Uniting with nature is key to all of our programs. The Wilderness Discovery Program is designed to introduce the students to four basic fundamentals: Naturalism, Environmentalism, Indigenous Survival and Wilderness Adventure Activity. Through a nurturing and mentoring environment and instructed by Methow Valley Naturalists students will begin to learn plant and animal identification, wildlife tracking and the natural history of the North Cascades. While exploring our 15 acres of riparian habitat and the banks of the wild Methow River that backs the property students will be introduced to some of the basic stewardship and restoration practices, main environmental concerns for the area and will step back in time to learn and practice some indigenous survival techniques including shelter construction, finding and purifying water and starting fire by friction.

In parallel, they will be introduced to and practice   wilderness medicine, orienteering, trip planning and packing, nutrition, leave no trace ethics and the basic technical aspects of rock climbing, hiking, backpacking and water activities.

As this program is designed to introduce students to the wilderness they will spend approximately 50% of their time at Basecamp with the comforts of home close by. While at Basecamp meals will be prepared in our commercial kitchen and showers and bathrooms will be available. On over night trips the meals will be prepared by the group under the close supervision of our staff. The other 50% of their time will be spent on day trips to the North Cascades National Park, short day hikes away from Basecamp, rock climbing at nearby cliffs, canoeing sections of the Methow River and overnight trips in the North Cascades National Park.                                      

                                                                                   Cougar Den Near WA Pass                                                   

As each sunset comes and goes their appreciation for the natural world around them, their leadership abilities, confidence and ability to work as a team will increase to levels they never dreamed of. They will leave the program with the skill set necessary to attend Wilderness Adventures or Expeditions.

  Buck eating at Basecamp !!!