Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip
Our Mission
Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip’s mission is to foster leadership skills through a five-day tour through Wisconsin where students learn from one another and engage with Wisconsin communities, industries, and leaders.
What is WEBT?
The Wisconsin Experience Bus Tour (WEBT), is a fully-funded, five-day leadership journey through the state of Wisconsin open to UW undergraduate, graduate, and professional students! WEBT offers UW students unique insights into the state’s culture, history, and industries while learning practical leadership skills to bring back to UW–Madison and beyond.
By exploring new perspectives and engaging in critical reflection, students deepen their learning beyond the classroom while building connections with peers and local leaders. This year’s tour runs from May 11th, 2026 – May 15th, 2026.
Applications closed March 19th, 2026.
Check back next spring semester to apply for the May 2027 trip!
Contact Us
3164 Student Activity Center (3rd Floor)
333 East Campus Mall
608-263-0365
GOALS
The Wisconsin Experience Bus Tour, or WEBT, is a five-day journey through the state of Wisconsin open to UW undergraduate, graduate, and professional students! Since its beginning in 2014, UW students get to experience some of the greatest sights Wisconsin has to offer, learn from diverse communities, and get a glimpse of the inner workings of the state’s industries and organizations. It is an adventure, taking students to new sights every day, from urban centers to the great outdoors. To be as accessible to as many students as possible, WEBT is fully funded and comes at no cost to the students participating!
The WI Experience Bus Trip is a space where participants:
- Practice and develop leadership skills
- Engage in peer-learning by fostering connections with other students across disciplines, differences, and commonalities
- Gain a deeper knowledge of the cultural, industrial, social, and political realities of Wisconsin
- See and experience the University’s connections to the state
- Understand and engage with the four pillars of the WI Experience
FRAMEWORK & STRUCTURE
WEBT’s program uses the UW–Madison Leadership Framework to help students articulate ways of engaging in the act of leadership as an individual, group, or community; highlight critical leadership concepts that can be connected across contexts to deepen learning; and inspire purposeful action that results in positive change. Participants will engage in individual, small group, and large group reflection using the Leadership Framework to reflect on each day’s experience.
Additionally, each day of the five-day tour is dedicated to 1-2 of the Wisconsin Experience values to provide structure to the learning experience. The Wisconsin Experience is UW–Madison’s vision for the total student experience combining learning in and out of the classroom by engaging on four areas of intellectual and personal growth:
- Empathy & Humility
- Relentless Curiosity
- Intellectual Confidence
- Purposeful Action
Every year, 35 students embark on an incredible leadership journey across the state. WEBT is a peer-led experience with additional support of student coordinators and UW professional staff during the trip.
Applications for WEBT 2026 are open from January 20th, 2026, to March 10th, 2026.
Link to WEBT Application Portal
The application is a series of short essay questions asking about your leadership experience, collegiate and post-collegiate goals, and interest in the trip. We strongly recommend writing your answers in a separate Word document first, then copy/pasting them into application’s text field. The total length of the application is ~1000 words or less.
Some applicants may be put on a waitlist in the event someone withdraws from the program. Waitlisted applicants will be contacted during the waitlist window detailed below until the roster finalization date.
2026 Application Timeline:
- January 20th, 2026: Applications Open
- March 10th, 2026: Priority Consideration Applications Close
- March 19th, 2026: Applications Close
- March 31st, 2026: Final decisions sent out to all applicants
- April 7th, 2026: Last day for admitted students to confirm attendance
- April 8th – April 21st, 2026: Waitlist window
- April 22nd, 2026: Roster finalized
- “Before the trip, I sometimes hesitated to take initiative in group settings or connect with people outside my usual circle. During the trip, working closely with others—whether it was during team activities, group reflections, or informal moments like shared meals—pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. I learned how to contribute more openly, listen actively, and build connections across differences, which made me feel more confident in my ability to collaborate and lead alongside others.”
— 2025 WEBT Participant - “Everyone made an effort to listen, include each other, and show kindness. It didn’t matter where we came from[…] I felt truly seen and heard, and it reminded me how strong communities are built through trust, open hearts, and being willing to learn from each other.”
— 2025 WEBT Participant - “[The WI Experience Bus Trip] made me realize that being a leader isn’t always about taking charge, it’s also about being there for others and helping them believe in themselves.”
— 2025 WEBT Participant - “Straight up: this was some of the best few days of my life.”
— 2025 WEBT Participant - “This trip reinforced the idea that education is not limited to the classroom but should actively shape and improve lives beyond it. Seeing real-world applications of what we learn was truly inspiring.”
- “I was struck by how learning goes beyond textbooks; it’s about engaging with communities, understanding different perspectives, and using knowledge to drive meaningful action.”
The WI Experience Bus Trip aims to provide students to an opportunity learn, foster, and apply their leadership skills. In collaboration with the Leadership Certificate Program, WEBT provides workshops, trainings, and civic engagement opportunities eligible for the Leadership Certificate.
The 2025 WI Experience Bus Trip was eligible for 14.5 hours (1.5 hours of Civic Engagement, 13 hours of Trainings & Workshops). Please check back later for updated details on 2026’s trip.
Want to learn more about WEBT and how to prepare your application? Come to one of our spring info sessions! This is also an opportunity to meet the WEBT Coordinators and ask them specific questions about the trip or the application process. All of our info sessions are hosted in 333 East Campus Mall, Student Activity Center (SAC) 4th Floor, Caucus Room.
The Office for Student Organizations Leadership & Involvement (SOLI) is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact jay.king@wisc.edu. All requests must be made by a week before the event. We will attempt to implement late requests but cannot guarantee they will be met.
WEBT was recently featured in Terrace News, the official blog of the Wisconsin Union!
Read Travel, Learn, and Lead on the Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip on Terrace News
Previous Trips
- Day 1 – Purposeful Action
Wausau: Monk Botanical Gardens; Hsu Ginseng Farm
Students volunteered at a public garden to help them prepare their space for the summer season. Students then visited the leading source of Wisconsin-grown American ginseng in the world to learn about how culture and community impact global businesses. - Day 2 – Empathy and Humility
Stevens Point: Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES)
Chippewa Falls: Chippewa Area History Center & Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry & Technology
Students developed teamwork skills and built community through an outdoor challenge course by the scenic Sunset Lake. Students then learned about native Ojibwe/Chippewa history and culture in Wisconsin, as well as Wisconsin’s contribution towards science through the development of the supercomputer. - Day 3 – Relentless Curiosity
Cornucopia: Lost Creek Adventures Kayaking
Bayfield: Les Voigt State Fish Hatchery
Students kayaked through the gorgeous Lake Superior to the sea caves in Roman’s Point to appreciate Wisconsin’s natural beauty and learn about the region’s geological history. They then took a behind-the-scenes tour fish hatchery tour and learned about the relationship between conservation, economics, and community while practicing critical thinking and question-making skills. - Day 4 – Empathy & Humility
River Falls: Values-Based Leadership Workshop
Spring Valley: Crystal Caves
Students began the day with a WEBT-led workshop on values-based leadership and working towards positive change. Students then continued discussions about conservation efforts, humans’ impact on nature, and our relationship to the land during an underground cave tour. - Day 5 – Intellectual Confidence
Baraboo: Aldo Leopold Foundation
Students concluded the trip with a tour of the Aldo Leopold Foundation to practice the UW-alum’s “land ethic,” which calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature. The students reflected on how they developed as a learner and teacher during the entire week.
- Day 1 – Relentless Curiosity
Appleton: Hearthstone Historic House Museum
Students explored Wisconsin’s rich history and cultural heritage at this iconic site. - Day 2 – Empathy and Humility
Green Bay: Lambeau Field & Packers Hall of Fame Museum
Oneida Nation: Ukwakhwa Farmstead
Students immersed themselves in Wisconsin’s diverse communities through stories of resilience and connection. - Day 3 – Empathy and Humility
Sturgeon Bay: Crossroads at Big Creek
Students learned about environmental preservation efforts and their impact on the local ecosystem. - Day 4 – Intellectual Confidence
Sheboygan: The Christopher Farm & Gardens
Milwaukee: Mitchell Park Domes
Students discovered innovative approaches to horticulture and design that inspire sustainable living. - Day 5 – Purposeful Action
Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum
Students reflected on the entire journey with a visit to this architectural and artistic masterpiece.
- Day 1 – Service & Teamwork
Stevens Point: Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
Students strengthened connections through service projects and team-building exercises. - Day 2 – Context and Culture
Lac Du Flambeau: Lac Du Flambeau Reservation; William J. Poupart, Sr. Fish Hatchery
Students gained a deeper understanding of Native American heritage and traditions and learned about the fish hatchery industry in Wisconsin.
Manitowish Waters: Camp Jorn YMCA
Students made an impact through a hands-on service project. - Day 3 – Self Awareness
Bayfield: Apostle Islands Ferry Tour; National Park Service Hike
Students experienced the beauty of the islands through a ferry ride, service activities, and scenic exploration with Ranger Steve from the Wisconsin National Park Service. - Day 4 – Bridge Building & Communication
Eau Claire: UW Eau Claire Gender and Sexuality Resource Center; Chippewa Valley Museum
Students met with panelists from UW Eau Claire’s Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and guests from Vivent Health to learn about local advocacy efforts around LGBTQIA+ identities and sexual health. They then learned about Hmong culture and heritage at the Chippewa Valley Museum. - Day 5 – Ideas into Action
New Glarus: New Glarus Brewing Company
Students toured the first woman-owned brewery in the country and learned about the owner’s leadership journey and how to create an equitable community.
- Day 1 – Relentless Curiosity
Madison: Memorial Union Tour, Islamic Society Mosque
Students explored the cultural and historical significance of these sites, fostering an appreciation for diverse traditions and perspectives. - Day 2 – Empathy and Humility
Baraboo & Milwaukee: Cave of the Mounds, Milwaukee School of Excellence
Students uncovered the natural wonders of Wisconsin and engage with educational initiatives that uplift communities. - Day 3 – Empathy and Humility
Central Wisconsin: Cranberry Creek Cranberries, Pita Palace (SEA Literacy), CWES
Students experienced the intersection of agriculture, immigrant experiences, and environmental education, emphasizing resilience and sustainability. - Day 4 – Intellectual Confidence
Northern Wisconsin: UW Trout Lake, Ojibwe Museum, Lac du Flambeau Fish Hatchery, Deer Park Buddhist Park, Camp Jorn
Students dove into ecological research, Indigenous heritage, and mindfulness practices to expand perspectives on environmental stewardship and cultural wisdom. - Day 5 – Purposeful Action
Northeast Wisconsin: Mountain Ambulance Services, Pagels Ponderosa Dairy
Students reflected on the critical role of emergency response and agricultural innovation in shaping Wisconsin’s communities. - Day 6 – Purposeful Action
Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, Aztalan, AIDS Resource Center
Students concluded the journey with a deep dive into artistic expression, historical legacies, and community health initiatives that drive meaningful change.
