Youth Wilderness Skills Weekend Apprenticeship
If you answer “yes” to any of the statements below, then you’re probably just in time:
My child would rather sleep under a tree than in his own bed at night!
She is constantly crafting tools and sneaking around the house to spook the cat!
They can’t stop reading books about birds, deer, snakes, and wild cats.
When I’m sick, my kid recommends plants that might help me feel better.
Warning: your child may enact one of the above scenarios after joining our apprenticeship. It’s just that much fun out here …
What is Wilderness Living and Why Should my Child learn about this?
Wilderness living skills encompass a wide range of knowledge and practices aimed at thriving in natural environments using only basic tools and resources. These skills include fire making, shelter building, plant identification, primitive hunting techniques, and more. It is crucial for children to learn wilderness living skills as it helps them develop resiliency, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper connection to nature. These skills instill confidence and self-reliance while fostering an appreciation for the outdoors and sustainable living practices.
At Rainwalk Rewild, we offer a weekend apprenticeship program for youth to immerse themselves in the world of primitive technology and wilderness living. Throughout the day on our 80-acre property, experienced mentors guide students in project-based learning, challenges, and games focused on developing hands-on skills and resiliency. Our curriculum covers a wide array of essential wilderness living skills, including fire making, water purification, knife safety and carving techniques, primitive hunting strategies, plant identification, camp cooking, shelter-building, and navigation. Students spend one full day each month learning in the forest, engaging with nature, and honing their abilities in all weather conditions.
By learning wilderness living skills at a young age in a supportive and immersive environment, children cultivate not just practical capabilities, but also a profound respect for the natural world. These skills empower them to navigate challenges, appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, and develop a lifelong connection to the earth.
Learning Objectives
Our program is carefully designed to cover various aspects of wilderness living, including carving, fire-making techniques, shelter building, foraging, and navigation skills. Through engaging science-based lessons, epic challenges, and cumulative projects, your child will develop problem-solving abilities, enhance their creativity, and build resilience while learning the basics of primitive skills.
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Our program emphasizes hands-on learning by working on cumulative projects and goals, ensuring that your child actively participates in each lesson and develops practical skills. Some of our projects include carving spoons, crafting atlatls, pit cooking, basket weaving, and more.
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Your child will be guided by experienced mentors who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in outdoor education, natural science, and ancestral skills as well as eco-psychology, rites of passage, and herbal medicine.
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Every project a student works on is based on something made from or by humans in nature. Thus, we provide a unique opportunity for students to establish a deep and meaningful connection with the natural world, fostering environmental stewardship and appreciation.
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Through individual and team-building challenges and projects, your child will develop essential life skills such as resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.
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By crafting tools and art spanning the stone age to present times, students will gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and their historical practices.
We prioritize safety, respect, quality education, and true mentorship at Rainwalk Rewild. Learn more by reading our Program Values and Expectations.
Why Choose Rainwalk Rewild?
We believe that the natural world holds invaluable wisdom and lessons that can shape the lives of young adventurers. Our weekly sessions offer a unique opportunity for parents to empower their children with essential primitive technology and wilderness living skills. Through a hands-on approach, our program encourages children to actively engage with the natural environment, fostering their resilience and problem-solving abilities. With a focus on interactive projects and challenges, we provide an immersive and dynamic learning experience, where kids can discover the beauty and intricacies of nature firsthand.
2024-2025 Youth Wilderness Skills Weekend Apprenticeship
Youth Apprenticeship
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Our youth weekend apprenticeship is designed for students who are ages 9 - 12 as of the Fall semester in 2024. If your child is on the cusp (8 - 13) and is a perfect fit for this program, Contact Us.
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9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Each program day includes 2.5-3 hours of instruction and guided project time, 45-60 minutes of constructive breaks, and 30 minutes for interactive pickup and drop off.
Program Dates:
October 12
November 9
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 18 (3rd Saturday instead of 2nd due to Mother’s Day weekend)
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Our HomeSkills programs are located at an 80-acre private property just 10 minutes south of Mount Vernon proper or 20 minutes north of Arlington.
Program Deposit: $100 to secure your spot
Program Cost Before July 31: $545
Program Cost After July 31: $595
After filling out the pre-registration form, please check out in the cart to complete your deposit payment.
See a Sample Schedule (Subject to change):
9:00 - 9:30 AM| Check-in
9:30 - 10:15 PM | Morning circle
10:15 - 10:30 PM | Snack + Story
10:30 - 12:00 PM | Archery lesson + Practice
12:00 - 12:30 PM | Lunch + Story
12:30 - 12:45 PM | Independent study
12:45 - 1:00 PM | Shelter building lesson
1:00 - 1:45 PM | Shelter building challenge
1:45 - 2:00 PM | Story of the day
2:00 - 2:30 PM | End of day circle + Games
2:30 - 3:00 PM | Check out
Teen Apprenticeship
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Our youth weekend apprenticeship is designed for students who are ages 13 - 15 as of the Fall semester in 2024. If your child is 16 or 17, we might consider a leadership role in one of our youth programs. If your child might be interested in outdoor education leadership, Contact Us.
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9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Each program day includes 5 hours of instruction and guided project time, 60 minutes of constructive breaks, and 30 minutes for interactive pickup and drop off.
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Each program day includes 2.5-3 hours of instruction and guided project time, 45-60 minutes of constructive breaks, and 30 minutes for interactive pickup and drop off.
Program Dates:
October 13
November 10
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
May 19 (3rd Saturday instead of 2nd due to Mother’s Day weekend)
-
Our HomeSkills programs are located at an 80-acre private property just 10 minutes south of Mount Vernon proper or 20 minutes north of Arlington.
Program Deposit: $100 to secure your spot
Program Cost Before July 31: $545
Program Cost After July 31: $595
After filling out the pre-registration form, please check out in the cart to complete your deposit payment.
See a Sample Schedule (Subject to change):
9:00 - 9:30 AM| Check-in
9:30 - 10:15 PM | Morning circle
10:15 - 10:30 PM | Snack + Story
10:30 - 12:00 PM | Carving lesson + Practice
12:00 - 12:30 PM | Lunch + Story
12:30 - 12:45 PM | Independent study
12:45 - 1:00 PM | Friction fire lesson
1:00 - 1:45 PM | Friction fire practice
1:45 - 2:00 PM | Story of the day
2:00 - 2:30 PM | End of day circle + Games
2:30 - 3:00 PM | Check out
Are you Looking for Weekday Youth Programs?
We also offer a weekly homeschool enrichment program for school-aged children and teens. If you would be interested in learning more about our weekday options for youth outdoor education, please visit our Wilderness HomeSkills page.
Register Now to secure your spot!
Don't let your child miss out on this incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in wilderness living and primitive technology. Enroll them in Rainwalk Rewild's Wilderness HomeSkills program and watch as they unleash their creativity and gain practical skills that will last a lifetime. By paying the $200 deposit, you are securing a place for your child until the program begins in April.
Here's how the registration** process works:
Click “Register Now” and fill out the pre-registration form. This will add the deposit to your cart (one is required for each individual child per program). Then you can check out to complete your payment.
After the initial deposit payment, you'll receive additional program registration forms and liability waivers to complete for each child. Complete these forms and return them to us promptly.
A tuition payment link will be sent 14-30 days before the program begins. Tuition must be paid in full before the start of the program. *If you need payment assistance in the form of scholarships or payment plans, please describe your needs during registration or Contact Us.
Enjoy discounts for early registration and for referring friends and family:
Referral bonuses: You and your referral each receive a $20 discount on your purchase.
**Please visit our Policies page for refund and program policy information.