Jr. Tracker & Wilderness Exploration Summer Camps
Jr. Tracker Camps are week-long day camps at Amethyst Retreat Center’s 144-acre facility for children, ages 10-17. During these exciting programs, children and teens enjoy hands-on experiences, learning wilderness survival skills from highly qualified instructors, while being fully immersed in nature. Level I is an introductory course. Level II is an advanced course that will build upon the skills learned in Level I. Watch the video above to see some of the fun activities we shared in 2023.
Course Description:
Through the four pillars of survival - Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food - our ancestors were able to not only survive, but to thrive in nature. 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 long-term projects. Skills covered may include friction fire, primitive shelter building, natural fiber and cordage making, nature movement and observation, tracking, traps, stone tools, basket making, camouflage, bird language, and wild edibles, based on weather and 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.
Location:
The Main House at Amethyst Retreat Center (44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon, PA 17020)
Dates (Rain or Shine):
WEEK 1 July 29-August 2, 2024
WEEK 2 August 5-August 9, 2024
Time:
9:00AM – 4:00PM on each date
Before- and After-Care available for an additional cost (See FAQs below.)
Tuition:
$265 per student, per week; 10% disc. with early registration by 3/15/24
or if registering more than 1 child
Fire Making
Animal Print Molds
To Register:
Fill Out the Registration Form and (if applicable, also the Medical form) below. (You can fill out the registration and submit it online below or print a copy and mail/email it in. Please print, fill out, and mail/email in any medical forms.) At the time of your registration submission, please also submit full payment or your registration will not be considered complete and your spot will not be held.
Checkout on our online store to make your payment or personal checks and money orders can be mailed to Natalie Manchorov, 71 Hardot Road, Dauphin, PA 17018, and made out to Amethyst Foundation.
Pre-registration is required.
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 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 the Main House at Amethyst Retreat Center: 44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon PA. It's 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
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 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 further. In certain circumstances, a child may qualify.
My child would like to join but is only available to take the Level 2 camp. Is that an option?
Much of what we do in Level 2 is predicated upon what we have learned in Level 1. If a child joins Level 2 and has not previously taken Level 1, they will have missed out on much of the outdoor-living-skills teachings. It is possible they may feel a little lost. However, we will do our best to bring your child up to speed as best as possible. So, yes, they may take Level 2 only, but please know they may miss out on learning some key skills.
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 July 1st 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(s), 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?
Payment in full is due at the time of registration. All major credit cards and Paypal are accepted through our website. 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.
Do you offer scholarships?
Please contact us about Scholarship availability, as this varies from year to year, based upon sponsorships and grants.
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 at NManchorova@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 needed, 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’s 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, and 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.
