Wilderness skills camps for 2026

What do campers learn at wilderness skills camp?

Many new adventures await teens and older kids at survival skills camps. They gain essential survival skills as they live outdoors and learn how to build shelters, manage fires, and forage for food. Campers also learn how to identify animal tracks, plants, and parts of the forest. Overnight camping is part and parcel of the main camps teaching this, although some day camps also teach  kids and teens these skills.

It’s an ideal way to deepen a connection to nature. Kids and teens learn to understand weather patterns. There’s also a lot of canoeing and kayaking, of course, with some sports, though the focus is mainly on wilderness training and sustainable living. 

Camp leaders are trained in First Aid, CPR, and water safety. Many camps use survival training as an important aspect of leadership training, and campers will find themselves leading camp activities or instructing their survival group. Overnight camps teaching this are targeted at teens, but open to kids who are younger. Survival skills day camps welcome all ages. Prices for these camps start at $200, though they can rise to over $1,000.

Why go to wilderness skills camp?

Wilderness skills camp is an ideal location for adventurous, spirited kids and teens. Here’s a look at what you will gain from this camp experience:

• Character development. Wilderness activities, from setting up tents to tracking animals, build character, especially resilience, resourcefulness, and responsibility. Team building is also an essential part of camp, as campers work together to meet camp and survival skills objectives.
• Promotes sustainable living. Survival camp is a great way to deepen your connection to nature. Survival skills campers might meet wildlife. They grow in their understanding of old growth forests. It’s inspiring and can spark action, as kids and teens recognize how human activity impacts the planet. They’ll be inspired to make Earth-conscious decisions in their daily lives. It can even inspire career and other life choices. 
• Improved fitness. Wilderness skills are rife with natural strength and conditioning exercises. Kids and teens build muscle and develop stamina.

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