Wilderness Skills

Ages 8-14 | July 1-5
Registration Now Open!

Learn to Survive and THRIVE in the Wilderness! Join us at the Wilderness Skills Summer Camp and learn how the animals live every day in the wild, finding all their food, medicine, shelter, and water. Learn old skills that have allowed kids all over the world to thrive in nature.  We will play games, go on wild adventures, make crafts, and cultivate a deeper sense of our place in the natural world.  Through activities, challenges, and song, youth will discover greater self-confidence, learn cooperation and teamwork, and gain a sense of environmental care taking.

Over the week we will:

  • Identify and learn about the medicinal uses of plants

  • Build shelters from the forest

  • Learn how to safely use knives for carving

  • Make survival tools like fish spears, baskets or rope from natural materials

  • Play fun games and make new friends!

  • Make survival tools like fish spears, baskets or rope from natural materials

  • Play fun games and make new friends!

Campers will spend most of their time into 3 small groups according to age and challenge level. Some games and activities will be in the full group.

  • Curriculum

    Take a more in-depth look at our forest school and wilderness awareness curriculum to see what skills and experiences your child can expect to learn.

    Learn more

  • Campus

    View our unique outdoor classroom. 50 acres of forest surrounded by park land. Seasonal creek, waterfall & yurt.

    Learn more

  • Mentors

    Get to know the team behind Thriving Roots Wilderness School and learn more about your child’s program mentors.

    Learn more

  • Summer Camp Parent

    “Thank you for all the thought and care you put into making this week so special for the kiddos. You went over and above and the extra attention you gave the kids was phenomenal. What you offer is a truly unique experience and so valuable. You gave them boundaries to keep their bodies and minds safe, but freedom to explore and express themselves. I am so grateful!”

  • Thriving Roots parent

    “My daughter’s confidence has really grown in the past few years in this program. It has really helped her socially, in part because of the multi-age environment. Her knowledge of the outdoors becomes deeper each year, and her ability to express it and teach others is so amazing! “

  • Thriving Roots parent

    “This program lets [my daughter] be her wild self, without school teachers or parents. I really value the style of mentoring and the guidance it gives while still maintaining each individual’s needs and ideas.”

  • July 1-5. Monday - Friday, 9am-3pm.

  • Fee: $535 + gst. Price includes camp t-shirt.

    Cancellation & Refund Policy: Please note that your camp fee includes a deposit and is non-refundable. Please familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies before registering.

  • Kip & Conan will be your Wilderness Skills mentors. They may also be joined by an apprentice from our Tend the Fire Apprenticeship program.

    Read more about the Thriving Roots team here.

  • We are committed to offering needs-based Equity Fund Discounts to those who would not otherwise be able to attend our camps due to experiencing systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. Read more and apply here.

  • We have limited space available in our programs for students with high needs. (We define 'high needs' as any designation and/or behavioural or emotional need that would require extra support i.e. ADHD, Autism, physical disability, any need for 1:1 support.)

    To ensure our mentors have the relevant experience and capacity to provide the support your child needs, please fill out our Student Support – High Needs form before registering and make sure to familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies.

Camp Details