving statewide youth programming in the areas of outdoor education (including youth camping programs), shooting sports (certification, instruction, volunteer management, and state and national competitive shoots), and ATV safety. This role will be based at Upham Woods. 

Application Deadline is 11:59 pm on Monday, January 5, 2026. 

Upham Woods is looking for ATV Safety Project Volunteers to support our new ATV Safety Instruction Program! A full volunteer position description is here: WI 4-H Youth ATV Safety Project Volunteer. Please email our Facilities and Operations Manager, Craig Boehlke at cjboehlke@wisc.edu for more information and to become a volunteer.

Bring your youth group to Upham Woods

Did you know that we serve groups as small as 10 and as large as 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.