The Wolves joined the Chuckwallas on Monday at Norski for some fort building fun and everyone learned how to make fire with a bow drill from Ezra. Throughout the week we incorporated wilderness skills, such as the 5 W’s, what to do if you get lost and what to bring on a hike. On Tuesday, we headed further down the trail to continue work on forts we had stared the previous week. The tent caterpillars were back and the kids had fun making hotels for them. Wednesday morning we were surprised by the sprinklers at Alto Park, but the campers had fun running through them.  We spent the day at the Ski Basin exploring Easy Street without much snow on it ~ well, there were still a few small patches to play with! The week wrapped up with a trip to Deer Creek, where the water and shade provided a welcome relief from the summer’s heat. Page shared lots about the uses of plants that we saw along the trail.

At Deer Creek the Chuckwallas made it past the 5th pool, (which is an adventure on it’s own)! Yet again we witnessed the same determination, teamwork and effort as the kids took the lead in making it past the third pool. The mission took planning, innovation, inner strength, and trust. Every single camper accepted the challenge and conquered it.

Camper quote, at Deer Creek, by Melia: “After this I will be one step closer to enlightenment.”

Overall, it was a fantastic week!

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Our two weeks of Forts & Forests at Mountain Kids! was an incredible journey of exploring, engineering, team building, and discovering all of our individual capabilities. Along the way we learned and practiced important survival skills such as finding the directions, making shelter for different scenarios, watching for/ understanding weather and wilderness safety, signaling for help, and starting a fire without matches by hand/bow drill.

I am beyond impressed with the Mountain Kids!  The maturity, thoughtfulness, respect, and unique skills/talents of each camper has really shown through; allowing us to accomplish and discover some really amazing things in nature. ~  Morgan, affectionately known as “Morgie”

Below, I caught up with the Chuckwallas at the Big T to grab a portrait for each camper and some group shots, and Morgan and Ezra shared some action shots for the blog. Enjoy! ~ Katie

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I also got to hang out for our end of day Circle time, which was so sweet. I love to hear what the kids have to say about the week and what they learned.  You can see that they bring a good amount of humor and also pride when they are speaking to the group.  I love to witness the growth happening each week at camp. ~ Katie

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Ezra teaching fire making with a hand drill

Mud henna tattoos!

We started our week at the Beaver Ponds – creating forts in the existing thickets and playing Eagle Eye. Learning how and where to find shelter, without having to create something is an important skill. The Wolves noticed an abundance of Horse Tail and we talked about why we never over harvest anything even if it looks cool or is good for us. Much was explored by all in this new terrain that seemed so varied along the trail from dry to wet to dry again. On Tuesday we really got into building, and learning about shelters at the Norski trail. Some of the Wolves made little fairy houses and noticed the lichen and moss on the rocks and trees.  All the Mountain Kids!, big a small, worked together to create some amazing forts!  On Wednesday we went to the Big Tesuque where we hiked up to a meadow, explored a huge fort and played some games. The wolves played in a gorgeous bank area where the water was so fresh and clean that Rebecca taught them all how to filter it! Page made fairy crowns for some of the Wolves out of the abundance of wild dandelion blossoms. There was an area covered with so, so many butterflies it was astounding –  some of the Wolves sat with Page and noticed how they danced upon the flowers.  Thursday we went to the Little Tesuque Creek where everyone enjoyed the wild nature all around. The wolves had a sit spot and listened to a story while the Chuckwallas really extended their limbs and explored the canyon in their own way.  Overall, it was a wonderful week of fort building and fun in the mountains, and playing with snails, art making and games at Alto Park!

Enjoy the photos of the Wolves below, including a portrait of each little Wolf!

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Rebecca got some action shots on the trail too:

Three years ago we started doing overnight camping and backpacking trips with campers ages nine and up.

One of my counselors remarked after one overnight: “I want to be involved in all the campouts, as that is when the big learning happens.” It’s true. Having been a part of dozens of campouts with kids, I am always amazed at home many ‘firsts’ we have in each group, and how rich the whole experience is with learning and growth.

Two summers ago, we were camping out in survival shelters that the kids had made during our Wilderness skills week (this year called Forts & Forests). For one of our campers, it was her first time camping. Ever. She was so excited and nervous, arriving that afternoon with a giant smile, and an air mattress to match. We managed to wedge the air mattress into the shelter, and find just enough space for the other girls to create their nests too. We chatted and told silly stories at bedtime, bonding in a way that one only bonds through new and boundary pushing experiences. She slept like a baby through the night, and woke up with a deep love of camping and the outdoors. (She is returning to Santa Fe this summer to do the same camp this year!)

On our two-night backpacking trip last summer, we hiked from Santa Barbara campground, hauling heavy packs and enduring rain and weary muscles, some kids hoping all the work would be “worth it.”

I witnessed the layers of civilization peel away the farther we hiked. After a few miles, the chatter of video games disappeared as the kids attuned to the real world in front of them: birds chattering, the rushing river below, trees spiraling impossibly tall above us, and mountain weather shifting from sun to rain.

The rain was steady for the last hour of our hike. We donned our rain gear, checked in, and forged ahead. We worked together to cross a river and set up tarps to keep the rain off of us while we waited out the storm.

Sure enough, the clouds lifted shortly after our arrival and we were left with a glorious evening surrounded by tall peaks, misty clouds clinging to their flank.

These are the experiences our kids will remember from their childhood. The hardship of wet clothes and heavy packs followed by a beautiful sunset and an evening around the fire turns into a life experience that builds confidence and a belief in their ability to overcome challenges anywhere in life.

At the end of the trip we asked the kids, “What is the ideal amount of time spent in nature for you and your family?” Every single person expressed a desire to spend MORE time in nature. Here’s to more time in nature!!

And yes, the verdict was unanimous that the challenge of hauling heavy packs up the mountain trail was definitely “worth it.”

As Camp Director, the days I get to spend outside with the kids are the best. I have vivid memories of those days, and usually a lot of photos to boot. I wrote down this memory to remind me of all the fun we had last summer, and the future fun waiting for us this summer up in the mountains!

Time with the Hummingbirds (Hummers are 5-6 year olds)

As I approached the group, joyful chattering and squeals of laughter spilled from the trees.

Getting closer I could see a few kids lined up to leap over the river with the help of counselor Keifer. These little Mountain Kids! were building their confidence and dexterity with every leap.

Another small group were busy building a fort, working together to negotiate the best design, location and materials. Some important problem solving skills were at work here! Rebecca supervised the negotiations and construction crew, only intervening when necessary to ensure their safety.

Thomas had a third group clustered around him, listening to one of his magical stories. I love to see how the kids connect with the C.I.T.s. (Counselors in Training), responsible youth who can relate to their tender age.

I had come to make felted rock creatures with the kids. The day before we visited Los Golondrinas to watch a sheep get shorn and picked up some roving (sheep’s wool) to use for projects. Today we would turn this fuzzy mass into imaginative creatures of all shapes and sizes.

After rounding them up with a coyote howl, the kids were eager to get started. We discussed the qualities of a good rock for felting and had another briefing about river safety and buddies. With their buddy and a counselor, they scrambled off to find suitable rocks nearby.

Searching for the perfect rock is an art form, with rocks selected as varied as their personalities: Robin came back with lots of little rocks, while little Theo attempted to haul a giant boulder to the table. Jack brought three smooth, rounded rocks, perfect for medium sized creatures. The kids got to work wrapping, soaping, wetting and rubbing their rocks. Magically, and with some patient work, each rock became a soft rounded object, the kind that feels so good to just hold or keep in your pocket. Some were content with a soft rock, while others went to work gluing on googly eyes to make adorable creatures.

Everyone had worked up an appetite from all of the play and focussed art time, so we settled into a group circle for lunch. We listened to Keifer read a story while we filled our bellies with wholesome food.

After lunch, we hiked a little farther up the trail to a beautiful meadow where we played “Eagle Eye”, a game where most kids hide like mice and one “Eagle” uses all of his/her senses to find the mice while standing still.  We love to provide opportunities for sneaking and hiding, a child-passion that is hard-wired in kids.

Once our play was done, we gathered up in a circle to share our “Story of the Day” before hiking down the mountain and climbing into the adventure van to head back to Santa Fe, dirty, happy and tired.

One-week enrollment is now available! Hooray! I know this will make many of you happy. Go ahead and enroll now!

After School Mountain Biking begins has started. We meet on Wednesdays, 3:45-5:30 at La Tierra trails. Meet our new coach, Ulysses Yarbrough, who is excited to share his passion for mountain biking with your kids. We are also offering kids 10 and older an opportunity to train for La Tierra Torture race, June 3rd. (Sounds fun, right?! 😉 We still have space to join us and get your little ripper onto the trails after school.

Last weeks “Glow Kids” event with Dr. Kardaras was a great success. There were about 200 parents, teachers and kids there to learn more about the effects of too much screen time on kids. While I had some critiques of his presentation, Dr. Kardaras underscored the importance of nature time for kids development. We love to help parents and kids unplug and plug into nature! Sign up for camp now to assure your kids get unplugged this summer!

Lastly, mark your calendars: Mountain Kids offering a free family hike on Sunday, April 30th. We will meet at Fort Marcy at our usual spot (north side parking lot off of Murales) to gather and carpool to our destination. Pack a lunch, snacks, water, sunhat, sunscreen, and dress in layers. More details soon!

As always, please contact me with questions.

Enjoy the snow!

Katie