Here are the trips added:

One Week, Outdoor Discovery (Ages 8-10):  June 20th-26th; July 4th-10th

One Week, Classic Adventure (Ages 11-13):  June 20th-26th; July 4th-10th

Two Week, Classic Adventure (Ages 11-13):  August 1st-14th

Two Week, Classic Adventure (Ages 14-17):  August 1st-14th

Never before have we had so much response to need an additional Wilderness Leadership Course!  So we are excited to offer the second set of dates for the WLC to be held from July 4th-31st.

As with all of our trips we require a minimum of 6 participants for the trip to run.  If that trip does not fill, and we cannot find other dates that work for your child, then we will offer a FULL REFUND!  Also don’t forget that if you Register Online, or by calling our toll free number 800-782-0779, before April 1st then you receive 10% off any trip.  That is between $90-$390 worth of savings, depending on which trip you choose.

Also for every friend that refers you, or additional sibling that signs up you get $100 off.  That means (with the 10% discount)  you would only need to sign up 7 friends for your one week trip would be totally FREE!

As always feel free to call us here at the base camp anytime with questions about program details, pricing, or dates.  Or if you prefer just shoot us a quick email.  We hope to see you all this summer and happy camping!

I know it has been a while since my last blog update.  It is a new year and a time to start over, a time to grow change and learn from the year gone by. now lucky for all of you, you do not have to read a blog about me going on for ever about any of that. Instead I am going to post up an essay composed by one of our very own alumni from WAEL. Thats right “Bobo”!

Enjoy!

Caryn Maconi
October 19, 2008

I was introduced to backpacking at a summer camp called Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing when I was eleven years old. After learning about the program at a local camp fair, my mother signed me up on a whim, unaware that the experience would have a lasting impact on my life.

The founder of the organization, Colonel Gene Nervo, is a wise, friendly, balding man in his sixties who started the camp after serving in the Marines. His goal was to create a program that builds character in young people by having them experience firsthand the challenges that the outdoors can hold. Throughout my five years as a camper and one year as a staff member at Wilderness Adventure, “Colonel”, as he is lovingly called, has taught me about the two main principles of character that I base my life on: a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.

When Colonel talks about the “principles of success” in his discussions at the start and finish of every youth backpacking session, he explains their usefulness in the outdoors, but especially emphasizes their importance in the rest of life.

During my summer working as a Wilderness Adventure employee, I really learned to understand what a good work ethic was all about. I was excited to spend six weeks at Wilderness Adventure, getting paid to backpack, rock climb, kayak, and mountain bike – all of the activities that I have grown to love during my years as a camper. It was easy to put forth my best effort with these. I soon realized, however, that the ins-and-outs of running an outdoor adventure camp require a lot of work that is not so exciting.

For example, I spent entire days digging a drainage pipe out of the ground with a pick axe and a shovel. I worked hours in the base camp kitchen, washing dishes, taking out the trash, and mopping floors. I would frequently help out after work hours were done, loading a boat trailer or preparing a re-supply for a group out on the trail. This task consisted of collecting mail, food, fuel, water, and other items to be distributed to backpackers in the middle of a long trip, and it often took more time than expected. Still, I remembered Colonel telling me that a good work ethic meant doing every task, no matter how big, small, or smelly, to the best of my ability. I followed his advice, knowing that I was lucky to have a job at Wilderness Adventure and that I would be given an opportunity to have an action-packed day off if I only kept up the effort.

This principle carries over into my life at home in countless ways. As a cross-country and track runner, I train hard every day, never slowing down or cutting a run short when the coach isn’t looking. At school, I study for tests until I know I am well prepared, and I complete every homework assignment, even if it won’t be checked by a teacher. To me, “slacking” is a bad word, and when I notice somebody slacking off, I feel compelled to encourage that person to set his or her goals just a little higher.

I love the personal feeling of accomplishment that a good work ethic provides, and I know that every challenge I meet with perseverance and effort makes me a stronger, more confident person.

I believe that a positive attitude is one of my most outstanding traits, and Colonel consistently strengthens that trait within me. He has shown me the value of keeping my head up whatever difficulty comes my way, always trying to find something good in the situation. A positive attitude is extremely important at Wilderness Adventure, because while living purely outdoors and carrying your life in a pack is an amazing experience, it certainly has its share of obstacles.

Backpackers must find ways to deal with poison ivy, rainstorms, bug bites, hikes that last into the night, flavorless freeze-dried meals, and worst of all, no showers! Still, I see all of this as part of the package; I realize that with each obstacle overcome I build character, and I know that each experience will be another exciting story to look back on with pride.

With a positive attitude, I find life so much more enjoyable and challenges so much more fun to meet. I get excited about my eleven-mile cross country practice, and instead of dreading and procrastinating that term paper, I look forward to the moment when I can say it’s completed and I can read over my impressive work.

Approaching life with optimism helps me to be fearless and believe in learning through every opportunity. Most of all, having a positive attitude means being happy, and spreading that happiness to everyone I meet with a bright smile, a hug, or a few encouraging words.

Perhaps I have always possessed the qualities that Colonel advocates, and he has really only brought them to the surface through his program and its unique challenges. When I feel like something in my life is not quite right, like my plans are not working out the way they should or my frustration level is a little high, I think of Colonel and those two powerful virtues. I take his lessons to heart, for they have helped me to see life’s bigger picture. I have learned to look at life with optimism, motivation, and a kind heart. By sticking to the values that have come to define me, I find that I am always ready and determined to commit to challenges, to take risks, and to build character with every experience.

OK, so it wasn’t actually the Capital or President but it was the Society for Science and the Public, which hosts a program (sponsored by the Discovery Channel) for some of the smartest kids in the United States.

We now help them out each year and we always look forward to it.

For the past year roughly 2000 middle school students had been creating science experiments and projects and this was the culmination of their efforts. They were competing for $40,000 in scholarships. These 2000 students were about to be narrowed down to 30 finalists who would move on to the final round of judging.

So…where does Wilderness Adventure come in? What does a summer adventure camp have to do with a science fair?

The job of our retreat center staff Patrick, Julia, Dan, Sarah, and Chris was to prepare the students for their final round of the competition. During the final round students would be working together in teams of 6 on their final project/assignment.

Most of these kids prefer to work alone, completing the projects, and taking all the credit. Working together was going to be a tough task. With dodge balls in hand our staff entered some of the nicest conference rooms they’d ever seen and tackled their hardest obstacle – kids that only like to study. After three hours it was declared “mission accomplished”. And as the parents entered the room they found that their reserved, studious children had transformed into crazy, sweaty kids that were working together.

What did we do? We started off with some large group de-inhibitors and team building initiatives to break down barriers and comfort zones…basically the plan was to get them laughing and to open up.

Next we broke them into their groups of 6 and put them through a series of activities that would be useful for them in their final stage. In the end we had an initiative that stumped most at first, but once the code was cracked they moved quickly to finish their task. Overall they looked exhausted, yet ready for the next couple days of their competition.

Our work was done, and greatly appreciated by the staff of the convention. After a quick breakfast the next morning we handed out some summer camp information to our new friends, hopped in the minivan, and headed back to the beautiful mountains of Craig County.

Col. Gene Nervo and and his family would be the guinea pigs for the first flight test of what was to be the longest and fastest zip line in the world.

Fast forward to present day…

The clicking of the pulley and carabiners echo down the mountain as preparations are made. One last breath and off goes the pilot! The reverberation through the anchor poles rev like an engine reaching its redline, matched only by the battle cry of exhilaration as the zip line pilot achieves approximately 35-40 mph.

900 feet of “pure screaming fun” breaks through the atmosphere as the zipliner flies down the mountain. And like a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier, the pilot gets caught by the dynamic brake system and sent backwards towards his or her final destination. A group effort is taken underway to retrieve the zipliner and prepare for the next flight…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Come get some!!

TRuC