Advanced Summer Camps
Now registering for advanced day camps this summer in ithaca n.y.
The following Advanced Day Camps are located at 4-H Acres and are open to returning youth aged 10-14,
and new teens aged 13-14.
See Day Camps for ages 6-12.
...A strange squeaking, like a high pitched "eee-rr, eee-rr..." fills the forest and then suddenly stops. Some would name it the call of the phoenix but for the two campers making fire without matches its unwanted friction. They inspect the bow drill kit they have been using, and after some quick adjustments they start again. This time smoke billows from the willow base board, the squeaking has stopped and a small ember forms below. Then cradling it in a tinder bundle of finely shredded cedar bark they coax the ember with their breath and with dragon-like intention until... a fire is born!
Bow Camp
Primitive Bow Camp: June 25-29
Carve your own bow and arrow out of raw wood, harvested with your own hands. This is a workshop for a few dedicated young crafters, with the bulk of each day spent working your stave under the guidance of seasoned bowyers. You'll carefully harvest a sapling and tiller it into a bow. You'll twist cordage, cut and straighten arrow shafts, and fletch them with real feathers and natural glue. Our goal is for each participant to go home with their own primitive archery set. In between carving, we'll also practice basic shooting and hunting techniques.
Advanced Wildcrafting
Advanced Wildcrafting I: June 25-29
Advanced Wildcrafting II: August 13-17
If you're ready to try your hands at some advanced crafts, this is your week. Working animal hides, flint knapping, clay baking and making herbal salves are just some examples of what you might choose. Past participants have made moccasins, clay beads and fine bark baskets stitched with handmade cord. Foraging and advanced cooking projects will also be on the menu. Come explore your woodland home, eat your wild veggies and make some relics to be proud of.
Advanced Base Camp
Advanced Base Camp: July 2-6
Want to feel at home in the woods and get a taste of wilderness living? Advanced Base Camp is the place. We'll help refine your knife carving practice and teach you how to make rope - the quick way. We're going to experiment with advanced camp construction. So, we'll bust out the tool buckets, learn how to process wood safely and practice lashing and framing. Then we'll fire up our cob oven for some advanced chocolate chip cookies, and when we're all fueled up we'll take your favorite camp games to the next level of fun.
Jedi Camp
Jedi Camp: July 9-13
Intense intuition, a focused mind, and challenging one's physical endurance are the traditions of the Jedi. The elementals of nature will guide us as we balance across the stream of our consciousness, blindfolded at times - but always on point. We'll warm up each day with some physical and mental awareness routines, then we'll hit the Jedi training course before continuing on our days of epic challenges and unforgettable journeys down the Jedi's path. Yes, we're talking serious fun.
Forest Sports
Forest Sports week I: July 16-20
Forest Sports week II: August 27-31
Experience the thrill of the Games. Travel the world, sharing one of the great passions of people living closely with the land - sports! From ancient games like stick ball and stone-age Bocce, to modern twists on capture the flag and Go-tag you will play hard, and live in the spirit of camaraderie. While off the field we'll craft our game equipment and carve talismans to show our team spirit. These two weeks of outdoor gaming promise to be unrivaled fun for returning campers.
Advanced Scout
Advanced Scout: August 6-10 (with overnight option)
Hone your skills of self-reliance and invisibility. This week we'll return to our awareness routines, reading more deeply into the landscape, blending in, and practicing survival skills on the move. In preparation for an optional nighttime adventure we'll also explore advanced navigation and fire tending techniques. Along the coyote trails we follow, we will become the eyes and ears of the forest, playing the game that never ends. Come along and add a few more stories to your list.
Advanced Primitive
Advanced Primitive: August 20-24 (with overnight option)
Journey to our primitive outpost camp for an advanced immersion in wilderness living. While helping prepare our village for an overnight challenge, we'll be harvesting meals from the wild, and making tools to help us survive - stone blades, water containers, fire kits and more. There will be times for sweating, times for cooling off and many mysteries to explore as we continue our pursuit of the elusive primitive pizza!
Forest Archer
Forest Archer: July 30-August 3
Bring Your Own Bow - or choose from our collection, and join us for a week of timeless wandering as we practice stalking and taking aim at our woodland quarries. You'll visit the secret flint-knapping pit to learn the ancient art of making arrowheads from obsidian and chert, and you'll have the opportunity to make your own arrows, complete with bone or stone tips that you've made. This week is for aspiring archers who have made their own bows as well as those seeking a glimpse into our human heritage.
SUMMER Day CAMP Costs, Times, & LOCATIONS
Costs:
Day Camps - $250-$350 (self-determined sliding scale)
Trailblazers - Add $20 for transportation fee
Overnights - Add $65 for camping fee
For information about enrollment policies and procedures go here.
Times:
Day camp programs run from 9am - 3pm with staff supervision from 8:30am - 3:30pm for your added convenience.
New for 2012: Epic Adventure Day! Extend each day from 8am - 4:30pm for an additional $25 per child.
Locations:
All Advanced Day Camps take place @ 4H Acres - 418 Lower Creek Rd. Ithaca NY
