July 30 - Aug 11
Truly unplug and tap into yourself this summer in the Adirondack backcountry. Paddle, hike, and adventure through the Adirondacks as you practice your new survival skills, learn about backcountry cooking, test your limits, slow down to the rhythms of the wilderness, and learn to rely on yourself and your community. Step up to the challenge and find yourself, community, the power of the wilderness, and so much more! This trip will start at Eden Village Camp with 2 days of preparation and community building before heading up to the Adirondacks for 9 days in the wilderness. The group will return to camp for the last Shabbat to wrap up the trip and celebrate with the broader camp community.
$4,500
itinerary
Overview
This two-week program will spend one day on site at Eden Village building community and preparing for the adventure. Teens will then journey to the wilderness for 10 days of camping, canoeing, hiking (and so much more!). The group will return to spend a final Shabbat at Eden Village Camp before heading home.
On a daily basis, participants will encounter the joys and challenges of living life in the wilderness. They’ll cook together as a group, learn to build fires, build shelters, keep their gear dry, pack their backpacks, use a camp stove, navigate with a map, catch and process wild fish, and ultimately slow down to the pace of nature and come to see themselves and the world around them with new eyes.
Days 1-2
Arrive at Eden Village! Meet the group, settle in, spend time getting to know each other. The group will spend one night at camp, and then wake up early to head north towards the Adirondacks! Upon arrival up north, the group will meet up with their wilderness guide, pack up the boats, and hit the water.
Days 3-5
Camping at Follensby Clear Pond, teens will spend the first few days getting into the rhythms and routines of eating, sleeping, and playing outside all the time. The group will explore the area around Follensby Clear pond, start practicing portaging their canoes, and settle in for a sweet, joyous, and restful shabbat among the trees. In preparation for Shabbat, the group will prepare all of their food, set up an eruv around their campsite, and participate in a ritual mikvah in the waters by their campsite. They’ll spend shabbat singing, resting, and getting to know each other more.
Days 6-8
Adventure to the next campsite at Floodwood Pond! Moving into the second week together, teens start honing their wilderness skills from fishing, whittling, cooking over the fire, purifying water, navigating with maps, star gazing, and more. The group will come together for the most physically challenging day of the trip to canoe from the campsite on Floodwood up to Long Pond, and hike up Long Pond Mountain to take in the views of the whole region. It’s a well earned highlight of the trip!
Days 9-10
Paddle over to the last campsite on Polliwog Pond. Participants have the chance to spend a full day alone in the wilderness in a challenging, spiritual, and transformative practice of a wilderness solo.
days 11-13
The group will pack up and paddle out to start their journey back to Eden Village. They’ll have the chance to return to camp for the final Shabbat of the session, camping on the farm under the stars, sharing stories from their adventure at Friday night Oneg, and enjoying some final time together as a community.
faq
What should I pack?
We’ve provided a detailed packing list to help you prepare for the trip. Please read through it carefully to make sure you have everything you need.
Do I need to be a previous Eden Village camper to participate?
Absolutely not! Our trip is designed for both teens new to Eden Village and long-time campers. Our goal is to bring the love and spirit of Eden Village into our program, but craft an original and unique experience for all participants.
How long is the trip?
2 weeks! The group will start off the first 2 days at Eden Village, spend 9 days in the wilderness, and return to camp for the last shabbat.
Is the trip kosher and shabbat observant?
Yes, just like at Eden Village, the trip is kosher and Shabbat observant.
We pack out food from the Eden Village kitchen and cook all our own meals with our own dishes and cooking implements.
Each shabbat, we setup camp, including an eruv. The group will not be cooking, traveling, or building fires on Shabbat. We’ll be creating our own Shabbat ritual and practice in the woods, similar to what we do at camp.
Does the trip spend any time at camp?
Yes! The trip will spend two days at camp before trip and two days at camp after the trip before heading home. While at camp, the group will be sleeping in tents on the farm.
What if I’ve never gone camping or canoeing?
That’s no problem! This trip is designed to challenge both first time adventurers and longtime nature lovers. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, and guide you throughout the process of learning how to live in the wilderness.
That being said, this is a strenuous trip. Please contact camp if you are unsure if your camper will be able to participate.
Is it true I won't be able to use my phone?
Yes! We will be in the true backcountry without power or cell access. The staff will have a satellite phone (with solar charger) for daily check-ins with camp and any emergencies.
How many teens on each trip?
Each trip is restricted to just nine teens, two staff, and one guide. The maximum group size on the trail is 12 people.
What does a regular day look like?
Each day is a different unique adventure! We’ll be doing a variety of things including (but not limited to!) canoeing, hiking, fishing, exploring, cooking, swimming, resting, and so much more.
Every day on the trip we’ll wake up, make some breakfast, and then head out for the day’s activity. We will spend 2-3 nights at each campsite, so some days we will be packing up everything and paddling to our next destination in our canoes, and some days we’ll be hiking or canoeing to explore the area around where we’re camping.
Who are the staff?
Each group of 9 teens is accompanied by two Eden Village staff members and one professional wilderness guide. Our staff are trained specifically for this program to help guide teens through this experience. The wilderness guides we work with have years of experience guiding groups in the Adirondack wilderness.
