Young Mens Nature Mentorship Camp

Ages 14-17 | Aug 5-9
Registration Now Open!

The Young Men’s Nature Mentorship Camp is an opportunity to learn nature-based skills, take on challenging adventures, explore healthy masculinity in a changing world, and discover unique personal gifts. 

All experience and skill levels are welcome and will be challenged. We’ll play games that require mindfulness, teamwork, and physical fortitude. We’ll have a men's council every day to help the young men open up, develop emotional intelligence, speak to life challenges, and gain more clarity about their path. As a group we will support each other’s personal development by sharing honest feedback and reflecting gifts we see in each other. Mentors will especially be watching each young man for their unique gifts to be seen, acknowledged and lifted up.

Note: this camp is designed for young men ages 14-17*, and as it’s main objectives are based on a degree of emotional maturity we are asking parents to carefully consider whether this is a good fit. If you are uncertain, we can talk further in the prerequisite call before registration. *Mature 13 year olds may be admitted after a screening call with either Garrett or Robin. Email: garrett.thrivingroots@gmail.com + robin.thrivingroots@gmail.com to arrange.

Activities may include:

  • Deepening our connection to our senses, bodies + emotional worlds. (This camp is intended to foster an awareness of this life stage + provide tools to help navigate it in healthy ways)

  • Playing big team games

  • Training in the way of the scout

  • Crafting bow and arrows

  • Taking on personal challenges + go on group adventures

  • Learning camp craft + have an overnight experience, sleeping under the stars or in a shelter

  • Cooking using wild skills

  • Having men's councils

  • Foraging edible wild plants

  • Curriculum

    Take a more in-depth look at our forest school and wilderness awareness curriculum to see what skills and experiences your teen 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 teen’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

    “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.”

  • Thriving Roots Parent

    “My daughter’s confidence has really grown in the past few years in these programs. 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! This program let’s her 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.”

  • Aug 5-9.
    Monday - Wednesday, 9am-3pm.
    Thursday, arrive 9am - Friday, depart 3pm.

    One overnight camping on the land, Thursday, Aug 8. Parents are invited to attend a witnessing circle on Friday, 2pm-3pm.

  • Fee: $785 + gst. Price includes camp t-shirt and one overnight on the land.

    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.

  • Robin + Garrett will be your Young Men’s Camp 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

Young Men’s Camp FAQs

  • Yes! While we are LGBTQI2S+ friendly, and working to create a non-discrimination policy inclusive of all potential identities, which welcome trans and non-binary individuals, our mentorship team is all cisgender men.

    In the future, we’d like to have more diversity in our mentorship team. In the meantime, we are learning how we can better welcome, support, and build our competency as allies for trans and non-binary individuals, and to understand how we can use our majority privilege to create safer spaces for all.

  • Possibly! Contact garrett.thrivingroots@gmail.com + robin.thrivingoots@gmail.com

  • Possibly! Contact garrett.thrivingroots@gmail.com + robin.thrivingoots@gmail.com

  • Missing or coming late one day is ok. Please do not register if you already know that you have to miss more than one day.