3 Hours Off the Path $75 for children who have already completed one 2-hour On the Path introductory program. Parent participation is not required at this level so you can kick back and relax, use our Starlink WiFi or the 5G at base camp to run your hotspot and catch up on work, or you are welcome to use a hammock and rest while we supervise the kids. (If it is not your child's first Off the Path, you don't need to stay on site at all.) After one completion of a 3 Hour Off The Path, your child's compatibility and risk assessment should be developed enough to enroll them in any of our nature programs that require prior experience, like the very popular Wilderness Camp. Also after completion, parents may continue to request specific dates and times to schedule private Off The Path experiences, up to nine hours each, for your children and their friends, maybe when school is out or you just need a day off from parenting to do other things. You can also schedule your own private Off The Path just for you and your kids with no guide. OFF the PATH!MORE INFO!After completing one 2-hour On The Path experience, bring your children back for gently guided exploration Off the Path. Children are encouraged to indulge their natural curiosities and safely engage in unstructured nature play. Parents can either follow again and observe from a distance or relax in a rocker by the pond while kids venture off with counselors to exclusive access areas like the Fallen Forest (only available for this specific program). They'll learn how to assess risks, trust their instincts, and test boundaries while letting their imaginations be their guides.In some cases completion of Off The Path can serve as a prerequisite to Little Wilderness Camp (ages 7-8) or even big Wilderness Camp (ages 9-10) for kids who are well matched for the nature experience but did not complete Animal Camp. You might also sign kids up for Campfires & Forts during Spring Break or when local schools are out to get more time at the private nature preserve!Why go Off The Path? Our inspiration started decades ago and has been reinforced year after year by experts like Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, who introduced the concept of The Hybrid Mind long before it was trendy. Children live in an automated, electronic world and, more than any generation before them, their risks of Directed Attention Fatigue (which exacerbates the symptoms of ADHD) are higher than ever. Most kids won't (or can't) choose a totally unplugged, off-grid lifestyle, but that doesn't mean they can't learn how to maintain a healthy balance of screen time and sunshine. Our counselors teach how to use technology to enhance the nature experience, not replace it. You'll often find us standing barefoot in the dirt, drinking water from reusable bottles, using a compass app on our smart phones, while communicating with walkie-talkies. High Tech Naturalism is not just a concept for sustainable products, it's a way of experiencing the best of both worlds. Our nature programs emphasize the importance of existing in a high tech world without losing our connections to the natural world. REQUEST NOW! Off the Path is offered exclusively to kids who have completed one 2-hour On The Path. Fully paid, advanced reservations required. Mixed age groups may choose to book a private Off The Path experience, up to nine hours, when available.The private nature preserve is surrounded by hundreds of privately owned acres, never open to the public, and visitors are only allowed when scheduled in advance in order to avoid trespassing. All visits must be fully supervised by trained personnel the entire time and visitors must agree to the rules of the property, including the NDA regarding the private location (for the safety of the animals, children, property owners and visitors) and a Hold Harmless waiver. Geo-tagged photos are not allowed. (Please only take photos in airplane mode with your location service disabled.)Parents/guardians must drive kids to the property and provide their own water bottles and insect repellent, etc. for both the On The Path and Off The Path programs.
