:: YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS ::
This page is divided into the following sections…
Kids & Teens ages 9 – 14
Kids ages 6 – 8 and
amilies & Kids ages 1 – 5
See our Calendar of Events
>> Camps & Adventures
Directed by James Bruchac and facilitated by the Ndakinna Education Center, participants in these camps learn a variety of wilderness skills such as animal tracking, basic to advanced wilderness skills from shelter building and land navigation to bow and hand-drill fires as well as take part in Native American storytelling, arts, crafts and games.
Winter Wilderness Adventure Camp (9-13)
Woodland Pathways Day Camp (Ages 9-12)
Wilderness Adventure Day Camp (Ages 9-11)
Teen Wilderness Adventure Day Camp (Ages 12-16)
Wilderness Challenge Program Day Camp (Ages 9-14)
Nature Studies Program Day Camp (Ages 9-14)
Awasos Wilderness Training (Boys ages 12-16)
Nolka Wilderness Training (Girls ages 12-16)
and more!
Along with being staffed by expert wilderness staff, Ndakinna camps play host to a variety of special guest including some of the Northeast’s best Native American storytellers and folkartists. Most camps take place at the Marion F. Bruchac Memorial Nature Preserve in Greenfield Center, New York with plenty of forest to explore as well as a full-scale Native American longhouse and elm-bark covered wigwam. Through the various activities participants will gain a greater respect and understanding for the Natural World as well as the Northeast’s rich Native American history. 2-6 day camps covering each skill and activity in greater detail. Most camps are limited to 20 participants each, divided by age levels, each age level builds on the last. See Ndakinna Education Center Events Calendar for complete descriptions.
>> Nature Studies & Wilderness Challenge Programs
This series will be meeting March 18, April 1, May 6, June 3 of 2006. The Nature Studies program will focus on the study of the flora, fauna and land features of the Nature Preserve connected to the Ndakinna Education Center. Students will learn through a variety of hands-on activities (journaling, CyberTracker data collection, radio telemetry, plaster casting of animal tracks, etc.). Along with regular appearances by Jim and Ivan, this program also features special guests, such as New York State Museum’s Dr. Roland Kays. Program meets 9:00 to noon.
The Wilderness Challenge program comes after the Nature Studies program. It includes a variety of team-based outdoor wilderness skills. Through hands-on experience and interactive games, participants will learn and apply orienteering, shelter building, firemaking, and other skills. Program meets 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
>> General Youth Camp pricing per child
Single Day Camps and Adventures = $40 – $60
Week-long Day Camps and Adventures = $225 – $300
3-day to Week-long Overnight Camps & Trips = $300 – $600
See our Calendar of Events
>> Camps & Adventures
Like the older age group camps, these are also directed by James Bruchac and facilitated by the Ndakinna Education Center. Participants in these camps learn a variety of wilderness skills such as animal tracking, basic to advanced wilderness skills from shelter building and land navigation to bow and hand-drill fires. For this age level, Native storytelling is a major component as well as Native and nature based arts and crafts projects. Kids learn several Native games which promote cooperation, teambuilding, awareness, patience, turn-taking, and confidence.
Kids Winter Wilderness & Storytelling Camp (6-8)
Kid’s Wilderness Skills & Storytelling Camp (6-8)
>> General Youth Camp pricing per child
Single Day Camps and Adventures = $40 – $60
Week-long Day Camps and Adventures = $225 – $300
3-day to Week-long Overnight Camps & Trips = $300 – $600
See our Calendar of Events
>> Movers, Shakers & Music Makers
This series is for young ones (ages 1-5) and their parents. Lead by children’s musician Rebecca Oppenneer, this music and movement class encourages young feet to dance and mouths to sing fostering confidence and social development. Kids learn and sing about shapes, colors, animals, and more. Program features live original interactive music and a huge multi-colored parachute with oodles of snickles (you just have to see it!).
>> Sunday Family Fun Days
Once a month, families with young kids (ages 4 and up) are invited to come and participate in nature and Native-based arts and crafts (parents must attend with their children). This program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Activities may include making mobiles, Native pictographs, plaster casts, nature scrapbooks, and more. Each session is different – check the Events Calendar for more info.