SUMMER CAMPS
Age groups 7-9, 9-12, 11-13 and 13-15
2024 SUMMER CAMPS
2024 Summer Enrollment is all open now!
What? Summer Camps will be mostly 5-day, Day Camps, with a couple of exceptions (see your desired camp for schedule details). Camps focus on naturalist skills, survival skills, nature connection through projects and play, and outdoor leadership. See each week's info described below.
Where? Parks and public lands in the greater Bend area, Including our Alfalfa Market Road Camp, Tumalo State Park and more! Drop-off locations will vary on some camp weeks! We'll be at the same park or natural area many days of the week, with outing drop-off days one or two of those days. This is primarily because some public lands are better for some of our camp activities than others, and some allow some of our camp activities, while others do not. (ex: Drop-off at Tumalo SP on M-Th, and Drop-off at Alfalfa Mkt Rd location on F). Please review your camp location carefully. For general info on our locations, look here!
When? M-F. Drop-off 8:45-9, Pickup 3-3:15.
Most camps are 5-Day sets of Day Camp experiences, with a few exceptions. See your camp's registration link or description below for schedule details! Any Half-Day Camps are 9am-1pm.
Who? Age ranges are grouped as follows...
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7-9 year olds
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9-12 year olds, including a 9-12 y.o. Girls' Camp week
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11-13 year olds (returning students or students with prior approval)
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13-15 year olds (returning students or students with prior approval)
Please follow age range suggestions for your camp week. Within one year older is allowed with prior approval, understanding the age range and that the camp will be geared mainly towards that age group. We do not accept students younger than the camp's age group.
SEE ALL CAMP WEEK THEMES AND OPTIONS DETAILED BELOW!
CAMP WEEKS
Camp Weeks organized by Date and Theme/Age Group
Archery + Projectiles
9-12 year olds
June 19-21
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
*Now a 3-day camp due to school schedule changes* Students in this camp for 9-12 year olds will have the opportunity to hone their archery skills. We will use our collection of recurve and self bows to learn archery safety, form, etiquette, and precision on a traditional range and a walking range. We will get to know our bows and arrows. We'll also practice some intuitive archery and provide archery challenges on ranges. Depending on student interests, other potential projectile activities include foam archery games, spear and atlatl throwing, rabbit stick competitions and carving, quick bow making, crafting arrowheads from various materials, or making our own arrows, atlatls, or spears. We'll also play sensory nature games, tell stories, and have free outdoor exploration time. $315 Registration opens 1.15.24
Bushcraft: Beyond the Basics NEW!
Returning 11-13 year olds
June 24-28
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
This camp is for returning Nighthawk students (or new folks with approval prior to registration). We are proud to present this new opportunity for returning students and students with some bushcraft experience to level-up their skills. This camp will include elements from our survival, naturalist, and projectiles camps (see those camp descriptions for details), leveling up the approach to beyond the introductory level. Students who have been through the how-to's and safety intros of proper tool use, archery range safety and etiquette, and are familiar with the rules, rhythms, and culture of our programs will get the chance to try more advanced survival skills and new techniques with their peers! $315 Registration opens 1.15.24
Naturalist + Survival Camp
9-12 year olds
July 8-12
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ outing days at Tumalo SP
This camp for 9-12 year olds will be focused on learning through focused activities and adventures. We will have the chance to learn the "Rule of 3's" in a survival scenario and practice in a safe and supervised environment. Over the course of the week, we'll learn about shelters, water purification, animal and plant ID, fire safety, carving, archery and spears, making tools, and more! The outline of the week will be based off of the interests of the group and we'll choose survival topics accordingly, with the goal of getting more comfortable on the land, working with each other, listening to the land and crafting useful tools from its bounty. Drop off will be at Alfalfa Market Road Camp M-W, with Th & F at Tumalo SP Day Use Site A $315 Registration opens 1.15.24
Bushcraft + Projectiles Camp
9-12 year olds
July 15-19
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ outing days @Tumalo SP
Students in this camp for 9-12 year olds will have the opportunity to hone their survival skills, naturalist knowledge, and practice some archery as well. This is a hybrid camp, incorporating elements from the Survival & Naturalist Camp and the Archery & Projectiles Camp (See those descriptions for more details). Depending on student interests, potential activities include archery safety and range practice, foam archery games, spear and atlatl throwing, rabbit stick competitions and carving, crafting arrowheads from various materials, making our own projectiles, wood carving projects, tool making, shelter building, nature explorations and games, wild foods, plant explorations, nature games, exploration, and stories. Drop off will be at Alfalfa Market Road Camp M-W with outing days Th & F at Tumalo SP Day Use Area Site A $315 Registration opens 2.9.2024
Girls' Wildcrafting + Team Building Week
9-12 year old girls
July 29 - Aug 2
Tumalo SP w/ Outing Day @ Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
Our mentors will lead this small group of ladies through a week of craft circles, team building activities, and an exploration of finding their strength and peace in nature. On day 1, girls will get to know one another and the land through team-building games. Monday, they'll also plan what activities and projects they'll practice this week, with choices including basket circles, navigation challenges, plant medicine making, felting, tracking adventures, weaving, edible plant explorations, hikes, team building days and more. We'll also spend time throughout the week planning our team celebration for Friday. Objectives for this week are empowering one another to express ourselves freely, learning our team's strengths and supporting one another, and finding comfort in connection to the land and building skills that help us relate to nature. Drop off will be at Tumalo SP Day Use Area B on M, T, W & F, with one outing day on Thursday with Drop Off at Alfalfa Market Road Camp $315 Registration opens 2.9.2024
Nature Connection Day Camp Weeks
7-9 year olds
August 5-9
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July 29- Aug 2 HALF DAY Week
Tumalo SP w/ Outing Day @ Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
This camp for 7-9 year olds will be focused on connection to nature through play and projects. Each day, we'll focus on a different skill, activity, hike, or adventure, based off of what students choose to focus on from day 1. Students will take home a completed craft by the end of the week and a ton of new knowledge gained through sensory activities and play. We will learn new skills together and get comfortable with our other-than-human neighbors throughout the week! Friday, we'll end the week with a group celebration. Drop off will be at Tumalo SP Day Use Area B M-Th with one Drop Off outing day Friday at Alfalfa Market Road Camp. $315 Registration opens 2.9.2024
NEW HALF DAY WEEK ALSO AVAILABLE : One small trail group only. July 29- August 2. 9am-1pm. Drop off will be at Tumalo SP Day Use Area B on M, T, W & F, with one outing day on Thursday with Drop Off at Alfalfa Market Road Camp $250 Registration opens 2.9.2024
Advanced Bushcraft NEW!
Returning 13-15 Year Olds
August 14-15
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
This camp is for returning Nighthawk students (or new folks with approval prior to registration). We are proud to present this new opportunity for returning students and students with some bushcraft experience to level-up their skills. This camp will include elements from our survival, naturalist, and projectiles camps (see those camp descriptions for details), leveling up the approach to include adventure elements and more advanced bushcraft skills chosen by our group, like tanning, bowcraft, navigation challenges, wilderness first aid, survival challenges and more. This is ideal for students who have done our Teen Immersion, Teen Volunteers, or who have done prior summer camps but have aged out of them. For new to Nighthawk, but experienced,13-year-old students, we recommend the Bushcraft: Beyond the Basics camp instead of this one. $140 Registration opens 1.15.24
Forest Crafternoons!
Wildcrafting Camp
9-12 year olds
August 19-22 (4 Days)
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ Outing Days at Tumalo SP
Not your average "craft" camp! This camp for 9-12 year olds will be focused on learning naturalist and survival skills through focused activities, adventures, and crafts. Our goals will be getting more comfortable with the land, working with each other, listening to the land and making useful crafts from its bounty! We'll plan at least 3 different craft projects for the week, or one big week-long craft project, depending on students' interests! We'll also have a learning topic each day, based off students' interests. Topic options include: "Rule of 3's" in a survival scenario, shelters, water purification, animal and plant ID, fire safety, carving, archery and spears, making tools from stone and bone, plant potions and teas, baskets, and more! Drop off will be at Alfalfa Market Road Camp with outing days at Tumalo SP Day Use Area. $290 Registration opens 2.9.2024
REGISTRATION
ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN 2.9.2024
Pro Tip: If our site is open in multiple tabs on your browser, registration glitches WILL occur!
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Contact info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com for partial subsidy info for veterans, tribe members, and those with financial need
. *Details on location, waivers, and what to bring will be sent to parents via email within the weeks before your camp*
FAQ
What do students bring to camp?
Fill waivers well before camp please!!
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Day Pack
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Full Water Bottle
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Lunch and snacks
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Hand sanitizer
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Wear weather-appropriate clothing
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Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, etc)
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Wear close-toed shoes
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Bring separate water shoes with a heel strap
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Students may bring a carving knife, let instructor know if they have one (optional)
Smoke and Weather Policies?
Age Exceptions? Teacher: Student Ratio?
Summer camps will host 10 students max per week with a 5:1 Student:Teacher ratio at least at all times.
Please follow the age ranges for your chosen camp. We do not allow younger than the age range into our camps. With prior approval, one year older may join with understanding that the camp is at the age group level as listed. If you register a student out of the age range without prior approval, we may cancel your booking.
How are these camps unique?
Education. Small groups. Ancestral technologies.
We are a small organization who places the utmost importance on an educational experience through hands-on experience, play, and exploration. If students are keen on learning skills and are passionate about learning more about their natural surroundings, this is the camp for them!
Our camps will consist of only one or two small trail groups per week. We believe small groups provide for an enhanced sense of awareness and community and allows us to better tailor camps to the needs and interests of the students and their families.
We are passionate about teaching and learning the ancestral technologies to which we all owe our humanness.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please understand that our programs are small groups and we invest a lot of our resources into outreach to fill them. When you sign up, you and the rest of those who are registered become the specific group of people to which our instructors tailor the program, including group size and specific needs. If you aren't sure you can attend your program, please wait to sign up until you know you are able! Please refrain from registering with the prior intent to switch enrollment to other courses, cancel later, etc.
Before signing up for a program, please know that refunds are not typical.
Are you a wilderness therapy organization?
No. Many people find experiences in nature to be therapeutic or transformative. However, our programs are not designed to address or rectify behavior, any physical or medical ailment, or emotional issues. We do not discriminate against protected classes or individuals. If, given reasonable modifications and accommodations, participants repetitively violate Nighthawk's safety rules, alternative options, including removal from the program, may need to be discussed. Please see this page for our community rules and agreements.
Questions? Waitlist Request? Email list request?
For waitlist requests, please enter: Student Name and DOB, as well as the camp week DATES you're requesting!
To join the email list, simply fill this form!
We'll be in touch soon to answer any questions you have.