Summer Camp

We are excited to announce our inaugural year of the Wingra School Summer Camp!

Are you looking for educational enrichment for your child this summer? Our camps are led by certified teachers who prioritize learning, building relationships, and having fun. Each week, we offer a variety of camp themes to choose from. We warmly welcome both enrolled Wingra students and community members to join us for a summer filled with joyful learning!

Summer camps will run Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 12 pm.
Registration will open Friday, January 10 at 6:30pm.

Program Options

Outdoor Adventures with Lilly Schoone
Grades K-8
$225

In this camp, we’ll be travelling by foot or bus to different parks and pockets of nature in the beautiful City of Madison. We’ll explore new places, play group games, and make some art together! Our culminating activity will be a tandem kayaking trip on Lake Wingra.

Crafting the Summer Away (part 1) with Nina Pomplun
Grades K-8
$200

Join us for Crafting the Summer Away. These summer days will be packed with fun and colorful activities for all ages! Explore your artistic side with origami, drawing, tracing, coloring, knitting, collaging, bracelet-making, and more! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these weeks of camp will offer something for everyone. Let your imagination soar, make new friends, and create something to take home this summer.

Crafting the Summer Away Parts 1 & 2 will have different activities. Students are not required to attend one in order to attend the other.

Book Club Camp with Hannah Carnes-Teschner
Grades 2-8
$200

Do you love to chill out & read? Maybe a mystery, graphic novel, historical fiction, or nonfiction book? Would you love to be in a small group and read together, talk about what you just read, and more? Well then this is just the place for you! We will start our mornings with community gardening.

Crafting the Summer Away (part 2) with Nina Pomplun
Grades K-8
$200

Join us for Crafting the Summer Away. These summer days will be packed with fun and colorful activities for all ages! Explore your artistic side with origami, drawing, tracing, coloring, knitting, collaging, bracelet-making, and more! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these weeks of camp will offer something for everyone. Let your imagination soar, make new friends, and create something to take home this summer.

Crafting the Summer Away Parts 1 & 2 will have different activities. Students are not required to attend one in order to attend the other.

Archaeology Camp with Lindsey Cochran
Grades K-8
$200

Do you ever wonder what it was like to exist in the past? At Archaeology Camp, we will explore the past together through learning what archeologists do and practicing ourselves. Whether you are interested in human history, the environment, or just like to dig and have discussions, this club might be for you!

Delicious Science with Claire Weiss
Grades K-8
$200

Come explore the difference between emulsions and solutions (salad dressings), yeast and baking powder (baked goods), lowering the freezing point of liquids (ice cream), and acids vs. bases (magic color-changing noodles). We also hope to spend time in Wingra’s garden, and with the chickens!

Nature & Wellness Camp with Hannah Carnes-Teschner
Grades K-8
$200

Are you interested in activities like gardening, hiking, mindfulness, exploring healthy habits, and being outside as much as possible? Then this is right where you belong!

Mounds Exploration with Kathy Oker
Grades 4-8
$200

We will examine natural and human modified spaces, learn about the past, and explore four different areas of Madison. We will do A LOT of walking, playing, and investigating as we build a relationship with sacred natural spaces. Our touchpoint for each day will be a different group of ancient mound clusters. And when we get distracted by birds or trees or water or critters, then we will delight in each one along the way.

We will spend most of our time moving outdoors, no matter what the weather. An open heart and open mind are certain requisites, along with curiosity, appropriate clothing, and plenty of snacks.

Sports Camp with Andrea Sherry
Grades K-8
$200

Each day of sports camp will feature a different sport! This non-competitive camp aims to learn different games to play, be active, and support each other as sportspeople. Likely sports include pickleball, kickball, track and field, and ultimate frisbee. Each day, we will start the morning with community gardening and tending the chickens. Most of our time will be spent outside unless there is inclement weather.

Creative Writing Camp with Rachel Detra
Grades 4-8
$200

Let’s write! Young writers are invited to explore storytelling, poetry, and character development through fun and interactive activities. Whether you’re a budding novelist or a poet in the making, this week provides a supportive environment to nurture creativity. Campers will participate in writing games, workshops, and group projects, while receiving personalized feedback from peers. By the end of the camp, campers will have a collection of their own written works and the confidence to keep writing long after summer ends!

This camp will feature art workshops with local artist Lesley Anne Numbers in response to their creative writing work.

All Around the World with Lindsey Cochran
Grades K-8
$200

Have you ever wanted to travel to a new place? In this camp, we will be exploring the 7 continents. In order to get the best feel for the diverse places we will explore, we will listen to music, try foods, study and create art, learn about traditions, and more. If you have a burning curiosity about the rest of the world, feel free to join us this summer!

Under the Sea with Andrea Sherry
Grades K-8
$200

Dive into the world of marine life – the perfect topic for summer. Campers will learn fascinating facts about ocean ecosystems, inspiring a love for art and science. We will do art activities, which may include: clay creatures, sand art, watercolor, and so much more. We will also read some books and be fascinated by David Attenborough and the like!

Basketball Camp with Torsie Judkins
Grades K-4
$200

Designed for young athletes in grades K-4, this camp focuses on teaching the basics of basketball, including fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting. Participants will also learn about the rules of the game, engage in pick-up games, and enjoy a fun-filled atmosphere. Whether your child is picking up a basketball for the first time or looking to improve their skills, our camp offers a supportive environment to learn, play, and grow.

Wingra School Summer Camp Policies

Each camp session costs $200 to $225 per week. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required at registration, with the remaining balance due April 1, 2025.

If your plans change, please submit a written notice of withdrawal to Dinda Lehrman (dinda@wingraschool.org). Withdraw notices received between April 1 – May 15, 2025, will receive a refund of 50% (minus the deposit).

No refunds will be issued after May 15, 2025. Refunds are not issued for participant absences.

• Students are encouraged to bring snacks and water bottles to camp. Drinking fountains are available on campus to refill water bottles. During the 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. camp period, students will not have a lunch break, so please ensure that they have eaten a healthy breakfast and packed nutrient-dense snacks.

• Families are encouraged to send sunscreen and bug spray with their child to camp. Camp teachers will follow your preferences indicated in the registration form. In most camps, students will spend a reasonable amount of time outdoors, and we do not provide sunscreen and bug spray for students.

• Please send your child with appropriate clothing for the activities they will engage in. For instance, wearing sneakers for the Sports Camp, closed-toe shoes for the Outdoor Adventures camp, or bringing a raincoat if it looks like it may rain. Please do not send your child wearing flip-flop sandals or CROCS, as these shoes may break and are not ideal for outdoor activities.

Please label all personal items clearly with your camper’s name. Campers are discouraged from bringing items beyond what is needed for the camp day. Wingra School is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property, including clothing and electronics.

Cell phone use is only permitted before and after program hours. During program hours, cell phones must be left in students’ backpacks. Camp teachers or administrators will assist in contacting guardians if needed.

Each Wingra School Summer Camp has an indicated grade range for participation. Students beginning kindergarten in the fall of 2025 or those who have graduated from eighth grade are welcome to join based on the indicated range. For instance, if a camp is for students in grades six through eight, students who are beginning sixth grade in the fall of 2025 and students graduating from eighth grade in 2025 are welcome to register for that camp.

Drop-off and pickup will occur at the school’s main entrance (by the back playground). Please use the street parking available on Cross St., Western, or Gilmore. Please do not park or drop off in the small school parking lot off of Gilmore St.

Participants may arrive early and spend time at the playground with adult supervision. However, early care is not provided for summer camps, and supervision begins when the camp starts at 8:00 a.m. Students may not be left on campus without the supervision of a guardian. Please make sure that your child arrives at camp on time. Camp teachers will take attendance, so sign-in is not required. If your child is absent, please email the Summer Program Director, Dinda Lehrmann, at dinda@wingraschool.org so that she can inform the camp teachers.

Pick-up time is noon. We allow a five-minute grace period, but after 12:05 pm, guardians will be charged a $10 late pickup fee. Post-camp supervision is not provided. Guardians must sign out campers when picking them up. Only authorized persons (as filled out in the registration form) may pick up campers. Email the Summer Program Director, Dinda Lehrmann, at dinda@wingraschool.org, if an additional authorized person is needed. This ensures that students are picked up safely. If a camper would like to walk or bus home, guardians must authorize independent departure.

Several camps will take off-campus field trips. Students will walk to surrounding nature areas such as Glenwood Park or the Arboretum. The Outdoor Adventures camp will take the city bus to several local parks. The Mounds Exploration camp will have field trips to different mounds every day. For this camp, students will meet on the Wingra School campus and ride with the camp lead teacher in her vehicle to these locations. Transportation waivers are included in the registration form.

Weather Impact and Cancellations
All camps will continue as planned in the case of rain. However, in the case of severe weather, information about program changes or cancellations will be sent out to families as soon as possible. Programs may be canceled due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances. In the case of a cancellation, a refund will be issued.

Registration Policies
Many programs are expected to be filled quickly. However, programs that do not meet the minimum enrollment requirement may be canceled. In the case of a camp cancellation, students can switch to another program if space is available. A full refund will be issued if no additional space is available.

Waitlist
If a program is filled, you may add your name to the program’s waitlist in the registration form. You will be contacted if an opening becomes available for that program. If we do not hear back from you within 24 hours, we will contact the next person on the waitlist. If you want to be removed from the waitlist, please email dinda@wingraschool.org. Please note that placement on the waitlist does not guarantee a space in the program.

Wingra School is committed to inclusion and, if possible, will provide reasonable accommodations without fundamentally altering a program. A student identified by a physician as having specific behavioral, medical, or physical care needs may complete an accommodation request by filling out the Accommodation Request Form. Sharing these plans helps provide clear instructions for staff to manage special care. If conditions require medication, please fill out the medication section of the registration form. Please note that if any updates need to be made, it must be at least seven days before your child’s first day of camp.

Please note that the Wingra School Summer Camp is not a nut-free environment. While we try our best to be mindful of allergies, campers will eat in groups, so there is a risk of potential exposure. Please share any allergies your child may have in the registration form.

The Wingra School Summer Camp is not considered vital programming and does not have the same support systems students can receive during the school year. If there are major behavioral concerns or incidents during the summer session, a student may be asked not to return. In this case, a refund will not be issued. Major incidents include but are not limited to physical altercations, bullying, harassment, possession of inappropriate or dangerous items, or running away from campus or camp teachers.

Contact

Need more info about summer?

Please contact our Director of Extended Day & Summer Programs, Dinda, with questions about our program: dinda@wingraschool.org.
Contact

Summer Program Lead Teachers

Lilly Schoone (she/her)

I have been a teacher in the Nest (K-1) classroom for the past two years. Prior to working at Wingra, I worked in various childcare and afterschool settings. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in the Spring of 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education/ESL. In my free time, I like to birdwatch, kayak, make art, bike, and explore places I haven’t been before. I believe it’s important for people to get out in nature whenever possible! 

Thanks for reading about me– I look forward to hopefully learning more about you! 🙂

Nina Pomplun (she/her)

This is Nina’s second year at Wingra teaching in the Lake, and her seventh year as an educator in the Madison area. She graduated from UW-Madison with a M.A. in Education and Gender Studies, and Champlain College with a degree in Communications and Global Studies. Before Nina became an educator full-time, she worked in summer camps and after-school programs in various roles and with every age group of youth! Her favorite summer experiences involve connecting with the outdoors and teaching kids new skills. Her hobbies include: Hiking, biking, gardening, astrology, tarot, embroidery, reading, and writing! She cannot wait to hangout with your kids over the summer!

Hannah Carnes-Teschner (she/her)

While starting & raising her family, Hannah has been an educator in the Madison area off and on for the last few decades. She is absolutely thrilled to now be at Wingra to share her passion and knowledge of health and wellness and incorporate that into all levels of learners. In fact, Hannah’s love of learning was sparked again just down the road at Edgewood College when she decided to go back to school after all three of her children were in school themselves! Some of her favorite things to do when not at school are: concerts, hiking, traveling, swimming, yoga, camping, sewing, reading, meditating, baking, movies… and of course usually with her kids, husband, & Aussiedoodle Obi-Wan.

Lindsey Cochran (she/they)

Lindsey has been subbing and assisting with extended day at Wingra this year. Before joining the Wingra flock, she taught 7th grade Literacy in Sun Prairie as a new resident to Wisconsin. Prior to that she taught 6th grade World History in Winters, California. She has a Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s in History from The University of California- Davis, and a teaching credential. In her spare time, she loves to sing, create art, spend time with her Shiba Inu, Lenny, and changes her hair color every month.

Claire Weiss (she/her)

Claire has been working with Wingra 9 – 14 year olds since 1999. Her passions are reading, foreign languages, travel, writing, cooking and preserving, hiking and camping, science and social studies…. Oh, okay. She is interested in pretty much everything. (Except football.) Spending time with her family is also a great passion of Claire’s, especially time visiting her grandchild!

Kathy Oker (she/her)

Kathy is a firm believer in a progressive approach to education and has loved being a part of the Wingra community since 2000.

A native of Cincinnati, Kathy was educated at the University of Dayton and the University of Wisconsin. She spent eight years traveling the world with her husband, Dave, prior to joining the Wingra faculty. In addition to exploring the U.S. and Canada, the couple spent six months living in a tent in Australia and resided in Taiwan for two and half years, where they taught English.

Kathy considers herself a citizen scientist and a life-long learner. Teaching at Wingra allows her to ask questions and actively pursue an increased understanding of herself and the world each and every day. Kathy and Dave have three children, Willie, Leo, and Laurel.


Andrea Sherry (she/her)

Do you know who loves science? Andrea does! She is the science teacher at Wingra School and has worked at Wingra for over a decade! Andrea enjoys going on adventures with her two children, husband, and greyhound. Water is her calming zone, so she loves waterfalls, swimming, kayaking, bubbling springs, and water games. She is in charge of our school gardens and chickens!

Rachel Detra (she/her)

The writing bug caught Rachel in early elementary school and was nurtured by her many amazing English teachers in Madison. As a result of these incredible teachers, Rachel became one herself! She has been a high school English teacher, a middle school teacher, an Instructional Coach, and now enjoys being a teacher at Wingra. Nurturing young writers has been a common thread throughout her career in education. In addition to writing, Rachel is a mother, vintage-business owner, and photographer.

Torsie Judkins (he/him)

Coach Torsie Judkins has an extensive background in basketball coaching and training. He has served as the Varsity Basketball Coach at Durham Academy and Rye Country Day, spent five years coaching with Durham NC AAU, and is currently coaching his 8th-grade daughters in the Badger Development League. His camp experience includes roles at Durham Academy Basketball Camp, Duke University Men’s and Women’s Basketball Camps, Catawba College Team Camp, High Point University Team Camp, Tommy Amaker Basketball Camp, and Johnny Dawkins Basketball Camp. He was also the director of the Nate James and Chris Carrawell Basketball Camp. Additionally, Coach Judkins played college basketball at NC Wesleyan College from 1991 to 1993, further enriching his deep connection to the sport.

Dinda Lehrmann (she/they)

Dinda brings a wealth of experience and passion for education to Wingra School. An Indonesian-American artist and educator, Dinda was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and spent much of her childhood in Wisconsin and Java, Indonesia, before moving to San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity University in San Antonio.

Dinda‘s diverse background in childcare and education, including nature-based and arts education, will be invaluable as she leads our After School and Summer Programs. Her commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for students to explore hobbies, extend their learning, create connections, and have fun aligns perfectly with our vision for Wingra. Outside of her professional life, Dinda enjoys mixed-media art, journaling, meditation, reading science fiction, volunteering, kayaking, and hiking. She recently moved to Madison with her fiancé and is eager to further get to know our community.

As the Summer Program Director, Dinda will oversee the summer program’s management and provide administrative and teaching support to students and teachers. She is committed to maintaining clear communication with families throughout their children’s camp experience. Dinda strives to ensure that the Wingra School Summer Camp is a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.