Raccoon camp is an chance for young people to discover the incredible beauty and diversity of life around them, and practice skills of wilderness living and nature awareness. We learn to move silently in the woods as the native scouts did, track animals and identify plants. We practice the art of invisibility, waiting hidden in one spot with the hope of seeing deer and other animals up close. During the week we build a nature museum of track casts, bones, gnawed twigs and other natural mysteries that we find. Campers and staff eagerly turn to field guides at every opportunity with the hope of learning more about the plants and animals that left them behind. We also learn ancient skills of survival including building our own natural shelter (and sleeping in it if we want!) and cooking over a fire made without matches. There is plenty of time for adventure in the surrounding mountains and for cooling off in the river.

Fun and adventure are only part of the story. Important tangible and intangible skills like teamwork and communication; thankfulness; awareness; inner stillness and patience; common sense; self confidence; respect for self, each other and nature; and problem solving are woven invisibly into each day. For example, campers might learn inner stillness through the need to sneak up on another group. They might learn teamwork and communication through talking circles or the need to quickly build a group shelter. Our focus is on helping campers to build skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Returning Campers

Personalized attention ensures that returning campers are fully engaged. They have the opportunity to learn advanced skills such as bow making, advanced fire making and shelter building techniques; take a greater responsibility for group decisions and projects; participate in their own advanced challenges; and assist the staff in teaching the skills they have practiced to new campers.

Raccoon Camp has two parallel sessions, one for boys 10-12 years old and another for girls ages 9-12. Younger campers who may be away from home for the first time experience a gentle introduction to our curriculum. Older campers are given the opportunity to challenge themselves as a group in creating their own wilderness camp and preparing many of their meals.