Author Archives: Ryan D.

About Ryan D.

Where: Mass Audubon Headquarters, Lincoln | Who: A Vermont ex-pat, lifelong skier, musician, photographer, motorcycle enthusiast, budding native plant gardener, and pun master | Favorite part of the job: Working with wonderful colleagues to make nature accessible to everyone

Four campers walking down the road, one carrying a tie-dyed Wildwood blanket

Wildwood 2021: Session 4, Part 3

It’s hard to believe Session 4 is almost over! We are soaking up as much of summer as we can with lots of Gaga ball, swimming, paddling, arts & crafts, nature walks, and Chill Zone time as we can here at Wildwood.

Campers have been making a lot of things: friends, works of art, and a big splash, to name a few! Check out a few photo highlights below and then head over to the SmugMug album to see more summer fun from Session 4.

Fun in the sun on the splash pad
Fun in the sun on the splash pad
Archers, you may fire your first arrow!
Archers, you may fire your first arrow!
Four campers walking down the road, one carrying a tie-dyed Wildwood blanket
Nice blanket!!
Making drip paintings during DGs
Making drip paintings during DGs
This week's lineup of Discovery Groups is poppin!
This week’s lineup of Discovery Groups is poppin!
A sign on a tree that reads, "If you love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. —Vincent Van Gogh"
“If you love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. —Vincent Van Gogh”
A mushroom, a leaf, and partridgeberries surrounding a stump
Nature Moment!
Gaga ball in our new ball pit is awesome
Gaga ball in our new ball pit is awesome
Incredible jump to avoid the Gaga ball!
Incredible jump to avoid the Gaga ball!
Curious creative crafts involving oranges (Entertainment with Eben DG)
Curious creative crafts involving oranges (Entertainment with Eben DG)
Playing a game in the kayaks and canoes involving a wet sponge and a lot of laughter

Wildwood 2021: Session 4, Part 2

Session 4 has been filled with activities, adventures, and lots of smiles. On Friday, we got the much-anticipated “all clear” to take our masks off and see even more of those camper smiles we love so much!

Mornings are spent in our Nature Groups, where campers spend time ponding and looking for aquatic wildlife, playing nature-themed games to demonstrate ecological systems like abundance and scarcity or food webs, and learning all about Things With Wings. One group even had teams building their own bird nests, which were judged based on sturdiness, protectiveness, and “swag”.

Afternoon Discovery Groups (DGs) bring lots of options for fun activities like archery and Ultimate Frisbee at the activity field, and games like Knockout on the basketball court and Nukem on the volleyball court.

And of course, there’s the ropes course, where campers can take Mary Schmich’s advice and “Do one thing every day that scares you.” It’s always fun to see apprehensive faces change to laughter and big smiles when kids take the leap from the zipline platform and challenge their fears head-on. In one funny moment, the zipline instructor asked “Is the line clear?”, but for once the answer was “No!” There was a Wood Thrush chilling on the zipline, so we had to wait a minute for it to fly away!

Head over to SmugMug to see an album with some photo highlights from session four. Two-week campers should be returning from their overnight trip soon, and we can’t wait to hear some stories from their adventure!

Big smiles on the zipline
Big smiles on the zipline
Taking the big leap from the zipline platform
Taking the big leap from the zipline platform
This Wood Thrush seemed to want to try the zipline, too
This Wood Thrush seemed to want to try the zipline, too
Ultimate Frisbee on the activity field
Ultimate Frisbee on the activity field
Carson unit enjoying lunch together
Carson unit enjoying lunch together
He found a fish during ponding!
He found a fish during ponding!
Playing a game in the kayaks and canoes involving a wet sponge and a lot of laughter
Think fast! Playing a game in the kayaks and canoes involving a wet sponge and a lot of laughter
Camp friends are the best friends!
Camp friends are the best friends!
Nets are for ponding, not wearing, goofballs!
Nets are for ponding, not wearing, goofballs!
Cannonbaaaall!!!!

Wildwood 2021: Session 4, Part 1

Welcome, welcome, welcome, Session 4! We’re so excited you’re here. Monday was a busy day as campers adjusted to their new routine and completed their swim checks at the waterfront.

Our first afternoon of Discovery Groups included volleyball, archery, ropes course challenges, playing with Oobleck, table games, and making Shrinky Dinks in Arts & Crafts.

During Open Activity Time (OATs as we like to call it), the line for the Camp Store stretched to the end of the fence as campers swarmed in for their shirts, swag, tchotchkes, and, of course, Crystal Light packs.

Meanwhile, other campers couldn’t wait to get swimming and rushed down to the waterfront with their swimsuits and towels, ready to make a splash. “Imagine NOT jumping right into the water on the first day of camp!” said one camper as he executed a near-perfect cannonball.

We’re off to a great start and can’t wait for even more camp fun this week! Check out a few highlights below and view the full photo album on SmugMug.

Volleyball/Nukem Discovery Group
Volleyball/Nukem Discovery Group
Honing our archery skills at the range
Honing our archery skills at the range
Playing with Oobleck outside the dining hall
Playing with Oobleck outside the dining hall
Camp days are busy, so sometimes a chill game of Connect Four is just the ticket
Camp days are busy, so sometimes a chill game of Connect Four is just the ticket
Leopold campers waiting (mostly) patiently for their swim check
Leopold campers waiting (mostly) patiently for their swim check
The water's fine, jump on in!
The water’s fine, jump on in!
Cannonbaaaall!!!!
Cannonbaaaall!!!!
Slip-n-slides are the best on a hot summer day!

Wildwood 2021: Session 3, Part 3 – Camp Carnival!

“Look! It’s got a waterslide!” said the first camper to round the corner of the shower house and see the epic Camp Carnival setup on the games field yesterday afternoon. And what a perfect way to wrap up a great session!

The campers had an absolute blast doing lap after lap on the waterslide, dual slip-n-slide, and Bootcamp Challenge climbing element: don’t let the water-splattered grimaces in some of the photos fool you—these campers were grinning from ear to ear and dashing back to the end of the line to go again!

Party music blasted over the speakers as campers bounced around between volleyball, inflatable tic-tac-toe, the temporary tattoo station, and various field games. But, of course, the longest line was for the Sno Kone machine!

So, parents and families, we did our absolute best to help our dear campers burn off some energy before your arrival for pickup today, which will be a bittersweet farewell for sure. Here’s one last look at Session 3 and then it’s on to the final overnight camp session of 2021 on Sunday! Where is the summer going???

Check out the full album on SmugMug!

Coming in hot on the slip-n-slide
Coming in hot on the slip-n-slide
Chickadee helping campers write "Warm Fuzzies" with positive messages for their fellow campers and staff
Chickadee helping campers write “Warm Fuzzies” with positive messages for their fellow campers and staff
Making a splash on the water slide
Making a splash on the water slide
Taking flight on the Bootcamp Challenge element
Taking flight on the Bootcamp Challenge element
The volleyball masters of Session 3
The volleyball masters of Session 3
Showing off some new temporary tattoos
Showing off some new temporary tattoos
Slip-n-slides are the best on a hot summer day!
Slip-n-slides are the best on a hot summer day!

Wildwood 2021: Session 3, Part 2

Yesterday’s Beach Party was such a blast! DJ Cheryl was dropping the hottest summertime jams all afternoon and leading the ensuing dance parties while campers swam, paddling, played volleyball and badminton on the beach, went ponding for lake creatures, and played table games on the shore.

One camper was a little reluctant to take the big jump into the water, so she asked Cheryl for some support: “I’ll jump in if you do it with me!” Sometimes all you need is a little help from your friends 🙂

And the surprise hit of the session has been—believe it or not—Rock-Paper-Scissors on the dock! The “loser” has to jump into the water, a welcome consolation prize on a hot summer day!

Check out the full photo album on SmugMug and head over to our Instagram page to see some fun videos of campers jumping off the dock, line-dancing to Cotton-Eyed Joe, and one final all-camp wave before dinnertime.

Cheryl and Dustin DJ the afternoon Beach Party at Wildwood
Cheryl and Dustin DJ the afternoon Beach Party at Wildwood
Cheryl and Sarah leading the Cotton-Eyed Joe dance party
Cheryl and Sarah leading the Cotton-Eyed Joe dance party
Dance party hilarity
Dance party hilarity
Two campers in PFDs playing on the Lily Pad
Two campers in PFDs playing on the Lily Pad
Sometimes you need some encouragement from your friends to take the big leap
Sometimes you need some encouragement from your friends to take the big leap
Beach volleyball was a big hit
Beach volleyball was a big hit
The surprise hit of the session: Rock-Paper-Scissors on the raft! Loser has to jump in the water!
The surprise hit of the session: Rock-Paper-Scissors on the raft! Loser has to jump in the water!
As far as consolation prizes go, jumping in the water isn't such a bad one!
As far as consolation prizes go, jumping in the water isn’t such a bad one!
Day Campers love swimming at the waterfront

Wildwood 2021: Session 3A

The first week of session 3 has been great—the weather continues to improve and we have been enjoying every moment of it.

We’ve learned about the ecology of Hubbard Pond by kayak and along the shoreline with our dipnets. We’ve done tons of swimming and paddling around the pond, and played LOTS of Gaga. We’ve tackled all kinds of challenges at the ropes course, facing our fears and pushing our comfort zones. And we’ve made Oobleck, animal masks, and reverse tie-dye in arts and crafts. Be sure to check out the photos of Carson Unit doing a “big reveal” of their amazing tie-dye works of art from earlier in the week!

Check out the photo gallery for this week on SmugMug for more!

Playing Gaga in the new ballpit
Playing Gaga in the new ballpit
Ropes Course leader Sam gives a camper a high five after she tackled a big challenge on the ropes course
Ropes Course leader Sam gives a camper a high five after she tackled a big challenge on the ropes course
Gathering equipment for the Day Camp Olympics
Gathering equipment for the Day Camp Olympics
Mask-making during afternoon DGs
Mask-making during afternoon DGs
Carson unit did a "big reveal" of their amazing tie-dye creations
Carson unit did a “big reveal” of their amazing tie-dye creations—check out those awesome socks!
Day Campers love swimming at the waterfront
Day Campers love swimming at the waterfront!
Dillard campers filling time between activities with friendship bracelets
Dillard campers filling time between activities with friendship bracelets
You never know what your dipnet will dredge up in Hubbard Pond!
You never know what your dipnet will dredge up in Hubbard Pond!
This camper found a cool snail in his kayak
This camper found a cool snail in his kayak
Gaga Ball

Wildwood 2021: Session 2, Week 2

The second week of Session 2 has been a little rainy, but we have a great time no matter what the weather is doing at Wildwood. This week we made “tape resist art” at the Arts & Crafts pavilion, took the plunge on the zipline, played LOTS of Gaga Ball in the new Gaga pit, sharpened our archery skills, and so much more.

See a few highlights below and more photos in the SmugMug album!

Tape resist art at the arts & crafts shed
Tape resist art at the arts & crafts shed
Zipline fun at the high ropes course
Zipline fun at the high ropes course
Gaga Ball
Ga…Ga…BALL!
A camper practicing at the archery range
It’s the new Katniss Everdeen!
Laura Johnson dedication stone overlooking Hubbard Pond
Laura Johnson dedication stone overlooking Hubbard Pond
Wildwood 2021 Session 2 Campers swimming and posing for the camera

Wildwood 2021: Session 2A

What a fantastic week we’ve had for the start of session 2! We took advantage of the good weather earlier in the week to spend lots of time on, in, and around the water, exploring the ecology of Hubbard Pond and making a big splash in the Fun Zone.

Some campers made bird nests out of natural materials during a “Things With Wings” Nature Group (NG) led by the amazing Alex Dohan from Mass Audubon’s Education team, while others made wall art with sticks and string at the Arts & Crafts building during Discovery Groups (DGs).

And a few brave campers even took on the Burma Bridge at the Ropes Course during afternoon DGs! Below are a few highlights, but you can see more of all the fun we’ve been having in the full slideshow here.

We’ll be saying a bittersweet goodbye to the one-week campers this weekend and looking forward to even more fun with the two-week campers next week!

Wildwood 2021 Session 2 Campers swimming and posing for the camera
OATs is the best time for swimming with friends and jumping off the dock!
Wildwood 2021 Session 2 Camper does a cannonball off the dock
Cannonbaaaaall!
Two Session 2 Campers kneeling on a stand-up paddleboard on Hubbard Pond
Wednesday was a lovely day for a paddle on Hubbard Pond
Two Session 2 campers out for a kayak during afternoon DGs
Kayaking is one of many fun afternoon activities during Discovery Groups (DGs)
Chilling in the Chill Zone hammocks
Chilling in the Chill Zone hammocks
Making wood-and-woven wall art from found objects in nature
Making wood-and-woven wall art from found objects in nature
Taking on the Burma Bridge at the Ropes Course
Taking on the Burma Bridge at the Ropes Course
Campers playing volleyball during DGs
Nice move! Campers playing volleyball during DGs
Archery is an ever-popular afternoon DG
Archery is an ever-popular afternoon DG
Ponding for interesting creatures along the shoreline
Ponding for interesting creatures along the shoreline
A camper enjoying the zipline on our ropes course

Wildwood 2021: Session 1, Part 2

The rain may have driven us inside the last couple of days, but that just means we get to play lots of board games and Magic cards, act out funny skits and improv games, and make lots of friendship bracelets.

And we’re still riding high from Wednesday’s big excitement: Zip Line! It’s always so fun to see campers challenge themselves, flex their bravery muscles, and take that big leap off the platform. It’s not uncommon to see faces change from apprehension and even a little fear to big smiles, exhilaration, and pride.

But don’t take my word for it! See for yourself in this album of fun times from Session 1.

A camper enjoying the zipline on our ropes course
Wildwood Getaways Family at Waterfront

Introducing Wildwood Getaways!

Wildwood Getaways Family at Waterfront
July 2020 Wildwood Getaways Family at the Waterfront

Join us in summer 2020 for a physically distanced family getaway at Wildwood! Wildwood is turning our camp into a campground for camp families from July 10–October 15. We will provide families with a space to sleep and relax while being physically distanced from others.

You can choose from any of the following lodging options:

  • Bring your own tent: $55/night
  • Yurt / Wooden Tent: $70/night
  • Cabins: $75/night (cabins have electricity)
  • Muir Lodge: $125/night (includes: 4 bedrooms, sleeps 7, private bathroom, shower, kitchenette, refrigerator, microwave, convection oven, cooktop, kitchen sink, dishes, living room, front porch, firepit & picnic table outside)

We will assign one family only to each unit. Each unit has a firepit, wood, sink, toilets, picnic table, trash & recycle cans. Families bring their own bedding, personal items, food, and all cooking/cleaning gear.

The waterfront is open from 10:00 am–noon and 2:00–5:00 pm and is included in the nightly rate. Waterfront activities include canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding & swimming. If possible, families are encouraged to bring their own lifejackets.

The shower house is a shared space. We will assign families a time block to shower and will clean and sanitize the shower house between families.

Check-in is from 1:00–5:00 pm and check-out is no later than 11:00 am.
We ask families to move out of the unit by 11:00 am in order to avoid being charged for an extra night, but they are allowed to continue to enjoy our property after check-out.

Learn More and Reserve Your Getaway Today!