Junior Tracker & Wilderness Exploration Summer Camps
Junior Tracker camp is a week-long day camp that is being offered this summer at Amethyst Retreat Center’s 144-acre facility to children, ages 10-17. During this exciting program, children and teens will get lots of hands-on experience, learning outdoor living and survival skills from highly qualified instructors, while being fully immersed in nature.
Course Description:
Over the course of the week, students will learn the skills of living in and with nature through hands-on exercises, demonstrations, playing games, and a long-term project. Skills covered may include friction fire, primitive-shelter building, cordage making, nature movement and observation, tracking, making traps, crafting stone tools, harvesting clay to then create pottery, basket making, camouflage, bird language, and wild edibles, based on weather and the group’s desires. In addition, this program is designed to teach students the importance of independence, awareness, teamwork, communication, and the beauty of living close to nature. Healthy, light snacks and refreshments are provided. To provide the best learning experience, this course is limited to a maximum of 18 students. Pre-registration is required.
Note: Our FAQs are at the bottom of the page.
Location:
Amethyst Retreat Center (44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon, PA 17020)
Dates (Rain or Shine):
July 27-August 7
Time:
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Before- and After-Care available for an additional cost (See FAQs below.)
Tuition:
$275 (10% discount by 3/31/2026 or if registering more than one child)
Instructor Qualifications:
Zach Fisher grew up in the woods and on the beaches of Northern California. His pursuit of art and music brought him to the East Coast and eventually to the Tom Brown Jr Tracker School, which he considers to be the beginning of the education he was always looking for. He began teaching in 2011 and has since worked for several NY-based earth-skills programs. Zach is co-founder of Earth Living Skills. He also leads guided tours for children and adults with Discover Outdoors into the state parks of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. His goal as a teacher, and as a student, is to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world in the spirit of discovery and the maximizing of our human potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I drop off and pick up my child?
Children are to be dropped off and picked up at Amethyst Retreat Center’s farmhouse at 44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon. It is located a few hundred yards from the main entrance. Please call or text Natalie if you are lost or are running behind schedule-717.979.4147. Make sure you sign your child in and out each day.
What does my child need to bring?
Bag lunch and drink, labeled with your child’s name
Registration form, if not previously submitted
Sun screen and/or tick spray, if desired
Closed-toe shoes
Any medications, clearly labeled with your child’s name, along with necessary medication administration form
Notebook and pen/pencil
Water shoes
Change of clothes that can get dirty, preferably neutral colors
Towel that can get dirty
Bandana
Fixed-blade, non-serrated carving knife (MoraKnif is a great, inexpensive option.)
Does Amethyst Retreat Center offer early drop-off and late pick-up?
Amethyst does offer before and after child care. Early drop-off is available from 8:00 AM for an additional flat fee of $15 for the week. Late pick-up is available until 5:00 PM for an additional flat fee of $15 for the week.
My child is not quite 10 years old yet? Can he/she still participate?
Please contact Natalie at 717.979.4147 to discuss this. In certain circumstances, a child may qualify.
What is your refund policy?
The camp tuition includes a non-refundable fee of $50 for participants, up to four weeks prior to the first day of the program. Because of costs associated with staffing, all cancellations after June 30th will result in a loss of the entire amount paid. However, if we are able to fill your child’s spot with another student on the waiting list, Amethyst Retreat Center will refund your tuition, less $50. In the event that Amethyst must cancel the camp, whether due to e.g. Covid mandate or any other unforeseen circumstances, you will be refunded the full cost of tuition and any before/after care fees.
What forms of payment do you accept?
All major credit cards and Paypal are accepted through our website at AmethystRetreatCenter.org. Be sure to note your child’s name in the Comments box. Personal checks and money orders can be mailed to Natalie Manchorov, 71 Hardot Road, Dauphin, PA 17018, and made out to Amethyst Foundation.
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.Do you offer scholarships?
Please contact us about Scholarship availability, as this varies from year to year, based upon sponsorships and grants received.
My child is unable to attend a portion of the camp. Am I able to receive a refund for the day(s) missed?
As a non-profit, Amethyst Retreat Center allocates the funds paid for your child’s registration far in advance for the materials and instructors needed for your child’s camp experience. Due to this, Amethyst Retreat Center is unable to prorate the cost of camp for the days your child will not be in attendance.
My child really would like to participate. What if the program is already full?
Please contact us attheNManchorova@yahoo.com so that we can put your child on a waiting list. If we receive notice of a student cancellation, our coordinator will call or email parents of the children on the waitlist in order of registration date. Once you are contacted, a response within 3 days is required to secure your child’s spot, along with full payment, before the next child on the waitlist will be offered the spot.
Is this a physically demanding camp?
Yes, this can be a physically demanding program for the children at times. Your child will be able to enjoy the camp so much more if they are fully rested and come to camp having eaten a hearty breakfast. Please know that plenty of breaks are offered, and children are encouraged throughout the day to drink water.
What is your cell phone and/or technology policy?
We ask that students keep their technological gadgets away (phones, tablets, computers, video games, etc.) during the daily program, unless it is to contact a parent/designated guardian during breaks and/or in the event of an emergency. We have found technology has become a distraction from the intent of the program, which is to be present with the teachings of the week, including the slow and subtle connection that is made by spending extended time in the outdoors.
What if there is inclement weather?
Our camps are held outdoors. We provide a large, open-air pavilion to protect children and staff from direct sunlight and rain. In the event of thunderstorms, high winds, and/or overly high temperatures, we can move, indoors into the air conditioning. We also provide sprinklers, wet slide, ice-filled bandanas, chilled fruit and/or homemade ice cream to keep everyone cool.
Other questions?
Please contact us at NManchorova@yahoo.com or call Natalie Manchorov, coordinator, at 717.979.4147, who will be happy to help.
