Wisconsin Basecamp
True UW-Madison Connections Begin Here...
Wisconsin Basecamp is UW-Madison’s optional wilderness-based orientation program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. The self-supporting program offers a variety of outdoor-based trips for students the summer before they start at UW-Madison.
Programs include canoeing the Wisconsin River, backpacking the Porcupine Mountains, sea kayaking in the Apostle Islands or helping complete the Ice Age Train while enjoying beautiful Devils Lake State Park. 
Your trip includes not only learning the wilderness skills needed to successfully complete the trip but also dialogue and activities to improve self and community involvement/awareness for insuring greater success at UW-Madison. The program offers opportunity for continuing engagement through a reunion dinner, community service projects and leadership development if participants are interested. Participants pay for the full cost of the trip. Need-based scholarship opportunities are available.
Plus Wisconsin Basecamp is a great way to meet new friends and share a wilderness experience of a lifetime.
Watch a 2011 Basecamp Slide Show (Click Here)
Watch another Basecamp Video (Click Here)
How it Started
The Wisconsin Basecamp program was founded by Nathan Williams and Finn Ryan, two Wisconsin Union Hoofer members. With the support of the Outdoor Programs Office, a pilot program was offered in July of 2007. Building off the success of that pilot five trips were offered in July of 2008 with a total of 54 participants and Basecamp has continued to grow since then. The Wisconsin Union has created a permanent home for Basecamp as a University of Wisconsin program.
In the program’s short history it has built strong relationships with the Dean of Students Office, the Student Leadership Program/Adventure Learning Programs, the Center for the First-Year Experience, UW Housing and others. In addition there has been strong support for the program from the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning.
There are wilderness orientation and pre-orientation trip programs at colleges across the country. Wisconsin Basecamp prides itself for providing not only a quality outdoor experience, but one that is led by students and includes a coordinated curriculum that helps incoming freshman succeed as students and community members at UW- Madsion. For some information about the variety of other college programs across the country, click here.
