About Free + Wild Camp
Who We Are
Mission:
Free + Wild exists to help children grow into confident, kind, resilient, and independent people through the power of free play, outdoor adventure, meaningful friendships, and character-building experiences.
Core Pillars:
Freedom
Children need room to make choices, solve problems, and direct their own play instead of having every minute scheduled.
We believe: Kids grow best when they have the freedom to explore.
Adventure
Every day should include discovery, movement, outdoor exploration, and trying something new.
We believe: Adventure builds courage.
Friendship
Children learn empathy, teamwork, communication, and belonging through shared experiences.
We believe: Great friendships don't happen on screens—they happen through play.
Confidence
Confidence comes from accomplishing hard things, making decisions, and overcoming challenges—not constant praise.
We believe: Confidence is earned through experience.
Character
Kindness, honesty, perseverance, gratitude, responsibility, and respect are woven into every day.
We believe: Who children become matters more than what they accomplish
Creativity
Open-ended play, LEGO, crafts, imaginative games, storytelling, and invention help children think independently.
We believe: Imagination is a superpower.
Movement
Kids were designed to run, climb, build, throw, bike, wrestle, dance, and move.
We believe: Active kids are happier, healthier, and more resilient.
Nature
Time outside reduces stress, encourages curiosity, and creates lifelong memories.
We believe: The best classroom has no walls.
The Free + Wild Promise
Every camper leaves with more than memories—they leave with:
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More confidence
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Better friendships
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Greater independence
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Stronger character
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A love for the outdoors
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More creativity
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A healthier relationship with movement
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The courage to try new things
Membership
Free + Wild Summer Day Camp is a membership-based camp community designed to create a safe, familiar, and close-knit environment for every child.
Registration is available by invitation only through a private website password. Membership is extended to:
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Returning Free + Wild campers
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Siblings of current members
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Friends referred by current camp families
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Families personally invited by our team
This membership model allows us to build lasting friendships, maintain a positive camp culture, and ensure every child joins a community where they feel welcomed and supported from day one.
If you've been referred by a current camp family and would like to learn more, we'd love to hear from you.
Camp Staff
At Free + Wild, we believe an incredible camp starts with incredible people. That's why we hire passionate, energetic counselors who genuinely love working with children and creating unforgettable summer memories.
Lead Counselors
Our Lead Counselors include Coach Alyssa, founder of Free + Wild, along with experienced elementary school teachers and educators who are skilled at leading groups of children with confidence, patience, and enthusiasm. They provide guidance, ensure camper safety, and help create a positive, welcoming environment where every child can thrive.
Teen Counselors
Our Teen Counselors are carefully selected high school students who love working with kids and bring incredible energy to camp each day. They jump into games, encourage participation, build friendships, and help make camp fun from the moment children arrive until it's time to go home.
Junior Counselors
Many of our Junior Counselors are former campers who want to give back to the community they love. These volunteers help with simple responsibilities like filling water bottles, setting up activities, assisting counselors, and, most importantly, serving as positive role models for our younger campers.
Safety & Training
The safety of our campers is always our highest priority. Every adult and teen counselor is CPR certified, has successfully passed a background check, and receives training before camp begins.
Our staff also follows a thoughtfully designed curriculum and daily schedule created by Free + Wild founder Alyssa Forgach, ensuring each day balances free play, outdoor adventure, character development, creativity, and structured activities.
Investing in Great People
We believe that children deserve exceptional mentors—and exceptional mentors deserve to be valued. That's why we compensate our counselors well, providing a competitive summer wage that allows them to focus on what matters most: creating meaningful relationships with campers, bringing enthusiasm to every activity, and making each day an unforgettable adventure.
