Programs - Adventure Education

Upham Woods offers two types of Adventure Trips.

1. "Outpost" programs and off-site rock climbing programs for groups utilizing Upham Woods
2. Wisconsin 4-H Adventure Trips offered as open-enrollment programs to all Wisconsin 4-H members.

Outpost at Upham Woods

Did you know Upham Woods offers adventure education trips? For a small fee we’ll outfit your group with gear, food and expertise to experience the wild side of Upham Woods. We offer day trips as well as overnight adventures. Some options:

Overnight canoe excursion on the Wisconsin River

canoe odyssey up to our Blackhawk Island overnight rustic campsite

State park sampler trip with hiking and camping and canoeing, oh my!

Group size is limited to 20-30 participants, depending on the adventure. We can transport canoes and gear but not participants. Give us a call with questions and to schedule your adventure trip!

Rock Climbing at Devil's Lake State Park

Half and full day rock climbing programs are led by trained Upham Woods staff members at Devil’s Lake State Park. Youth have the opportunity to try a new skill, push themselves farther then they thought was possible, and support each other in achieving their goals. All programs are led with the “Challenge by Choice” philosophy. Groups must supply transportation to and from Upham Woods. All gear is provided by Upham Woods.
Suggested Length: Half day programs are up to four hours; full day programs are up to eight hours. Allow 35 minutes for travel to and from Upham Woods.
Grade Level: 3rd - adult
Suggested Maximum Participants: 20 students (large groups may split and half climb in AM and half climb in PM)
Staff: Two of your assigned naturalists will be needed for this program. Additional staff will be provided by Upham Woods.
Cost: $15/student/half day program; $30/student/full day program. Minimum fee is $225/each half day program or $450/full day program

Wisconsin 4-H Adventure Trips

Upham Woods is again offering open-enrollment adventure trips for Wisconsin 4-H members!

Devil’s  Lake  Rock Climbing Camp      August  5 – 8

Two spots left as of 5/21/12.

Join us for this four-day, three-night exciting introduction to rock climbing.  Devil’s Lake is the Midwest’s premier rock climbing area.  Participants will learn how to belay a climber and basic climbing techniques.  We will camp at Devil’s Lake State Park in a group campsite.  During the four days, participants will climb, belay, boulder, repel, and also enjoy swimming, hiking, campfires, nature activities, and group games. Drop off and pick up of participants is at Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo.

Cost: $275; cost includes staff instruction, food, and use of all necessary climbing and camping gear.

Ages: 13-18 at the time of the trip

Experience: No previous rock climbing experience is required.

Number of Participants: 15

Porcupine  Mountain  Beginning  Backpacking Trip                  August  19 -23

Trip full as of 4/15/12; we are currently accepting registrations to be part of our waiting list for this trip.

Miles of trails await us in Porcupine Mountain State Park, located in the U.P. of Michigan.  Thick forests, Lake Superior, and beautiful streams will be our scenery for five-days and four-nights.  Participants will learn basic backpacking skills, backcountry cooking, teamwork, and leadership skills.  We will hike five to seven miles each day with packs weighing approximately 30-35 pounds.  Enjoy nightly campfires and excellent nature viewing opportunities.  We travel at a relaxed pace on this trip with plenty of time to hike side trails and explore around our campsites.  Drop off and pick up of participants is at Upham Woods, Wisconsin Dells.

Cost: $375; cost includes transportation to and from the Porcupine Mountains (from Upham Woods), backcountry fees, food, and use of a backpack, lightweight sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking and eating gear, water filter & bottles, and a backpacking tent.

Ages: 13-18 at the time of the trip

Experience:  This trip is good for beginners wishing to try out backpacking and for those who desire a relaxed paced adventure.

Number of Participants: 10

Download the one-page PDF document that includes these trip descriptions and registration form.

Adventure Trip FAQ's

Who can participate?
Any current Wisconsin 4-H member between the ages of 13- and 18- years old at the time of the trip may participate. Read the trip descriptions inside for specific information about recommended experience levels and trip specific age requirements.

Who are the trip leaders?

Jessica Jens is the Director of Upham Woods and the state 4-H Environmental Education Specialist. She will be the lead staff on rock climbing trip and be co-leading the backpacking trip with Toby Grabs. Jessica has led many rock climbing and backpacking trips for youth over the past 12 years. For a bit, she lived and completed her graduate degree in Outdoor Education in Colorado. She loves Wisconsin, but still misses the mountains. Her favorite place to go backpacking is Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior (watch for that trip next year!) but also really enjoys taking kids to the Porcupine Mountains. She lives with her husband, James, and two small children, Aspen & Ian, on a hobby farm.

Toby Grabs in the Assistant Director of Upham Woods and will be co-leading the Porcupine Mountain backpacking trip with Jessica. Toby has led numerous youth adventure trips over the past 15+ years. He regularly goes on solo backpacking trips and also trips with his wife, Jen. He thinks that the lower Wisconsin River is one of the most delightful places for canoeing and is very passionate about all kinds of plants and animals. He is sure to fill the trip with lots of interesting nature trivia along the way.

Where do the trips start and end?
The Porcupine Mountain Backpacking trip starts and ends at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells. At the beginning of this adventure, group members participate in teambuilding activities on a low ropes course, trip expectations are explained, and individual and group gear is issued.

The Rock Climbing trip meets and ends at group campsite #1 at Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo. Upham Staff will bring all necessary equipment to Devil’s Lake. At the beginning of this trip, group members will participate in teambuilding activities, set up camp, and start some simple rock climbing on the first night.

How does the registration process work?
Fill out the registration form in the flyer (link above) and mail it to Upham Woods with a non-refundable $50 deposit. All trips are filled on a first come, first serve basis; so send that form in early! When we receive your registration, a confirmation letter will be mailed to you. Half of the remaining trip balance is due one month before the trip’s departure and the final registration balance must be paid two weeks before the trip.

Do you have any more pictures?

Visit our blog for some pictures from 2004 when Upham Woods last offered Wisconsin 4-H adventure trips. There's much more than this but we ran out of room on the website!

More questions?
Call Jessica Jens, Upham Woods Director, at (608) 254-6461 or e-mail jessica.jens@ces.uwex.edu with any questions you may have.