North Woods Wilderness School summer camps...Connecting kids with nature

on the east side of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN

Summer camp sessions for kids from 8 to 17 years old

North Woods Wilderness School summer camps. Connecting kids with nature…

Dirt, Rocks & Worms – ages 8-9, June 15-17

“Everybody needs a rock!” This is the title of Byrd Baylor’s famous children’s book, and she knows what she’s talking about! If rocks could speak, they would have quite a story to tell. Rocks may not be able to talk, but their story is told through the rock cycle. Rocks eventually become dirt, which everything is made from…even our lunches!

And, where there is dirt, there is bound to be worms. Worms of Minnesota have an interesting history, which will remain a mystery, unless you decide to attend the North Woods Wilderness School. Not only will campers get down and dirty in dirt, rocks and worms, they will also participate in other great activities! This two night program also includes rock climbing and a rockin’ road trip. Hope to see you there!

Nature’s Nightlife & Crepuscular Creatures – ages 10-11, June 15-20

Much of the North Woods wildlife only comes out at night when we are asleep. Don’t worry parents, we won’t keep your children up all night, but during the week we will venture into the night in hopes of experiencing the nocturnal world. We will awaken our other senses on a night hike, navigate by the stars, follow the frog chorus, hoot and howl for owls and wolves.

Part of this program is an on-site overnight camp-out as Unlike nocturnal animals, we will not sleep by day, because we’d miss out on all of the crepuscular creatures that are active in the early morning and early evening. This camp would not be complete without bird banding, insect collecting and searching for animal signs. And, for more fun, throw in some adventure with our high ropes course, rock climbing barn, and Total Team. This is a week you don’t want to miss!

Where The Wild Things Are – ages 12-13, June 22-27

Many of us are familiar with the popular book by Maurice Sendak, titled, “Where the Wild Things Are.” Well…the staff of the North Woods Wilderness School has some top-secret information that we would like to share with you. The wild things are right here, in Minnesota’s North Woods, and this summer you can experience the “wildlife.”

Do you think you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Traditional, practical wilderness skills, such as wilderness survival, gathering of wild edibles, cooking with wild edibles, wilderness navigation, canoe skills, and animal tracking will provide for a wild week! Skills will be put to the test in an off-site camping expedition. If that’s not enough, students will also be able to experience our high ropes course, rock climbing, Ojibwe skills and crafts, and Team Challenge.

Boundary Waters Adventure – ages 14-17, July 13-19

Not for the faint of heart, this is a wilderness canoe adventure designed to test your limits and teach new skills through hands-on experience. Away from civilization, you will paddle through the pristine waters, portage from lake to lake, spot moose and hear wolf packs howling at night.

The first two days will be trip preparation - Intro to canoeing and portaging, Leave No Trace Principles, how to canoe pack, Intro to the Boundary Waters, Total Team and Team Challenge, possibly some basic first aid. On day three, we will embark on our wilderness adventure. In the Boundary Waters, we will cover the following topics: plant communities, phenology, geology, fire ecology, wildlife ecology, Boundary Waters lore and legend, nature journaling. There will also be time for summer fun...swimming, paddling, and hiking.

For more info, a brochure or to register, contact the Audubon Center of the North Woods, 888-404-7743, www.audubon-center.org.

Dirt, Rocks & Worms – ages 8-9, June 15-17;
Nature's Nightlife & Crepuscular Creatures – ages 10-11, June 15-20;
Where the Wild Things Are – ages 12-13, June 22-27;
Boundary Waters Adventure – ages 14-17, July 13-19.