Journey
The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is a five-day journey of Wisconsin that offers UW-Madison faculty and staff the opportunity to learn firsthand about the social and cultural contexts that shape the lives of many of our Wisconsin students and to see what the Wisconsin Idea looks like in practice with communities across the state.
Our narrative frame is water and the Seminar is structured on themes of relationship, reciprocity, and responsibility to people, land, and water.
Participants meet hosts and collaborators who are deeply committed to the communities where they live and who help Seminar travelers understand their approaches to collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships. Seminar alumni return to campus with a deeper knowledge of the state and the value of the Wisconsin Idea. The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is just the beginning. Seminar participants continue to nurture their ideas for collaboration, often developing projects and lines of research with their fellow participants, ultimately cultivating relationships with each other and the state of Wisconsin that continue to grow over the course of their careers.
Itinerary
Between the orientation early Monday morning and the return to Madison on Friday afternoon, the Wisconsin Idea Seminar’s five-day itinerary includes visits to rural and urban communities across the state. Each day is full of learning, hands-on experiences, conversations, quiet reflection, and connections. A typical day starts around 7am with breakfast and ends after dinner, usually around 7pm. Itineraries are unique each year and often include visits to farms, schools, community gardens, natural areas, and cultural centers.
Undistracted Participation
The Wisconsin Idea Seminar is an immersive experience, and we encourage participants to be fully present. Participants are invited to work with their supervisors so that they can step away from email and other work responsibilities during the Seminar. Those in instructional roles are advised to complete and submit grading before boarding the bus on Monday.
Accessibility
We are committed to ensuring all participants, of all abilities and access needs, are able to participate and learn on the Seminar. Our journey will involve a variety of experiences, often including outdoor learning and hikes on uneven terrain. We encourage participants who have mobility, energy, or health considerations to reach out to Seminar organizers. We can work with participants one-on-one to ensure arrangements are made so everyone can fully engage in our week of learning together.
Values
- Practicing curiosity + listening deeply – We bring our curiosity to the people and places we visit. We listen to understand.
- Being present – We strive to give our full, embodied attention to our experiences together. We minimize distractions with intention.
- Offering gratitude – We honor the generosity and trust of the people and places that welcome us, teach us, and share their stories. We show our appreciation for that gift.
Bus
The Wisconsin Idea Seminar bus offers opportunities for conversations with colleagues, journaling, responding to meditation prompts, viewing the Wisconsin landscapes, or simply individual quiet time. We often have a full bus, so participants can expect to have a seatmate.
Communities we visit are located across Wisconsin, so our itineraries can include longer stretches on the road, particularly for journeys to the northern part of the state. A selection of snacks and beverages, many of them made right here in Wisconsin, are available on the bus. Each bus seat is equipped with a power outlet. The bus also includes an onboard restroom.
Participants are welcome to bring a compact bag (a backpack or tote) with personal belongings to stow in overhead bins. Luggage will be stored under the bus and will not be easily accessible during the day.
Meals + Lodging
Wisconsin Idea Seminar meals offer a meaningful opportunity to deepen our learning and to experience the food traditions of the communities we visit. We center local ingredients and celebrate a range of foodways carried across generations and geographies.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the Seminar experience. Most meals are served buffet or family-style and will be enjoyed together as a group. Seminar staff work to ensure all menus accommodate dietary restrictions.
Seminar participants will be assigned individual hotel rooms with private baths. Accommodations will vary by location. Many hotels are situated near town centers, offering participants opportunities to explore the area on their own in early mornings and late evenings, while others are in quieter, more remote locations.