Below is a list of our frequently asked questions.  Please remember that our program is broken into 4 trip categories.  You can click on any of the trip categories to refresh your memory:

Outdoor Discovery (ages 8-12)

Classic Adventures (ages 11-12, 13-14, & 15-17)

Specialized Trips (ages 13-15 & 14-17)

Earth Explorations (ages 15-17)

What about Bug Bites and Poison Ivy?

There are ways to prevent getting bug bites and poison ivy, which mainly consist of covering up EVERYTHING.  Most campers however don’t walk around in snow gear during the summer months and try to take their chances with Bug Spray and avoiding poison ivy altogether.  Upon the first hike our leaders show the campers what poison ivy looks like as well as areas it is prominent.  As for the bugs…even with bug spray constantly being coated on, you are going to get bites.  We take frequent breaks for water, sunscreen and bug spray and yet we still have campers returning to camp with bug bites.  Some say it is all part of the adventure.  The best remedy is to apply bug spray every two hours…and to wear long sleeves/pants when in areas with a lot of bugs.

Is this a Boot Camp or Troubled Youth Program?

No…despite what television is telling us these days there are still good natured outdoor adventure programs that do not deal with dropping kids off in the woods and filling there pockets with rocks.  In our application process we ask that the participants sign a Participant Agreement so they understand that the program is fun and exciting as well as can be physically challenging, and is not a Boot Camp.  This program is for kids excited about meeting new people and getting a chance to experience adventures they have never experienced before.  Children sent here against their will will be sent home without a refund.

My child is reluctant to attend your program, but I think it would be good for him. Should I send him anyway?

It depends. We ask that participants arrive with a positive attitude and a willingness to participate in the group process. This is not a rehabilitation program, a survival program, or a therapeutic program for "at risk" children; it is a fun, exciting, and challenging adventure program for the general population. A participant who is a behavior problem or continually disrupts the group process may be sent back to Base Camp and sent home without a refund. Therefore, you should not send your child here if he or she does not want to accept the challenge. It is natural to be apprehensive about attending a program where you will be challenged both physically and mentally. However, we design our programs to be age-appropriate and to strike a balance between being too challenging and not challenging enough. If you think your child will enjoy the outdoors and camping, and is willing to give the activities his or her best shot, he or she will probably have a great experience here. If your child is reluctant or nervous, it may help to visit us or to have your child call some of the former participants on our reference list.

I'm still not clear on what gear I will need to provide

All activity and camping equipment is provided for our Outdoor Discovery and Classic Adventures, as well as the majority of equipment for our Specialized Trips, including tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks.  Each Specialized Trip may have additional equipment you will need to provide (such as a climbing harness, bike helmet, etc.).  If you are going on an Earth Exploration you will be provided with a detailed equipment list. You will have to purchase some items. Most items can be purchased through Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing's Base Camp Store.

Will I be carrying a lot of weight?

Participants in the 13-17 age group (as well as the 11-12 Classic Adventure trip) will carry a backpack containing all your personal items (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle, clothes, etc.), in addition to a portion of the group gear (cooking pots, tent, or stove). It is important to pack lightly, since the overall weight of your pack largely depends on the weight of your personal items. Our leaders spend considerable time at the beginning of the session assisting participants with packing appropriately. The average weight of a pack is 35 lbs.

All one week Outdoor Discovery trips utilize a permanent campsite and do not move from campsite to campsite each night; therefore the weight they carry is minimal. You will use a daypack to carry a water bottle, snack items, and extra clothing. Two-week Outdoor Discovery participants will spend their second week moving from campsite to campsite and will carry a backpack containing their personal items (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle, clothes, etc.), in addition to a portion of the group gear (cooking pots, tent, or stove). During their second week, groups will not backpack large distances with their packs; they will take what they need for the day and their packs will be shuttled to the campsite.

The packing list seems so small!  Do we need to follow it exactly?

Yes!  The more your child brings, the more their backpack will weigh.  The list is for one week or four weeks.  Anything extra will be left at Base Camp and your child will not be at Base Camp while they are on their adventure.

What will we be eating?

All groups (ages 13-17 and the 11-12 Classic Adventure trip) will be carrying a nutritious combination of lightweight, dehydrated backpacking food and non-dehydrated perishable goods such as cheese, bagels, tuna, and fruit. All the dehydrated food is high in the carbohydrates and protein needed to provide energy while on the trail as well as other nutrients found in the pasta, vegetables, and sauces. Delicious desserts are also provided to complement each dinner.

Outdoor Discovery (ages 11-12) participants will have some meals prepared for them by our kitchen staff while the others will be prepared by the group themselves in an established kitchen area over camp stoves. Sample meals are macaroni & cheese, soups, pancakes, eggs, etc. During activities groups will carry a nutritious combination of lightweight, dehydrated backpacking food and non-dehydrated perishable goods such as cheese, bagels, tuna, and fruit. All the dehydrated food is high in the carbohydrates and protein needed to provide energy.

Will I be able to shower?

Outdoor Discovery (ages 8-12) will have a few opportunities to shower in a shower house during one week programs. Otherwise you will not be able to shower in a bathroom facility during your trip. However, your group will often be near a creek or river. You will have the opportunity to bathe near the water source using biodegradable soap in accordance with Leave No Trace principles. Before departing on your last day, you will be able to shower at our Base Camp facility.

Where do they go to the bathroom?

We use Mother Nature after they learn a method known as troweling, which involves digging a hole in an environmentally sound manner.  They pack out all paper waste or we can teach them natural alternatives.  Occasionally a group will be camped near Forest Service “outhouses” and we will use them when they are available.  Outdoor Discovery groups (ages 8-12) will be able to utilize our bath/shower house during the first week of their trip.

What happens if I get sick or injured while away from Base Camp?

In our Outdoor Discovery, Classic Adventures and Specialized Trips, activity instructors and shuttle drivers will meet your group frequently. If you become ill or injured, your leaders will contact Base Camp where someone will meet your group to bring you back to Base Camp or the nearest medical facility. For medical emergencies, your group leader carries a cell phone or can use a phone at the nearest location to contact Base Camp. We answer our phones 24 hours a day throughout our summer program.

Will I be able to communicate with my parents?

If you are going on an Outdoor Discovery, Classic Adventure or a Specialized Trip you will need to rely solely on letters. Since this is a wilderness experience there are no phones; just remember, "no news is good news." Parents are called whenever a participant returns to the Base Camp due to illness, injury, or disciplinary problems. If you have chosen to explore the world with Earth Exploration trip then you will call home when you land at your destination, in the middle of the course, and just before you return home. There is more information in the Registration Packet for care packages.

How do they wash their clothes?

They can wash their clothes with biodegradable soap and water taken from nearby creeks in accordance with Leave No Trace ethics.  They hang clothes at their campsite or over their backpacks to dry.

How much spending money do I need?

It is not necessary to bring spending money for Outdoor Discovery, Classic Adventures and Specialized Trips. A credit amount is pre-determined by your parents (more information is in your registration packet). If you are going on an Earth Exploration trip, we recommend bringing $65 per week in Travelers Checks.

Do I really need to send a front/back copy of my Health Insurance Card? 

YES!  In the event that your child needs to seek medical treatment not having a copy of the insurance card can result in major delays in treatment and can lead to you being charged the full amount for the treatment.  You will then have to deal with getting reimbursed by your insurance company…which…is no picnic.  Although not required it is extremely helpful to include the social security number of the primary insurance holder.

What about flights for the Earth Exploration trips?

You are responsible for your own flight arrangements, however we are more than happy and willing to help you arrange your flight.  We will also notify you if there are other participants from your area so that you may try to get on the same flight together.  Our registration packet will include more information on flights including a travel agent that we recommend you use (but you aren't required to).  Please see Flight Travel for more information.

Will I need a passport or visa?

If you are going to either Panama or Vietnam you will need a passport. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and therefore you only need a valid ID. A Visa is needed for Vietnam but not Panama.  We recommend www.passportsandvisas.com if you need to obtain a passport or Visa.

Do you offer Trip Insurance?

We do and we highly recommend purchasing trip insurance for any of our trips. A reputable company is TraveMark Insurance (www.travmark.com).

800-782-0779 • P.O. Box 760
New Castle, VA 24127 • info@wilderness-adventure.com