9-day
Kargus Wilderness Program
Open to 11 – 17 year olds, co-ed. Parents, agencies, and schools
can register teens for this program. Please contact WSC for application
form(s).
Fee: $1,495.00
Goals/Objectives/Pre-Amble
Send your teenage son/daughter to a unique “Youth at Risk, Drug
Prevention, Intervention” camp program.
Through very challenging nature-based activities, they will become
re-attached to nature, build confidence and self-esteem, accumulate
hands-on skills, learn how to lead, experience team-building, ……
and learn how to survive in the wilds, so they may have a better chance
to survive in this wild civilized world!
Participants will live for 3 days in a pioneer, off-the-grid rustic
wilderness cabin, participating in all daily chores. During these
first days, they will train in wilderness and survival skills, and
prepare for a 3-day backcountry backpacking trip, a 2-day primitive
survival experience, and a final vision-quest simulation.
Itinerary
Orientation Meeting/Package:
Participants will attend a pre-camp orientation session, where the
goals/objectives and itinerary of the program will be discussed in
detail.
At the orientation, campers will receive a program handout package
containing all trip logistics, eg., gear/clothing/footwear, where
to meet, transportation etc., medical waiver forms, and the survival
skills manual. In addition, the important activity of keeping a daily
journal will be highlighted.
Day #1 – 3: PHASE-1 PIONEER OFF-THE GRID
LIFESTYLE
Arrive at the Kargus Lake Wilderness Retreat, settle in to cabin(s),
opening circle and orientation re: 3 days learning survival skills
and living the pioneer off-the-grid lifestyle.
During this phase, campers will practise wilderness survival skills,
map & compass/GPS navigation, nature lore, pioneer cabin skills,
and participate in team challenge events.
Each day, campers will go hiking and swimming at First Kargus Lake.
Day #4 – 6: PHASE-2 BACKPACKING INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY
Participants will attend a backpacking-101 workshop, preparing them
for the 3-day backpacking trip to Kargus Mountain and beyond into
the backcountry!
Campers will carry their own expedition gear, set up a camp with tents
and tarps each night, and learn how to cook their meals over a campstove
and open fire.
The group will navigate using topographical maps, compass, and global
positioning system. In addition, they will learn how to navigate using
the sun-dial and watch methods utilized by peoples of the past.
Each evening, a campfire circle will give participants an opportunity
to explore their life goals and aspirations, and to reveal where they
fit into this wild world we all live in!
Day #7 – 8: PHASE-3 SURVIVAL SIMULATION
Campers will spend the next 2 days surviving in a remote location
near Second Kargus Lake, without tents, sleeping bags, and with limited
food rations (flour, soup, granola).
Working in teams, they will construct primitive a-frame and lean-to
shelters, build fire with flint and steel and by firebow methods (friction),
gather edible wild foods, and construct primitive tools (birchbark
baskets, spruce root ropes, pine sap glue sticks, figure-4 traps).
The evening campfire will allow campers the opportunity to reflect
on the struggles of the peoples of the past, eg., pioneers, voyageurs,
native peoples, and early explorers, versus our present day high-tech
lifestyle!
Day #9: PHASE-4 SURVIVAL VISION-QUEST
Campers will hike to their solo vision-quest survival site, where
they will survive the last night in solitude ... trying to make sense
of the world we live in, and what it takes to compete and succeed
in it!!
Post-program certificates, follow up, other programs are discussed
at a follow up meeting and slideshow of the camp.