Summer at USM
For the past 30 years, families in the greater Milwaukee area have chosen Summer I.D.E.A.S. as their one-stop-shop for enrichment, academic, and athletic opportunities. At Summer I.D.E.A.S., children have the chance to cultivate new skills, forge friendships, and explore diverse interests, all while enjoying the flexibility to create a personalized schedule that caters to the unique needs and interests of each camper.
Through the care and supervision provided by our outstanding faculty and staff, families return year after year to participate in Milwaukee's premier summer program. We are excited to present our 2024 Summer I.D.E.A.S. offerings! To ensure we meet the needs of our community members and accurately represent our offerings, we encourage you to read and learn about the exciting changes in our program for 2024!
Summer I.D.E.A.S. 2024 registration is now open!
What's New at Summer I.D.E.A.S.?
We have made some exciting changes to this year's program that you (and your kids) will love, while maintaining our same enriching programming and teachers. We've added lunch at no additional charge for full-day campers, the option to bundle and save, bus transportation, and additional weeks of Summer I.D.E.A.S.
Our camps also have new names to indicate the age levels of campers: Wildcat Discovery Camp is for prekindergarten (ages 3 and 4) and junior kindergarten (ages 4 and 5) campers. Wildcat Adventure Camp is for campers entering kindergarten (age 5) through 4th grade. Wildcat Odyssey Camp is for campers entering 5th through 8th grade.
Lunch and Snacks Included!
For all full-day campers, lunch is now included with your registration at no additional cost! Meals will be prepared by USM's food service provider, HandCut Foods, and participating families will be asked to provide any allergy or dietary restriction information upon registration. Snacks will also be provided to full- and half-day campers.
Families can choose to send their child with a packed lunch and/or snacks from home. Please note that USM is a nut-free facility. Any outside food should not contain nut products; be sure to check labels carefully.
Bundle Weeks and Save!
Families still have the option to choose individual weeks of camp for their child, but we are excited to now also offer families the opportunity to bundle weeks and save! Discounted pricing will be available when registering for all nine weeks of camp, and discounts will also be available for select six-week and three-week groups of camp weeks.
- 9-week Full Session (6/17-8/16)
- 6-week Extended Session 1 (6/17-7/26) or Extended Session 2 (7/8-8/16)
- 3-week Session 1 (6/17-7/5), Session 2 (7/8-7/26), or Session 3 (7/29-8/16)
Camp Open Every Weekday!
In order to accommodate families' schedule needs, we will now offer programming on all weekdays during Summer I.D.E.A.S., including Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19) and Independence Day (Thursday, July 4), with special activities planned for campers on those two days. (As with other camp weeks, there will be no pro-rated adjustments for absences on the federal holidays.)
Ride the Bus to Camp!
This year, Summer I.D.E.A.S. will offer transportation, with morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off locations in Grafton/Cedarburg, Mequon/Thiensville, and Shorewood/Whitefish Bay. Families can choose round-trip or one-way bus service for their child. USM owns and operates its own bus fleet, with buses driven by dedicated and experienced USM employees whose primary focus is the safety of the students they serve.
"My son is having a blast! Thank you so much for all you do. These are the best camps ever!"
Important Dates for Summer I.D.E.A.S. 2024
| Registration Opens | Jan. 16, 2024 (10 a.m.) |
| March 1 | Early-bird registration discount ends |
| March 31 | End of no-charge camp/activity changes ($10 change fee per activity starting April 1) |
| June 10 | Last day for cancellation refunds (less $50 per week deposits) |
| June 10 | End of monthly payment plan option |
| June 10-14 | Staff training and limited camp offerings |
| June 17-Aug. 16 | Summer I.D.E.A.S. |