The Wilderness Leadership Program
  

A Program Facilitating Eighth Grade Student Dynamics

?This program is both an adventure in learning wilderness skills, and a celebration of the time spent together, for many students since the first grade or younger. It is a time to enjoy the fruits of these relationships, and be together, while also learning valuable skills in the beauty of nature.

Leadership is taught through the practice of working together, speaking honestly, sharing from the heart and creating a strong community to meet our collective needs, be it firewood for a cool night of storytelling or creating a feast to cook over the campfire. While we will learn new skills of survival and awareness, our focus is on teamwork, communication and expression, rather than just our immediate needs. We will wander, gather, track animals and explore our world, enjoying the clouds or stars as much as learning to make arrowheads or cattail crafts.

Our evenings include games, storytelling, songs and councils, where we can talk about what our day was like and how we feel about the impending departure of the class. This can allow a safe space for students to connect to their deep feelings, rather than those expressed in everyday banter. The closeness and growth that can occur is an honor to behold and experience.

Each program is created through collaboration with the class teacher and input with the parents, to create an experience that will work for each individual class. We can create an intense challenge of survival, or we can focus on nature awareness, crafts or adventure. There are many options and we can discuss these with your group at length.

Our programs includes all food throughout the week from our commercial kitchen, all materials for crafts and skills, tenting accommodations in our wilderness camp that includes tents on platforms and a covered workshop area for inclement weather. We have a large Lakota tipi for evening storytelling or for working on crafts. Our property has approximately 200 very private acres, surrounded by over 600 other acres which we have permission to wander, gather and explore freely. We have outdoor showers with hot water, and an infirmary for students who aren’t feeling well. All staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.

The fee for this program is $70 per student per day, with adjustment for half days on the start and finish of each program. (A school that arrives at 1 pm on Monday and leaves at 10 am on Friday with a bag lunch, is charged for four full days.)