Trail Blazers
Afternoon & Weekend Outdoor Skills Class
Offered Year-Round | 1.5-Hour Sessions
Trail Blazers is our signature weekend or after-school class for public school kids ages 6–12 who crave outdoor adventure, real-life learning, and the space to build something meaningful — with their own two hands.
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This is more than nature play. It’s skill-based, confidence-building, real-world learning led by expert nature mentors — where kids discover what they’re capable of and have an absolute blast doing it.
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Each month, we focus on a different survival or nature-based skill, taught through hands-on activities, outdoor games, and open-ended exploration.
What Your Child Will Gain?
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A sense of pride in mastering new outdoor skills
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Leadership & teamwork through shared challenges
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Physical confidence through climbing, building, and problem-solving
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Resilience and adaptability from outdoor exposure
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Emotional growth through risk-taking, accomplishment, and nature connection
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The tools to navigate wild spaces — and life — with courage and curiosity
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Who It’s For?
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Families who want more than just recreation — they want meaningful, skill-rich outdoor learning that builds confidence and resilience
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Public, private, or hybrid school students ages 6–12 who crave more time outside and the chance to explore their full potential in nature
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Kids who love to build, climb, create, or just move, and thrive when given space, tools, and trust
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Parents seeking a screen-free, substance-filled weekend or after-school experience
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Children who may not love “organized sports” but shine when given real-world challenges and creative freedom
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Families looking for an educational experience that feels like adventure, but still offers structure, mentorship, and measurable growth
What Makes Trail Blazers Special?
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Real survival & wilderness skills taught in a fun, age-appropriate way
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Designed for public school kids seeking deeper outdoor experiences
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Just the right mix of structure, creativity, and freedom
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Focused monthly themes that build confidence & mastery
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Experienced instructors who know how to keep kids safe, engaged, and empowered
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All-weather adventure — yes, even in the mud or rain
A Typical Class Day
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Arrival & Review – Warm welcome and recap of last month’s skills
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Connection Game – Group movement or nature-based icebreaker
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Skill-Building Session – Hands-on project, challenge, or demonstration
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Nature Walk or Challenge Course – Explore trails or test skills in action
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Unstructured Wild Play – Kids roam, build, climb, and create
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Closing Circle & Story – Reflect, share, and set goals for next time
Monthly Curriculum
Each month in Trail Blazers, your child will take on a new wilderness challenge — designed to stretch their confidence, sharpen their focus, and build practical skills that go far beyond the classroom.
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Here’s what they’ll explore over the course of a full year:
May – Shelter Building
We begin with one of the most empowering survival skills: how to stay warm, dry, and safe in the wild. Kids design and build real shelters using sticks, tarps, and natural materials — learning teamwork, problem-solving, and the power of resourcefulness.
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June – Foraging & Plant Identification
Campers learn to recognize edible and medicinal plants, identify dangerous lookalikes, and make simple nature recipes or teas. It’s an introduction to botany, human history, and the basics of self-reliance — all disguised as hands-on fun.
July – Tracking & Wildlife Awareness
Using paw prints, feathers, and subtle signs, kids become nature detectives. They learn how to slow down, pay attention, and read the landscape — developing focus, patience, and a deeper respect for wild animals and their habitats.
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August – Water Sourcing & Purification
Campers learn where to find water in the wild and how to clean it using filters made from sand, charcoal, and nature-based methods. A lesson in survival and science, it teaches kids to think critically about the resources around them.
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September – Nature Navigation & Map Skills
With compasses, landmarks, and even shadows, kids learn how to navigate the wild. They build their own maps and learn how to orient themselves in unfamiliar environments — boosting spatial awareness, confidence, and independence.
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October – Primitive Skills
We go back to basics with friction fire demos, natural cordage, and ancient tool-making. These skills are deeply satisfying and help kids see their place in a long human lineage of survival, creativity, and resourcefulness.
November – Nature Art & Creations
This is where creativity meets the land. Campers sculpt with clay, craft story stones, design nature installations, and create from what the forest offers — learning to express themselves while honoring the materials and the stories of the land.
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December – Fire Building & Fire Safety
With careful mentorship, kids learn to build and maintain safe fires using a variety of techniques. They also learn fire ethics and responsibility — walking away with a deep respect for the power they’ve just learned to control.
January – Cordage & Knot Tying
Using plant fibers and natural materials, kids learn to make their own rope, lash structures, and tie functional knots. These are tactile, satisfying skills that build coordination, patience, and applied problem-solving.
February – Survival Games & Advanced Tracking
We take everything learned so far and put it into practice through stealth-based team games, camouflage challenges, and wild movement play — encouraging strategic thinking, physical resilience, and quiet leadership.
March – Knife Safety & Whittling
Campers are introduced to safe carving techniques, starting with simple whittling and moving toward more complex tools. They leave with both physical skills and the maturity that comes from handling responsibility with care.
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April – Campfire Cooking Challenge
The grand finale: kids gather everything they’ve learned — fire, tools, foraging, teamwork — to prepare simple meals over a campfire. It’s delicious, confidence-boosting, and deeply memorable.