Upham Woods new website is under construction, for our current website visit us at: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/uphamwoods/

Programs

Amazing Upham Race

Form small teams to compete in the Upham Amazing Race!
Solve puzzles and follow clues around campus to become the ultimate winner!

Animal Signs

Kids sitting at a picnic table with an animal pelt in front of them

Become a detective, investigate animal clues, and solve nature’s mysteries.
Learn why natural history interpretation is an important tool for understanding wildlife.

Archery

Ready, Aim, Fire!
Participants will have a great time learning how to use basic archery equipment safely using aluminum shaft arrows and compound bows.

Bat Ecology

Do bats really carry rabies and get stuck in your hair?
Explore these questions and the fascinating world of the only true flying mammal.

Blackhawk Island Hikes

Paddle a barge to our 210-acre island!
Crawl through sandstone caves, visit historic sites on the Wisconsin River, witness forest succession, and much more.

Broomball

Join in on the excitement!
Similar to hockey, broomball is fast, fun, and a great outdoor winter activity with 12 players using “brooms” on a “rink.”

Campfire

Skits, songs and s’mores!
A large, stadium seating campfire circle provides a great atmosphere for skits, songs, and stories for all ages.

Canoeing

Paddle the Wisconsin River
Explore amazing rock formations, search the shores for native wildlife, and learn natural and cultural history from the water.

Conservation Service
Project

Promote environmental stewardship
Conservation projects include invasive species pulls, understory thinning, biodiversity monitoring, and trail building.

Cross Country Skiing

A group of cross country skiers in a long line

Class Nordic swish and glide
Participants are introduced to skiing equipment, techniques and practice drills and games on our mainland ski trails.

Deer Ecology

Buck, Doe, Fawn!
Through discussion, hands on activities and a hike, participants will learn the lives of white-tailed deer

Fishing

Calling all anglers
Participants will learn basic fishing equipment and techniques using closed-faced reels and practice fishing the Wisconsin river.

Group Initiatives

Foster teamwork, communication, and problem-solving Designed for larger groups or a shorter time frame, participants will tackle fun challenges as a team!

Habitat is a Home

Food, water, shelter, space! Explore population dynamics, habitat quality, and carrying capacity in habitats!

Life of a Logger

An ol black and white photograph of a logger standing in front of an enormous tree

Travel back in time…
Participants will learn about the dress, work and play of 19th century lumberjacks in this living history program.

Microclimates on Blackhawk Island

A child investigating a rotten log in the woods

North versus south Explore the concepts of aspect and microclimate by taking data to compare habitats on both sides of Blackhawk Island!

Night Hike

What’s out in the woods?
Hike through Upham Woods at night to learn about the special adaptations of nocturnal animals!

Outdoor Survival

A group of kids moving a log through the snow

Survival skills crash course!
Learn how to prioritize survival needs, construct a debris shelter, safely start a fire, and work in a team through survival skills.

Peanut Butter Mountain Challenge Course

A group of kids walking on a log in the woods

Low element challenge course
Participants work on trust, communication, teamwork, and problem solving through group initiatives and low elements.

Predator
Prey

Food chains and pyramids
Search for food, water, and shelter while trying to avoid predators or find prey in this large group simulation of survival!