This is a CampSite Camp Spotlight – An opportunity to highlight the amazing work being done by those within our ecosystem. This edition features Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, an outdoor education center that provides summer programs for children to experience the wonders of living and learning outdoors.
Nature as the Ultimate Classroom
Since 1980, Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, nestled an hour south of Kansas City on 150 wooded acres, has been doing more than offering summer fun — it’s building resilience, belonging, and a love of nature in youth who otherwise might never step outside. Wildwood’s mission: They bring kids outside to learn and grow together, transforming summer into a season of learning, youth development, and outdoor adventure for low-income Kansas City area youth.
From Cabins to Community: A Journey of Growth
On any given week, campers live in cabins, share meals family-style, and move through a rich program of fishing, kayaking, high-ropes course, archery, and campfires. Every activity is shaped by four guiding pillars: Learning Together, Overcoming Challenges, Applying Science, and Building Community.
But Wildwood’s reach extends far beyond the traditional overnight camp. In 2024, they launched a Day Camp to serve rural youth in Linn and Miami Counties. Their Leadership Camp and Apprenticeship programs immerse teens in leadership, mentorship, and practical operations, helping form new generations of Wildwood stewards. In addition, Respite & Recreation (R&R) Weekends provide three-day retreats for youth in foster care, pairing outdoor adventure with trauma-informed group support in partnership with Summit Therapeutic Services.
Wildwood’s Long-Lasting Impact
The outcomes are powerful: campers return to school or home with greater confidence, stronger relationships, and renewed curiosity. Young people learn to face challenges, collaborate under pressure, and feel seen in a community that supports them. Wildwood’s intentional design ensures that every program decision from transportation and scholarships to staffing and partnerships—aligns with its core commitment: removing barriers so every child can grow better outdoors.
Curious to learn more about Wildwood Outdoor Education Center’s mission and the work they’re doing? Visit their website here to dive deeper into their story.