Where the Wild Things Are Day Camp! New Pioneers is delighted to announce our second annual Where the Wild Things Are Day Camp from Tuesday June 9 through Friday June 12, 2026 from 9-3 pm at the Loretto Motherhouse! This is an unforgettable and immersive experience for all 6-12-year-olds that you don't want to miss. From connecting with the great outdoors to learning environmental stewardship, this is bound to be a fun-filled and educational week for your little ones! Early registration will open on Monday, January 26, for New Pioneers members. General registration will open two weeks later on Monday, February 9. Spots are limited and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close when camp spots are filled. Camp payment is due one week prior to camp, by Tuesday, June 2. CAMP DESCRIPTION: Do you have a 6- to 12-year-old seeking adventure and outdoor exploration this summer? Look no further! “Where the Wild Things Are” Day Camp is where the fun happens! You don't want your kiddos to miss out on this nature-focused, education-rooted summer camp right here in Central Kentucky. This collaboration between New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future and the Loretto Community will immerse your child in four days of curious, creative, and hope-filled exploration of diverse natural spaces on the Loretto Motherhouse’s expansive, nearly 800-acre property. This year, we have an exciting and refreshed lineup of daily adventures to wild spaces - exploring pond, native grassland, forest, and farm habitats, and seeking out “wild things” - the myriad of species that also call our community “home”, including worms, birds, and bugs. Oh my! Each day, youth will gather at the Old Tobacco Barn before splitting into smaller groups, rotating between different stations. Activities include: Hiking, creating natural art, playing educational nature games, birding, scavenger hunts, observing nature, wagon rides, supervised free play, and more! CAMP DETAILS: DATE/TIME: Camp runs Tuesday, June 9 through Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Loretto Motherhouse located at 515 Nerinx Rd, Nerinx, KY 40049. Camp starts at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. each day. Early drop off (8 a.m.) and late pick up (4 p.m.) are available during the registration process for an additional fee. COST: Camp costs $150 for the full week, per camper. Active New Pioneers members will receive a pricing discount of $25, totaling $125 for the full week per camper. Payment is due by one week before camp. The cost of attendance includes participation in all four days of camp, snacks throughout camp, learning supplies, and a camp t-shirt. Lunch is NOT provided - participants will pack a “brown bag” lunch each day of camp.
EARLY DROP-OFF/LATE PICK-UP: For participants needing early drop off and late pick up, families pay an additional $25 for each, which includes early drop off/late pick up for all 4 days of camp (i.e. $50 for both early and late coverage all week).
SCHOLARSHIPS: It is a priority of New Pioneers and the Loretto Community that all children have access to “Where the Wild Things Are”. Financial support is available for those in need. All families are asked to contribute $5 to secure their child’s place during camp. Scholarships can be requested in the application. For more information, email info@newpioneers.org.
REFUND POLICY: In the case of severe weather, day(s) of camp may be cancelled without refund eligibility. If there should be a reason you need to cancel your registration, all fees but a $25 processing fee will be refundable if cancelled by April 1. There are no refunds after April 1.
ELIGIBILITY AND SAFETY: Camp is open to youth ages 6-12 who meet age requirements before the first day of camp. There is a maximum of 50 learners, and registration will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth will be broken into smaller groups according to age, with a minimum ratio of 5:1 youth to adult at all times throughout the week. All adults coming into direct, regular contact with youth will receive a background check and health/safety training.
CAMPER EXPECTATIONS:
Each camper is expected to meet the following base expectations to successfully and independently attend camp. By submitting your registration, you affirm that your child(ren) meets these expectations.
In appreciation for learners of diverse abilities, we are happy to explore accommodations and encourage you to reach out if your learner is unable to meet these expectations.
Base expectations include:
Camper can independently use the restroom and is prepared to use compost toilets (portalettes) provided at the Loretto Motherhouse.
Camper can stay with a group at all times and follow instructions from an adult group leader.
Camper does not require medicine to be administered with support (in any form) throughout the duration of camp days (excluding youth who can self-administer oral medication labelled and provided to New Pioneers by the first day of camp).
Camper can speak and understand English.
Camper can physically navigate uneven terrain independently, without support.
Camper will be kind, safe, and respectful at all times to other campers, staff, and residents of the Loretto Motherhouse. “Where the Wild Things Are” Day Camp has a zero-tolerance policy for participants hitting, fighting, bullying, issuing verbal threats, and/or destroying property. Parents will be contacted for immediate pickup depending on the severity of any related incidents, subject to New Pioneers’ discretion.
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Registration for “Where the Wild Things Are” will be conducted through a Google Form. You are not required to have a Google email account to submit this form, but an email account is required to maintain communication. Registration will include necessary liability waivers and medical information, and will take roughly 15 minutes to complete.
Registration will open on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. for New Pioneers members. At this time, members will receive an email from New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future (info@newpioneers.org) to an email address on file. To verify that your email is up-to-date before camp registration opens, email info@newpioneers.org.
New members are welcome - and encouraged! - to enroll their membership at any level during the early registration period to qualify for the early member registration and member rate. Note: Your membership MUST be active at the time of registration and at the time of camp to qualify for the member discount.
Registration will open to the general public on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Registration will close when registration is full.
INSTRUCTOR, COUNSELOR, & VOLUNTEER ROLES:
New Pioneers is seeking to fill paid and unpaid positions to support Where the Wild Things Are through instructor, counselor, and volunteer roles. If you've got a passion for the environment or education, this is the perfect opportunity for you!
Stay tuned to this page to apply to be an instructor, counselor, or volunteer soon!
Questions?
Contact info@newpioneers.org or call our office at (859) 336-5070!
To view more photos from the previous Where the Wild Things Are Day Camp, click the photos above. Read more about previous camp experiences here.
