Rivers & Rocks
ages 14-18
Nothing is virtual about this camp, it is a real world adventure in all it’s stunning and gritty glory, far from wi-fi and cell signals, and a prime opportunity to evaluate outlooks and priorities for the high-school aged camper.
In 2021 the Rivers and Rocks program for high school students will take on Dolly Sods and Seneca Rocks. You will spend four days backpacking through the iconic Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, exploring the many wonders of the area and learning about forest and human history as we navigate through a unique ecosystem typically not found this far south. You will explore, play and camp near the sweeping vistas, open plains, and high elevation bogs dotted with beaver dams and insectivorous plants. Along the way, we will partner with the United States Forest Service (USFS) on a trail stewardship project.
After four days in the backcountry, campers will make their way to Seneca Rocks to learn belaying, climbing, and rappelling techniques, and to assist the USFS with another project.
The July 11-16 week of Rivers and Rocks will take place in the Seneca Creek Backcountry area and will feature an exciting Orienteering Challenge throughout the week that will force campers to develop their literacy with a map and compass, and their teamwork to complete the challenge successfully.
This camp will work to more deeply develop campers’ basic adventure and wilderness survival skills as well as fostering relationships with each other, and awareness of group dynamics. Our mindfulness and reflection exercises will help each camper identify their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences and the supportive environment will help them develop confidence in the value and importance of their unique offerings.
Campers will participate in stewardship projects earning an average of 15 hours of service hours per week-long session.
