Home

Visual Calendar of Courses.

Camp Locator Map & Driving Directions

Overnight Youth Camp Pages

• Index

• June 15-21, 2008

• June 22-28, 2008

• June 29 - July 4, 2008

• July 6-12, 2008

• July 13-19, 2008

• July 20-26, 2008

• July 27 - Aug 2, 2008

• August 3-9, 2008

• August 10-16, 2008

• August 17-23, 2008

Special Application Processes for Youth Mentoring CIT Program.

Cool Stuff

• Music & Stories
• Blog & Forum
• Fun Challenges
• Photo Gallery
• Camp Store

Nourishment

• Our Book Series
• Guest Essays, Etc.
• Recommended Resources
• Similar Schools
• Related Links

Email us,
or print out a
registration form,
or call 360-799-1997 at any time.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Wolf Camp does not share its database — period.
COPPAct Notice:
Children 12 and under must obtain parental consent before contacting us.

Wolf Camp was voted 1 of 2 Best Camps in the Northwest Family News Reader's Poll of 2001, the only year they ran a poll, and we were also chosen as one of the five "best camps ever" by YM Magazine in its March 2003 issue.

"At Wolf Camp,  I got to meet people interested in things I'm interested in.  Camp also gave me confidence and taught me things that I thought I'd never be able to learn.  Wolf Camp is a wonderful chance to get out and make new friends and learn new things about nature and wildlife." – Sage Snook, Age 12 in 1998, three year veteran of Wolf Camp. Please Note this Change for 2008: Camps run through Saturday Noon! Scroll Down or Click Here for Wolf Camp Accolades & Logistics: • Registration Process, Camp Costs & Refund Policy: Register by March 31st for discounts! • Daily Schedule & Transportation Choices; • Weekend (Sat-Sun) Stayover Schedules; • How to Prepare & What to Pack • Behavioral Agreements
July 6-12, 2008
Availability: Space Remains Open Scroll Down or Click for Current Enrollment. The Forgotten Wilderness: Animal Tracks & Bird Voices no prerequisite, for age groups 9-13 and 13-17. • Activity List & Locations. • Main Goal & Skills Covered. • Session History & Lead Instructor. • Camp Storyline & Songs. • Current Enrollment: Open/Available There are few people who can understand the language of the birds and follow tracks that animals leave behind. This week you will develop the ears of a bird and the eyes of a tracker. Become a detective in order to follow clues and solve mysteries that would otherwise have gone unnoticed in nature. Amazingly, animals reveal themselves to all who can read their stories in the earth. As you will see, tracks can tell us about the size, health, emotions, history and even intentions of animals which would otherwise remain hidden all around us. Never feel alone in the forest again as you learn to communicate and understand the sights and sounds which birds use to point out predators, to quarrel with their neighbors, or to sing with appreciation. Enter the world of animals, becoming that which you follow. This camp session takes place primarily at Wolf Camp but will include field trips to the Skykomish River and the surrounding area. Activities covered during this camp session include, but are not limited to the following list, and are somewhat dependent on weather, instructor descretion, camper desire, and serendipity: • Sunday: Intros, Agreements, Navigation, Sensory Awareness, Songline. • Monday: Animal Forms, Stalking Games, Mammal Families, Five Arts of Tracking, Bird Language, Swim Test, Songs. • Tuesday: Dawn Chorus, Tracking Review & Challenge, Skykomish River Tracking & Floating, Bird Identification, Trailing Challenge, Campout. • Wednesday: Farm Animals, Most Important Plants, Insects, Beetles, Arachnids, Anthropods, Reptiles and Amphibians, Lake Swimming, Camp Fire & Games. • Thursday: Knife Safety Test, Make Walking Staves, River Tracking & Floating, Plaster Casts, Bird Language Recordings, Animal Photography, Campout, Music & Stories. • Friday: Advanced Tracking Challenge, Campers Choice of Games, Preparation for Presentations, Cleanup, Music & Stories. • Saturday: Closing Circle and Family Presentations The goal of this camp session is to bring you to a deeper understanding of the natural world, and skills covered during this camp session include, but are not limited to the following list, and are somewhat dependent on instructor preference and camper readiness: • Sensory Awareness & Stealthy Movement • Understanding Birds • Understanding Mammals • Farm Animal Care • Understanding Animal Impact & Dependence on Plants and an intro to • Understanding Insects • Understanding Beetles • Understanding Arachnids • Understanding Anthropods • Understanding Reptiles • Understanding Amphibians This session's storyline is Tracker Tom Brown but may be modified by the instructor, and some of the songs you may learn this week include: • The Owl and the Eagle • Talk to the Animals • Tale of the Wolf • Do Re Mi • Feed the Birds • My Favorite Things • Morning Has Broken • If I Only Had A Brain • People of the River • Yonder Come Day • Caterpillar This session's likely lead instructors will be Nikki, Huck, Lorien, Dan, Griz, Scott, Glen, Andrew and/or Morgan, but may change depending on need and availability, and the history of this camp session includes: • Pilot Year: Started under another name in our very first overnight camp year of 1998. • Past Instructors: Chris, Nikki, Lorien, Dan. • Intensity Rating: 7 • Rating on Fun Scale: 7 Enrollment as of March 31st: 3 boys and 1 girl ages 13-15 are currently enrolled, and we are holding spots for 4 younger campers whose deposits we are awaiting. We have a capacity of 12 spaces in this camp. Next update likely May 15th.		Availability: Space Remains Open Scroll Down or Click for Current Enrollment. Tracking Endangered Species, Search & Rescue for returning campers ages 11-17. Requires the following prerequisites: • Previous weekend stayover that ran July 5-6. • Intro Tracking Week (see left, or equivalent in prior years). • Plus One of the Following: any of the 3 training camps running June 15 - July 4, or a week of ancient scout skills, or a week of wilderness medicine & herbal medicine, or a week of survival skills or primitive living with wild plants, or a week of environmental artistry or stone age artisanry skills, or a week of kayaking/sailing with sealife. • Activity List & Locations. • Main Goal & Proficiency Challenges. • Session History & Lead Instructor. • Camp Storyline & Songs. • Current Enrollment: Open/Available. We'll be searching the North Cascades Highway, Loomis State Forest, the Okanagon, the Canadian borderlands, and other dazzling environs in an effort to prove that there are wolves living and breeding in Washington State. In addition, you be helping to track down lynx, mountain goat, and wolverine if possible, while studying your favorite endangered species of choice in depth to become an expert spokesperson for their livelihood. Between efforts to track endangered species, we'll also put our skills to the test as your team engages in scenarios track down missing people and 'escaped criminals', and if you choose an added element of challenge, you can ask assistant instructors to lie in ambush, armed with paintball blow guns. And get ready for an all day mission to solve a detective mystery and ultimately rescue a person trapped in the woods. You will also review the basics of Wilderness First Aid this week so that if you ever really have to search for lost or injured people back home, you will know how to rescue them. We'll also go much deeper into the mysteries of animal tracking and bird language. Learn basic 'pressure releases' that tell many more secret details about the maker of the track, and learn the categories of advanced bird language enhanced by Wolf Camp founder and your personal guide Chris Chisholm. You can also stay up all night scoping animals, and further your "hunting" skills by attempting to photograph animals, including mammals and birds. This is a travel camp that starts at Wolf Camp, but takes place primarily along the northern canadian border of Washington State. Activities covered during this camp session include, but are not limited to the following list, and are somewhat dependent on weather, instructor descretion, camper desire, and serendipity: • Saturday: Plannning & Packing. • Sunday: Review of Tracking & WFA Skills; Shopping for Food & Gear, Travel to First Hot Spot. • Monday: Tracking Lynx & Wolverine in Loomis State Park. • Tuesday: Tracking Wolves in the Colville National Forest, Setting Up Romote Cameras. • Wednesday: Tracking Mountain Caribou & Bears in the Pond Orielles National Forest. • Thursday: Tracking Wolves in the Pond Orielles National Forest, Night Scoping. • Friday: Human Tracking Challenge, Traveling Home & Preparing Presentations. • Saturday: Closing Circle and Family Presentations The goals of this camp session is to prove that wolves live in Washington State, while you bring your tracking skills to the next level. In order to do so, the following skills will be introduced: • Tracking down animals and document their presence, including insects, beetles, arachnids, and anthropods, as well as birds and mammals. • Managing a survey of animals to ensure how many are in an area. • Mimmicking at least 10 birds, including their song, alarm calls, companion calls, and aggression calls. • Identifying and knowing the gifts of plants in varying ecosystems. • Camoflaging yourself and your documenting gear in any environment. • Articulating the needs of animals, both in writing and public speaking, especially regarding the endangered species of your region. • Understanding the issues of threatened fishes, as well as marine mammals if time allows. • Finding lost people and rescue them via extraction and first aid. • Communicate clearly and work well with teams. This session's storyline is the Tale of the Wolf but may be modified by the instructor, and some of the songs you may learn this week include: • Same as for the Forgotten Wilderness, Animal Tracks & Bird Voices, and as for the GeoTRIP, and as for the Peaceful Nature Cooperative Arts Camp. This session's likely lead instructor will be Chris Chisholm, with Huck taking over on Friday, with Lorien, Morgan, Indigo, Patrick, Charlie, Carl, Griz and/or Glen assisting throughout, but may change depending on need and availability, and the history of this camp session includes: • Pilot Year: 2006. • Past participants include Lorien, Megan, Glen, Morgan, Indigo, Patrick W, Katie B, Torrey, Charlie, Maddie, Carl, Melina, and in 2006 we dropped James off at his hunting cabin near Tonasket (where the pizza is awesome) and then met Bill up in Canada. • Intensity Rating: 7 • Rating on Fun Scale: 9 Enrollment as of March 31st: 4 of 10 spots are confirmed. Next update likely May 15th.

Week Prior: June 30 - July 4 Training Camp: Wilderness First Aid, Risk Management, Lifeguarding & CPR
Weekend Prior: Wildlife Theme (arts of tracking and bird language)
This Weekend: Firemaking Theme (fire by friction and hazards)
Next Week: July 13-19: Survivors Side of the Mountain, and Living with Primitive Food, Fire & Shelter

Click Here to Go Back to the Index of Overnight Youth Camps, or print out an Application Form which has the whole schedule listed, and register for as many weeks as you like!

Click Here if you would like to listed to an Audo Recorded Camp Greeting from Wolf Camp founder and coordinator Chris Chisholm for which you may need the free RealOne Player if it's not already installed in your system, and there is also a Audio Recorded Camp Greeting from our top earth skills specialist Nikki for you to listen to if you like.

What To Bring & What You Get: After registering, we will send you a detailed program description, with directions on how to prepare. For resident youth camps and the adult apprenticeship, we will also send a questionnaire for new campers to complete by the June 1 deadline. It will include health history questions and other information that are designed to ensure that the program for which you apply is the best choice for you. We will also send you a detailed letter on driving directions and how to prepare for camp.

The most important thing for you to do is to sleep well the night prior to camp and eat a healthy breakfast and lunch the day camp starts. Also, please bring the results from your most recent physical exam to place into your file upon check-in on the first day of camp. A very recent physical is not required as long as you were forthcoming when you filled out the health history form (which was part of your registration form), but a physical is highly recommended if you have not had one in the past year. Please tell your doctor your plans for coming to camp, and the activities involved.

Remember, although we have use of the Wolf Camp house, this is really a primitive camp, so set your expectations appropriately. As for what to bring, if you cannot attain all of the required items, or if you have a favorite item you want, even though we haven't mentioned it, or advised against it, or provide it for you, simply advise us before camp starts. We always have extra to share. Otherwise, the items on this page and on the reverse are things you'll need to bring to camp to help ensure that everyone is comfortable.

We provide an emergency whistle, mini first aid kit, keychain flashlight, camp tee-shirt and bandana, plus some journal materials and craft products to be taken home after camp. During some weeks, we also train you to use a real survival knife, but only campers who attend a second overnight camp week and who reach our Level III knife safety can bring the knife home. Alternatively, parents may also pay for a $15 knife at the end of their child’s first week if they wish. We also have binoculars, field guides, instruments, extra sanitary supplies, water bottles, rain ponchos, compasses, blankets, and of course sunscreen available when necessary for use. Many products are also available in our camp store, with all revenues donated to the WOLF Foundation - Max Davis Scholarships.

Please bring the following food items if possible, the leftovers of which you can bring home or donate to camp. The purpose of this food list is to teach campers how to shop for camping, and then give them a sense of responsibility by contributing to, and helping to make, their own meals. Store all of your foods using sturdy zip-locks, and be sure to label them well. Visit the bulk dispenser section of your store for these, using your zip-lock bags, instead of bringing highly packaged or processed foods, canned goods, etc. Our garbage service cannot handle so much waste. We will provide you with a secure container in which to store your food items in our pantry. You can bring home the entire container with you afterwards if you like. Leave no food or aromatic items in your tent! Remember, improperly packaged or disposed-of wrappers alone can cause problems with wild animals.

___ One cup of rice per week, or per family per weekend, if you like rice.
___ One cup of beans or lentils per week, or per family per weekend, if you like legumes.
___ One cup of powdered milk (cow or soy) per week, or per family per weekend, if desired.
___ One cup of a favorite breakfast grain (but not oatmeal as that grows on trees around here) or hot cereal per week, or per family per weekend, depending on taste.
___ One cup of spaghetti or cous cous per week, or per family per weekend, if desired.
___ One cup of wheat flour or corn flour (polenta) per week, or per family per weekend.
___ One cup of dried fish or meat (jerky) or veggie burger mix per week, or per family per
weekend.
___ One cup of hot chocolate mix per week, or ground coffee per family per weekend.
___ One cup of dried fruit per week, or per family per weekend.
___ One cup of snack seeds (sunflower, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts) per week or per family.
___ One loaf of bread or packaged tortillas per week, or per family per weekend.
___ One small package of dried seaweed per week or per family.

We will be teaching you to forage for fresh greens, fruits, seeds, eggs, fish, and other food items during your stay. Don’t worry, it’s all safe, environmentally sensitive, and of course, will be carried out according to legal regulations. If you can’t find certain items in your grocery store, don’t worry about it, and if you want to bring something other than this list, please call in advance to see if it’s needed. We don’t have extra refrigeration or freezer space, so don’t bring any perishables.

Do not bring your own snacks unless you have special dietary health needs. All accidentally brought snacks will be donated to camp for future use. You can bring a wooden, stainless steel, or durable plastic spoon, fork, bowl, cup, and plate if desired, with your name well labeled (no aluminum), but we do provide dishes for you at camp, along with your own mesh bag for storing them.

___ Waistband pack or day backpack that holds a large water bottle (keep it full). Include two oversized plastic garbage bags to cover your gear in rain, and if desired, a disposable camera inside a zip-lock bag. The waistband pack might be a good place to initially pack your sanitary supplies such as toothbrush, floss, feminine products, and a small hair brush or comb. We'll provide biodegradable soap, shampoo, tooth paste, conditioner, and lotion. Leave cosmetics, etc., at home unless you need a special product for health/allergy reasons. Also, remember any protective cases for eyeglasses, contact lenses and solutions, plus for your medicines that you need to take and keep track of yourself.

___ Clothes: Two pair of long pants which are easy to move and run in, two long-sleeve shirts, and two undershirts (t-shirts and tank-tops should be tasteful, and noisy fabric should be avoided. ) 3-6 pair of underwear and socks. ( Two of the sock pairs need to be wool or synthetic material). Swimwear and a large, raggedy beach towel. One pair of shorts is plenty in addition to your swim suit. Also bring polypropylene or wool or nylon/spandex long underwear bottoms and top.

Clothes: Fleece or wool pullover (pants are a plus, too) because wool and synthetic materials are the best rain gear - cotton is very comfortable but it is worthless when wet, and you'll find out that gortex and other plastics are waterproof, but they are loud, they don't breath well enough, and they pool water. Remember that it gets cold by the water, at higher elevations, and at night, even in the middle of the summer. Note that earth tone (greens, browns, etc.) clothes are best for camp skill games and they will increase chances of seeing wildlife.

Clothes: Synthetic or wool hat and thin gloves for warmth, and a hat for the sun, and hair ties if applicable. Please note that for all clothing of every kind, you should expect them to get very dirty. Campers staying over between camp weeks can do laundry on Saturday evenings. The natural color or patterned clothing is most important for the following camp weeks: Scouts, Canyons & Dunes, Tracking, Primitive Fishing, Hunter-Gatherers, Endangered Species, and the Ultimates. The clothing for cold conditions are especially important for the Alpine Hike, Scouts, Canyons & Dunes, Tracking, GeoVORG, Sailing, Survivors Side, Kayaking, Primitive Fishing, Endangered Species, and the Ultimates. Sunglasses and a sun hat are required for those who burn easily, and for all who are attending the Alpine Hike, Canyons & Dunes, Rock Climbing, GeoVORG, Search & Rescue, Sailing, and Kayaking.

Backpacks & Luggage: If you are attending the Youth Mentoring CIT, Canyons & Dunes, Alpine Hike, Rock Climbing, GeoVORG, Advanced Tracking, Sailing, Kayaking, or Endangered Species, you need to be able to easily carry and pack all gear in a large backpack, with your sleeping bag and pad secured tightly to it. Those attending other camps can pack normally, such as in a big duffle bag, but still be able to carry everything in one load 200 yards from our parking area to your sleeping quarters.

___ Tent with a rain fly and zip-up screen if you have one, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad underneath for comfort and warmth. Brothers and sisters may camp together, but otherwise, we will separate boys and girls under the supervision of an appropriate instructor. They will also be grouped by age. Also, if you want, bring your preferred, non-toxic (that means not Deet unless that’s the only thing that you think works for you) bug lotion, not the spray kind. Look for Citronella lotion and other natural products, if possible. We do provide this in our camp store as well.

___ Two comfortable pair of outdoor shoes or boots, and a pair of thin sole shoes or aqua socks for swimming and stalking. Please make sure you have broken them in well in advance to avoid common blisters. Waterproof hiking boots are required for the following camp weeks: Alpine Hike, Pioneering, Canyons & Dunes, Rock Climbing, Tracking, GeoVORG, Wild Foods & Fire, Survivor’s Side, Primitive Fishing, Hunter-Gatherers, Endangered Species, and the Ultimates.

Lost & Found Policy: If you leave it at camp, it will be picked up by charity. We do not have staff to package and send home forgotten items. To help avoid loosing things, please put your name on every item you bring, and bring only what you need. For clothes, print your name on the tag. Go ahead and bring any small artwork tools if desired for drawing, carving, etc, and small musical instruments, like wooden flutes, rawhide drums, rattles, if desired. Leave all electronic devises and other distractions at home.

Wolf Camp - A Haven Of Physical & Emotional Safety: Please read these agreements for participation in camp. They are particularly important to ensure a safe, educational, and fun experience under challenging circumstances that are unique to the WolfCamp. Parents: please explain to your child that deciding to participate in Wolf Camp means agreeing to honor the experience as a safe haven for every person - physically and emotionally. Also, please help us best explain the following agreements by discussing them with your child in an age-appropriate manner consistent with your family values. Campers will also add agreements they wish the group to honor during the week, and instructors will have a few more details to add that will help make Wolf Camp fun and safe. Adults: please edit agreements for age appropriateness.

____I will remain within the designated boundaries during camp. The boundaries will be pointed out when we arrive at camp.
____I will go off by myself only with clear permission from my group leader. Otherwise, I will always be with a partner and make it known to my group leader our whereabouts.
____I will only enter water under clear direction from a lead camp instructor.
____I will respect the personal boundaries of others in camp, including bodies, belongings, and behavior that others may or may not witness. We will discuss appropriate sleeping, dressing, and bathroom situations at the start of camp.
____I will refrain from sharing any stories, jokes, or comments which are derogatory toward others in camp, toward groups of people in the outer world, or toward sacred themes such as bodily function, including human reproduction. Also, all participants agree to discuss only age-appropriate themes and behaviors around younger campers without adult supervision.
____I will refrain from taking action satisfying romantic desire or sexual attraction while participating in WOLF Camp.
____I will refrain from using drugs, including alcohol, from 24 hours before the day camp starts, until my last contact with any camp participant after camp is over. I will bring a written description of any prescribed medicines, including instructions for intake.
____I will respect the sensitive plants and animals in special areas during camp, and I will put nothing in my mouth that I don't know 100% that it won't cause illness or poisoning.
____I will always encourage others to rise to the challenge in every group activity.
____I will always watch out for the safety of every person in camp.

These agreements will be discussed the first day of camp to clarify them for participants, and campers will also add agreements they wish the group to honor during the week. Instructors will also have a few more details to add that will help make camp fun and safe.

Remember that deposits are not refundable unless your registration is not accepted. If you cancel after making any payment, you may receive a credit for a future program, minus a 25% administration fee of total payments made, in case of emergency. You will receive a full refund if your program is canceled and not rescheduled at a time that you can attend. Again, no refund (and not necessarily any credit) is given if a camper is inappropriate at camp.

Come Meet Us

June 28, 2008, Saturday 2:00 p.m., Three Amongst the Wolves presentation by world-renown adventurist Helen Thayer, also author of Polar Dream and Walking the Gobi. We consider this the pinnacle event of our year, and believe us when we tell you that you will be absolutely grateful, profoundly moved, and totally delighted if you attend! Sustinance and refreshments provided, with donations accepted for Helen's world-wide youth education program, the Adventure Classroom. RSVP email required, or call 360-799-1997.

June 29, 2008, Sunday 10:00-5:00, Wolf Camp Open House, Visiting Day, Work-A-Thon, and Bar-B-Que. Come visit camp, joining us for the bar-b-que lunch by donation, or collect pledges to raise funds for your camp expeirence at the Work-A-Thon if you like. RSVP email required, and to request pledge forms.

September 21, 2008, Sunday 8:00-8:00, International Day of Peace bonfire, medicine lodge, autumnal feast and fast for cooperative intensive participants and alumni.

October 25, 2008, Saturday 5-8 pm, Twelve Year Anniversary Harvest Party for alumni, family and supporters. This is our way to say "thank you", with dinner provided plus inspirational music and stories with violin virtuoso and salishin bard Swil Kanim, tentative. You may arrive as early as 5:00 pm on Friday and stay as long as 5:00 pm on Sunday to help harvest and prepare for the winter. Our annual summer raffle runs throughout the summer, with winners drawn during the Harvest Party.

2008 Online Scholarship Fundraising Auction

June 15-22, 2008, Sunday-Sunday 8:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Online Auction for Max Davis Scholarships. This is the annual fundraiser upon which we depend for most of the year's scholarship funds, so please consider donating an item (by sending us an email with a description of the item, then we will arrange to pick it up) or by bidding on an item during the auction. Thanks!

Back to the Index of Overnight Youth Camps.

Employment: We only need instructors with experience running camps and teaching in the field of Earth Skills, including Permaculture, Tracking, Primitive Artisanry, Advanced Herbalism, or Wilderness EMT training with real outdoor survival practice. If you would like experience as a teacher and learn skills of the Naturalist, Tracker, Herbalist, Scout, Hunter, Artisan, or Permaculture Pioneer, apply to become an instructor through our Earth Skills Teaching Apprenticeship.

SITE MAP This site is updated often, so be sure to tell us if you find a missing link, erroneous information or other problem. Thanks!