Wilderness Camp
At Discovery, we strive to inspire wonder, curiosity, and connection with the natural world through playful exploration and meaningful community. Our camp curriculum focuses on discovery-based learning using the natural world as a catalyst for growth and development.
Student ages are based on their age as of September 1, 2022.
Spring Break 2024
April 1-4, 10am-2pm
$180 per camper ($10 sibling discount)
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New life is everywhere to be found at Spring Break Wilderness Camp! We’ll explore vernal ponds for frog and salamander eggs, turtles, and fairy shrimp! Days will be spent building fires, balancing on the low ropes course, making art from natural materials, and fort-building.
Explorers (ages 5-7)
Explorer campers will participate in an insect safari, scooping vernal ponds for frogs, finding tracks and identifying bird-songs. We'll create process art, balance on our obstacle course, build forts and explore the woods. Its sure to be a muddy-fun week!
Adventures (ages 8-11)
Through the art of tracking, we're sure to discover the story behind those marks in the mud! We'll pull out microscopes as we discover who lives in the vernal ponds and how we can protect these important creatures. Campers will build forts, play gaga ball, hike valleys and ravines, and cook over the fire this week at Wilderness Camp.
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Trackers (ages 12-15)
This week will be a deep dive into the art of moving like a fox through the forest, following animals by reading their tracks and signs. Low ropes course, cooking over the fire, nature art, camp games- we're going to have a great week as we learn to read the signs of the wild.
Summer 2024
Bush craft Camp
June 3-6, 9am-3pm
$270 per camper ($10 sibling discount)
*Optional before/after care 8am-5pm
Put your outdoor survival skills to the test! This week will be filled with shelter-building, cooking wild edibles, crafting from natural materials, fishing, canoeing, swimming, fire-building, tree-climbing… we’ll be active in the world of bush craft as we learn from the earth.
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Sparks (ages 5-7)
Campers will focus on fort-building, natural crafts, and basic orienteering using a compass. We'll play survival games and include lots of imaginative free play in our beautiful nature playscape. Campers will have a lake day where they'll get to use paddle boats and swim.
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Flames (ages 8-11)
We'll build fires, shelters, and bows and arrows. Campers will: learn orienteering with a compass, filter drinking water, and get a chance to swim, canoe and fish on the lake. We'll learn about wild edibles, cook over the fire, and catch fish with our home-made fishing poles. We can't wait to adventure together!
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Ignite (ages 12-15)
Our oldest campers will have the opportunity to add on to their experience by spending Wednesday night in their own shelters in the woods. We'll eat the fish we catch and cook wild edibles over the fire. Campers will be challenged to put into practice the survival skills they learn throughout the week.
Summer 2024
Wild Water Week
July 8-11, 9am-3pm
$270 per camper ($10 sibling discount)
*Optional before/after care 8am-5pm
Canoes, swimming, and fishing - we’ll be getting wet this week at Wilderness Camp! This week will be full of fun games and team building, while we create art and explore the many water ecosystems of camp - vernal ponds, marshes, and the lake.
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Tadpoles (ages 5-7)
Younger campers will spend their days scooping frogs, exploring marshes, splashing in the lake and learning to use a paddle boat. They’ll play games with sprinklers and sponges, participate in water-themed arts and crafts, and days will be full of adventure during Water Week at Wilderness Camp.
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Sunfish (ages 8-11)
Have you ever played Capture the Flag on kayaks? We’ll be incorporating some great water-themed camp games into some awesome exploration and adventuring this week. Campers will have the opportunity to canoe and kayak, swim throughout the lake, create water-based art, and explore many water habitats at Wilderness Camp this week.
Otters (ages 12-15)
Our week will be filled with all kinds of camp games and art activities, as well as challenges like kayaking around the lake and fishing from a canoe. We’ll learn some water survival skills- like purifying drinking water and aquatic safety. Get ready for a wet and wild week at Wilderness Camp!
*Swimming skills are not necessary for camp. Lifejackets are available and a lifeguard will be on duty while near the waterfront. See FAQs for more info.
Wilderness Camp FAQ's
Are kids outside, no matter the weather?
For the most part, yes! See our policy on Weather here. Basically, we'll be outside as long as we're safe. We have the option to go indoors if the conditions change or students become too cold/wet to continue outside. Most days we will be outside for the full camp time.
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Can my child be with a buddy or sibling?
We split campers based on age. There is a space on the enrollment form for you to specify if you’d like your camper to be placed with a buddy/sibling. But if there is an age gap, this is not guaranteed.
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Can I stay with my child?
We find that kids (even those new to outdoors or being away from home) make more friends and are more likely to participate in camp activities when parents are out of sight. We've worked with students of all different abilities, diagnoses, and emotions, and have created individual family plans to ensure children feel safe at Wilderness School. Contact us to chat about your child and their needs to set up an individualized plan if this applies to you.
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How does pick up/drop off work?
Parents or those from your approved pick up list will show ID and sign in/out their child every day from camp. Child safety is our number one concern, and we will make sure your child goes home only with you or someone authorized by you.
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What should I bring to Wilderness Camp?
Every day, please send your camper with a backpack. Please include a hearty lunch, two big snacks, a kid-sized water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, and an extra change of clothes (we get into messes at wilderness camp!) On specified lake days, please also send your student wearing a swim suit, and with a towel in his/her backpack.
How do you manage camper allergies and medical needs?
Upon registration, there will be a space to note allergies or medical needs. If you indicate a special need for your child, we will reach out 2-3 weeks before camp to create a health plan for your student.
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Will there be a lifeguard on duty?
Yes! Every day that we are in/around the waterfront, a certified lifeguard will be on duty. Lifejackets are required when on a boat or swimming outside the swim zone. Our staff is also fully trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED.
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Who is your staff?
Teachers at wilderness school come from all sorts of backgrounds, but all have a passion for teaching children to love and respect nature. All staff go through the same fingerprinted background checks as teachers at a public school.
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Do you offer Sibling Discounts?
Yes! Every additional sibling receives $10 off, automatically, upon registration.
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What is your refund policy?
A $50 non-refundable deposit will be collected upon registration.
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Registrants who cancel more than 30 days before their camp session start date will receive a full refund, minus the $50 non-refundable deposit.
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Registrants who cancel 14 to 29 days before their camp session start date will receive a 50% refund of the session cost, minus the $50 non-refundable deposit.
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Registrants who cancel within two weeks of their session will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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Does Discovery Wilderness School have any religious or political affiliations?
No, we are not associated with any political or religious organizations. All are welcome to attend our camps and classes, no matter your personal or familial belief systems. Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds as well, and we encourage students to love one another and value each other for our uniqueness. We do not engage in or teach anything that would be considered "political." We come together around a love for connection to the natural world. For specific questions, please reach out.
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