WAPSIE RETREATS & RENTALS

Camp Wapsie staff are available to lead various activities for your group, though there is a fee for staff-led instruction. Please note that we have a limited number of guaranteed staff available, and the sooner we know your needs, the more likely we are to provide the required number of staff. Some activities require a trained or certified staff member or volunteer, and we can provide these professionals as needed. If you prefer to conduct activities yourself, we offer the necessary materials and can send you lesson plans for most programs. Additionally, we can connect you with several community resources that offer specialized programs.

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Food Service: At Camp Wapsie, we prioritize three key features in our food service: Quality, Quantity, and Variety. Our experienced camp cook can provide delicious meals for groups as large as 300 or as small as 20. Meals are typically served family-style, ensuring everyone has plenty to eat, and we take care of the dishes! We can also accommodate different dining experiences, from casual school-style meals to more refined options for special occasions. Your group will assist with setting and cleaning the tables, and we’ll guide you through the process. We do require a 20 person minimum to provide food service.

Astronomy: Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what it would be like to see it up close? Here’s your chance! Use a telescope to explore the stars, learn the names of constellations, and discover the legends behind them. Different cultures have their own stories for the same constellations. Please note, this activity is weather-dependent.

Campfire: Gather around the fire ring to sing songs and share stories. No campfire is complete without s’mores! You can bring your own ingredients or have the camp supply them.

Night Hikes: We’re familiar with how our senses work during the day, but have you ever wondered how they function at night? A night hike is a unique opportunity to experience how darkness influences your senses and see how well you can adapt to the differences.

Owl Calling: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” is just one of the calls you might hear at night—not from the camp kitchen, but from the barred owls living in the area. You’ll learn to distinguish between hawks and owls, and if you’re quiet and the wind is calm, you might just hear an owl call.

Spider Sniffing: Take a deep breath—did you catch that faint scent? It’s the smell of a spider! Join us to learn the art of spider sniffing. Participants will embark on a “spider sniffing hunt” using their eyes and flashlights. As you learn more about these fascinating but often misunderstood creatures, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the role they play in the natural world

Burma Bridge: If your group needs a break, try crossing the Burma Bridge. This challenge involves walking across three wires that span a creek, just a foot above the water.

Canoeing: A calm canoe ride is a fun way for groups to explore the backwaters. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are provided for participants. A certified lifeguard or someone with watercraft safety certifications must lead this activity. If your group doesn’t have a certified leader, camp staff can facilitate the session.

Furs & Skulls: Animals are always a hit with kids! Using natural and replica specimens, participants can take a hands-on approach to studying animals and their specialized adaptations that help them survive in their environments.

GPS: Students can use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to learn about direction, longitude, and latitude. With handheld units, they’ll search for hidden caches around camp.

Hope Tango Tower: This unique climbing experience is one of only a dozen towers like it across the nation. If you’re into rock climbing, the tower offers two 45-foot faces with multiple routes suitable for most skill levels. For those seeking a ropes course experience, the tower also features a dozen elements suspended in the center, constructed from ropes, cables, and logs, that participants can scale to reach the summit 50 feet in the air. Some elements are designed for solo challenges, while others require two climbers working together. Children as young as 6 can try their hand at the rock-climbing wall, while participants must be at least 12 years old to climb the center ropes course. Camp staff facilitate this activity, and it must be scheduled in advance.

Nature Hikes and Classes: Wapsie staff can organize a variety of outdoor activities that complement classroom learning or we can suggest areas of camp for teachers to lead their own lessons. Just ask about specific areas of interest.

Outdoor Games: Looking for a tournament while at camp? Your group can enjoy a variety of sports activities, including basketball, sand volleyball, tennis, and soccer. Four basketball hoops, a sand volleyball court, two tennis nets, and a large playing area are available, and all equipment is provided.

Pond Study: Exploring the trout pond or backwaters for tadpoles, fish, and other creatures is an exciting way to learn about ecosystems and the food chain. Participants should wear shoes that can get dirty, as they may end up in the water searching for pond critters.

Teambuilding (including Group Initiatives Course): At Camp Wapsie, we offer multiple options for teambuilding that can be tailored to your group’s unique needs. Our Group Initiatives Course is perfect for improving communication, strengthening leadership skills, and building trust. This course includes a variety of physical obstacles that require teamwork and problem-solving to complete. To use the Group Initiatives Course safely, participants must either be trained by camp staff prior to their visit or have camp staff facilitate the activity. For a more adventurous experience, consider the team climbs on the Tango Tower, where participants can work together to conquer challenges high above the ground.

In addition to these activities, our Wapsie program staff can design custom teambuilding sessions, incorporating a range of activities that promote collaboration, problem-solving, and group cohesion. 

Tree Cookies: Discover the history of a tree by examining tree cookies, which are cross-sections of trees. Participants can learn about tree parts, growing conditions, and tree types in this fun and insightful exploration of nature’s largest producers.

Shooting Sports: Test your aim at one of our shooting sports ranges! At archery try compound bows or participants can also try their hand at slingshots, atlatls, tomahawk throwing and BB guns. Each activity follows strict safety protocols, and all necessary equipment is provided. Whether you’re hitting targets with a bow, launching projectiles with an atlatl, or aiming with a BB gun or a tomahawk, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Zip Line: Imagine the thrill of scaling a 50-foot tower and then soaring through the air on a zip line! Participants can experience this excitement by climbing the Tango Tower and descending via the zip line. For safety reasons, participants must be at least 12 years old to use the zip line. As with other activities, camp staff will facilitate, and the activity must be scheduled in advance.

Other Resources: Camp has many other resources and we enjoy the opportunity to be creative. Just let us know what you are interested in.

Is your group interested in adding a service learning component to your retreat? Camp Wapsie offers a variety of volunteer opportunities suitable for different experience levels. Tasks can range from simple projects like picking up branches, raking leaves, splitting wood, painting, cleaning, or organizing, to more skilled labor such as building bridges,  performing electrical work or general construction. Reach out to us to learn about our current needs and discover what volunteer opportunities might be a great fit for your event.