School Year Programs
OWL Fall 2024
Outdoor, nature-based programming for school-aged students.
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Monday Afternoons: Early Release to OWL
Meet outside near Thoreau School on Monday afternoons. We will eat snack, play nature games, learn skills, explore, and be together outside!
Sept. 9 - Dec. 16
Timing: 2:00/2:10 to 4:45
Ages: 5-11 or so
FULL: Please email to be on the waitlist.
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Tuesday Birding Club
Join bird expert Mary after school on Tuesdays in Sept. and Oct. to go birding in the Arboretum! Thoreau students will be picked up from school, and students from other schools can get dropped off.
Sept. 10 - Oct. 22
3:20 to 5:00
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Wednesday After School OWL
This fall on Wed. afternoons after school, let’s be outside together. We’ll play games, learn about the natural world, explore, and do some nature art. It’s just what the doctor ordered: a mid-week nature play session with friends.
Sept. 11 - Nov. 13
4:00-5:30
Ages: 9-12 or so
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Friday OWL Hootenanny
School’s back so we need some time to LET LOOSE! Let’s party every Friday afternoon in September. Games and special OWL celebratory activities will happen. Come play!
Fridays, Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
3:20-5:00
Ages 5-11 or so
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No School OWL!
Sometimes there is no school. On those days, come play and learn outside with OWL!
Oct. 3, Oct. 4, Nov. 4, Nov. 5, Dec. 2
Ages: 5-11 or so
FULL: Please email to be on the waitlist.
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No School OWL Half Day
This option is great for first timers, or yonger kiddos. We will all be together, but the half day folks will end at 1pm instead of 3pm.
FULL: Please email to be on the waitlist.
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OWL Scholarship Fund
Nature is for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Donate to the OWL Scholarship Fund by adding this to your cart for check out. By contributing, you are helping to improve OWL programs. Just like in nature, our diversity makes us stronger! All contributions will be MATCHED by OWL. Thank you!
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OWL Birthday Parties
OWL can help to make birthday parties stress-free for parents, and extra special for kids! If you want an outdoor birthday party, with games and/or fun nature activities, this is it! You take care of the cake and snacks, while OWL takes the lead to make sure all of the kids are having a good time, especially the birthday kid!
OWL Winter/Spring 2024
Outdoor, nature-based programming for school-aged students.
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Know Your Knots!
This one is for grown-ups and older teens. Join Dave in learning basic and essential knots that will come in handy for the rest of your life. Whether it is constructing a shelter, hanging a food bag, tying down a load, or setting up a clothesline, basic knowledge of knots is an important skill to have in many aspects of life. In this class we will introduce and practice essential knots, learn their applications, and set up an emergency shelter. All materials are provided. Scholarships available.
May 18th, 11am-4pm
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OWL Scholarship Fund
Nature is for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Donate to the OWL Scholarship Fund by adding this to your cart for check out. By contributing, you are helping to improve OWL programs. Just like in nature, our diversity makes us stronger! All contributions will be MATCHED by OWL. Thank you!
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OWL Birthday Parties
OWL can help to make birthday parties stress-free for parents, and extra special for kids! If you want an outdoor birthday party, with games and/or fun nature activities, this is it! You take care of the cake and snacks, while OWL takes the lead to make sure all of the kids are having a good time, especially the birthday kid!
If you or your OWL student identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, feel free to use the discount code, BIPOC (all caps) at check out for 10% off your total order. Financial need isn’t necessary to make use of this code.
OWL Programs
We meet at different natural spaces on Madison’s near West side including the Glen, the UW Arboretum, and Wingra Park. Sometimes we venture to Picnic Point, Olin Woods, and more. How do we spend our time together?
We come together.
Gratitude, land acknowledgment, and a game
We play fun games.
Active games, awareness games, nature-based games
We learn about the natural world.
Educational nature lessons, local experts, sit spots, observations and wonder
We learn about ourselves and each other.
Improv games, self-reflection, walk and talks
Sometimes we go on adventures.
Camping, canoeing, bikerides, edible hikes, canoe trips
We read books, tell stories, and do nature art!
Cancellation policy: Folks who need to drop a program ahead of time for any reason can receive a full credit to OWL for future programs. Otherwise, refunds: 75% if more than 2 weeks of start date, and 50% if within 2 weeks of start date. If the program has already begun, a prorated OWL credit will be given. If you'd like to give a program a try before committing, that's allowed! Just email weslie@outdoorswelearnmadison.com to find out more. If OWL ever needs to cancel an entire program, a full refund will be given. If OWL ever needs to cancel one day of a multi-day program due to weather or illness, nothing needs to be done. If OWL needs to cancel more than 1 day of a multi-day program, those who are enrolled will receive either: an OWL credit or a make-up date.