Wingra Water Camps

We are full! We look forward to an awesome summer’s worth of camps with you! If you missed out on registering for the 2010 season, please check for 2011 registration as early as February.

Testimonials

“This was one of the best camps.”	“Great staff! Friendly, knowledgeable people.”
“While he canoed, he learned different techniques and different strokes.”	“Patient, encouraging - good teachers!”
“We will definitely sign up again next year!”

Campers work together in a game of sponge-tag.

Camp Descriptions

Wingra Water Camp
This ‘Do It All’ camp includes learning canoeing and kayaking techniques, paddle strokes, and safe boating practices. In this camp you will have fun on the water while exploring Lake Wingra, the lagoons, springs, the Arboretum, and Wingra Creek.

Advanced Canoe & Kayak Camp NEW!
Expand on your paddling knowledge and learn necessary skills to take a canoe trip. Skills include capsizing, map reading, portaging and severe weather survival. Build endurance, teamwork, and expertise while having fun exploring Lake Wingra.

Advanced Excursion Camp NEW!
Put your skills to work as we canoe through the Yahara Water Way. This camp starts at Lake Wingra and each day we paddle a new stretch of water. From Wingra to Monona and through to Lake Kegonsa, campers will have a great time as they learn about themselves and the value of teamwork on this real canoe trip. Parents will be asked to help with transportation as the camps start and end at a new location each day.

Fishing Camp Grades 3-5
Spend a week fishing! Learn the art of fishing from two instructors that will guide and teach the best methods to fish from shore and from boats. Fishing poles and live bait will be provided, or you may bring your own.

Advanced Fishing Camp NEW! Grades 5 and Up
This camp is for older campers looking to learn more about fishing techniques. Instruction will include fly fishing, reading weather and water conditions, behavior of game fish and a possible excursion to different lakes depending on weather.

Meet Your Instructors

Nico Mittnacht
Nico is a recent UW graduate with a degree in education. His favorite pastimes on the lake include sailing, windsurfing and fly fishing. In the off season he instructs ballroom dance. Nico is half Chilean and enjoys traveling. He has even fly fished in Chile’s ‘Lakes District’. This is Nico’s third year teaching camps at Wingra. Nico will be attending UW Law School starting this fall.

John Knauf
John is a current student at UW Stevens Point. He enjoys swimming, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and skateboarding around Wingra. This is John’s third year teaching camps at Wingra.

Dean Leeper
Dean has been instructing Wingra Water Camps for years. He works extremely well with kids of all ages, and has a knack for interactive education. He knows Lake Wingra better than most, having grown up with it in his backyard! He enjoys swimming, tennis, soccer, and boating of all kinds. Dean is also a certified Lifeguard by the American Red Cross with CPR and AED training. He is a senior at West High school.

Kevin Julka
Kevin is an outdoors enthusiast with a love for teaching. He is an avid kayaker and adventurer. This is Kevin’s second year instructing at Wingra. He also has experience instructing experiential education with climbing groups and on backpacking outings. Kevin is also American Red Cross Lifeguard certified with CPR and AED training, as well as WMI Wilderness First Aid certified. He is a student at Edgewood College.

Other Information:

What to bring: (Please write your name on all possessions) Swim suit under your clothes, towel, sunscreen, water bottle, water shoes or sandals that strap to your feet (no flip flops), sack lunch with a snack Monday through Thursday, any other of your favorite sun guards (hat, sun glasses, etc), pertinent medication (inhaler, EpiPen, etc), and appropriate clothing for the weather. Expect to get wet, and most of all, expect to have fun!

Optional: A small amount of money for snacks and a personal lifejacket if you choose. We provide lifejackets for all participants.

Do not bring:Cell phones (we have a phone at the boathouse, and both instructors have cell phones in case of emergency), cameras (unless disposable), iPods or any other music devices. Expect everything to get wet.

Wingra Boats
(608)233-5332 | 824 Knickerbocker St, Madison, WI 53716 | wingraboats@gmail.com