Wild Roots Summer Camp

Rooted in connection, community, and nature.

At Wild Roots, our week-long summer camps are filled with muddy shoes, creek exploration, creative play, community connection, and long days spent outdoors.

Grounded in Montessori principles and immersed in nature, our camps nurture curiosity, independence, confidence, and belonging through meaningful real-world experiences.

Each day begins and ends at our downtown Fort Wayne location, where children gather in community before heading out to explore nearby nature-based and community spaces together.

Testimonials from the Wild Roots Community

Parent Voices

  • "Thank you so much! She loved it and will definitely be back!"

  • "I cannot thank you enough for how much you have been so understanding and accommodating for [my child]. This is his first summer that he was able to go to a camp without any complaints. You have made such a difference by including him and honoring his way of learning."

  • "[My child] had a wonderful time! I was super impressed with how organized everything was and how kind the staff was."

Kid Voices

  • "I saw a spider eating a fly in its web!"

  • "Sit-spot is when you find a spot in nature and you blend in. Then, you let nature come to you instead of you going to nature."

  • "I really like that everyone at camp is treating each other kindly. At my school people would be yelling, but at camp, people aren’t doing that."

  • "I liked everything about this camp! There were a lot of experiences we got to do! I loved the entire thing!”

What Makes Wild Roots Summer Camp Different

At Wild Roots, children spend their days immersed in nature, connected to community, and trusted as capable individuals.

Our camps are grounded in Montessori principles, rooted in community, and designed to give children meaningful real-world experiences through exploration, creativity, movement, and play.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and affirming environment where all children feel seen, supported, and a true sense of belonging — including neurodivergent learners and families from diverse and historically marginalized communities.

Children help shape their days, follow their curiosity, build independence, and develop a deeper relationship with both the natural world and the community around them.

Our Downtown Home Base

All Wild Roots Summer Camps begin and end at:

Wild Roots
111 W. Wayne St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Our centralized downtown location allows us to:

  • Maintain consistent drop-off and pick-up routines for families
  • Avoid long drives or changing locations week to week
  • Align camp with work and daily schedules
  • Adjust plans based on weather, energy, and group needs
  • Return quickly to a safe indoor space when needed
  • Ensure consistent access to restrooms and indoor space
  • Support children in a way that feels responsive and grounded

Each day, children explore nearby natural and community spaces throughout downtown Fort Wayne.

Community Connection

After meeting for a community gathering at our home base each morning, campers will walk together to nearby parks, green spaces, and community destinations, including:

  • The St. Marys River and surrounding natural areas
  • Lawton Park, Headwaters Park, and Promenade Park
  • Freimann Square and downtown green spaces
  • Local murals and public art
  • The library, including art displays and theater space
  • TinCaps Stadium and surrounding areas

Through these experiences, children come to know Fort Wayne as a living, connected community—full of beauty, creativity, and possibility.

Nature Immersion

At Wild Roots, nature isn’t something we visit — it’s something we’re IN together all summer long.

Children spend their days:

  • Climbing trees
  • Exploring creeks
  • Digging in mud
  • Building with sticks
  • Rolling down hills
  • Watching birds and insects
  • Creating with natural materials
  • Following their curiosity outdoors

Campers spend time in creek spaces like Lawton Park and along the St. Marys River, where wetlands invite puddle stomping, mud play, discovery, and exploration.

Children collect pinecones, acorns, and sticks to build, create, trade, and imagine. They notice small details, care for living things, and build a genuine relationship with Fort Wayne's nature spaces.

Safety, Care, & Preparedness

At Wild Roots, children are given the freedom to explore within thoughtfully prepared and well-supported environments.

Our staff are trained in:

  • First aid and CPR
  • Water safety and supervision
  • Risk awareness and responsive decision-making in outdoor and community spaces

Throughout the day, our team maintains:

  • Consistent group supervision
  • Clear boundaries and expectations
  • Ongoing staff communication
  • Flexible planning based on weather and group needs

Because we spend time in shared public and natural spaces, we also help children learn how to move through the community safely, respectfully, and confidently.

Safety is woven into everything we do so children can explore with confidence while families feel informed and at ease.

Our Daily Schedule

Arrival, Pickup, & Communication

All Wild Roots camp families will be invited to a WhatsApp group for camp communication.

We understand that summer schedules can shift, and we aim to remain flexible while creating a smooth and supportive experience for all families.

Morning Drop-off Carline
8:30–8:45am

Early Pickup
If your child needs to leave early, please notify us through the WhatsApp group as early as possible. Because we are often exploring throughout the community, we will coordinate a pickup location and time directly with you.

Afternoon Pick-up Carline
3:30–3:45pm
A 5-minute grace period is provided after 3:45pm. After 3:50pm, a late fee of $1 per minute will apply.

Scholarships

We are committed to making Wild Roots accessible to as many families as possible.

A limited number of camp scholarships are available for families who would benefit from additional financial support.

Apply For A Scholarship

Enroll below to secure your child's spot in our summer 2026 camps!

Contact us via email at team@wildrootsnbl.com with any questions.

June 2026 Summer Camps

July 2026 Summer Camps

Summer Camp FAQ

How many children are in Wild Roots Summer Camps?

There will be a maximum of 30 children.

Can my child attend for just one week?

Absolutely! Each week of camp requires separate registration, so you can register your child for all 8 weeks, 7 weeks, 6 weeks, or even just 1 week of camp.

What should I do if I need to cancel or change my child’s registration?

Please read our full refund policy for complete details. Here are the specifics of our policy:

Full Refund: A full refund will be issued if you cancel your registration at least 3 weeks prior to the start of your selected camp week.

No Refunds for Cancellations After 3 Weeks: No refunds will be granted for cancellations made within 3 weeks of the start of camp or for any reason, including illness, personal emergencies, or any other circumstances that prevent your child from attending.

To cancel your child's registration, please send an email to team@wildrootsnbl.com

What happens if my child gets sick or injured during camp?

In the event that your child is sick or injured during camp, we will notify you via phone. If the injury is minor and your child may remain at camp, we will simply notify you with a picture of the injury and text message. In the event that your child experiences a head injury, we will follow head injury safety protocols and monitor your child for a concussion. If you decide that you’d prefer to pick up your child from camp, that is completely your decision. 

If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher, your child is vomiting, or your child is experiencing serious symptoms due to an allergy we will call you immediately to notify you of the illness/symptoms. We will ask that you pick up your child to best care for their health needs and to also care for the health and safety of the other campers. If your child is experiencing a health emergency, we will call 911 first and then call you.

Will my child need any special gear (e.g., hiking boots, water shoes, etc.)?

We will be outside at all times and in all weather! We like to say, “There’s no bad weather, just poor clothing.” However, if the weather is dangerous, we will find shelter in doors and adjust our activities for the day. Children should dress in weather appropriate clothing and gear. We will assume that you and your child are prepared for any and all clothing and gear to get dirty, muddy, ripped, and worn. 

What should my child bring to camp?

Children should bring a water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen, and a packed lunch each day to camp. If your child needs any additional items, we will notify you in advance. 

How do you handle communication in case of an emergency?

In the event of an emergency that impacts every camper, we will notify all families via text message or phone call. We will also notify emergency personnel such as fire, police, or ambulance. If the emergency only impacts your child, we will call 911 and then immediately call you.