A key aspect of our learning approach is the importance of learning from our immediate community. In our summer camp programs, we create small groups called “clans,” averaging 9 to 11 students per paid staff, supported by additional volunteers.Cognitive form of learning because of this tight ratio, each instructor can personalize and customize our curriculum to the skill level of each student. This enables students to learn at their own pace.Cognitive form of learning all courses emphasize in-depth, experience-based learning, which means from the moment a student enters our camp the experience is hands-on.Cognitive form of learning we challenge and guide our students, encouraging them to take healthy risks that they are ready for. What kids learn at the wilderness awareness school

cognitive form of learning

The wilderness awareness school is focused on helping kids develop an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, connecting with other students, and growing their self-awareness and self-appreciation.Cognitive form of learning over the course of their week at camp, your child will have fun, explore the world around them, and learn from our nature-based curriculum, including age-appropriate activities on topics such as: hazards & wilderness basics things that could be harmful to us and others, and what we need to do to avoid or resolve issues once they happen wildlife tracking & mammals who lives here, and what we can tell about their lives from their tracks and sign even if we don't see them directly edible, medicinal, & poisonous plant identification how to identify a plant using sketches, field marks, and field guides, and which ones have poisonous look-alikes in our area ecology & natural communities the cycles and relationships that make up the rhythm of the natural world and what we can learn from them survival & trees how to select and use trees for shelter, food, tools and fire birds & bird language what we can learn from birds that will help us stay safe from predators and locate animals that pass nearby

cognitive form of learning

Developing new nature skills, exploring the wild, having fun, and creating adventures that become lifetime memories are only a part of what your child will learn during his or her week with wilderness awareness school.Cognitive form of learning we also focus on helping campers build skills that will serve them for a lifetime, weaving the development of tangible and intangible personal and interpersonal skills into each and every activity.Cognitive form of learning through activities such as patiently waiting to approach wildlife, or working together to build a group shelter, campers develop skills in:

cognitive form of learning

Of course, each camp program—and camper who participates in them—is different, and so are the set of skills and knowledge they bring home as a result of their experience.Cognitive form of learning in addition, the week's curriculum will shift opportunistically, taking advantage of the interests of the group, the weather, the particular park or environment in which the program takes place, the animals, and other less predictable learning moments in nature.Cognitive form of learning we have had kids repeat our nature adventure camp for every week of summer and they learned something new each time! Our commitment to safety

cognitive form of learning

We are on a learning journey regarding our role in raising awareness and implementing best practices regarding equity, diversity and inclusion.Cognitive form of learning challenges that arise at our programs and in our organization will be resolved to the best of our ability; we are committed to providing a responsive environment.Cognitive form of learning we cannot promise to do this perfectly, but we are willing to engage and always continue learning.

We value respect for the whole human family in its wide diversity.Cognitive form of learning this includes the uniqueness we bring into community as influenced by our nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, spirituality, sexual orientation, body shape or size, economic status, or physical ability.Cognitive form of learning as we move towards widening the circle of accessibility in nature connection, we recognize that at this time, our programs do not accommodate all physical, emotional or cognitive needs.Cognitive form of learning

The wilderness awareness school hires only experienced, uniquely trained adults, thoroughly grounded in both wilderness and community-building skills.Cognitive form of learning most of our lead summer camp staff members are graduates of our intensive year-long nature and survival course, anake outdoor school, and many graduated from our second year program, anake leadership program.Cognitive form of learning all of our camp directors were, at one time, camp instructors at the wilderness awareness school.

Not only is our staff experienced and enthusiastic about connecting kids with nature, they are also committed to the wilderness awareness school.Cognitive form of learning we are proud that most of our camp staff return year after year. As a result, they are very familiar with our camp programs, helping to ensure a consistent and high quality experience for campers.Cognitive form of learning

Perhaps most importantly, developing high quality youth programs isn't a part-time job for our summer camp leaders. Our commitment to giving a great nature experience to youth is a year-round mission for us.Cognitive form of learning while most other camps are taking a break at the end of the summer, we continue to train our staff and volunteers throughout the year, engaging kids all over the puget sound area in programs that allow summer nature adventures never to end!Cognitive form of learning one benefit to our year round approach is that we can attract and retain the region's leading outdoor educators on staff. For information about our school year programs, click here.Cognitive form of learning

While we hire a staff of experienced adult instructors to lead our summer camp programs, we also have volunteer opportunities available for adults and youth.Cognitive form of learning as with our staff, we carefully select our volunteer leaders for their wilderness, survival and nature skills, leadership and communications skills, and ability to work with youth.Cognitive form of learning volunteer assistant instructors play an important role and receive excellent training and experience. We are always looking for volunteers, age 13 years old through adults, who are enthusiastic about sharing appreciation of nature with youth and want to learn more about mentoring.Cognitive form of learning for more information, click here. Meet the summer camp leadership team

Heather is the main "director of traffic" for wilderness awareness school.Cognitive form of learning she helps point people in the right direction to register for a program, get the correct information from the website, or answer any clarifying questions about programs.Cognitive form of learning outside of work, she is a creative writer, a wildlife tracker, a birder, and lover of the natural world! Have a question? Contact our administrative team here.Cognitive form of learning our camp locations

With parks or locations in or near seattle, bellevue, kirkland, kenmore, issaquah, redmond, and carnation, we strive to select places that feel like true wilderness, and are also as close to home as possible.Cognitive form of learning we provide wild experiences that are convenient to access for families in the greater seattle area. That way, the camp location can become a place for the whole family to continue to visit and enjoy throughout the year.Cognitive form of learning for a map of our camp locations, click here. The results of our programs

Every year, we get hundreds of positive comments from parents. They tell us that their students' self-confidence and sense of empowerment increased.Cognitive form of learning they tell us they learned to articulate their creativity in innovative ways, applying new knowledge and skills. Most importantly, they tell us they had fun.Cognitive form of learning but you don't have to believe what we say—listen to what our campers and their parents have told us in the testimonials below. Is scholarship funding available?Cognitive form of learning