WILDERNESS SKILLS for ages 9-15

Level 1 - Ages 9-12 • San Rafael
Level 2 - Ages 13-15 • San Rafael

There was a time when wilderness skills were second nature to every kid. Knowing where the animals hid, what plants to eat and what hazards to avoid was essential to our survival. Now these skills have become less common, but learning them allows us to feel a sense of belonging on the earth and empowers us to be at home in nature wherever we are. Perhaps for your child, this will mean wanting to spend more time outdoors or choosing to go camping with friends instead of playing yet another video game. At Vilda we hope to inspire this love and competency in nature in all children.

Wilderness Skills Level 1 - Ages 9-12
This program is ideal for those who have already done a program with us, but will also accommodate first timers. It is an immersion into our core curriculum of wilderness skills and includes an overnight campout for the kids to get to test their new found skills and enjoy an evening together playing awareness games and roasting food on the fire. While it is possible to skip the camp-out if need be it really is a major part of the camp and not recommended to miss.

Badges that you might earn: 
(Please note that earning any badge depends on the participants level of skill and commitment as well as camp specific circumstances)

• Wilderness Skills 1 

• Knife Certification

• Wilderness Skills 2 (with previous experience)

• Knife Skills (with previous experience)

Wilderness Skills Level 2- Ages 13-15
This is a next level program and requires having done one of the following: Wilderness Skills 1, two weeks of camp with us, a year of our school year programs, or comparable experience. It is a chance to get deeper into the earth skills of carving, cordage, fire making and sleeping in a debris hut or under the stars. It includes a one night overnight that the camp builds up to. While it is possible to skip the camp-out if need be it really is a major part of the camp and not recommended to miss.

Badges that you might earn: 
(Please note that earning any badge depends on the participants level of skill and commitment as well as camp specific circumstances)

• Wilderness Skills 2 

• Knife Skills 

• Fire 1 or Fire Tender 

• Wild Edibles 1

In addition to our core curriculum, Wilderness Skills 1 & 2 may include:

• Wilderness safety and competency

• Wilderness Survival Skills

• Attainment of badges from our badge system

• Carving

• Shelter building

• Camping confidence

• Scout games

• and more…

Available sessions

Wilderness Skills Levels 1 & 2 - San Rafael
This four day summer day-camp includes one overnight campout

Ages: 9-12 or 13-15
Location: China Camp State Park, San Rafael
Times: This four day camp starts with a 9am-3pm schedule Mon & Tue, then continues with an overnight campout 9am Wed - 3pm Thurs.

Scholarships are available.  Contact us for more information. Find answers to common questions.

If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.

What if the session I want is full?: Join the waitlist! Sometimes we’re able to expand capacity (and sometimes people cancel). If your spot in the waitlist opens, you’ll receive an email and then have a limited time reserved to register.

WILDERNESS SKILLS LEVEL 1 • HIGHLY ENCOURAGED PREREQUISITE DETAILS:
Ideally your camper has completed at least one Vilda summer camp or school year program, or comparable experience from elsewhere prior to the start date of your Wilderness Skills camp. However, we can accomodate first timers in our Level 1 Wilderness Skills programs.

WILDERNESS SKILLS LEVEL 2 • PREREQUISITE DETAILS:
This is a next level program. By signing up you are confirming that your camper has or will have completed one of the following: Wilderness Skills 1, two weeks of camp with us, a year of our school year programs, or a comparable experience.