PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Our culminating summer experience is for older kids (6th-8th grade). While our other camps are centered in Burlington and rooted in one geographic place, our Adventurers program gets kids out into the vast Vermont wilderness. We alternate our trip between hiking the Long Trail and paddling the Winooski River. Inspired by the adventures of the great naturalists of the 19th century, we will spend three days (9am-3:30pm) at Bent Birch Base Camp at Rock Point in Burlington introducing basic camping skills (setting up camp, cooking over a fire, orienteering, natural navigation, wilderness first aid, wild edibles, paddling, and more). Using our newly acquired skills, the group will head out on a 3-day, 2-night wilderness trip hiking the Long Trail. No previous camping or backpacking experience necessary. Registration limited to 8 kids, coed.
SCHEDULE:
- Monday-Tuesday (9am-3:30pm): At Rock Point in Burlington
- Wednesday (9am): Arrive at Rock Point with backpacks packed and ready to go, leave for the Long Trail
- Friday (afternoon): Return to Rock Point around 2-3pm (will call parents as we leave the trailhead)
COVID on the Trail:
Anytime a group hikes the trail hygiene and sanitation become a top priority. Many of our same protocols for giving personal space and clean hands apply for this trip. However, given the nature of backpacking and caring all of our gear on our backs, kids will still be required to share tents with other participants. We recommend that kids tent with family members or friends who they are “podding” with (if you intend to tent with a friend on this trip, please mention it in your application). Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate single person tents on the backpacking trip. If tent sharing is a deal breaker then you should look into the canoe trip. Canoes have lots of cargo space and everyone can bring their own tent for camping on the river!
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