Our financial aid philosophy is take what you need and give what you can. We recognize that there are economic hardships, and we want to be accessible to all, so we ask that you pay whatever it is that you can.
The more you can pay, the more children we are able to extend aid to. Before you request financial aid we ask families to consider if there are family members or friends who might help provide a scholarship to your family for this program.
While nobody has ever been turned away for lack of funds, our ability to accommodate financial aid requests rests on the strength of our program enrollment and the generosity of the individuals, businesses and foundations that partner with Wild Earth to make financial aid possible.
We're in this together! Many of us are stretching ourselves to make sure that cost doesn't get in the way of anyone playing, exploring and learning in nature.
Requests for financial aid are processed alongside your registration. This enables you to reserve a space in the program while our team is reviewing aid requests. Register now and reserve your space in Awl today.
Youth of all genders aged 9 – 10; possibility of adding an 11 – 13 year old group
8 Saturdays, 1 Sat-Sun Overnight (in the Spring)
Starting in October, ending in May.
Hazardous Weather Make-Up Day:
Saturdays: Rolling drop-off time from 9-9:30am – and pickup from 3-3:30pm
Overnights: Rolling drop-off time: 9:00-9:30am Saturday – and pickup from 11-11:30am Sunday
$1,300 for 23-24 Program. Sibling discount and payment plans available. Please indicate financial aid needs when you register, we encourage families to apply for any amount of aid needed.
Due to the unusual rattlesnake activity and behavior we have observed at our land in Kerhonkson this summer, we will be taking a break from regular programming there as we create an assessment process to inform our next steps. In the meantime, we plan to relocate our Artemis, Atlatl, Awl, and Ropes youth programs to alternate sites, for the duration of the 2023-2024 program year.
Drop us an email or give us a call and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
hello@wildearth.org
(845) 256-9830
Why Youth Year-Round Programs are Gender-Based
We have polled our campers and staff and have learned that during this formative time being with a group of any gender(s), masc, or femme, identifying peers is what supports them most in feeling safe, seen and celebrated.
Though these groups have different names the curriculum arcs are similar throughout. We trust all campers and families to choose the group that most supports their identity and needs.
Artemis – for femme identifying youth
Atlatl – for masc identifying youth
Awl – for any and all gender(s) identifying youth
Pre adolescence is a crucial point in childhood development, where we more fully come into our bodies, our voices and our unique gifts. At Wild Earth, we hold monthly immersive programming to support this development. For years, Wild Earth has offered Artemis, a program for femme identifying people and Atlatl a program for masc identifying people. Though we have found that many of our campers feel most safe, seen and celebrated in one group or the other, we have also heard feedback that to be more inclusive of our communities’ needs, a non-gender specific program for preadolescents is essential.
For those that do not want to be in a group that leans towards one specific gender expression, we are excited to welcome you to Awl.
The curriculum arcs are similar across all of the groups (Artemis, Awl, Atlatl) in the program.
As always, we welcome all gender expressions at any of our Youth Year-Round Program groups (Artemis, Awl, Atlatl) and trust that children and families will choose the group that most supports their identity and needs. Transgender, non-gender conforming and nonbinary youth are welcome at whichever group (Artemis, Awl, Atlatl) they feel most at home.
Awl is a once a month Saturday program for 9-10 year old youth who want to experience a variety of earth and arts skills with an adventurous, loving group of youth and mentors. Together we will mix guided play-based learning with skill building activities to help youth develop resiliency, empowered self-reliance, confidence and community.
Awl activities may include:
– Storytelling
– Singing and music making
– Playing awesome games
– Fire building and making fire-by-friction
– Harvesting and using wild foods
– Natural dyeing
– Wildlife tracking
– Making natural cord and rope
– Stalking and the art of camouflage
– Navigation
– Wandering with awareness
– Building shelters
– Earth-based crafts
– Being outdoors through different seasons and weather
– Discovering natural mysteries
– Practical camping and survival skills
We hope that by introducing an all gender program, we are meeting the needs of our community and intend on adding additional groups so children can experience these monthly immersive programs through to their teenage years. If you have a child who is 11-13 years old and they would like to be a part of this new program, please email our program director and we will discuss the options.