Young RV travelers can experience their own “Escape To Wisconsin” during FMCA’s Family Reunion in Madison.
By David & Loretta Marlowe, F267754
Fmca Youth Program Committee Chairpersons
June 2015
Do you travel with young children or grandchildren? If so, you’ll want to know that planning is well under way for the Youth Program at FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase July 29-August 1 in Madison, Wisconsin. We are scheduling outings for children between 6 and 16 years of age.
Unlike previous years, youth activities centers will not be set up during this Family Reunion. Instead, we are presenting a fun, event-driven program.
Each child who registers for the Madison Youth Program will receive a colorful T-shirt that will make him or her feel part of the group and also help the leaders keep track of the children at off-site venues.
Also included in the Youth Program registration fee ($15 per youth) is an outing to the Circus World museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. All children registered for the Youth Program will take part in this outing.
You do not have to preregister children or grandchildren for the Madison Youth Program. However, to help us with planning and estimating the number of participants, we would appreciate hearing from you beforehand. Please email us at youthcommittee@fmca.com and indicate: 1) the number of children you will be registering in Madison, 2) the age of each child, 3) a T-shirt size for each child, and 4) which outings each child would like to take, in addition to the already-included Circus World excursion on Thursday, July 30 (see a list of the outings below). This will help us to give the attractions a reasonable expectation of how many youth will be participating.
Once you arrive in Madison for the Family Reunion, please register your children at the Youth Program Registration desk in the Information Center as soon as possible. Registration will be open Monday, July 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 29, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. There may be a limited number of slots open for various trips, so register your children early to make sure they have a spot.
Parents, grandparents, and guardians who would like to go on one or more trips as chaperones are asked to contact us at our personal email address: fmcayouth@wildblue.net. We will be happy to send you details about the volunteer program.
The following outings were scheduled at press time. Check the websites below for more information about attractions. Payment is due when registering children for the Youth Program and for specific outings at the Youth Program Registration desk in Madison (cash or check; no credit cards). Additional information will be available in the Madison event program and at FMCA.com.
We’re eager to provide a fun and rewarding time for all, and we look forward to seeing you! Whether or not you can come to Madison, please make your wishes for future youth program activities known to us at youthcommittee@fmca.com.
Youth Outings
Wednesday, July 29, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
House on the Rock, Spring Green
www.houseontherock.com
The House on the Rock is one of Wisconsin’s most famous attractions, featuring many buildings, exhibits, and collections. This daylong outing will include a lunch break in the garden of the house itself. Fee: $25; includes lunch.
Thursday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Circus World, Baraboo
www.circusworldbaraboo.org
We will tour this fascinating and famous museum that celebrates the traveling circus. Children will have the opportunity to learn from real circus performers and, after a break for lunch, they may actually perform in the daily show. Admission included with Youth Program registration fee. Includes lunch.
Friday, July 31, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark, Blue Mounds
www.caveofthemounds.com
The day will start with a guided tour of the cave. We will then divide up into smaller groups for hands-on learning experiences regarding cave life-forms, cave geology, and other topics. Each child will have the opportunity to attend all of the sessions. Kids will bring home a gift bag with minerals and fossils. Fee: $25; includes lunch.
Saturday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison
www.vilaszoo.org
We will a self-guided walking tour of this zoo not far from the Alliant Energy Center (site of the Family Reunion) before saying good-bye to all the new friends we made during this Family Reunion. Fee: free.