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WILD GUYde Adventures, LLC

1047 Stuart St.

Harrisonburg, VA 22802

(540) 433-1637

lester@wildguyde.com

 

 

“Our children are the first generation to be raised without meaningful contact with the natural world.” 

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, 2006

 

Adventure Classroom trips for Home-Schoolers and other Adventurous Kids!

 

“Every child has inside him an aching void for excitement, and

if we don’t fill it with something which is exciting and interesting

and good for him, he will fill it with something which isn’t

exciting and interesting and good for him!”  (Theodore Roosevelt).

 

The natural world gives us a marvelous setting in which to find this adventure, as well as experience God’s beauty, learn new skills, and make friends.  This spring, WILD GUYde Adventures will be providing several outdoor experiences for home-schooled students and their parents.   Activities like rock climbing, canoe paddling, hiking, and caving will provide outdoor opportunities for families to experience exciting fun with friends, physical skill learning, and fitness apart from traditional team sports.  Students in Grades 2-3 will have three half-day trip options (2 hikes, and 1 canoe day); students in grades 4-6 will have four day-trip options (hiking, rock climbing, paddling, and caving); and students in Grades 7-12 will have four day-trips (hiking, climbing, paddling, and caving), with a little more challenge for each.  BY FREQUENT REQUEST, DADS OR MOMS WHO WANT TO SHARE THE ADVENTURE DAY WITH THEIR KID(S) MAY REGISTER THIS YEAR AS WELL! 

 

THIS YEAR, OUR SPECIAL THEME DAY FOR 4TH, 5TH, AND 6TH GRADERS IS NATURE SCHOOL – Kids can choose from an outdoor artist activity day, a biology naturalist activity day, or a frontier scout activity day!  Three enthusiastic teachers will provide great learning for each activity in nature’s classroom.  Check the Grades 4-6 page link to the left for details. 

 

This summer, we are also leading two overnights for young men (ages 11 and older) and their dads, uncles, older brothers, or other mentors. Both trips start around 5 PM on Friday and conclude at lunchtime on Saturday.

 

·         June 12-13, we’ll camp out and hike at Brandywine, WV.  During our hike on the Sawmill Trail on Saturday morning, we will introduce outdoor navigation and orienteering, and also learn about injury management and safety in the backcountry.

 

·         June 19-20 is “Fat-tire weekend.”  We’ll camp out at Hone Quarry in the George Washington National Forest, and then on Saturday morning, mountain bike up to the Slate Springs Waterfall.  We’ll learn a little about bike maintenance, and jump in the coldest waterfall of your life.  More details about either trip and a what-to-bring list are available by going to the Overnight Campout link or by contacting lester@wildguyde.com

 

 

DATES AND DETAILS FOR 2009 SPRING TRIPS ARE NOW POSTED; CHECK THE LINKS TO THE LEFT FOR YOUR AGE GROUP!

 

Feedback from Parents of recent Adventure Classroom Students

 

  • “I think what you are doing especially with youth is most excellent.  You are providing varied activities that not all of us nature lovers can do with our children.  Your approach to leaving nature as it was found is excellent. I think you are doing a wonderful thing with these adventures – I hope you keep doing it for a long time.” (TN, 2005)

 

  • “I was very impressed with Adventure Classroom this Spring!  Sean loves nature, but we don’t get to hike as often as I’d like.  This was a great opportunity to experience nature with someone experienced (and not Mom or Dad).  I felt the activities were age appropriate and I appreciate that you push the kids to give their all.  Thank you for being a positive influence in his life.”  (MO, 2005)

 

  • “Daniel enjoyed scrambling through the rocks at Fridley’s Gap, paddling to the dam, and climbing at the fire tower.  He remembers the different strokes for paddling and of course LEAVE NO TRACE.  I appreciated the nature observations along the way.”  (TR, 2005)

 

  • “Dear Mr. Zook, I love you.  I like the field trips you take me on.  My favorite part was paddling to the dam and standing on it.  Love, Heather” (7 year old, Adventure Classroom, 2005)

 

  •  “My son had a fantastic time on his rock climbing trip.  Are you planning any more?  I have more children that want to come.  Thanks for planning these trips and taking the children!”  (EG, 2005)

 

  • “[My children] did have a wonderful time on the adventure trips.  I have heard comments about fiddleheads (when camping, they stopped and identified them for me), millipedes, and that climbing on slippery slimy rocks isn’t easy.  J also adds that he learned that mountain water is very cold!  They seemed to be appropriately challenged and thoroughly enjoyed their experience.  [My daughter] enjoyed making a new friend on the hiking trip.” (CW, 2005)

 

  • “Just thought I’d pass along these notes from Joseph.  He told me he had a really good time, and that the kids were nice.  Specifically, he used the ‘positive/negative’ analogy to describe the teamwork principle (he had been a bit nervous because he didn’t know anyone).  He just loved being outside and wants to do more of it!  He volunteered the information about ‘leave no trace,’ as well as what to do if you have to go poop in the wilderness!  He loved going up and up and up and splashing in the creek.”  (EM, 2005)

 

  • “Thank you for the wonderful pictures of the muddy, happy boys … they really enjoyed their experience with you.   J. especially loved the paddling adventure, and [the other two] enjoyed the cave … they talked about how things looked in there, smelled, felt, and discussed the incredible structure and design of the cave … they were thrilled to be part of such fun!” (DK, 2005)

 

  • “Both my girls spent the trip home explaining with great excitement the activities they had enjoyed.  The hiking highlight seemed to be the rope bridge and the swimming.  With the canoeing they very much enjoyed the ducklings they saw, and feeling some proficiency with the paddling.  Michaela felt great satisfaction with ‘reaching the top’ when rock climbing!  The girls really felt excited about learning and trying new things.  I felt like it was an excellent way to push them slightly in their physical abilities and for them to see how they can rise to the challenge.  Your organization is excellent and makes the experience wonderful for all involved.  Thanks for your hard work!”  (LM, 2005)

 

  • “[My daughter] had an absolutely wonderful time.  She talked mostly about the birds and plants she saw.  She was thrilled that she got to see at least one snake.  She loved playing in the water looking for salamanders.  She also talked about how ‘fun’ and ‘nice’ you both were.  Thanks so much for doing WILD GUYde!  My younger son is looking forward to the time that he is old enough to go.”  (BT, 2006)

 

  • “Thanks for the experience for my son.  He seemed quite tired out on the way home, but had a good time.  He had some experience in a canoe, but learned some new techniques from your trip.  It was a great opportunity to meet others who home-school.”  (KM, 2006)

 

  • “The boys had a great time with you and got more and more excited for each adventure day to arrive!  Thank you for nurturing, guiding, teaching, and leading our two boys for a few days this spring.  I know they will always remember their fun and educational adventures!”  (AL, 2006)