WILDERNESS SURVIVAL

This camp teaches campers how to live in nature without a backpack. 

Wilderness Survival Skills Camp

This isn’t your typical hike-in-the-woods experience! This camp teaches campers how to live in nature without relying on a backpack full of gear.

Throughout the week, campers will set out hiking through Belle Isle and the surrounding wilderness while uncovering the secrets of wilderness survival. They’ll master the art of making fire without matches, tracking animals, building debris huts and shelters, identifying useful plants, and much more.

Expect to start with basic camping gear and gradually learn how to replace it with resources found in the wild. By the end of the week, campers gain the skills and confidence to thrive outdoors with nothing but what the Earth provides.

This camp is active, high-energy, and filled with adventure—and yes, a little dirt, a few bug bites, and plenty of trial and error. But that’s the fun of it. With guidance, coaching, and some friendly competition, campers push their limits, build independence, and discover that the natural world isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace.

We recommend that campers have some hiking experience before joining this program. That said, the most important thing is coming in with a great attitude, a willingness to stay active, and readiness for adventure. This camp is designed to meet campers where they are, whether they’re confident outdoors or trying these skills for the first time.

By the end of the week, don’t be surprised if your camper stands a little taller, ready to take on the challenges of the wilderness with confidence.