Mountain Dwellers (ages 7-11)

Spring 2025: February 24- May 23 with a break the week of April 14 for Rivercane Rendezvous, 12 programs day total

Old-time mountain camping is a skill nearly lost in our modern world, but in this class we’re bringin’ it back!

Students will journey into the forest to find, build, and inhabit their own deep-woods campsite. They’ll learn what goes into finding just the right spot, how to set up a fire ring, and how to design and build quality rustic seating. By choosing the right gear for cold & rainy conditions, packing a bag for a long hike, and setting up a tent, students will grow their capacity to thrive outdoors. Discover how to find a wild spring and assess the safety of drinking water.

In addition to the practical skills of camping, we’ll also explore the history of camping around the world. Students will hear stories of how and why people in the past would camp around the world, such as cowboy camps in the 19th century and nomadic hunter gatherer societies, as well as how they adapted their practices to their culture, climate, and conditions. Come take a step back in time and learn the art of the Mountain Dwellers.

Of course, in Forest Floor style, we'll also play tons of games, build fires, sing songs and have a great time in the woods together!

Thursday Drop-off/Pick-up Times:

Haw Creek Commons(w/ shuttle van to Shope Creek & back)

• Drop-off 9:15 - 9:30 am (No late drop-off. Van leaves promptly at 9:35 am)
• Pick-up 4:15 - 4:30 pm

Shope Creek(directly at program location, no shuttle)

• Drop-off 10:00 - 10:10 am
• Pick-up  3:35 - 3:50 pm (No late pick-up. Van leaves promptly at 3:55 pm)

IMPORTANT LATE Drop-off/Pick-up Notes:

• No Late Haw Creek Commons Drop-off:  Shuttle van leaves promptly at 9:35 am.  Anyone dropping-off at Haw Creek Commons in the morning must arrive by 9:35 am at the latest or the shuttle van will be in route to Shope Creek and parents must instead drive to Shope Creek for drop-off or miss that day.
• No Late Shope Creek Pick-up:  All instructors leave with the shuttle van promptly at 3:55 pm.  Anyone picking-up at Shope Creek in the afternoon must arrive by 3:55 pm at the latest.  Any children not picked up at Shope Creek by 3:55 pm will be loaded into the passenger van and taken to Haw Creek Commons and will need to be picked up there.