Ripon Area School District and the BRAVE program are pleased to offer FREE care for elementary school children (grades K-5) for teacher in-service days in the 2025-2026 school year.
Registration for Fall 2025 programs will open on August 1, 2025.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.
Please email the Camp BRAVE Coordinator, Eliza Stephenson at stephensone@ripon.k12.wi.us with any questions or to be added to the waitlist.
When is Camp BRAVE Offered?
Camp BRAVE is a full-day program (8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.) featuring a variety of off-site field trips for students in kindergarten through fifth grade on select teacher in-service days. 4K students are welcome to attend on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday programs. Students will explore our community and state under the supervision of district support staff and our BRAVE site coordinators. This program is in addition to BRAVE morning and evening enrichment programs (
separate registration required).
What is the Cost?
Camp BRAVE is FREE* to all students. Funding for Camp BRAVE field trips and programming is provided by the Nita Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant.
Meals are not included. Students can choose to bring a lunch from home or order a school lunch (your child's lunch account will be charged).
*The cost of the ticket/admission fee will be added to the student's Infinite Campus account for cancellations within three days of the program date or no shows the day of the program.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes, a waitlist is available. Send an email to
Eliza Stephenson with your child's name, grade, and your contact information. Students will be taken off the waitlist in the order they were added. You can expect to be notified 7-10 days before the program if space is available.
Where is Camp BRAVE?
Camp BRAVE field trips will originate from Barlow Park Elementary School. Busses will return to the school at the end of the day for parents to transport students home. Some programs will take place on site at Barlow Park Elementary. All programs are subject to change.
Friday, September 19, 2025: Horicon Marsh, Horicon
Monday, October 13, 2025: Shalom Wildlife Zoo, West Bend
Friday, November 7, 2025: The Building for Kids, Appleton
Tuesday, January 23, 2026: On Site
Monday, February 16, 2026: YMCA, Oshkosh
Monday, April 20, 2026: TBD
Friday, May 8, 2026: TBD
Other Details:
- Regular bus transportation (to & from home or shuttle stops) will NOT be available. Students must be at Barlow Park Elementary no later than 8a.m. Morning Enrichment (beginning at 6:45a.m.) is available with a separate registration.
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Cancellations for non-medical reasons must be made one week in advance of the program date. Two late cancellations will result in a meeting with the coordinator and review for future programming. Late cancellations and no shows will incur a program fee.
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Inclement Weather: Depending on the circumstances, Camp BRAVE programming may continue. Please watch for information on the District website and your email.
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Medical information: Parents or legal guardians are responsible for advising the Site Coordinator of any allergies, medications, or special needs of their children.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
Behavior expectations for BRAVE CLC activities are the same as the regular school day. Students attending BRAVE programming must follow the same behavior policy they follow during the regular school day. Failure to follow these rules will result in:
Step 1: A verbal warning will be given.
Step 2: A supervised 10-minute time-out will be given.
Step 3: The child will be removed from all activities and will meet with the Site Coordinator.
Step 4: The child will be suspended from the program and must be picked up at the expense of the family.
Step 5: Repeat suspensions could result in removal from all BRAVE programming for a time to be determined by the Program Director.
If a student’s actions could cause danger to another student or staff member, the child will be removed immediately. Parents will be contacted to take the child home at their expense. Parents will be contacted each time a child reaches Step 2 or higher.
Nancy Bouwkamp
BRAVE Program Director
email
Office: 920-748-1550 extension 1313
BRAVE Cell: 920-896-3969
Eliza Stephenson
Camp BRAVE Coordinator
email
Office: 920-748-4638
