SUMMER CAMPS
Age groups 7-9, 9-12, 12-14, and 13-15
2023 SUMMER CAMPS
See 2023 Options Below. 2024 Summer Enrollment coming Winter 2023-24.
What? Summer Camps will be mostly 5-day, Day Camps, with one 3-day Outing Day Camp, one 4-day Craft Day Camp, and one Teen Backpacking Camp that includes an overnight trip. Camps focus on naturalist skills, survival skills, nature connection through projects and play, and outdoor leadership. See each week's info described below or Click on the registration links on individual camp weeks to learn more about specific camps!
What makes Nighthawk Camps unique? Small groups. Education. Community. We are a small organization who places the utmost importance on an educational experience. Yes, there will be play, fun, games, and activities along the way, but lifelong learning is our priority. So, if kids are keen on learning skills and are passionate about learning more about their natural surroundings, this is the camp for them! In addition, our camps will consist of only one or two small trail groups per week, with a 1:5 teacher: student ratio at all times. This is different from many Camps who run weeks with hundreds of kids, all split into 14-student trail groups. We believe small groups provide for an enhanced sense of awareness and community in kids. It also allows us to better tailor camps to the needs and interests of the students and families in attendance.
Where? Parks and public lands in the greater Bend area. Camp locations include Tumalo State Park, our permitted Bureau of Land Management tract off of Alfalfa Market Road (about 7 minutes' drive East of Costco), and some camps shuttle students by van to local Forest Service locations for day trips. 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,T, W, Th, and Drop-off at Alfalfa Mkt Rd location on F). Please review your camp location carefully. If interested in the Teen Backpacking Week or the Teen Outing Camp, see its' description for location details. For general location info, 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 the exception of the week of July 4th (3-day day camp), the August Forest Crafting Camp (4-day day camp), and the Teen Backpacking Week ( includes 1 overnight).
2023 Options:
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June 19-23: Teen Backpacking and Surthrival (Ages 13-15) Alfalfa Mkt Rd & Transport to overnight location
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June 26-30: Archery and Projectiles (Ages 9-12) Alfalfa Market Rd Camp (FULL)
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July 5-7: Teen Outing Camp (Ages 12-14) Alfalfa Mkt Rd and Transport to 3 Outing Locations
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July 17-21: Naturalist and Survival (Ages 9-12) Alfalfa Mkt Rd & 2 Outing Days @ Tumalo SP (FULL)
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July 24-28: Girls' Nature Crafts and Team Building (Ages 9-12) Alfalfa Mkt Rd & Outing Days @ Tumalo SP
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July 31-August 4: Archery + Projectiles + Survival (Ages 9-12) Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp (FULL)
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August 7-11: Nature Connection Day Camp (Ages 7-9) Tumalo SP & Outing Day @ Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp (FULL)
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August 21-24: Forest Crafternoons! Nature Skills and Crafts (Ages 9-12) Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp & Outing Day @ Tumalo SP (FULL)
Who?
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7-9 year olds (Going into 2nd-4th grades)
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9-12 year olds (Going into 4th-6th grades), including a 9-12 y.o. Girls' Camp week
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12-14 year olds (Middle School)
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13-15 year olds (Middle and High School)
*Please follow age range suggestions for your camp week. We understand that grade ranges may vary for some individuals. We do not typically accept younger students into camp weeks unless they're experienced with our curriculum and have prior approval. Within one year older is allowed, as long as they understand the age range and that the camp will be geared mainly towards that age group. Please reach out to chelsea@nighthawknaturalistschool.com if needed for individual student needs and considerations.
CAMP WEEKS
Objectives and Goals of Camp Weeks organized by Date and Theme/Age Group.
Teen Backpacking and Surthrival Week
13-15 year olds (Middle and High School)
June 19-23
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp and Transport to Backcountry
This week will bring a small group of 13-15 year olds together in community to grow their survival skills, awareness of the world around them, and sense of place in nature and community. The first 3 days will be 9am-3pm at the Alfalfa Market Rd Camp where we'll strengthen our team through games and challenges, as well as learn the ins and outs of backpacking, nature awareness, and backcountry safety. Thursday, we'll rendezvous at camp and van the students out, with all their gear, to our backpacking location and do an overnight backpacking trip. We'll finish the week with celebrations and reflections as a group and wrap on Friday afternoon. Please see more details on this program in its registration link, including locations and a gear list. $435
Archery and Projectiles Week
9-12 year olds (Going into 4th-6th grades) June 26-30
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
Archery + Projectiles + Survival (9-12 y.o.)
July 31-Aug 4
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
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. (FULL)
Due to high demand on the Archery Camp and on the Naturalist & Survival Camp week, the July 31-Aug 4 week of Archery + Projectiles camp will now also combine some elements of the Naturalist & Survival camp week. (FULL) $295
Teen Outing Camp
12-14 year olds (Middle School)
July 5-7 (3 days)
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp and Transport to Outing Locations
This 12-14 y.o. camp will focus on practicing survival skills, in-depth naturalist knowledge, cultivating awareness in nature, team building exercises, and leadership in nature and among peers. Students will experience learning naturalist naturalist and survival topics throughout the 3 days through outings on which they'll hike, play games, and practice outdoor skills. This camp will meet at our Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp each day and students will be shuttled in the Nighthawk van to a different outing location each day. They'll get to visit 3 different ecosystems in our 3 days together. We're stoked to offer this new camp option in 2023! $270
Naturalist and Survival Camp Week
9-12 year olds (Going into 4th-6th grades)
July 17-21
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ outing days at Tumalo SP
This 9-12 year old camp 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 M-W will be at Alfalfa Market Road Camp with two outing drop off days Th-F at Tumalo SP Day Use Site A (FULL) $295
Girls' Nature Crafts and Team Building Week
9-12 year old girls (Going into 4th-6th grades)
July 24-28
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ Outing Days @ Tumalo SP
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 M-Tu will be at Alfalfa Market Rd Camp, W-F at Tumalo State Park Day Use Site B. $295
Nature Connection Day Camp Week
7-9 year olds (Going into 2nd-4th grades)
August 7-11
Tumalo SP w/ Outing Day at Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp
This 7-9 year old Camp 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 State Park Day Use Site B M-Th, and at our Alfalfa Market Rd Camp location Friday. (FULL) $295
Forest Crafternoons!
Crafting and Nature Skills Week
9-12 year olds (Going into 4th-6th grades)
August 21-24
Alfalfa Mkt Rd Camp w/ Outing Day at Tumalo SP
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 most days will be at Alfalfa Market Road Camp with Thursday drop off at Tumalo State Park. (FULL) $255
REGISTRATION
Some space still available!
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Please see options for Summer Camp Weeks below. Note age ranges, dates, and topics. Click an option below to view curriculum details, locations, times and days, overnight trip details (if applicable), and more. Contact info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com for subsidy info. *Details on location, waivers, and what to bring will be sent to parents via email within the weeks before your camp*
July 31-Aug 4. 9-12 year olds. Mon-Fri 9a-3p.Ended 295 US dollars
August 21-24 (4 DAY). 9-12 year olds. 9a-3p.Ended 255 US dollars
FAQS
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
We teach through a style that balances inquiry with giving real information and answers. We teach by a curriculum outline, but we also value flexibility and a level of student-led learning. So, we allow for wiggle room on the topics we cover, the activities we do, and the craft projects we take on with the students. Our curriculum for this program, like all of our programs, even those for adults, dovetail with the seasons. So, we let the weather and seasons guide what we do.
TEACHER: STUDENT RATIOS?
Summer camps will host 10 students max per week with a 5:1 Student:Teacher ratio at least at all times.
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.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
We cannot guarantee any refunds. They are not typical and fully depend on whether that spot can be filled. Credits for future programs are issued when a space can be filled.
If we cancel an entire program, you'll be credited or refunded, situation depending. If we have late start, early pickup, or cancel a day of program due to air quality or weather, we do not offer credit or refund. See all policies here.
Make sure we have a waiver on file for your student by or before the first day of camp and have them come each day prepared with:
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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 outdoor 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)
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Teen Backpacking students see overnight packing list here for overnight trip needs
WHAT DO STUDENTS BRING TO CAMP?
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.
901-486-4734