Teen Courses + Volunteer
Click on or scroll through options below for programs and volunteer opportunities for ages 13+
Our 9-month, one weekend per month immersive naturalist + survival program for ages 13-15. Now offering an additional registration option for the Teen Immersion minus the overnight trips.
Summer Camp options vary yearly and often include camps for ages 13+
We allow drop-in students who aren't available for the whole Immersion to select days of the Teen Immersion (age 13-15)
Click here to see this year's drop-in sessions--These will be posted once the Immersion fills
Students ages 16+ are welcome to attend our short-course workshops for adults
Ages 14+ can help out at a summer camp, no school camp, the Teen Immersion (alumni only), or homeschool
Request a custom program for your small group of teens, adults, mixed-age, etc
TEEN IMMERSION PROGRAM
September to May each Year, Ages 13-15
When? The Teen Immersion meets one weekend per month, September-May. Some weekends will be Saturday & Sunday 9-3 , some weekends will be Saturday 9-3 only, and there will be 2 Saturday 9am- Sunday ~1pm overnight trips: one in October, one in May. See 2024-25's schedule below. Now offering an additional registration option for the Teen Immersion minus the overnight trips.
Where? Parks and Public Lands in Bend, Oregon. Locations vary. See our Locations page and the FAQ at the bottom of this page for more info.
Who? Teens age 13-15 interested camping, wildcrafting, community, nature games, wilderness survival, nature connection, and getting to know the land and ecosystem around them
How much? Non-refundable deposit up front, choose your payment plan for the remainder after. See Enrollment Section below.
Teen Immersion Overview
This program meets one Weekend a month for a 9 month long journey. Together we explore a wide range of skills related to earth skills, wildcrafting, carving, natural world education, and outdoor leadership. This course is perfect for students looking to gain in depth knowledge, build community, and get a hands-on opportunity at survival skills through play, adventure, and crafts.
Throughout the year students will:
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Learn the rules of survival
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Build shelters
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Learn friction fire
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Hear nature stories
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Expand sensory awareness
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Learn wildlife tracking
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ID edible and medicinal plants
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Take home wilderness crafts
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Cultivate knowing within our landscapes
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Go on overnight camping excursions, including an end-of-year "survival trip"
See the monthly schedule below for more topics we will touch on! Students will have an opportunity to challenge their skills throughout the year and work together as a team to complete tasks.
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Now offering an additional registration option for the Teen Immersion minus the overnight trips. This and any available drop-in spots are listed below in the registration section.
2024-25 Teen Immersion Schedule
Instructors: Chelsea Ernst and Tyler Doyle
Locations will vary depending on time of year, weather, and activity, but will be held in the greater Bend area on public lands, including locations on Alfalfa Market Road BLM land, Sisters USFS land, and Tumalo State Park. See FAQ below.
SEPTEMBER 21 & 22
Introduction, Survival "Rule of Threes", Water Purification
Get to know our group for the year! We’ll play sensory awareness and nature-based games, set goals, learn more about one other, the land we live on and the wilderness in our backyard. We’ll touch on the question: what is the first thing you should do when you realize you're in a survival situation? And practice some skills that would help you in that situation.
October 12-13 (Overnight)
Shelter Overnight
Learn effective and practical shelters. Students will learn different techniques for making shelters that can withstand the weather and provide protection from the elements. The team will all work together to build a survival shelter from the landscape. We will also demonstrate a few handy knots. *Those registered for the Teen Immersion Minus Overnights will skip this month*
NOVEMBER 9
Friction Fire and Knife Carving
With the days getting cooler, we’ll focus on learning how to make fire from the land through bow drill and hand drill. Students will get dirt time for practicing their fire making skills and gain tips and tricks for harsher conditions. In addition, we’ll do knife safety and students will have the tools necessary to carve out their own personal bow drill kit.
DECEMBER 14
Stone Tool Making
Diving back into our deep roots of human history, we’ll discuss and learn to craft some of the oldest tools of mankind. We’ll practice the art of flintknapping to make arrowheads and more. We'll make practical tools we could use on our end-of-year survival trip.
JANUARY 11
Snow Shelters
With winter in full swing we’ll get the chance to go play in the snow while learning cold weather and alpine survival. After snowshoeing to an ideal location, students will get the opportunity to construct a team shelter in the snow and learn of many different “emergency” shelters for these conditions.
FEBRUARY 8
Winter Games and Archery
We’ll test the knowledge we’ve gained so far with a day-long game. This gives the group an opportunity to focus on each other’s strengths and weaknesses and fill in gaps for individuals skills. Students will also learn archery and get to practice shooting bows and arrows.
MARCH 8
Wildlife Tracking, Stalking, and Projectiles
As the beginnings of spring begin to emerge we’ll awaken our senses to the art of animal tracking. Students will learn to identify tracks and trails, look for animal signs, and learn the behaviours of the animals all around. We’ll discuss ethical and practical hunting techniques and have the opportunity to keep practicing archery and learn how to use an atlatl.
APRIL 12 & 13
Foraging, Plant ID, and Prep for May's Trip
To celebrate the days getting longer and the fauna in bloom, we’ll go on a group plant harvest. Students will learn plant families and how to identify common edibles and poisonous plants, as well as rules for ethical harvesting. We'll go over the plan for the next month's survival trip and cover any topics we missed so far this year.
MAY 17-18 (Overnight)
Primitive Camping "Survival" Overnight
Put all the years skills to the test! As a group, the team will be given a survival challenge where all the skills learned thus far will come together. We’ll then celebrate the end of the year with a group meal and share stories. *Those registered for the Teen Immersion Minus Overnights will skip this month*
Teen Immersion Enrollment Options + Drop-In Dates
FAQS
Locations and Transportation?
Parents/guardians drop off and pick up at the months' location. Locations vary each month. The majority are either at our location in SE Bend, managed by Bureau of Land Management, or at other public lands around Bend. There will be a winter class in the mountains for the snow shelter day. Exact Info on each month will be emailed to parents/guardians within the weeks before class. Some weekends, drop-off will be at our regular meeting place and Nighthawk will transport students by van to a wilderness location for the class.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
We teach through a style that balances inquiry with giving real information and answers. We teach by a curriculum outline, but we also value flexibility and a level of student-led learning. So, we allow for wiggle room on the topics we cover, the activities we do, and the craft projects we take on with the students. Our curriculum for this program, like all of our programs, even those for adults, dovetail with the seasons. So, we let the weather and seasons guide what we do.
TEACHER: STUDENT RATIO? AGE EXCEPTIONS?
This program will be 10 students max, with at least a 5:1 Student:Teacher ratio.​ Please follow age range suggestions for your program. Students younger than 13 allowed only if they turn 13 within the first couple months of the program. Within one year older is allowed, as long as they understand the age range and that the camp will be geared mainly towards that age group. Please reach out to info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com if needed for individual student considerations.
Tuition Help?
We offer partial subsidy options to veterans, tribe members, and those with financial need. We also offer payment plans for the Immersions, see monthly payment option in enrollment section above. Email us at info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com for other payment plans or to request partial subsidy.
More Questions?
