by Alandra Johnson

Every other week the Bulletin feature a kids organization, highlighting opportunities for youths in the area.

THE GROUP: Coyote Trails School of Nature WHAT IT IS: Started in 2003, Coyote Trails School of Nature offers a variety of nature camps and classes to children and families. The school focuses on teaching primitive survival skills to help kids and adults get in touch which their instincts. “We like to open kids’ awareness to the natural environment,” said Joe Kreuzman, founder of the school.

 

The school has weekend or day programs during the year and offers weeklong summer camps beginning in June. The camps are open to children as well as their parents or guardians (children are also welcome to attend by themselves). Campers are provided with organic meals. Different camps are offered for different skill levels. Some skills the camps teach include building a shelter, creating primitive fire by friction, obtaining safe potable drinking water and making bows and arrows. Campers will also get involved in making primitive pottery, art projects, sketches, journals, music, dance and storytelling.

According to Kreuzman, the “most important thing” that the camps focus on is helping “cultivate the imagination.” BENEFITS: Learning about nature, wilderness and survival skills helps build a foundation for confidence, according to Kreuzman.  He says attendees develop “deeper” confidence in themselves, deeper relationship with their family, deeper relationship with themselves” as well as developing “hard skills for how to stay alive.”

AGES: 7 and older
WHERE: Spring and fall classes take place in Bend, Oregon and Ohio, summer camps take place at the Earth Teach Forest Park, a 1,600-acre wilderness preserve outside Ashland. The school will offer a local class at the end of August through the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District.
INVOLVEMENT/TIME COMMITMENT: Summer programs are one seek long; fall and spring classes range from daylong to weeklong.
WHEN KIDS CAN JOIN: Register at any time through out the year; registration for summer is currently under way.COST: $650 for week, includes all food, per person; families are $975 for two people with each additional person costing $500. Daylong programs cost $45 and up. The group offers some scholarships to those in financial need.
CONTACT: Office, 541.482.0513 or www.coyotetrails.org.