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July 22-27 (2012)
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Artwork by Joanna Colbert with camp director Chris Chisholm as model in debris hut.
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Advanced Survival Challenge
Takes place at the Bakke Farm in Acme, WA under the beautiful Mt. Baker volcano and Twin Sisters Mountains with pickup/dropoff options in SeaTac and Mt. Vernon.
Gain proficiency with the arts of foraging, shelter building, water purifying, food preserving and fire carrying as we travel into the wilderness to live off the land. We will use the gifts which nature supplies us, including natural bug spray, soap and soft bough beds. You will have the option of building a group survival camp or constructing your own camp, alone or with a partner. We will construct a waterproof lean-to, warm debris huts, safe fire pits, reflective walls, and buried hot beds. This is your own wilderness survival trek, and no matter how you choose to do it, it will be the most incredible outdoor experience of your life. Click here if you would like to read an essay on the Critical Order of Wilderness Survival by camp director Chris Chisholm.
• Camp Goals & Skills Covered;
• Camp Activities;
• Camp Storyline, Songs, Books, AV & Other Resources;
• Camp Instructors & History;
• General Info, Health/Safety/Food, FAQs;
• Daily Camp Schedule & Pickup/Dropoff;
• Optional Friday Night Stayovers;
• Air/Bus/Train Transportation Choices;
• Tuition & Registration: Download & Send Form; by Phone; or Use PayPal
• How to Prepare & What to Pack;
• Agreements for Participation;
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Camper-turned-instructor Glen MacKay chillin in his debris bed. Check out his survival trek blog from 2006.
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Camp Availability:
Ages 10-15: Space available but has the following prerequisite: Survivors Side of the Mountain running simultaneously. However, in order to attend Advanced Survival rather than staying with the Survivors Side group, you will be required to...
Show Up With:
• a good bow-drill kit with back-up pieces (especially spindle etc.) and lots of extra tinder;
• a burn bowl that can hold more than 2 cups of water;
• jerky that you've made yourself; seaweed or other electrolyte-filled plants that you harvested and dried yourself,
• correct clothing (very warm wool hat/pants/sweater/socks; synthetic long underwear; plus truly waterproof boots in the $100+ price range;
Show Up With or Make The First Day At Camp:
• Pemmican (rendered fat plus dried berries) that you make;
• Full body-length thick grass or cattail-down-stuffed woven mat that you make;
Finally, in order to embark on the Advanced Survival trek, a participant would need to demonstrate proficient bow-drill firemaking, burn-bowl hot-rock water boiling, nettle and cattail harvesting and cooking on site, and debris hut building by 9 p.m. the night before embarking on his/her trek the next morning, which could be on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning during the camp week.
Otherwise those who sign up for Advanced Survival but don't complete the required tasks would hang back with the Survivors Side group while working on the tasks. Call/email with questions on how to prepare.
Ages 16 & Up: Space available with no prerequisite in the Wilderness Survival Training & Trek running simultaneously.
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Lorien next to her scout fire and shelter.
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Camp Goals & Skills Covered:
The goal of this camp session is to prove to yourself that you can survive any wilderness emergency, and this camp is a good test to see how to take it from the "emergency survival" level to the "traditional outdoor living" and eventual "stone age living" levels. Skills covered during this camp session may include, but are not limited to the following list, and are somewhat dependent on instructor preference and camper readiness:
• Natural selection forestry, using Hatchets & Axes for chopping and wood splitting, for those who demonstrate the most ability and consistent awareness of hazards.
• Wild Edible Foraging & Preparation (Herbs, Nuts, Roots, Flowers, Fruits, Insects)
• Emergency Shelter & Traditional Home Shelter (debris hut, lean-to, wickiup, thatch hut, earth lodge, split cedar cabins, including fire drafting strategies)
• Natural Water Purification (seeps, filters, rock boiling, and locating natural springs)
• Wilderness Camping, and Swimming in Natural Waters, depending on camper desire and swim testing.
• Navigating without modern aids.
• Fishing.
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Matt under his lean-to.
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Camp Schedule & Activities:
See below for Sunday, July 22, 2012 Arrival Times and Friday-Saturday-Sunday Departure and Weekend Stayover options between camps. Activities covered during this camp session include, but are not limited to the following list, and are somewhat dependent on weather, instructor descretion, camper desire, and serendipity:
The main activity is to embark on the Advanced Survival trek, but again, a participant would need to bring all the required items listed above, and demonstrate proficient bow-drill firemaking, burn-bowl hot-rock water boiling, nettle and cattail harvesting and cooking on site, and debris hut building by 9 p.m. the night before embarking on his/her trek the next morning, which could be on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning during the camp week.
Register
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The stump-house that lead instructor Andrew Twele lived in while apprenticing at Wolf Camp.
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Camp Storyline, Songs, Books, AV & Other Resources:
This session's storyline is "The Survivor" but may be modified by the instructor, and some of the songs you may learn this week are the same as for Survivors Side of the Mountain and Survival in the Spirit of Sacajawea
Books, AV & Other Resources this week include various hand-outs that campers will take home, and if you would like to prepare in advance, please consider studying the following resources we will be referencing:
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast (Lone Pine) or Plants of the British Columbia Interior (Lone Pine)
The Stars by H.E. Rey, or (Peterson’s) Skies, or A New Way To See Stars
Three Days at the River documentary by Thomas J. Elpel available from www.hollowtop.com
Waterlily (University of Nebraska Press) by Ella Cara Deloria.
Watch for Me on the Mountain (historical fiction about Geronimo) by Forrest Carter.
The Peacemaker's Journey (cassette from wildernessawareness.org/tapeindex.html) with Jake Swamp.
Nanook of the North (documentary now produced by Reel Enterprises) directed by Robert Flaherty.
The Great Dance: A Hunter's Story (an Aardvark / Earthrise / Liquid Pictures / Off the Fence film co-produced with KirchMedia, e.tv, and Primedia Pictures in association with WIMSA) directed by Craig Foster and Damon Foster, produced by Ellen Windemuth and James Hersov, featuring !Nqate Xqamxebe, Karaho "Pro" Langwane, XlhoaseXlhokhne, The !Xo, Xwikwe and Nharo people, edited by Damon Foster, written by Jeremy Evans, music by Barry Donnelly.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (movie by Miramax Films about Molly Craig and her family) based on the book by Doris Pilkington Garimara.
Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen
Scout Handbook by Baden Powell, and Outdoor Skills Instruction - Survival (Boy Scouts of America)
Hatchet and Winter Dance by Gary Paulson (Doubleday)
Indian Fishing: Early Methods on the Northwest Coast by Hilary Stewart, and her book Cedar
Bush Craft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski
Scout Handbook by Baden Powell
Primitive Technology – A Book of Earth Skills (Gibbs Smith, Publisher) ed. David Wescott
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Jason holding a butterfly at camp.
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Camp Instructors & History:
This session's lead instructor for Survivors Side of the Mountain will be Chris with a variety of assistants, though this may change depending on need and availability. Click here to see pictures from last year's Survival Camp on our facebook page. The history of this camp session includes:
• Pilot Year: Started under another name in our first overnight camp year of 1998.
• Past Instructors: Chris, Carol, Nikki, Bill Baroch, Kate, Ryan, Jason, Andrew, Megan, Patrick, Charlie.
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• Go Back to the Overnight Youth Camp Index for Summer
• Or Continue to the Overnight Youth Camps during the Academic Year
GENERAL INFO, HEALTH/SAFETY, FOOD & FAQs
• Daily Camp Schedule & Pickup/Dropoff
• Optional Friday Night Stayovers;
• Air/Bus/Train Transportation Choices
• Tuition & Registration: Download & Send Form; by Phone; or Use PayPal
• How to Prepare & What to Pack;
• Agreements for Participation; Join us as we share these exciting, critical skills of the Naturalist, Tracker, Herbalist, Scout, Hunter, Artisan & Pioneer. We don’t rely on novice camp counselors to lead programs, because of course, the skills we teach require great experience. Now it's time to relearn these earth skills which almost went extinct in the past century, in order to apply their lessons to our modern society, helping the world live in balance. Testimonials from past participants will help you understand how we strive to nurture the growth and success of everyone, while providing the rarest of positive experiences. Register for as many weeks as you like this year!
Health, Safey & Food: Our highly seasoned, dynamic instructors place the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of our students as top priority, and we enjoy a stellar stafety record since founder and lead instructor Chris Chisholm (BA, EMT, Youth Specialist CDC II) started overnight camps in 1998. We have always maintained an intimate 6-1 or smaller ratio of campers-instructors, with lead instructors driving vans who average age 35, accompanied by assistant instructors averaging age 21. All staff receives training in risk management, wilderness first aid, and the pedagogy of earth skills education. Our food is purchased organic, cultivated in our gardens, or harvested in the wild, making for wonderful meals that we all prepare together. In addition, we make all necessary accommodation for vegans and vegetarians, pork-free religious traditions, and of course food allergies.
All camp weeks are co-ed. To read an essay written by Wolf Journey author and resident director Chris Chisholm on choosing an appropriate camp and the emotional challenges facing young campers, click on Camper Preparedness & Emotions. Parents are encouraged to call our main cell phone directly whenever you like during camp, while campers can use our cell phones to freely call home as much as they need during the time they are with us.
Youth Program FAQs Page is being developed.
PICK-UP, DROP-OFF and AIRPORT/BUS/TRAIN TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Arrival Options on Sunday, July 22, 2012:
Complimentary Park Arrival Option: Meet us at the beautiful Bakke Farm, 6184 Saxon Road, Acme WA 98220 on Sunday between 4:00-4:30 p.m. and after initial introductions, we'll have dinner together between 5:00-5:30 and then give an overview of the week between 5:30-6:00, including detailed information on our itinerary, after which any accompanying friends/family are free to go.
$25 Burlington Arrival Option: Meet us at Burlington-Edison High School on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. so that participants can travel with us to our camp location.
$50 Everett Arrival Option: Meet us at the Everett Transit Station on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. so that participants can travel with us to our camp location.
$75 SeaTac Arrival Option: Book your Airport/Bus/Train Arrival into Seattle-Tacoma on Sunday morning in time to meet our pick-up vehicle at 1:00 p.m., but be sure to call or email us with arrival times before confirming your plans. Pick-up at baggage claim unless unaccompanied minor, then at gate or unaccompanied minor waiting area.
$75 Puyallup Arrival Option: Meet us at the Wolf Campus in Puyallup on Sunday at 12:00 noon so that participants can travel with us to our camp location.
Departure Options on Friday-Saturday:
Complimentary Friday Park Departure Option: Family & Friends are invited to us at the Bakke Farm on Friday between 4:30-5:00 p.m. and we ask that everyone bring a pot-luck dish to share between 5:00-5:30 before enjoying presentations from 5:30-7:00. It is extremely helpful for local family members and friends to arrive at 5:00 and stay all the way until 7:00 in order for all those who participated to experience a healthy integration of these incredibly unique experiences back into their home lives.
$25 Friday Burlington Departure Option: Get dropped-off at Burlington-Edison High School on Friday at 8:00 p.m.
$50 Friday Everett Departure Option: Depart from the Everett Transit Station on Friday at 8:30 p.m. after participants travel back home with us from our camp location.
$50 Friday Puyallup Departure Option: Depart from the Wolf Campus in Puyallup on Friday at 10:00 p.m. after participants travel back home with us from our camp location.
$75 Saturday Puyallup Departure Option: Participants can travel back to the Wolf Campus and stay overnight with us in Puyallup, where the latest departure time is at 12:00 noon on Saturday. Please let us know at what time you plan to pick-up / depart on Saturday morning.
$100 Saturday SeaTac Departure Option: Participants can travel back to the Wolf Campus and stay overnight with us in Puyallup, and then get dropped off at the Airport/Bus/Train Station in Seattle-Tacoma on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in time for afternoon flights. Drop-off at security unless unaccopanied minor, then at gate, but again, be sure to call or email us with flight times before confirming your plans.
The camp week starts with Sunday dinner and go through Friday dinner and will have a maximum of 36 campers with tuition at $635 if you register by February 5, or $650 if you register by March 10, or $665 if you register by April 30, or $680 if you register by June 5, and $695 thereafter if space remains available. Cumulative discounts of $20 are given per additional family member, $20 cumulative discounts for additional camp weeks, and $20 off for referring any new family who registers someone for camp. $175 per week per participant deposit is required to hold your spot, and campers may apply for as many weeks of the summer as they like.
Additional Fees: The only additional expenses you may incur for this course beyond tuition and transportation are that you may need specific gear, although we have plenty of extra just in case, and you may and wish to contribute to our scholarship fund for camp t-shirts, books and other recommended items. Weekend stayovers between consecutive overnight camp weeks cost $175. There is also a $25-$75 Sunday airport/bus/train pickup fee and a $25-$175 for dropping off depending on driving distance and how long you stay during the weekend. If you can't meet us at the designated camp rendezvous point, please see above for alternate pickup/dropoff times. Please call us with questions.
See our Merit Scholarships, Financial Aid & Giving page to learn how campers can raise money for paying their own way to camp, and how to get financial aid if needed. Our refund policy is written just above where you sign your registration form. It reads that if we cannot accept your registration due to closed enrollment or other reason during the application process, you will receive a full refund on deposits. Otherwise, deposits are not refundable. If you need to cancel after making further payment, you may receive a credit for a future program, minus a 25% administration fee of your total payments, in case of emergency. Of course, you will receive a full refund if the program you sign up for is canceled and not rescheduled at a time you can attend. Participants may be asked to leave at any time for inappropriate behavior or unresolvable match to camp, and no refund (nor credit necessarily) will be given for the portion of the program which is missed.
PACKING & PREPARING FOR CAMP
After registering, we will send you a detailed program description, with directions on how to prepare, including a packing list. For week-long camps, we will also send a questionnaire for new campers to complete. It will include health history questions and other information that are designed to ensure that the program for which you apply is the best choice for you.
Click Here to go to our Essay on How to Pack for Overnight Camps
Lost & Found Policy: If you leave it at camp, it will be picked up by charity unless you pick it up within one month. We do not send forgotten items home except in case of absolute emergency need. Again, to help avoid loosing things, please put your name on every item you bring, bring only what you need, and leave all electronic devices and other distractions at home.
AGREEMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION AT WOLF CAMP
A Haven Of Physical & Emotional Safety: Carefully read these agreements for participation in camp. They are particularly important to ensure a safe, educational, and fun experience under challenging circumstances that are unique to the Wolf Camp experience. Parents: please explain to your child that deciding to participate in Wolf Camp means agreeing to honor the experience as a safe haven for every person - physically and emotionally. Also, please help us best explain the following agreements by discussing them with your child in an age-appropriate manner consistent with your family values.
____I will remain within the designated boundaries during camp. The boundaries will be pointed out when we arrive at camp.
____I will go off by myself only with clear permission from my group leader. Otherwise, I will always be with a partner and make it known to my group leader our whereabouts.
____I will only enter water under clear direction from a lead camp instructor.
____I will respect the personal boundaries of others in camp, including bodies, belongings, and behavior that others may or may not witness. We will discuss appropriate sleeping, dressing, and bathroom situations at the start of camp.
____I will refrain from sharing any stories, jokes, or comments which are derogatory toward others in camp, toward groups of people in the outer world, or toward sacred themes such as bodily function, including human reproduction. Also, all participants agree to discuss only age-appropriate themes and behaviors around younger campers without instructor supervision.
____I will refrain from taking romantic or similar actions while participating in Wolf Camp.
____I will refrain from using drugs, including alcohol, from 24 hours before the day camp starts, until my last contact with any camp participant after camp is over. I will bring a written description of any prescribed medicines, including instructions for intake.
____I will respect the sensitive plants and animals in special areas during camp, and I will put nothing in my mouth that I don't know 100% that it won't cause illness or poisoning.
____I will always encourage others to rise to the challenge in every group activity.
____I will always watch out for the safety of every person in camp.
____I will follow additional rules specific to our group location. Examples include using appropriate footwear based on substrate hazards and type of activity, kitchen and sanitation rules, tool safety, etc.
These agreements will be discussed the first day of camp to clarify them for participants, and campers will also add agreements they wish the group to honor during the week. Instructors will also have a few more details to add that will help make camp fun and safe.
Please note that you may be asked to sign an additional liabilty release form with all the rules of the Wolf Camp or other property being utilized during camp. And a final note to those dropping-off and picking-up: Pets must be kept on leash or in your vehicle at all times.
Come Meet Us
Click for a link to the School Year Class Series for your next opportunity to experience our welcoming educational style.
To register, print out an application, call us or email with questions, and we'll send you all the details. |
