Since 2004, our “all outdoors” summer day camps have provided nature adventures for children that build skills and nurture greater awareness and self-confidence.  Using traditional and modern mentoring, our experienced and inspiring instructors guide the children in engaging earth-based activities, awareness games, experiential knowledge of plants and animals, natural craft, and story and song.  Gratitude and reverence for the earth, as well as fostering a vision of community based on mutual respect and acknowledgment are modeled and encouraged.  Campers are grouped (by age) in small “clans” of 8-10 children, who together explore beautiful and magical land bordering the Mohonk Preserve and Shawangunk Ridge.

Program Information for Summer Day Camp

For: Boys and Girls ages 4 to 13 (Three separate camps for ages 4-6, 6-10, 10-13)

Dates: June 28 – July 16 (3 weeks), 4 days each week (M, T, TH, F) – three week option only

Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm for Ravens (ages 10-13) and Kestrels(ages 6-10), 9:45am – 3pm for Screech Owls (ages 4-6)

Location: On pristine and private land bordering the Mohonk Preserve & Shawangunk Ridge in the New Paltz/High Falls area

Cost: $660.  $160 non-refundable deposit due with registration (sibling discounts and some limited scholarships are available – see registration form for details)

Our Screech Owl (age 4-6) and Kestrel Camp (age 6-10) are full.  If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, you must complete an online registration, but do not pay a deposit until you are advised that a space is available.  We have a few more spaces in our Raven Camp (age 10-13), so register soon.

Register Online for Summer Day Camp

Additional Questions and Information

Please email David Brownstein at david (at) wildearthprograms (dot) org or call 845-256-9830 with questions about summer camp and registration.

Our Parent/Tot  half-day Camp is designed for children ages 3-4 who wish to play in the outdoors with parental companionship.  Together, we will explore the wonders of nature within the fascinating world that surrounds us.  A typical day will flow with a natural rhythm, focusing on a common nature-based theme while together creating our own special home in woods.  Nature exploration will be interwoven with crafts, story, song, games, and sharing circle . This program is structured to spark curiosity while also fostering the feelings of comfort and peace that can be found by simply being outdoors.

Program Information for Parent/Tot Camp

For: Boys and Girls ages 3 to 4 accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian

Dates: June 29 – July 16, tuesdays and thursdays each week for three weeks

Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm

Location: On pristine and private land bordering the Mohonk Preserve & Shawangunk Ridge in New Paltz.

Cost: $220.  $50 non-refundable deposit due with registration (sibling discounts and some limited scholarships are available – see registration form for details)

Register Online for the Parent/Tot Camp

Additional Questions and Information

Please email David Brownstein at david (at) wildearthprograms (dot) org or call 845-256-9830 with questions about summer camp and registration.

Got Two Feet?  You Are So Out of Here!

Calling all teen girls to hit the trail together as we go on 3 overnight backpacking adventures in the glorious Catskills and Adirondacks. On each trek, for two days and a night the trail will be our guide as we visit vistas and explore new horizons. Step lightly on the trails, build your strength, get to know the backcountry, and finally chill out at base camp with trail food, hot chocolate, laughter and stories.

Also included are 3 trekking “Clinics.” We will learn backcountry skills, wilderness first aid, share gear, learn how to pack uber-light and live simply out of your backpack. Each trekking adventure will be preceded by a specific Clinic. Clinics will be held at Tweefontein Farm, home of Esperanza, Ashley, and friends.

Lead by Wild Earth Women Instructors – Esperanza Gonzalez, Ashley Suprenant, Becca Nelson, Amy Little, Paula Kucera

Winter treks will be to a warm cabin or yurt.  Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate, Level of Challenge: Awesome!

Program Information

Who: Teen Girls ages 13-15

Dates: 3 daytime Clinics and 3 Overnight Trekking Adventures (10 days)

11/15: 12-4:30 Clinic: Welcome and backpacking basics

12/5-12/6: Overnight Trek in the Catskills (warm shelter)

12/20: 1-4:30 Clinic: Winter Backpacking, and Snowshoeing, Solstice Celebration

1/9-1/10: Overnight Trek in the Adirondacks (warm shelter)

3/13: Clinic: Wilderness First Aid* (back-up date: 3/27)

4/30-5/2 Overnight Trek (2 nights)

Cost: $375 plus $25 facilities fee

*Wilderness First Aid Clinic does not include the cost of individual certification

Click here to Register

Please call Paula Kucera at 845-256-0469 or Amy Little at 845-255-0822  with questions about the content of this program.  Call David Brownstein at 845-256-9830 or email at david (at) wildearthprograms (dot) org with questions about registration.

Wild Earth instructors desire to share their time and form closer relationships with youth in the community.   Small groups (formed by parents or by age and interest) of 3-4 children and their instructor will meet after-school (weekly or bi-weekly), during the school day (for home school families), or on alternate weekends throughout the season to explore natural mysteries, build and strengthen wilderness and native craft skills, form and deepen relationships, and connect with self in the woods of the beautiful Shawangunk Ridge and its surrounding rivers and valleys.

Program Information

Eligible Age: 6-12 years old

Experience: No previous experience necessary

Dates: Customized to your desires and arranged with your instructor

Time: Two, three or four-hour meetings

Cost: $25 for 2 hours, $35 for 3 hours, $45 for four hours (per child)

Location: To be arranged with instructors

Instructors: Several interested Instructors (all age 22-28).  See below!

Support: Each instructor will be supported by a mentor/advisor and a teen assistant (when available).

Please contact (david@wildearthprograms.org) david (at) wildearthprograms (dot) org for help in coordinating appropriate groups, or contact individual instructors for more detailed program information or to schedule dates.

*Please note that these small group, learning journeys, while supported by Wild Earth, are not administered or insured by Wild Earth.

Interested Instructors and their Visions:

Endless Exploration with Esperanza

Join Esperanza in the forest that surrounds her beautiful herb farm for magic-filled adventuring and fun.  Every Tuesday afternoon 3-5 children will be dropped off at Tweefontein Herb Farm to embark on an exploration of ourselves and the land through the seasons.  Esperanza and a teen instructor will be offering a safe space to explore the land while offering the flexibility for the children to set the rhythm of the afternoon, guided by their passions and needs. Using the natural world as our inspiration, we will sing, share stories, develop skills, create art, and feel the joy of living closely to the earth. Once the springtime rolls around, there will be many opportunities for the children to be involved with the farm (planting, harvesting, drying, and creating finely crafted herbal products). I look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your children’s lives.  Please contact Esperanza Gonzalez  at (hummingbirdhope@gmail.com) hummingbirdhope (at) gmail (dot) com or call 516- 578-2235.

The Gift That Nature Gives with Yeshua Long

This journey will be a chance for your child to be creative, learning the importance of expressing our gifts.  In a small group of 3-4, there will be many opportunities to create and build nourishing relationships.  We will listen and create the songs and stories of the wild while discovering what gifts lie hidden within.  Projects include; natural art, wildcrafting – tea and salve making, fire building, meditation and more.  Your child will join Yeshua biweekly or as desired on a tour of the landscape and be introduced to the backyard in a gentle, friendly, and nurturing way.  Contact Yeshua Long at  (earthheartson@gmail.com) earthheartson (at) gmail (dot) com or call 845-687-3492.

Young Naturalist’s Journey: Opening the Mystery with Thomas Meli

Nature offers us some of the most beautiful gifts we can imagine.  It opens up beautiful worlds of fun, creativity, and knowledge which are best explored in an open but safe and supportive environment.  We will take an incredible journey into nature through games, skills, the arts, and playful wanders, and through this experience our own gifts and talents shine.  While each day will be spontaneous and “student-centered,” possible activities include: Primitive Skills & Wood Craft; Animal Tracking; Bird Language; Creative Self-Expression (Writing, Drawing, Music); Lost-proofing; Basic Herbalism, Plant Activities & Health.  Our lives are forever deepened and enriched by participating in nature, and in building a relationship to it, we find innumerable gateways into those beautiful aspects of ourselves.  Join Thomas on this incredible journey, both outward and within.  Contact Thomas Meli at (tpmeli@gmail.com) tpmeli (at) gmail (dot) com or call 516-850-8187