Wilderness Camps – A Wilderness Outdoor Adventure Camp
Wilderness camps offer participants the chance to learn valuable outdoor skills, as well as gain confidence to face new challenges and make new friendships.
A variety of settings are considered wilderness, though most often a dense forest may first come to mind.Any unsettled, untamed tract of land or body of water can be a wilderness, including mountains, deserts, jungles, oceans, seas and rivers – and with such a diversity of environments, an equally diverse range of wilderness camp experiences are available for young explorers and adventurers.
Wilderness camps geared for younger children (ages 7 to 12, single sex or co-ed) are usually residential in nature – that is, they may take place at an actual facility like a range or lodge, and are likely offered in one-, two- or three-week segments. Even if this level of wilderness camp has a building as home base, the program should include at least one sleeping-under-the-stars experience, perhaps on an overnight trail hike.
For the younger camper, beginner level outdoor activities are usually on the agenda, including day hikes, horseback riding, river rafting, rappelling, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, archery, climbing wall, ropes course and more. Building familiarity and respect for the outdoors around fun activities is the primary goal for this level of camp.
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Older campers, in the 13- to 18-year-old bracket, are ready for a more intense outdoor experience, especially if they've participated in a similar camp in the past. Wilderness adventures for experienced or older teens usually take place entirely outdoors in the "wild", and offer more challenging opportunities for adventure and skill building.
Whether it's horseback riding in Appalachian foothills, hiking in the Colorado Rockies, white-water rafting in Costa Rica, ocean kayaking in the Caribbean or backpacking through Australia's Outback, a wilderness camp for older teens combine adventure, education, exploration and discovery to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for campers.
Discuss with your child the type of experience he or she is seeking at wilderness camp. Does he want to try something totally new, like kayaking or sailing? Does she want to advance to the next level of expertise in rock climbing or white-rater rafting? Look for a program that offers challenging activities in their range of interest, yet takes into account their current abilities.
Ascertain your child's personal goals apart from the specific skills that will be taught: Does your daughter want the opportunity to overcome shyness? Does your son seek the chance to prove his leadership qualities? Talk with camp staffers and alumni before making your decision. Select a camping experience that will foster these aspects of personal growth as well as offer outdoor education.
In the long run, a truly meaningful wilderness camp experience should prove more than just an outdoor adventure. Your child should return home with a willingness to meet new challenges, a greater sense of responsibility, a deep respect for the outdoors, and most importantly, new or strengthened self-confidence.
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