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Camptown's Wilderness Adventures take place in the great outdoors. A Wilderness Adventure begins with two to twelve pre-trip training classes ranging in length from 1/2 hour to two hours. Camptown Staff will come to your group's location and facilitate an after-school or evening training class. Class topics include wilderness survival, backcountry skills, equipment orientation, environmental stewardship, team building and leadership skills. These programs are led by experienced wilderness guides who make class time interactive and fun. After completing the class time, your group will spend time in nature. This can range from a day hike to a full week in the wilderness. Below are some of Camptown’s most popular programs, but everything is customizable. Upon request, Camptown staff will develop a program unique to your group’s specific needs and desired outcomes.
Wilderness Day Hike
We will depart in the morning and set out for a day of exploration and exercise at a local state park. While on our hike we may break into teams and have a scavenger hunt. We will explore local natural features, such as a cave, a river, or a canyon. We may visit the nature center and get up close and personal with some snakes! Participants will learn to identify different trees, plants, and animals, native to Indiana. Students should dress for the weather, bring a day pack with water bottle, sack lunch and shoes they can get wet. Transportation is included. A package including four (1) hour pre-trip training sessions and a Wilderness Day Hike is called a Wilderness Adventure Club, and is perfect for youth after-school programs.
Natural Wonders Day Camp
 Launched in 2008, this program allows larger groups of various ages to have an introductory nature experience. Held primarily at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, Camp Days consist of a variety of outdoor activity stations, allowing the students to explore outdoor recreation in a safe environment. Activities may include: fishing, nature hike, teambuilding games, outdoor cooking, firebuilding, canoeing, geocaching, reptiles, and many more. This program is great for Summer Day Camp groups looking for a new field trip.
Wilderness Overnight Trip
Similar to the Wilderness Day Hike, we will set out for a local state park. This two-day/one-night trip will include the hiking and scavenger hunt of the day trip. Students will also learn nutrition and menu planning and prepare their own meals. The group will campout overnight in tents and cook over an open fire. Talk about adventure! When darkness falls, an optional night hike will allow the group to learn how the animals of the night are equipped to survive. All equipment, transportation and food are provided. For those looking for a weekend retreat, or trying to create stronger group unity, this is program is a great fit.
Eco Canoe Trip
In this one-day canoe program we will review the basic skills of canoeing and water safety. We will then paddle 5.5 miles down the White River taking note of the river ecosystems in our very own backyard. Students will learn the value of communication and working together as they make their way down the river. This is a gentle stretch of river that requires paddling and teamwork. All equipment is included. Students should dress for the weather; bring a sack lunch, water and shoes that they can get wet. Equipment is provided. The group should meet us at the launch site for this trip. Transportation can be arranged if necessary.
Explorer Wilderness Adventure
This four-day/three-night adventure is designed for first-year students who are seeking an introduction to backpacking and wilderness activities. We will leave in the morning and head to the Big South Fork National Recreational Area in Tennessee. On the trip down we will stop and explore the Cumberland Falls. Once in the backcountry, students receive hands-on training and are given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their pre-trip training classes. We will spend two to three days backpacking and visit a 1930s mining camp on the last day. Equipment and Transportation is provided. Participants will need to bring their own food and personal clothing.
Expedition Wilderness Adventure
This five-day/four-night adventure is for students seeking more adventure. We will depart in the morning and head to an Appalachian Trailhead in Virginia. We will spend two days on a leg of the Appalachian Trail. The trial is rugged and reaches the highest point of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. The final day we will travel to West Virginia and spend a day whitewater rafting on the New River. Each student will have an opportunity to lead for part of the trip. Equipment and transportation is included. Participants will need to provide their own food and personal clothing.
Wilderness High Adventure
This seven- to ten-day program is for students who are looking for a greater challenge and are able to hit the ground hiking. This might include a 30-40 mile backpacking trip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or along the Appalachian Trial in Virginia or a 50-mile canoe trip in the Minnesota boundary waters. As a group, the students will plan all phases of their adventure. Each student will have the opportunity to lead during the trip. All equipment and transportation is included. Students need to provide their own food and personal clothing.
Pathfinders
This program is designed for youth who may have already begun down the wrong path or are about to embark in the wrong direction. Participants can include youth 12 - 15 years old who are first time offenders, status offenders, or Children in Need of Services (CHINS). The program is similar to the Explorer and Expedition Wilderness Adventures above, however has more of a mentoring emphasis. Groups are limited to five youth and can include two to five adult mentors. In addition to the pre-trip training above, additional teaching components such as choices & consequences and personal responsibility are included. All equipment and transportation is included. Students need to provide their own food and personal clothing.
For Graduating Seniors
Whether your life goals are taking you directly into the work force, college, trade school or onto the mission field, you need to be prepared for the unexpected challenges that lie ahead of you. This seven-day program will help graduates learn to plan, prepare, prioritize and deal with the unexpected challenges that life can throw their way. Similar to the Wilderness High Adventure program, students will be involved in all phases of the planning and preparation of their adventure. With guidance from trained Wilderness guides they will lead plan and lead their trip. All equipment and transportation is included. Students need to provide their own food and personal clothing.
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